Hampton Court Palace at Christmas 2026: the new Winter Palace event, the ice rink from 20 November and the Festive Fayre in December.
Christmas at Hampton Court Palace 2026: Winter Palace, ice rink and Festive Fayre
Hampton Court Palace has three things on this Christmas: a new event called Winter Palace: The Christmas Beast Ball, its outdoor ice rink, and the Festive Fayre in the gardens.
Winter Palace: The Christmas Beast Ball
28 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. A story-led Christmas event where you dance with fantastical creatures in the Cartoon Gallery and walk through festive rooms around the palace. It’s included in palace admission.
Normal hours are 10am to 4.30pm. On some December dates (9 to 11, 16 and 17, 19 to 23 and 27 to 30 December) it stays open until 7.30pm. The palace is closed on 30 November, 1, 7, 8, 14, 15 and 24 to 26 December.
Prices
- Adults: £32 off-peak, £35 peak
- Children: £16 off-peak, £17.50 peak
- Universal Credit holders: £1
Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink
20 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. An outdoor rink in front of the palace, under a canopy of lights. Times and prices are on the rink’s own website. More rinks in our ice skating in London guide.
Festive Fayre
4 to 6 and 11 to 13 December, 10am to 5pm. Food, drink, gifts and independent makers in the palace gardens.
Getting there
Trains from Waterloo to Hampton Court take about 35 minutes, and the palace is just over the bridge from the station.
Frequently asked questions
When is Christmas at Hampton Court Palace 2026?
Winter Palace runs from 28 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. The ice rink opens on 20 November.
Is the Winter Palace included in the ticket?
Yes, it’s included in palace admission.
When is the Hampton Court Festive Fayre?
4 to 6 and 11 to 13 December 2026.
Sources
Last checked: 27 October 2026. Image: Christopher Hilton, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Geograph / Wikimedia Commons.
