Castle Howard prepares a Christmas Land of Oz: how to get to the celebration.

Christmas celebration at Castle Howard

According to The Sun: The famous historic estate of Castle Howard in North Yorkshire invites you into the magical world of Oz this Christmas. From November 13 to January 4, 2026, festive events will take place here, where you can meet Dorothy, Toto, and other characters from the famous tale. The house will transform into a fairy-tale setting with various installations, sound effects, and projections.

Tickets for the event start at £23 per person, which includes access to the gardens. A special Christmas tour is also available on November 28, and December 5, 12, 19. With a tour guide, visitors can stroll through the house after sunset while enjoying a glass of English sparkling wine Nyetimber. The cost of the tour starts from £100 per person, including access to the gardens.

Among other festive activities is the chance to meet Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus from November 22 to December 24. Tickets priced at £65 include a special gift for each child. The price also covers access to the 'Christmas at Castle Howard with the Wonderful Wizard of Oz' event. From November 29 to December 24, a Santa's Grotto will be operational at the boathouse.

Additional festive entertainment

The festive program also includes a gift for each child and costs from £30 per person. For adults, a Christmas afternoon tea with sandwiches and exquisite pastries is offered. Guests can choose between two tea locations: the grand Greek hall with a fireplace or the cozy Chinese dining room. The price for tea starts from £45 for adults and £25 for children.

Dogs are also welcome at the celebration. They can meet Santa Paws on December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 22, and 23, get a memorable photo, and treats. For those planning just to stroll through the gardens, tickets for access to the gardens, ponds, woodlands, temples, and statues start from £12.50 per adult.

Castle Howard has been home to the Howard family for over 300 years and today attracts visitors with its baroque architecture, luxurious interiors, and vast gardens. The historic estate served as a filming location for the 'Bridgerton' series. Inside, beneath the central dome, is the Great Hall with murals and impressive architectural details.

In the gardens, guests will find landscaped and formal gardens that are listed as Grade I heritage sites, including the Temple of the Four Winds and the Mausoleum. The 1,000-acre property also features a Maple Garden of 127 acres, which operates as a separate charity.

For children, Castle Howard has an amusement park called Skelf Island, with rope bridges and slides.

Visitors can also visit a food shop or cafe for a light snack and hot drink, or grab an afternoon picnic from the Fitzroy cafe and enjoy it in the gardens. Standard tickets for access to the house and gardens include a self-guided tour and cost from £27 for adults and £13.50 for children, and can be purchased online.

This year also sees the return of Britain’s largest Christmas event with 150 attractions and a new free Santa's Grotto, while a large new interactive attraction will open in the English city featuring events for Halloween and Christmas.

Thus, the Christmas program at Castle Howard promises to be bright and unforgettable, with a range of activities for the whole family. It's a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere and enjoy the fairy-tale decorations in this amazing historic location.