Christmas at Castle Howard 2025 – The theme for this year at Castle Howard is The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and runs from the 13th of November until the 4th of January.
Experience a festive take on L. Frank Baum’s much-loved story, told in stately surroundings through spectacular installations, soundscapes and projections from the same creative team that brought you Alice’s Christmas Wonderland and Christmas in Neverland, CLW Event Design and Imitating the Dog.
It’s always a huge pleasure to visit Castle Howard at Christmas and this year is no exception. There are countless room, decorated so fabulously each one telling part of the story of The Wizard of Oz.
Did you know that in the original book that the ruby slippers were – gasp – not red? In fact they were silver!
There was a big green theme this year to celebrate the Emerald City, but with a nod to the Wicked witches!
The pièce de résistance, of course, is the absolutely huge Christmas tree in the Great Hall! This was wonderfully green themed (and makes me think I need to add some green to my decorating this year!)
There were a few great photo opportunities for you to keep an eye out for this year. Obviously, it’s tradition to have your photograph taken in front of the tree, which we did with Mr and Mrs Claus:
There was also this rather magnificent throne. We had to queue to get our turn on it, but it makes a fabulous photo! I think I need one of these at home!
The house is not the only attraction at Christmas of course, you can also take the kids to visit Santa. We did this quite a few years ago now and I thoroughly recommend it.
Another treat I would thoroughly recommend it to take the festive afternoon tea at Castle Howard. We got to try this out and as you can imagine, it was delicious.
Finally, on your way home, save some pennies to spend in the Castle Howard farm and gift shops, or push the boat out and pick yourself something up from the pop up Bettys shop.
There is a sleigh outside that would make another great festive photo opportunity!
Our Review of Alice in Wonderland from Last Year
We visited on the press day and I must say, it’s a really good one this year (not that there has ever been a bad one!). There is so much going on at Castle Howard this year and I will try and tell you all about it, but first – the main attraction – the house itself!
All the rooms are stunningly decorated within the Alice in Wonderland theme. You start as always at the grand staircase and slowly wind your way through the bedrooms. Now, you must do this slowly as there is just so much to see.
The hours and hours of work that must go into this, are unimaginable, and I always come away determined to up my Christmas decoration game (and then fail miserably!).
To stop the kids racing through, there is a white rabbit trail where the white rabbit pops up in every room. If your kids would like to take part you will be given a booklet on the admissions desk to fill out with answers to questions in each room. At the end of the trail your children can draw themselves as an Alice character to enter a competition to win a Castle Howard Gold Membership.
Another thing to look out for on your way around are these ‘Touch me’ boxes, which are perfect for younger children and adults as well, let’s be honest. You can pick up and look at items in each room that are used in the decorations. I think this is a really thoughtful idea and perfect as sensory play.
There are a couple of stand out moments during your trip. The first for me is always the Christmas tree in the Great Hall. You come round a corner and then – boom – it’s there towering above you. There are a staggering three thousand decorations on the tree and it takes 6 days to decorate!
Your next stand out moment (or at least my favourite) is the room with the table in it. This year of course it is set up for the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. Just look how decadent this is!
Throughout the tour there are some very sophisticated light and sound installations. The show in the Long Gallery is particularly good this year!
As well as the Alice tour, you can also go and visit Father Christmas or indulge in afternoon tea. We got to try some of the afternoon tea and it was fabulous.
Castle Howard seem to have upped their game with their food offerings across the board I think. In the marquee (which is much bigger this year) you will find various food stalls including a ‘build your own crumble’ where you can choose what fillings and what toppings you have. We tried an apple and cinnamon, with traditional crumble, custard and biscoff bits on top. It was fabulous (and very filling)!
Here are the menus so you can see what there is available and prices.
On a final note, for the first time ever, Bettys Tea Rooms are running a pop up shop in the courtyard. You can pick up Fat Rascals or Fondant Fancies on your way out. I have decided when I win the lottery, I shall spend a weekend doing all of the lovely things!
Castle Howard at Christmas
