Into the Woods: A Fairytale Christmas
This Christmas, Castle Howard becomes a wonderland of happily ever afters, fair maidens and magic as we bring you a Christmas experience like no other.
Saturday 12th November 2022 – Monday 2nd January 2023
BOOK 'CHRISTMAS IN NARNIA' NOW
Ticket prices will vary subject to whether you choose to book on a peak or off-peak date. Please take note of whether your desired date is peak or off-peak from the calendar when making your booking.
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Visit us at twilight for scenes straight out of a storybook and experience Castle Howard against a backdrop of winter nights Icy twinkling lights at dusk, sparkling trees against the dark sky, and an indulgent winter warmer in our cafes, all make your Christmas visit that bit more special. Soak up the enchanting atmosphere, enjoy an array of winter treats in our catering outlets and warm yourself by roaring log fires. Find that special present in our Gift Shops or Garden Centre and why not visit our Farm Shop to choose from the finest local produce for your Christmas parties.
A parking charge of £5 per vehicle will be in place throughout our Christmas opening period for those attending our Christmas event in the House; ‘Into The Woods; A Fairytale Christmas’, and to our Father Christmas experience in the Main House ‘Christmas at the Castle with Father Christmas and Friends’.
There is no parking charge for those just visiting the Gardens, the Courtyard outlets, including the Grotto, for Friends of Castle Howard or for Blue Badge Holders.
The parking charge helps to cover the increased cost that is incurred by putting on a large scale Christmas event, including trackway, additional lighting and car parking staff.
Please have your pre-paid parking permit ready when you arrive as these will be checked on arrival by a member of our friendly team. If you have not booked a prepaid parking permit, you will be asked to purchase one before entering the main visitor car park.
Purchase your parking permit here: [LINK]
We have two Santa experiences running at Castle Howard this Christmas.
If you have booked/ are booking for ‘Christmas at the Castle with Father Christmas and Friends’, this will take place in the High South inside the House and is a 45 minute immersive theatrical show.
Please have your tickets ready to scan at the Ticket Office. You will then be directed down the North Front Drive, which is lined with Christmas trees, and the Main House Entrance is a 5-10 minute walk from the Ticket Office. We advise that you do not get to the Main House Entrance more than 15 minutes before the start of your session. The entrance for Father Christmas is off the North Quadrant and will be signposted.
A ticket to the ‘Father Christmas and Friends’ show in the Main House includes a trip around the House to see ‘Into the Woods’ on the same day as your show ticket. For the evening performances we advise it will only be possible to go round the House before your Father Christmas session. During the daytime you can choose to do the experiences in either order, but please note last entry times to go around the House on the day of your visit.
Visitors attending an evening showing of the ‘Christmas at the Castle with Father Christmas and Friends’ can visit the Gardens and Adventure playground on the same day (during opening hours) at no extra charge. Admission to the Gardens will only be available for the number of guests booked for the evening Father Christmas event. Failure to present a valid booking confirmation will result in you having to pay for full price Garden’s admission tickets.
If you are visiting the Stories with Santa Grotto this will take place within the Stable Courtyard and will last approx. 15 – 20 minutes. Your ticket to the Courtyard Grotto does not include entry to the House and Grounds. Tickets to go through into the Gardens or to see ‘Into The Woods’ must be purchased in addition to your Grotto tickets.
For both experiences up to 2 adults are permitted per party. This is due to space restrictions.
The Farm Shop and Gift Shop will be open in the Courtyard from 10am until 7pm. It is the perfect opportunity to fit in some shopping for festive gifts, foodie treats and decorations and order your Christmas dinner from our butchers, who work with local farmers to provide fantastic quality meats. The Garden Centre will be open daily 10am until 6pm, which is an hour later than usual, giving you the chance to pick up a wreath, house plant, range of decorations and dog presents or even your British grown Christmas Tree.
For those visiting the House, the Gift Shop and Christmas Emporium will be open X-X?
In both the Grotto and the High South there will be a post box for any letters that need to make it to the North Pole in time for Christmas, so please do bring your letters along with you.
The Grotto experience will last approximately 15/20 minutes. The ‘Christmas at the Castle with Father Christmas and Friends’ experience in the House will last 45 - 60minutes.