Christmas at Eltham Palace Greenwich 2025 – Festive Events, Father Christmas, Workshops & Family Magic
Celebrate Christmas 2025 at Eltham Palace in Greenwich with wreath workshops, Father Christmas visits, and festive family fun in London’s most elegant Art Deco palace.
Updated 07/11/2025
As November edges toward winter, the elegant silhouette of Eltham Palace and Gardens in Greenwich takes on an almost cinematic glow. The vast medieval Great Hall, once echoing with royal feasts, now hosts creative workshops and family celebrations that bring history to life with seasonal warmth.
For Christmas 2025, English Heritage has curated a programme that perfectly balances tradition, creativity, and charm — from hands-on wreath-making sessions to festive storytelling with Father Christmas himself. Whether you’re seeking an intimate craft day or a family-friendly weekend outing, Eltham Palace in Greenwich offers a holiday experience unlike anywhere else in London.
Wreath Making Workshop at Eltham Palace Greenwich
There’s no better place to begin the festive season than beneath the soaring beams of Eltham Palace’s Medieval Great Hall in Greenwich, where English monarchs once dined and musicians once played for Christmas court.
Dates: Tuesday 25, Wednesday 26, and Thursday 27 November 2025
Time: 9.30am – 3.00pm
Tickets: via website, £70 adult / £60 English Heritage member
Location: Eltham Palace and Gardens, Court Yard, Greenwich, SE9 5NP
Here, under the gentle instruction of Head Gardener Aron Clay, guests spend the day crafting a seasonal wreath from greenery sourced directly from the palace gardens. Every pinecone, ribbon, and sprig of holly carries the character of this extraordinary site — a living link between nature, heritage, and design.
The workshop includes hot drinks on arrival and a festive afternoon tea served at lunchtime — a welcome treat amid the scent of fresh foliage and mulled spices. Participants are advised to wrap up warmly; even in November, the Great Hall retains the kind of chill that feels appropriately historic.
It’s a peaceful, tactile day — less a class than a gentle ritual marking the true beginning of the season.
Booking essential via English Heritage; dietary requirements can be shared in advance at Tina.brewster@english-heritage.org.uk.
Father Christmas at Eltham Palace Greenwich
Each winter, Father Christmas makes his grand arrival at Eltham Palace in Greenwich — a setting that feels tailor-made for his stories. Children gather around the Christmas tree as he shares tales from the North Pole, before each little visitor enjoys a personal meeting and receives a traditional wrapped gift to take home.
Dates: Weekends from Saturday 29 November – Sunday 21 December 2025
Times: 10.20am – 3.00pm (sessions every 40 minutes)
Tickets: via website, £12.50 per child (members and non-members)
Suitable for: All ages
For those who prefer a gentler pace, Quiet Sessions will run on Sunday 30 November at 10.20am and Saturday 6 December at 3.00pm, offering reduced capacity and a calmer, more personal experience.
Parents are asked to bring just one adult per child to keep the groups intimate, ensuring each family enjoys ample time with Father Christmas.
It’s a simple, beautiful encounter — steeped in nostalgia and framed by the palace’s golden walls and sparkling decorations.
Festive Fun at Eltham Palace Greenwich
Beyond the headline events, Eltham Palace and Gardens in Greenwich becomes an experience of festive discovery. The Art Deco interiors, normally serene in tone, come alive with the scent of pine and the shimmer of garlands. Visitors can wander from room to room as carols drift through the air, before stepping outside into gardens that gleam in the low winter sun.
Dates: Saturday 29 November – Sunday 21 December 2025
Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm
Tickets: Via website, standard palace admission
Suitable for: Everyone
Festive Fun at Eltham Palace runs throughout the season, turning ordinary weekends into something quietly enchanting. Expect creative children’s activities, costumed storytellers, and the gentle nostalgia of a traditional English Christmas.
For families, it’s an ideal day out — part heritage, part holiday, wholly atmospheric.
In the palace’s Art Deco wing, the décor takes on a more modern and elegant twist, blending the 1930s aesthetic with traditional Christmas charm. The contrast between the medieval and Art Deco elements only adds to the event's unique atmosphere, offering visitors a visually stunning journey through history and holiday cheer.
The Christmas magic doesn’t stop at the palace itself; the beautiful Eltham Palace gardens are also part of the event, offering a chance to explore the grounds under the glow of thousands of twinkling lights. Visitors can wander through the garden trails, surrounded by illuminated trees, and take in the beauty of the winter landscape as it’s transformed into a fairy tale setting.
There are also special garden performances, featuring festive characters and surprises around every corner. These performances add an extra layer of enchantment to the event, making the gardens a must-visit during your Christmas adventure at Eltham Palace.
Members’ Event: Featured in Film – Eltham Palace Greenwich
Long after the tinsel has been packed away, Eltham Palace in Greenwich continues to fascinate. Its cinematic symmetry and golden interiors have made it a favourite location for filmmakers, from The Crown and Brideshead Revisited to Wonka.
Date: Saturday 24 January 2026
Time: 11.00am – 1.00pm
Tickets: Via website, £20 (members only)
Host: Christina Pascoe, National Venue Hire Manager, English Heritage
In this exclusive members’ event, Christina Pascoe leads a behind-the-scenes talk exploring how productions are managed within the palace walls — balancing the demands of modern film crews with the duty to protect priceless heritage. It’s an insider’s look at the intersection of history and popular culture, set within one of London’s most photogenic Greenwich landmarks.
The Perfect Christmas Outing in Greenwich
What sets Christmas at Eltham Palace Greenwich apart from other festive events is its sense of heritage and intimacy. This is not a commercial spectacle but an experience that unfolds through creativity, atmosphere, and tradition. From wreath making in the Medieval Great Hall to storytelling with Father Christmas beneath the palace’s glittering tree, every detail feels personal, elegant, and rooted in history.
It’s an outing that bridges eras — the warmth of a Tudor Christmas, the glamour of 1930s Art Deco interiors, and the simple joy of festive gatherings today. Whether you come for craft, nostalgia, or family magic, Eltham Palace and Gardens in Greenwich offers a celebration that goes beyond the ordinary. It’s an opportunity to slow down, reconnect, and make memories surrounded by one of London’s most beautiful historic estates.
If you’re seeking a festive day out to add to your winter calendar, this is one to cherish. From hands-on creativity to seasonal storytelling, Christmas at Eltham Palace Greenwich is the ideal place to share laughter, light, and a touch of royal splendour with family and friends.
Practical Information for Visitors
Dates: Events run from late November to late December 2025, with specific dates for each experience:
Wreath Making Workshops: 25–27 November 2025
Father Christmas at Eltham Palace: Weekends, 29 November – 21 December 2025
Festive Fun at Eltham Palace: 29 November – 21 December 2025
Check the English Heritage website for the most up-to-date times and ticket availability.
Tickets:
Advance booking is strongly recommended, especially for Father Christmas sessions and workshops, as these popular experiences tend to sell out quickly. Tickets can be purchased directly through the English Heritage website.
Getting There:
Eltham Palace is located in South-East London, Court Yard, Eltham, Greenwich, SE9 5NP, and is easily accessible by public transport. Trains run regularly to Eltham Station, around a 15-minute walk away. Limited parking is available on-site for those driving.
Accessibility:
Eltham Palace is committed to accessibility for all visitors. The palace and gardens include wheelchair access, and accessible toilets are available. Visitors are advised to contact the site ahead of time if specific arrangements are required.
Christmas at Eltham Palace Greenwich is more than an event — it’s an experience that captures the essence of the season. With its remarkable blend of history, architecture, and festive charm, it invites visitors to step inside a storybook setting and discover Christmas as it once was — timeless, heartfelt, and truly enchanting.
For those who treasure tradition and beauty in equal measure, Eltham Palace in Greenwich remains one of London’s most captivating Christmas destinations.
For full details, booking links, and more festive inspiration, visit the English Heritage website.
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