Hampton Court Palace at Christmas | Festive Fayre & Tudor Magic

What to expect at Hampton Court Palace during Christmas

Ice skaters enjoying Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink in London.

Step into the splendour of Hampton Court Palace this Christmas, where Tudor tradition meets festive magic, where twinkling lights, crackling fires, and carols echo through the grand courtyards.

Festive Fayre: On two weekends, explore a bustling market with over 100 artisan stalls filled with hand-crafted gifts, gourmet produce, and mulled wine. Live music and street performers keep the festive spirit high throughout the day.
Ice Rink: Glide through the pen-air ice rink, set up in front of the illuminated palace façade. Evening sessions offer a romantic glow, while morning slots are ideal for families.
Tudor Christmas traditions: Inside the palace kitchens, discover how Henry VIII celebrated the season with feasts fit for royalty. Historic interpreters bring the festivities to life with historic cookery demonstrations, storytelling, and themed displays.
Seasonal atmosphere: The Tudor architecture, maze, and gardens of Hampton Court add a unique festive backdrop steeped in royal heritage.
Inclusive entry vs separate tickets: While the Fayre and themed Christmas programmes are included in palace admission (with pre-booking), the ice rink has a separate ticket, and palace admission is not included.

Hampton Court Palace Christmas events

Family exploring Christmas market on Big Bus New York Holiday Lights Tour.

Festive Fayre

Dates: 05–07 Dec and 12–14 Dec 2025
Timings: 10am to 5pm (palace closes at 4 pm)
Location: Great Fountain Garden
Included with admission: Yes
Age restrictions: Suitable for all ages

This Christmas shopping event has over 100 artisans and an incredible range of food, drink, and shopping stands. Look for the perfect Christmas gift while you enjoy live entertainment and the festive ambiance.

Ice Rink

Dates: 21 Nov 2025 – 04 Jan 2026 (excluding 25 Dec)
Timings: 10 am to 8pm (sessions last 45 minutes)
Location: In front of the main façade
Included with admission: No (separate ticket; palace admission not included)
Age restrictions: Children from age 3+

Glide beneath fairy lights and Tudor chimneys with optional quieter early slots and adults-only evenings, on a renovated open-air ice rink. A memorable winter skating experience in a historic setting.

Tudor cook tending roast over open fire in Hampton Court Palace kitchen.

Tudor Christmas Cookery in Henry VIII’s Kitchens

Dates: 03 Dec 2025 – 04 Jan 2026 (excluding 24–26 Dec)
Timings: Throughout the day (during palace opening hours)
Location: Tudor Kitchens
Included with admission: Yes
Age restrictions: Suitable for all ages

Watch historic cookery demonstrations of lavish Tudor feasts using authentic recipes and roaring open fires. Learn how Henry VIII’s royal banquets once dazzled guests with rich meats, pies, and festive delicacies.

Festive music

Dates: 05-07 December, 12-14 December, 20 Dec 2025 – 04 Jan 2026 (excluding 24–26 Dec)
Timings: 10am to 4pm
Location: The Great Hall, and the King's Guard Chamber
Included with admission: Yes
Age restrictions: Suitable for all ages

As you wander the palace this Christmas, enjoy live festive music filling the halls. Talented musicians perform joyful tunes and timeless carols, with Masters of Ceremonies to guide you through the music, and spread yuletide cheer.

Christmas talks

Dates: 03 Dec 2025 – 04 Jan 2026 (excluding 24–26 Dec)
Timings: 11:45am and 2pm
Location: Wine Cellar
Included with admission: Yes
Age restrictions: Suitable for all ages

Join Palace Hosts for a festive journey through history, like Tudor feasts, royal traditions, and tales of Christmas past, from Dickens to palace residents.

Storytelling performances

Dates: 03 Dec 2025 – 04 Jan 2026 (excluding 24–26 Dec)
Timings: Scheduled sessions throughout the day
Location: Great Hall & State Apartments
Included with admission: Yes
Age restrictions: Suitable for all ages

Enjoy performances by costumed interpreters, with songs, dances, and stories revealing how the Tudor court celebrated Yuletide. Perfect for families seeking a lively glimpse into Christmas past.

Plan your visit to Hampton Court Palace at Christmas

Hampton Court Palace entrance with red brick towers and statues, London, England.

Palace opening hours: 10am to 5 pm (last entry at 4pm)
Christmas dates: 03 Dec 2025 – 04 Jan 2026
Festive Fayre (05-07 & 12-14 Dec): 10am to 5 pm
Ice Rink (21 Nov-04 Jan): 10am to 8 pm

Best time to visit: Weekday mornings (especially early rink sessions or Fayre mornings) for a more relaxed experience and lower crowd levels.

Address: Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey, Surrey, KT8 9AU | Find on Maps

By train: South Western Railway (from London Waterloo to Hampton Court station)
By tube: There is no direct Underground line – take the Tube to Waterloo and connect to a train to Hampton Court
By bus: Routes 111, 216, 411 & 513 (stop near Hampton Court Bridge)
By boat: There are public boat services that will take you to Hampton Court Palace.
By car: Via A3 and A308 from central London or M25 (exit 10 or 12) towards East Molesey

Parking: Limited on-site (£1.60/hr) where Blue Badge holders have free parking; additional paid parking at Hampton Court Green (£1.50/hr) and options in Kingston (e.g., Rose, Seven Kings).

Hampton Court Palace gardens with manicured hedges and gravel paths.

Restrooms: Toilets (all step-free) at Wilderness, Base Court, Fountain Court, and the Kitchen Garden.
Lockers: There are small lockers by the Buggy Park (Clock Court) that require a £1 deposit; large luggage not stored.
Strollers/Pushchairs: Pushchairs and buggies are allowed in the Palace. If you want to leave your buggy during your visit, there is a place to park strollers beside the Family Room in Clock Court.
Stroller rental: Available onsite (fees apply). For the ice rink, there are skate aids for children under 120 cm at £6.00 each.
Wi-Fi: There is free Wi-Fi inside the palace.
Gift shops: There’s the Undercroft Shop (at the Base Court) and the Palace Shop (Barrack Block/Clore Learning Centre), and you can also buy souvenirs from them online.

Children ice skating with penguin aids at Hampton Court Palace rink, London.

Step-free & distances: This is a historic site with cobblestones and gradients, but tehre are wheelchair accessible routes through much of the palace and gardens; lifts and ramps available at the main visitor entrance.
Wheelchair rentals: Wheelchairs are available on a first-come basis—ask staff on arrival. There are also electric buggies, though these are only for outdoor use.
Parking: Hampton Court Palace has 10 disabled parking bays on site, and if you have a Blue Badge, you get to park for free
Toilets: Step-free accessible toilets at Wilderness, Base Court, Fountain Court, Kitchen Garden
Sensory support: Quiet/low-sensory sessions available for the ice rink (morning “Quiet & Calm” slot) for visitors who prefer reduced stimulation.
Service animals: Service animals allowed;
Ice Rink: Electric wheelchairs must be switched to manual mode for ice rink sessions.

Ice Rink: Arrive at least 30 minutes before your session for check-in and skate fitting. Each skating session lasts 45 minutes. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult on the ice.
Skate aids: Children hiring skate aids must meet height restrictions (under 120 cm).
Festive Fayre: Please do not bring outside food or drink into the event area. Reusable cups are encouraged; check stall signage for individual vendor policies for refunds/returns.
Photography: Non-commercial photography is permitted throughout the palace, except in the Chapel Royal and temporary exhibitions. Flash, tripods, and selfie sticks are restricted indoors.
Accessibility: Only assistance dogs are permitted inside the palace buildings. Wheelchairs are available on a first-come basis—ask staff on arrival.
General: Please respect historic artefacts and displays, refrain from touching objects or climbing on structures, and maintain considerate noise levels in the palace rooms.

Tiltyard Café: Warm up after exploring the palace with hearty hot meals, children’s options, and festive treats like mince pies and mulled wine. Ideal for relaxed mid-visit lunches overlooking the palace gardens.
Privy Kitchen Café: Enjoy light bites, homemade cakes, and seasonal drinks in the historic setting of Henry VIII’s Tudor kitchens—perfect for a cosy pause during your Christmas visit.
Ice Rink Café & Bar: Located beside the palace ice rink, this pop-up café serves hot chocolate, mulled wine, and winter snacks. It’s open throughout the rink season from late November to early January.

Frequently asked questions about Hampton Court Palace Christmas events

Can I book tickets just for the Christmas events without a general admission ticket?

For the ice rink, yes—you purchase a separate ticket which does not include standard palace admission. However, for the Festive Fayre and Christmas Festivities, entry is included in the standard palace admission (with pre-booking required).

Is there a capacity limit for the events?

Yes, both the ice rink and Fayre sessions have limited capacity, and booking is strongly recommended. The ice rink hosts structured 45-minute sessions.

Are the Christmas events suitable for children?

Absolutely. The Festive Fayre is family-friendly, and the ice rink has dedicated children’s pricing and aid hire. Quiet sessions also cater to younger or sensitive visitors.

Will the events continue in poor weather?

In general, yes. But as they are outdoors, it's best to have contingency plans. Any changes or cancellations will be communicated via the official site at short notice.

Can I explore the palace and gardens on the same day as I attend the ice rink?

Yes. While your rink ticket does not include palace admission, you may separately book palace entry for the same day. Note that the rink and palace may require separate bookings.

Are there adults-only sessions at the ice rink?

Yes, the ice rink offers adults-only evenings (including, 23 Nov, 30 Nov & 7 Dec) with a DJ and festive cocktail menu.