Things to Do in Windsor in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Windsor
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Christmas market season transforms the town center - the Windsor Royal Shopping area and High Street run festive markets from late November through December, with mulled wine, local crafts, and that proper British Christmas atmosphere you're hoping for
- Windsor Castle is genuinely magical in winter with significantly fewer crowds than summer months - you'll actually have space to appreciate the State Apartments without being herded through, and the December light through St George's Chapel windows is spectacular around 2-3pm
- Theatre Royal Windsor runs its pantomime season throughout December (typically books out by mid-November) - this is proper British Christmas entertainment that locals actually attend, not just tourist shows
- Hotel rates drop 30-40% compared to peak summer season, and you can book excellent riverside properties for £120-180 per night that would cost £250+ in July - December is genuinely good value if you avoid the week between Christmas and New Year
Considerations
- Daylight is brutally short - sunrise around 8am, sunset by 4pm - which means you have roughly 6 hours of decent light for outdoor activities and photography, and the castle looks pretty grim in twilight rain
- The weather is properly miserable about 60% of the time - that 2.5 mm (0.1 inches) rainfall figure is misleading because it's spread across 10 days of drizzle rather than proper downpours, creating persistent dampness that seeps into everything
- Windsor Castle closes for extended periods around Christmas (typically December 24-26, sometimes longer) - you need to check the exact 2026 closure dates before booking, as this is the main reason most people visit Windsor in the first place
Best Activities in December
Windsor Castle Extended Tours
December is actually ideal for the full castle experience because summer crowds thin out dramatically - you can spend 3-4 hours exploring properly rather than being rushed through. The Changing of the Guard happens at 11am on alternate days (weather permitting), but honestly the State Apartments are the real draw and they're far more enjoyable when you're not shoulder-to-shoulder with tour groups. The castle is heated, which matters more than you'd think when it's 2°C (36°F) outside. Book the first entry slot at 10am if possible - you'll have the State Apartments nearly to yourself for 45 minutes.
Thames Path Winter Walks
The riverside walk from Windsor to Eton and beyond is surprisingly pleasant in December if you time it right - go between 11am-2pm when temperatures peak around 4°C (39°F) and you might catch some weak winter sun. The path is well-maintained and flat, running about 3 km (1.9 miles) to Boveney Lock and back. You'll see locals walking dogs and the occasional hardy rower on the Thames. The bare trees actually improve views of the castle from certain angles along the path. That said, this is only enjoyable on the 40% of December days that aren't actively drizzling.
Royal Windsor Christmas Shopping and Markets
The town center markets run through most of December (typically first week through December 23rd) and they're legitimately charming rather than tourist traps - locals actually shop here for gifts and food. The main market area centers on Windsor Royal Shopping and High Street, with about 40-50 stalls selling local crafts, German-style foods, and seasonal items. It's all outdoors, so you're dealing with that 70% humidity and cold temperatures, but the mulled wine (£4-6 per cup) helps. Best visited between 4-7pm when the lights are on but before the evening cold really sets in.
Legoland Windsor Resort Winter Events
If you're traveling with kids, Legoland runs special December events (typically weekends only in early-mid December, then closed until spring) with Christmas themes and shorter queues than summer. The rides that operate are mostly indoors or covered, which matters when it's 2°C (36°F) outside. That said, about 60% of the park is closed in winter, so this only makes sense if you have children under 12 and can get discounted December tickets. The park usually closes for the season around mid-December, so check exact 2026 operating dates carefully.
Historic Pub Crawls and Local Food Tours
Windsor has genuinely old pubs (The Two Brewers dates to 1792, The Carpenters Arms to 1782) and December is actually perfect for experiencing them - the fires are lit, the atmosphere is properly cozy, and you're doing what locals do to survive British winters. A self-guided crawl covering 4-5 historic pubs takes about 3 hours and keeps you mostly indoors. Traditional pub food runs £12-18 per main, pints £5-6.50. The pubs between Windsor and Eton are within 1 km (0.6 miles) of each other, so you're never outside for more than 10 minutes between stops.
Theatre Royal Windsor Pantomime Season
The Theatre Royal runs traditional British pantomimes throughout December (usually starting early December through early January) - this is genuinely unique entertainment that Americans and international visitors find baffling at first, then oddly charming. It's interactive, silly, and something local families actually attend as a Christmas tradition. The theatre is small (about 400 seats), Victorian-era, and properly heated. Shows typically run 2.5 hours with interval. This is the most culturally authentic thing you can do in Windsor in December.
December Events & Festivals
Windsor Christmas Market
Runs through most of December (typically first week through December 23rd) in the town center along High Street and Windsor Royal Shopping area. About 40-50 stalls selling local crafts, seasonal foods, mulled wine, and gifts. This is a proper local market that residents use for Christmas shopping, not just a tourist attraction. Best visited on weekday late afternoons when it's less crowded but lights are on.
Windsor Castle Christmas Closures
Not an event, but critically important - the castle typically closes December 24-26 and sometimes extends closures around the Christmas period. The exact 2026 dates will be published by the Royal Collection Trust in early 2026. This affects the main reason most people visit Windsor, so check before booking your trip.