This festive season, visitors are invited to celebrate Christmas at the official royal residences of His Majesty The King. At Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, visitors will see the historic rooms adorned with sparkling trees, foliage and garlands.

The Throne Room at the Palace of Holyroodhouse © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2026 | Royal Collection Trust, Jane Massey

A dramatic new display at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, Scotland, will evoke the medieval legend that gave the Palace its name, and at Windsor Castle in England, the highlight will be the magnificent 20-foot-high tree in St George's Hall. In London, visitors will once again be able to visit the Christmas pop-up at the Royal Mews Shop, offering a curated selection of gifts, food and festive treats. 

Palace of Holyroodhouse: 19 November 2026 to 4 January 2027 

This year, visitors will see a new Christmas display inspired by the legend that gave the Palace its name. The atmospheric display will include illuminated life-size models of stags, does and fawns in the Palace’s central Quadrangle, which visitors will have the rare chance to walk all the way around.

The Quadrangle at the Palace of Holyroodhouse © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2026 | Royal Collection Trust, Peter Smith

Legend has it that the 12th-century King David I of Scotland had a vision of a stag with a glowing cross (or rood) between its antlers while hunting beneath what is now known as Arthur’s Seat. It is believed that, interpreting it as a message from God, he built Holyrood Abbey – which gives the Palace its name and now sits in ruin in the grounds – on the spot where he had seen the stag.  

Preparing for Christmas at the Palace of Holyroodhouse © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2026 | Royal Collection Trust, Jane Massey

Over the Christmas period, the Palace’s façade, gates and forecourt fountain will be lit up, which visitors to the city will be able to see each evening at the foot of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile.Inside the Palace, the rooms will be dressed with festive decorations including a 15-foot-high Nordmann fir tree in the Great Gallery, the longest room in the Palace, which is lined with portraits of real and legendary Scottish monarchs. 

The Throne Room at the Palace of Holyroodhouse © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2026 | Royal Collection Trust, Jane Massey

Two majestic 12-foot-high Christmas trees will decorate the wood-panelled Throne Room, their branches adorned with sparkling lights and twinkling ornaments alongside a garland decorating the fireplace mantel. The Great Stair leading to the historic State Apartments will be decorated with garlands, berries and winter foliage, while wreaths will adorn the windows along the enfilade of King’s Rooms, framing views of the Palace gardens against the backdrop of Arthur’s Seat and Holyrood Park.

Windsor Castle: 26 November 2026 to 4 January 2027 

The centrepiece of this year’s decorations at the world’s oldest and largest inhabited castle will be a towering, 20-foot-high Nordmann fir tree. Grown in the nearby Windsor Great Park, the magnificent tree will be decorated with thousands of lights and shimmering green and gold ornaments. 

Preparing for Christmas at Windsor Castle © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2026 | Royal Collection Trust

Over Christmas, the Crimson Drawing Room, one of the ornate Semi-State Rooms only open in the winter months, will be decorated with a sparkling tree complementing the room’s rich red silk walls and gilded details. Garlands will decorate the Grand Staircase and mantels in the Waterloo Chamber, featuring new hand-carved golden plaster fruits modelled on the Grinling Gibbons wood carvings that can be spotted by visitors throughout the Castle. 

The Crimson Drawing Room at Christmas © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2026 | Royal Collection Trust

Miniature decorations will once again be added to Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, the largest and most famous dolls’ house in the world. Visitors will see a tiny, scaled-down Christmas tree in the Hall of the house, decorated with ornaments made from glass beads repurposed from vintage necklaces, and tiny candles made with real candle wax.

The Royal Mews Christmas Shop: 13 November 2026 to 4 January 2027

The Royal Mews Christmas Shop returns for a second year, transforming the gift shop of the historic stables into a cosy and festive boutique while the Mews is closed to the public for the winter. 

Winter Exclusive Guided Tours: November to January

Led by an expert guide, visitors can tour Buckingham Palace’s famous East Wing on select dates throughout the winter. On dates in November and December, exclusive guided tours of the State Apartments at the Palace of Holyroodhouse will reveal the magic of the Palace when it is closed to other visitors. On select dates in November and December, visitors can enjoy an exclusive evening tour through the State Apartments at Windsor Castle.

Enjoy an exclusive tour at Windsor Castle © Royal Collection Enterprises Limited 2026 | Royal Collection Trust, Peter Packer

Royal Collection Trust is a charity caring for the Royal Collection and welcoming visitors to the royal palaces. The Royal Collection is one of the world’s great art collections, held in trust by The King for his successors and the nation. The income from visitor admissions and purchases contributes to the care and conservation of the Royal Collection and helps Royal Collection Trust to share it with everyone, wherever they are.

If you or your group would like to enjoy a visit to one or more of the United Kingdom's royal residences this festive season, or in 2027, please do contact our friendly team today.