A magical, twinkling celebration perfect for families
Our visit to the Highcliffe Castle Christmas Tree Festival was truly magical from start to finish, made even more wonderful by the friendly team and knowledgeable volunteers. As soon as we stepped inside, we were surrounded by festive lights, beautifully themed Christmas trees, wonderful music and interactive activities that made the whole experience feel warm, immersive, and wonderfully Christmassy. As well as the strong aroma of mulled wine, which always creates that festive atmosphere!
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A Festive Wonderland Through Every Room
Having walked in the grounds for many years, as a family we have never been inside and it is incredibly interesting and highly worth a visit (in school holidays the castle put on different events for children too!). For the Christmas Tree Festival, the castle was transformed into a glowing seasonal trail, with each room hosting a completely different themed Christmas tree; some heartfelt, some creative, some downright dazzling.
We wandered through corridors of snowy white trees and sparkling archways, and every turn seemed to reveal something new. The ambience alone, twinkling fairy lights, gentle music, and the historic stonework of the castle, made the experience feel truly enchanting.
Standout Trees & Creative Themes
The range of trees was incredible this year. Some highlights included:
Sunflowers and Snowflakes – Lewis Manning Hospice Care.
A bright, joyful tree decorated with sunflowers. a surprising but beautiful combination that stood out instantly.
The Just Beespoke It Christmas Tree
A grand display filled with golds, natural tones, and elegant lighting, complete with bees and a shining star and a pile of beautifully wrapped gifts beneath.
Highcliffe Beach Bum Blue Tits Tree
A quirky, cosy-looking tree topped with a woolly hat and decorated with hand, crafted ornaments, full of personality & promoting the benefits of outdoor swimming all year round!
Twelve Bells A-Ringing – Christchurch Priory Bellringers.
A charming tree decorated with an array of colourful bells that caught the children’s eyes immediately and promoting the beautiful priory church in Christchurch.
Girlguiding Tree: Guiding is Good for Your Elf
A glowing blue-lit tree packed with handmade decorations, each one a little piece of creativity.
Friendship – The Best Gift of All – Mencap New Forest
A touching tree celebrating community, decorated with photos of smiling faces of people who access Mencap Newforest and with personalised handmade ornaments. We saw some of the Mencap group admiring their tree which was really lovely.
Each tree had its own sign and story, making it feel like a true community festival full of heart and imagination.
Perfect for Children – Interactive & Immersive
Our children absolutely loved the visit. There was so much designed specifically with young visitors in mind:
• A lovely Mouse trail with two options (one for little visitors; find the mouse, which was perfect for our 4 year old & a slightly more storytelling based one, which was perfect for our 8 year old!)
• A “Now Showing” photo frame for fun pictures
• A gingerbread balloon arch and festive backdrop
• Secret corners with letter writing to Father Christmas, stories, and hands-on activities
• A chance to decorate your own bauble and add it to a community tree
The children were constantly engaged, smiling, exploring, and spotting new details, it felt magical through their eyes.
A Brilliantly Curated Community Event
What really makes the festival special is the sense of community. Local groups, charities, schools, and organisations all contribute trees, each reflecting something meaningful; kindness, creativity, togetherness, or local spirit. Walking through them feels like walking through a living Christmas card from the local area.
We had the most wonderful, Christmassy time at the Highcliffe Castle Christmas Tree Festival. It’s beautifully put together, brilliantly family-friendly, and full of festive charm in every corner of the castle and we are already looking forward to 2026!
Day time Admission- you can visit the Castle anytime between 10am-4pm on the date your tickets are booked. Please note, last admission is at 3pm.
Daytime Ticket Pricing – Adult £10.00 | Concession £9.50 | Family £22.00 | Child £3.50 | Under 5 Free | Carer Free | Castle Member Free
Evening Admission Dates- evening admission is between 5pm-8pm on the following dates:
- Friday 5 and Saturday 6 December
- Friday 12 and Saturday 13 December
- Friday 19 and Saturday 20 December
- Sunday 21, Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 December
You can arrive at any time, last admission is 7pm. More dates may be added subject to demand.
Evening Ticket Pricing – Adult £12.00 | Concession £11.00 | Family £25.00 | Child £5.00 | Under 5 Free | Carer Free | Castle Member Free
Music Confirmed for the following dates 5.45pm-7.45pm:
- Friday 5 December – Vintage Brass Band
- Saturday 6 December – Sing People Sing
- Friday 12 December – Rose Maris Pianist
- Saturday 13 December – Brass Band in Harmony
- Friday 19 December – Avon Reach Choir
- Saturday 20 December – Forest Saxophone Quartet
- Sunday 21 December – Rose Maris Pianist
- Monday 22 December – Jubilee Quartet
- Tuesday 23 December – Sound of Soul Choir
