From shopping and carols, to festive experiences and afternoon tea, here’s how to celebrate Christmas in Windsor this year.
Christmas is just around the corner. We adore this time of year in Windsor, as the town transforms into a real life fairytale! The historic streets glow with twinkly lights, shop windows sparkle with festive displays, and cosy pubs invite you in for mulled wine by the fire.
It’s also a busy time of year, with lots of events taking place. From enchanting light trails in Windsor Great Park, to festive afternoon tea, traditional pantomimes and carol singing outside the castle, there are so many wonderful Christmas events in Windsor.
We live in Windsor and just love the fact that all of this is on our doorstep. We live and breathe Christmas at this time of year! So, whether you’re planning a festive getaway or a magical day out, here are the best things to do in Windsor at Christmas. We’ve selected a whole host of experiences, perfect for families, couples, and anyone ready to embrace the festive spirit!
I’d also recommend clicking through to our what’s on in Windsor guide, which we’re constantly updating with upcoming events.
15 Best Things to do in Windsor in Winter
Experience the magic of Windsor Illuminated
A visit to Windsor Great Park Illuminated is, without a doubt, one of the best things to do in Windsor at Christmas. Running from 14th November to 3rd January, this breathtaking light trail transforms The Savill Garden into a glittering wonderland of glowing fountains, shimmering trees, and sparkling pathways. It’s an unforgettable way to experience the park after dark.
Along the way, you can warm up with mulled wine, hot chocolate, and toasted marshmallows from cosy food stalls. The trail takes around 90 minutes and is perfect for an early evening family outing. Just remember to book timed-entry tickets in advance as it’s a popular Christmas activity!
See the Christmas lights in Windsor
The lights officially have been switched on since mid-November. There are lovely twinkly views all the way through town, with twinkling crowns draped across Peascod Street and pretty fairy lights in Windsor Royal. Oh, and you can’t miss the enormous Christmas tree that sits just outside Windsor Castle!
Seeing the town all illuminated is very special, so definitely snap a few photos.
See Windsor and Eton’s Living Advent Calendar
The Living Advent Calendar is a Windsor festive tradition you can’t miss. Running from the 1st to 24th December, the town comes alive each evening at 6:15pm, when a different local venue throws open its “doors” to reveal a surprise 15-minute performance.
One night it could be a choir filling the air with carols, the next a captivating storyteller or a festive bit of theatre. One of the best things is that it’s all completely free!
It’s set up by local businesses and performers, and is guaranteed to fill you with Christmas spirit.
Tuck into a festive Afternoon Tea in Windsor
There are plenty of spots to enjoy a delicious afternoon tea in Windsor, but few feel quite as magical as the festive afternoon tea at The Ivy Windsor Royal Brasserie. We popped in recently and were treated to a truly indulgent experience. Think delicate salmon-filled choux buns, fruity scones, and a decadent chocolate bombe to finish. To top it all off, a swirl of dry ice added a touch of theatrical sparkle to the table, making it feel extra special.
If you’re after a pre-Christmas treat or a festive get-together with friends, this is definitely one to book!
Sing carols outside Windsor Castle
Gather your friends and family for Carols on the Hill, one of Windsor’s most magical Christmas traditions. This joyful evening of music takes place at the Christmas tree outside Windsor Castle. In 2025, it’s happening on 12th December at 6:15pm.
It’s been running for over 75 years and is a true highlight of Christmas in Windsor. Don’t forget your scarf, your songbook, and your best festive voice!
See Cinderella on stage in Windsor
Looking for a fun winter activity with your kids? Cinderella runs at the Theatre Royal Windsor from 21st November to 11th January. The iconic fairytale will have some fun twists and turns, as all pantos do, with plenty of humour, familiar songs, slapstick comedy, a bit of magic and of course, a classic panto dame!
Watch as Cinders meets her Prince Charming in the glittering ballroom, and find out if her wicked stepsisters get in the way of her happily-ever-after. The show stars several stars of stage and screen, including Kevin Cruise, Steven Blakeley, Hilary O’Neil And Michael Praed.
There are two performances a day in the lead up to Christmas Day and into the New Year. Tickets are affordable too, so it’s a great way to get the whole family together for some festive fun!
Visit LaplandUK
Just a short drive from Windsor lies LaplandUK in Ascot. It’s an enchanting Christmas experience that’s perfect for families with young children. Step into a snow-dusted world of elves, toy workshops, and festive fun.
Over the course of your visit, you and your family can step inside the Elves’ Toy Factory, decorate gingerbread with Mother Christmas, glide across the ice rink, and enjoy plenty of other seasonal surprises. The highlight? A personalised, one-on-one meeting with Father Christmas himself, complete with a special gift.
We won’t give away all the secrets (it’s more magical that way!), but if your children are at that perfect age, this is one Windsor winter experience you’ll never forget. Be sure to book early — tickets sell out fast every year. In fact, you may already be too late for 2025, but set a reminder for 2026!
Do your Christmas shopping in Windsor
We might be biased, but we think Windsor is an amazing place for Christmas shopping. We adore the mix of high street stores and independent boutiques. Daniel, the town’s department store (and something of a rarity in town centres these days), is always beautifully decorated at this time of year, and a great place to shop for gifts. The shop windows this year are full of magic!
We also love perusing the stores in Windsor Royal Station, with its pretty architecture and cosy vibe. If you’re looking for independent stores, pop into Huttons, Craft Coop, Ryad Momo and House of Windsor. They all have gorgeous gifts on offer.
Watch a Christmas-themed drone show
I love the Christmas lights in Windsor, but they aren’t the only lights to illuminate the skies in the Royal Borough!
For something truly unique, head to the Royal Windsor Racecourse on 20th December for a spectacular drone light show themed around Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. It’ll features six hundred illuminated drones dancing across the night sky.
There’s a cinematic soundscape to accompany it too. How magiclaand sounds utterly magical. It’s ideal if you’re searching for fun family activities in Windsor this winter. Alongside the show, there will be fairground rides, Santa’s grotto and tasty street food on offer.
Warm up in one of Windsor’s traditional pubs
After a day exploring the town in all its festive glory, there’s nothing better than warming up in one of Windsor’s traditional pubs. The Two Brewers (by The Long Walk) and The Horse & Groom (next to the castle) are two of the cosiest spots, often with fires roaring and mulled wine flowing.
Attend seasonal services or concerts at St George’s Chapel
If you’re looking for something truly special this festive season, how about attending one of the Christmas services or concerts inside St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle? You don’t need a castle ticket to go in. Just arrive at the King Henry VIII gate 15 minutes before the service.
The chapel’s choir and candlelit atmosphere make these some of the most memorable Christmas events in Windsor.
Visit Legoland at Christmas
Legoland draws huge crowds in the summer months, but did you know it’s also open for some of the winter period too? The popular theme park is open every weekend in December, and several days within the Christmas holiday period too.
Not only can you enjoy many of the park’s rides, there are lots of Christmas-themed events too. There’s a Santa’s grotto, Christmas Lego display and lots of twinkly lights to enjoy! You can also visit Miniland to write a letter to the North Pole, build Lego Christmas tree decorations, or do some last minute Christmas shopping.
It’s one of the best family-friendly things to do in Windsor at Christmas, especially for little Lego fans!
Enjoy a delicious Sunday roast
Whether you’re looking for a hearty roast dinner for Christmas day itself, or one of the days around the holidays, we’re lucky to have plenty of amazing pubs on the doorstep in Windsor.
There are some wonderful options of cosy and historic pubs, as well as modern gastropub experiences.
We’ve still got a few to try, but for the best food, we’d recommend the Sunday roasts at The Rose by Nicholas James (between Windsor and Ascot), The Loch & The Tyne (Old Windsor) or The Greene Oak (Oakley Green).
Explore Windsor Great Park in winter
We love trips to Windsor Great Park all year round. But, there’s something so lovely about crunching on sparkly frost and watching the low sun cast little shimmers through the bare trees. We love wrapping up warm in coats, hats and scarves, and breathing in cool air that makes our lungs feel alive. It’s even better with a thermos of hot chocolate! Places like The Long Walk, Virginia Water and the forest areas are particularly special.
Celebrate New Year in Windsor
Wondering how to see in 2026? There are plenty of celebrations taking place across Windsor town centre. If you like the finer things in life, you could book tickets to The Castle Hotel, and enjoy a sophisticated evening in the grand Windsor Suite ballroom. The celebrations start with a glass of bubbly, before a five-course meal, dancing and the all-important countdown to midnight.
Meanwhile, the Macdonald Hotel has a similarly fancy affair planned. At its New Year’s Eve Gala you’ll be treated to champagne, canapes, a four-course dinner, DJ, style, arriving to a glass of champagne and canapés on arrival, followed by a luscious four-course dinner with DJ to ring in the new year as you count down to midnight.
If you’re looking for other events in Windsor, don’t forget to check out our What’s On Guide.
