A “spectacular” Christmas celebration involving a lights trail and festive market at a renowned palace in Oxfordshire will be returning this year. Christmas at Blenheim Palace has been praised for being “mesmerising” and “fantastic” and there are activities for all the family to enjoy – including ice skating and an immersive palace adventure. The palace, built between 1705 and 1722, is one of England’s biggest houses and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
Christmas at the palace runs from November 14 to January 3, and one of the big draws is the Illuminated Trail. The trail of lights features works by international and local artists and is described as having “everything you need for an unforgettable time with friends and family, including a magical glimpse of Father Christmas along the way”.
Blenheim Palace also opens up its doors for The Palace of Oz this year – a “magical tale of wizardry, witches, sparkling shoes and the power of friendship”.
Visitors can venture through the State rooms, inspired by The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and look out for beloved characters like Toto, the Cowardly Lion, Witches, Scarecrow and more.
The Christmas market, a seasonal village of wooden chalets, will be held in the Great Court from November 14 to December 21. Visitors can peruse the gifts and crafts on offer and enjoy some of the tasty treats.
For those who love ice skating, there is a rink in the heart of the Great Court. Blenheim Palace says: “Gather with loved ones, lace up your skates and slide into the Christmas spirit surrounded by twinkling lights and the Christmas Market.”
Meanwhile the Observation Wheel offers breathtaking views of the palace, Christmas market and the estate.
One visitor wrote on TripAdvisor: “This was our second Christmas visit and it was as thrilling as the first. I love that they change the story every year. The decorations are beautifully done and the lights are great afterwards.”
A second said: “The palace is lovely any time of the year but especially around Christmas. There are dozens of stalls in the main courtyard where one could spend a lot of time. Of course there are plenty of food stalls, though the cafe inside is rather pleasant. The highlight was the light show round the grounds… mesmerising.”
Another dubbed the lights trail “absolutely spectacular”, adding: “It was amazing, the lights, the music, the atmosphere. It took us a good two hours to see it all, with us stopping in awe on occasions.”
Meanwhile someone else wrote: “Fantastic evening out, great atmosphere, superbly organised, lighting and music was absolutely amazing. So recommend this event for everyone of all ages.”