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Christmas Tickets

All Christmas at Castle Howard tickets are non-refundable. You may request an amendment to the date and time of your booking no less than 48 hours prior to your booked visit, by emailing sales@castlehoward.co.uk. Any changes are subject to availability and may incur additional charges. All tickets are subject to a 5.5% booking fee. Please read the full list of Christmas terms and conditions at the bottom of this page before making your purchase. 

Most Popular - Castle Howard
A Dickens of a Christmas at Castle Howard

Charles Dickens’ classic novels are brought to life in grand Christmas style, leaping off the page with projections, soundscapes, and theatrical surprises. This Victorian extravaganza will leave you full to the brim with festive cheer, so climb aboard your carriage and join us for a traditional Christmas like no other!

  • From £24 (subject to a non-refundable booking fee)
  • Includes access to the Gardens from first opening (either 9.30am or 10am)
  • Universal Credit and Max Card tickets available on Yellow and Blue slots
     
Castle Howard
Father Christmas in the Castle

Our most beloved festive experience for families. Join Father Christmas, WonderPhil and the gang as they pay us a special visit from the North Pole with a heartwarming Christmas show filled with laughter, wonder and festive cheer. After the performance, each family will enjoy a magical one-to-one moment with Father Christmas.

Every child with a ticket will receive a Christmas gift to take home.

Please note: Unfortunately, this experience is not wheelchair accessible. The Santa's Grotto in the Jellycat Shop is fully wheelchair accessible.

  • From £60 for children (discount available for Members on selected shows)
  • Includes access to the Gardens from first opening (either 9.30am or 10am)
  • Includes access to the House experience from first entry (9.30am or 10am, date dependent).
  • Recommended for age 4+
  • Maximum of two adults per booking
Castle Howard
Santa's Grotto in the Jellycat Shop

Step into a world of Christmas magic with a one-to-one visit to Santa in his charming Grotto. Every guest or child with a full-price ticket will receive a special Jelly to take home – the perfect cuddly reminder of a magical Christmas visit.

  • From £37.50
  • This event includes Santa’s Grotto only and does not allow access to the Gardens and House experience. These can be added on before checkout.
Castle Howard
Wreath Making Workshop in the Garden Centre

A practical two-hour session making a Christmas wreath using natural materials. All materials are provided, and tea and coffee are included.

Get into the festive spirit with our relaxed and welcoming Christmas wreath-making workshop. Over two enjoyable hours, you'll create your own wreath using natural materials, with guidance every step of the way and no experience required. All materials are provided and enjoy complimentary tea and coffee during your session.

  • From £50 for adults (discount available for Members)
  • For age 16+
  • Only 10 tickets available per session!
     
Castle Howard
Gold & Silver Members' Preview
  • Thursday 12th November, 3pm-5pm
  • Friday 13th November, 4pm-5pm

This exclusive time is Gold and Silver Members only, pre-bookable on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets to the Members' Preview are a bonus in addition to your benefit visits, i.e. if you attend you do not use up your benefit visit tickets.

Castle Howard
Christmas Gardens Tickets

Explore Castle Howard's famous Gardens, with grand lakes, ornamental woodland, historic statues and magnificent temples to discover along the way. Enjoy a winter walk, spend time together outdoors, and soak up the festive atmosphere. All Gardens tickets include access to the award-winning Skelf Island Adventure Playground, shops and cafés. Dogs on leads are very welcome. Please note: the Walled Garden is closed for maintenance in the winter.

  • From £15 for adults (free to all Members)
  • Includes access to the Gardens from first opening (either 9.30am or 10am)
  • Universal Credit and Max Card tickets available on all dates 
     

Terms and Conditions

Christmas at Castle Howard tickets
  1. No entry allowed without a valid ticket.
  2. Tickets must be purchased via the Castle Howard website.
  3. Tickets are subject to availability and walk-up entry will be refused should the attraction be at capacity. Tickets must be booked for ALL persons attending, including (but not only) Members, babes in arms and Essential Carers. Where free or discounted tickets are booked, proof of eligibility will be requested on entry.
  4. Children under the age of 12 months are free to enter but require a pre-booked babe in arms ticket.
  5. Tickets are non-refundable and void if defaced or altered. Tickets cannot be sold at any price to any third party.
  6. Tickets are only valid for the date and experience booked.
  7. A 5.5% booking fee will be added to all orders.
  8. Car parking is charged at £7.25 per car, this does not reserve a specific space. Members, those visiting the Courtyard or Gardens-only, and those with a Blue Badge receive one free space.
  9. All sales are final, and tickets are non-refundable. You can adjust the date and time of your booking once, no less than 48 hours prior to your booked visit. Any changes are subject to availability and may incur additional charges.
  10. If there are adverse weather conditions, or any other reasonable impacts to the event, such as traffic events or power cuts, and Castle Howard remains open, we will not issue refunds. If Castle Howard closes unexpectedly, we will endeavour to move your booking to the next available date otherwise a refund will be given. Weather conditions at other locations does not guarantee that Castle Howard can reschedule a visitor's tickets.
  11. In the event of a site closure, Castle Howard accepts no responsibility for travel, accommodation and any other associated costs.
Christmas at Castle Howard Group Booking tickets

Group Admission Prices

  1. Group rates apply to pre-booked groups only. Prices are subject to change.
  2. Group rates at Christmas apply to a minimum of 25 paying passengers.
  3. If your numbers fall under this minimum the headline price on the date of your visit will be charged.
  4. Coach parking is available onsite and is £14.00 per vehicle.We offer one free of charge place per Group (min 25 paying passengers) for a Leader and Coach Drivers receive Grounds access and a Hot Drink Voucher.

Booking and Availability

  1.  All bookings are subject to eligibility and availability.
  2. We require no less than 14 days’ notice to secure a Christmas group booking, early booking is recommended to secure your preferred date and timeslot.
  3. Any reduction in numbers after this time will not be eligible for a refund or deduction from the amount due.

Cancellation Policy

  1. Group bookings are subject to a 30% non-refundable deposit.
    i. All cancellations will result in the loss of the deposit. If a credit facility is in place, 30% of the total booking price will be charged. 
    ii. Cancellations made within 14 days of the visit will result in 100% charge.

Changes & Cancellations by Castle Howard

  1. Castle Howard reserves the right to cancel or amend a booking for any reason.
  2. In such cases, as much notice as possible will be given, and any deposit paid will be fully refunded if the visit is cancelled by Castle Howard.
Additional terms for Father Christmas in the Castle, Santa’s Grotto and Christmas Afternoon Tea tickets
  1. Tickets for Father Christmas in the Castle and Santa's Grotto must be purchased for all who wish to visit, irrespective of age. Babes in arms (under 12 months) require a ticket but do not receive a gift. If you wish for them to receive a gift, please purchase a child ticket.
  2. If the Father Christmas or Santa's Grotto performance starts and you have not arrived at the meeting point you will be refused entry.
  3. If you arrive more than 15 minutes after your Afternoon Tea booking it will be at the discretion of the food and beverage team if they can accommodate your party.

For information on our Terms of use, copyright notice and more please visit the Terms and Conditions page

Online Admission Tickets 

Castle Howard House & Grounds and/or Castle Howard Arboretum tickets are available to buy online and can be purchased prior to a visit. Full terms and conditions are outlined below: 

  1. All sales are final: once purchased, tickets cannot be exchanged, refunded, or returned. Tickets can be moved to an alternate date subject to availability. In the event of another date carrying a higher cost, the ticket holder will be required to pay the difference and any associated booking fees.
  2. All tickets must be produced at the admissions point to gain entry. Admission without a valid ticket is not guaranteed. Tickets cannot be used more than once.
  3. All prices are correct at the time of publishing. However, they are subject to change without prior notice. 
    Standard admission tickets booked online are valid for redemption on the selected date only, you must select the date of visit when making your booking.
  4. A child is defined as being aged from 3 years to 15 years inclusive (this is different for our Christmas events). 
    Online tickets cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.
  5. Parties of 20 or more persons constitute a group and can be prebooked. Additional products and special rates are available for advance group bookings, by telephoning 01653 648621 or by emailing groups@castlehoward.co.uk
  6. Any groups larger than 20 who have not prebooked will be charged the standard admission price.
  7. Photography and filming are allowed for non-commercial private use only with the purchase of an admission ticket.
  8. We cannot allow large bags, rucksacks, prams or pushchairs into the House. We have a storage area for these items, and we offer a limited supply of alternative baby-carrying equipment. Please ask a member of staff on arrival.
  9. Castle Howard and Castle Howard Arboretum reserve the right to search the bag(s) of any visitor entering Castle Howard or any event being held on the Estate. Failure to comply with a request such as a search may result in entry being refused.
  10. Castle Howard and Castle Howard Arboretum reserve the right, at its absolute discretion to refuse entry or admission or to remove any Castle Howard or Castle Howard Arboretum visitor.
  11. Visitors are reminded that for technical or operational reasons, some facilities may be removed or closed or entertainment cancelled and/or altered at any time. Castle Howard and Castle Howard Arboretum reserve the right to change the programme of attractions and entertainment if at any time it is deemed necessary or appropriate to do so.
  12. Castle Howard and Castle Howard Arboretum will remain open whatever the weather, unless the weather conditions at Castle Howard or Castle Howard Arboretum pose a health and safety risk to our visitors or staff. We will make every effort to reschedule events and visits should we close for Health and Safety reasons. Weather conditions at other locations does not guarantee that Castle Howard or Castle Howard Arboretum can reschedule a visitor's tickets.
  13. In the event of a site closure, Castle Howard and Castle Howard Arboretum accepts no responsibility for travel, accommodation and any other associated costs.
  14. Special event tickets may carry separate terms and conditions. It is the ticket holder’s responsibility to ensure tickets are accessible on arrival.