Celebrate Christmas in the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead

8th November 2023

“Like snowflakes, my Christmas memories gather and dance—each beautiful, unique, and gone too soon.”  Deborah Whipp

We are well and truly looking forward to celebrating Christmas in the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead this year with an abundance of baubles and lights, good food and merriment in some of our most picturesque settings!

Christmas music being played everywhere and decorations appearing on the streets signal a time to head to the towns of Windsor, Eton, Maidenhead and Ascot or villages such as Cookham, Bray and Sunninghill where your favourite shops are all stocked up with festive food and gifts.

Even if you don’t celebrate Christmas yourself it’s always a special time to come together with loved ones and simply enjoy the magic of the season.

We have a fabulous line-up of events and so many good reasons to get out and about in the Royal Borough this festive season.  We’ve put together a selection to help you get the most out of this special time.

Windsor Great Park Illuminated - 16 November 2023 – 2 January 2024

Prepare to be captivated as woodland and water at Windsor Great Park come alive with dazzling lights, breathtaking projections and flood-lit fountains. Takes approximately 1½ – 2 hours to walk, with cosy rest stops, food stalls and outdoor marshmallow toasting. A shorter 45 minute route is also available. Timed entry tickets sold in half hour slots from 4.30pm – 8pm (last entry is at 8.30pm).

Tickets: Super off peak from £19.80 adult; £12.10 child, £56.12 family (2A + 2C). Separate parking fee.

Windsor on Ice - 17 November – 07 January 2024

Alexandra Gardens hosts the annual festive ice-skating fun with a covered main rink and outside track for those who are a whizz on skates. A bit more Bambi? There are penguin supports and ‘Tiny Tuesday’ sessions for younger children, and ice-guides to teach basic techniques available with advance booking. Post skating relaxation with live music, fair rides, food stalls and a viewing area for non-skaters to watch and stay warm. Sessions are 45 minutes long.

Tickets: Adults from £14.50; Children from £12.50; Family (1+3 or 2+2) £46; + £1 online booking fee.

Garter Tower Christmas Illuminations – November – January

Windsor Castle’s Garter Tower becomes the centrepiece to the town’s Christmas Light display with huge illuminations of the 15th-century stained glass, architecture and motifs from St George’s Chapel, along with images provided by local schools. Daily projections between 4.30pm and 12 midnight.

Tickets: Free to see

LEGOLAND® at Christmas – select dates 25 November 2023 - 7 January 2024

Start with a selfie in front of the giant DUPLO® Christmas Tree and go on to explore lots of festive scenes hidden in Miniland, where Christmas is taking over The Brick and children can enjoy activities and LEGO builds. Selected rides, live entertainment, and attractions transform the park to a winter wonderland, with twinkling lights, snow dusted trees, and a sprinkling of LEGO® magic!

Tickets: online from £34

Christmas at Windsor Castle – 30 November 2023 – 1 January 2024

This year’s display celebrates the 675^th anniversary of the Order of the Garter – Britain’s oldest order of chivalry. St George’s Hall, beneath the ceiling studded with the badges of the Knights of the Garter, will have a 20-foot-high Christmas tree adorned with thousands of sparkling lights and twinkling Garter stars. The Waterloo Chamber’s 160-foot-long dining table will be laid with a Garter-themed display of decorative items from the Royal Collection. On select December dates local choirs will perform carols beneath the Christmas tree in St George’s Hall. The Castle’s opulent Semi-State Rooms, still often used by the Royal Family, are also open to visitors for the winter months only.

Tickets: online from £28 per Adult; £18 young person (18 – 24); £15.50 Child (5-17)

Exclusive evening tours at Windsor Castle

Exclusive evening tours on 4/11/18/22/29 December at 6pm or 6.15pm offer a behind-the-ropes experience through the State Apartments, ending with a glass of English Sparkling Wine.

Tickets: online £75 per person

Aladdin – 24 November – 14 January 2024

Make all your wishes come true on Aladdin’s magical (carpet) ride of adventure and fun! Theatre Royal Windsor’s traditional pantomime features comedy capers, dazzling dancers, colourful costumes, and a sprinkle of magic with Steven Blakeley, Patti Boulaye, Basil Brush and Anita Harris.

Tickets: from £18.50

Miki - select dates 29 November – 30 December 2023

An inspiring story about friendship, courage and adventure which features amazing underwater creatures, enchanting music, and extraordinary puppetry. Based on Stephen Mackey’s book.

Tickets: £15.50 Adult | £13.50 under 16s; £54 Family & Friends (4 people)

The Christmas Fair at Ascot Racecourse – 16 – 19 November 2023

Pick up perfect presents at the Pavilion, Ascot Racecourse, from 150 carefully selected boutique companies selling festive gifts, jewellery, children’s collections, art, homewares, and sensational stocking fillers with delicious food products from the food hall available on the ground floor. Open 9.30am – 5pm Thurs/Fri/Sat, Sunday 9.30am - 4pm.

Tickets: £5 online in advance, £7 by phone; £9 on the door.

Windsor Christmas Craft Fair - 18 – 19 November 2023

Celebrate Christmas Food & Drink, Arts, Crafts, and Gifts in heated marquees connected to the Royal Windsor Racecourse Grandstand. Open 10am – 3.30pm to browse, sample, and buy from 120+ exhibitor stallholders.

Tickets: Adult £5 (online £4); Concession £4 (online £3.50).

Norden Farm Festive Market – 24 November and 2 December 2023

A showcase of local artisan stallholders and handmade wares in the Linhay barns and car park. Enjoy favourite festive snacks and beverages together with a well-stocked bar featuring craft ales, mulled wine, and a full food menu. Open 6pm – 9pm. Limited parking.

Tickets: Free to see

Christmas Carriages on The Long Walk – selected December dates available 2023

Windsor Carriages will be decorated with festive cheer and their beautiful horses wearing their Christmas best to travel down the iconic Long Walk taking in panoramic views of Windsor Great Park and Windsor Castle. Carriages seat up to 6 people and are covered for comfort from the weather.

Tickets: Heritage rides from £200.

Windsor Great Park Festive Carriage Rides - select dates 18 Nov 2023 – 6 Jan 2024

Meet beside The Savill Garden Visitor Centre to enjoy Windsor Great Park from the comfort of an elegant, beautifully-decorated horse-drawn carriage, sightseeing ancient woodlands, 18th-century lakes, grand avenues, vistas and delightful gardens. Carriages seat 4 people. 

Tickets: £85 per carriage (30 min Festive Ride), £170 per carriage (60 min Festive ride).

Windsor & Eton Living Advent Calendar 

Just like a children’s Advent calendar, a different business’s window or door opens each evening at 6:15pm promptly for a 15-minute “live” Christmas-themed performance. Then the venue invites guests in for some Christmas treats and nibbles. 

Tickets: Free to see

Dream Circus – Royal Windsor Racecourse – 1/2/8/9/10/13/14/15/16/21 Dec 2023

New to Windsor this Christmas, this mix of magic and surreal is where glamour meets curiosity for an immersive 3-course dining and party experience. Watch gravity-defying aerial acrobats perform while relaxing in the Big Top bar with a life-size elephant, or in the Circus Bar’s charged atmosphere among contortionists, plate-spinning giraffes, and stilt-walking zebras.

Tickets: from £48.50 - £77.95 depending on date.

Eton Christmas Lights Switch-on – November

Early evening event with food stalls, funfair rides, music, and dancing starts 5pm at Jubilee Square, the Chapel service starts at 6pm followed by a Christmas procession with Father Christmas and reindeer and lights to the switch-on in Jubilee Square at 7pm.

Tickets: Free to see

Windsor Christmas Light Switch-on –  November 

Taking place in front of Windsor Castle, the programme of live festive performances from local groups takes place in the streets and on stage from 2pm. Food stalls, funfair rides and official switch-on ceremony at 5.30pm with the Mayor and cast of Aladdin from the Theatre Royal Windsor.

Tickets: Free to see

Maidenhead Christmas Lights Switch-on November 

Parts of the town centre closes to traffic for a Christmas funfair and market with craft and food stalls, and children’s rides.  Entertainment on the main stage from 4.30pm with countdown to the lights switch-on just before 6pm, followed by a firework display from the Town Hall roof (weather permitting).

Tickets: Free to see

Choirs at Christmas – 4/11/14/15/18 December 2023

Three performances each day (the timings of the performances vary from day to day) under the impressive Christmas tree in St George’s Hall, where local school and community choirs perform festive songs and music. 

Tickets: Included as part of Windsor Castle ticket.

Christmas Racing Weekend at Ascot – 22 – 23 December 2023

Ascot’s most valuable meeting of the jumps season features one of Britain’s most prestigious long-distance hurdle races. Off track there’s festive entertainment, traditional fairground rides and candle-lit carol singing with the Ascot Brass Band.

Gates open 10.45am – last race 3.35pm.

Tickets: from £30.