Christmas at the Castle at Warwick Castle 2025: Review
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If you’re looking for a magical festive day out, you can’t go wrong with Warwick Castle’s Christmas at the Castle. Warwick Castle is an iconic Merlin Attraction in the West Midlands. My fabulous reviewers went last night and sent us some gorgeous photos of them enjoying the evening. Here’s their rundown of everything on offer at this stunning location this year. With every section available to book separately, it’s easy to make sure you have the ideal Christmas day out for your family.
Stories with Santa
When we arrived, we headed straight to the castle and stories with Santa. I thought this was done really well! Neither of our girls are good with strangers dressed up and being expected to go and interact with them straight away, so I wasn’t confident.
But by the time the elves had asked for help matching up coloured shape labels to presents and then matching the wrapping paper to different points round the room, Mrs Claus had taken us through to an empty room and Santa then appeared and read a story about how Holly the horse saved Christmas when Rudolph was sick.
After that, the children were happy to go and see Santa for a photo and accept one of Holly’s friends to take home. We saw family today the girls were telling them all about their toys, where they came from and most of the story Santa read. So this part of the experience was clearly a hit!
Open-Air Ice Rink
The ice rink sits right in front of the castle walls, and skating beneath the towers almost feels like stepping back in time to the winters of long ago. Festive music adds to the atmosphere crisp winter air and plenty of staff to help the wobblier skaters.
Each session lasts for 45 minutes. Children aged from three years old can skate, as long as they’re accompanied by an adult. It’s best to arrive at least 15 minutes early for skating to give you a chance to collect your skates and put them on before the session starts.
Whilst young children can skate, don’t overlook how much fun older children, teens and adults will have doing this too. It’s a lovely, active way to start getting into the Christmas sprit at this time of year.
The Light Trail
As evening falls on Warwickshire, the castle grounds come to life. The Light Trail winds through the gardens and woodland with lights and colours from twinkling trees to huge glowing sculptures.
The sparkly tunnels were the biggest hit particularly a long one that changed colour. The children also enjoyed the interactive stations where they could change the colour of the baubles on a Christmas tree or spin a dial to see different shapes projected on a tree. The girls were excited to see Tower Bridge and Big Ben in lights too.
We were grateful for the useful sign saying there were no toilets for another 750m at the start of the trail. Predictably we had to run back to them 2 mins in but it meant we knew what to do!
The trail takes around 45 minutes at a slow wander, with plenty of stops to make the most of all the photo opportunities. It’s not too intense for younger children, who will be mesmerised by all the lights. If you enjoy winter walks or anything that feels a bit magical, this is the highlight of the visit.
Winter Food & Drink Village
Between skating and exploring, it’s lovely to spend plenty of time soaking up the festive atmosphere in the Christmas village. The food village is set up with stalls selling hot and cold drinks, filling meals and festive snacks. Make sure you leave enough time to enjoy a hot chocolate and toast some marshmallows!
With everything arranged around the castle walls, from cosy seating areas to warming fire pits, this is a perfect pitstop if you need a break between activities or you just want a bit of festive indulgence.
Other Festive Fun at Warwick Castle
Christmas Afternoon Tea
Served in the Conservatory Tea House overlooking the gardens, this looks like a gorgeous festive treat. Its setting allows visitors to appreciate stunning views of Warwick Castle while they eat. Christmassy food includes spiced cakes, dainty sandwiches and seasonal flavours.
Traditional Family Pantomime
The pantomime takes place in the Woodland Theatre and stars Princess Felice and Guy of Warwick. It’s aimed at a family audience with plenty of singing, laughter and dancing. Join the protagonists as they do battle with villains, bringing to life ancient tales and encouraging audience participation.
Winter Birds of Prey
If you’re visiting during the day, make sure you find the time for the Birds of Prey display. The Winter display is different to the one that takes place in the summer months. Handlers tell stories and facts as they go, introducing visitors to the birds’ unique character.
Santa Sleepovers
If you want to turn the day into a proper mini-break, the Santa Sleepovers are brilliant. We’ve stayed overnight in a Knight’s Lodge in the past and it’s a lovely way to extend your experience. The accommodation is really authentic too, and at this time of year they decorate it for Christmas. Another bonus at this time of the year is that children get an elf wake-up call!
Final Thoughts
Warwick Castle really goes all-out for Christmas, and if you enjoy festive days out, this one mixes history, atmosphere and proper family fun. Every part of the day feels like its own experience, so you can pick and choose which bits to do without feeling like you’ve missed out.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit to Christmas at the Castle
- Book the Light Trail and Ice Skating early. These are the two most popular activities and the prime evening slots go first. If you’re visiting on a weekend, book as soon as you can at Warwick Castle online.
- Arrive earlier than you think. The car park can get busy at peak times. The whole experience feels much calmer if you’re not in a rush.
- Plan your route around the grounds. The castle is huge, especially when you factor in the gardens and woodland. It’s worth deciding the order of activities before you go so you’re not zig-zagging back and forth in the cold.
- Wrap up warm, even if you don’t feel like you need to. The Light Trail and skating are both outdoors and the temperature drops quickly once the sun sets. Gloves, decent coats and warm shoes make a big difference.
- Eat at slightly off-peak times. The food village is lovely but gets busy between 12–2pm and again just before the Light Trail.
- Take your time on the Light Trail. It’s tempting to rush through, but the slower you go, the more little details you catch. Some of the loveliest moments were in the quieter, twinkly sections between the bigger installations.
- Check what’s included in your ticket. Some activities are bundled depending on the ticket type, so it’s worth double-checking before you arrive. If you’re going for a Santa Sleepover, a few things (like parking) are already taken care of.
- Bring a battery pack. There are so many photo moments on the trail and around the castle, and phone batteries vanish quickly in cold weather.
