Castle Howard opens special Christmas Wizard of Oz extravaganza

The 300-year-old House becomes an immersive Christmas experience, dressed in set pieces, decorations, floristry, projections, lighting and sound, starting on November 13, over a seven-week period.

The show-stopping Emerald City High Street in the Long Gallery is a highlight of the experience for 2025, with life-size fabricated shop fronts inspired by York Shambles, decorated by a specialist signwriting expert.

In addition, Castle Howard’s 28ft Christmas tree sparkles in the Great Hall, installed by a team of 30 using a specialist forklift and winch system – see our spread of photos of the tree being delivered and put into place.

The Great Hall is the crowning masterpiece of architect Sir John Vanbrugh’s design presenting Castle Howard with its unique domed silhouette – completed with suitable theatricality by the grand tree decorated with thousands of emerald-inspired decorations as part of the Wizard of Oz theme.

The Christmas at Castle Howard with the Wonderful Wizard of Oz creative team, CLW Event Design headed up by Charlotte Lloyd Webber and Adrian Lillie, have worked on the project since January with huge set pieces fabricated and built on the estate.

The installation process in the House takes ten days to complete, with circa 30,000 baubles are on display, and the creative team reusing and recycling products where possible and favouring more sustainable materials like paper and glass.

Northern theatre company imitating the dog have provided the projections and soundscapes.

Unique musical compositions accompany each room in the House, alongside soundscapes that bring the narrative from the original book to life.

Castle Howard is hosting a Betty’s shop in their historic Stable Courtyard for the duration of their Christmas event.

A documentary film crew has followed the Christmas creative team, CLW Event Design, as they prepare Castle Howard’s Christmas experience.

The documentary is due to broadcast on Channel 4 this winter.

Castle Howard Visitor Attraction Director, Abbigail Ollive, said: ‘We are thrilled to launch Christmas at Castle Howard for 2025.

"Every year it gets bigger and better.

"The talented creative teams, CLW Event Design and imitating the dog, have done an amazing job bringing the installations to life with the support of the Castle Howard staff and volunteers.

"We have thoroughly enjoyed welcoming the Channel 4 film cameras back this year, giving them behind-the-scenes access to the creative process, which we hope visitors will enjoy watching.

“We are delighted to be able to expand our access offering for 2025, with a larger programme of accessible sessions and events made possible by our generous Access Sponsors.

"We are also excited to offer £5 tickets to those in receipt of Max Cards and Universal Credit."

Christmas at Castle Howard with the Wonderful Wizard of Oz runs from November 13 to January 4.

Visit castlehoward.co.uk for tickets.

Castle Howard is offering an expanded series of accessible events to open the experience to even more people, including British Sign Language interpreted shows and Calm Sessions.

Calm Sessions

• Saturday November 15, 9.30am – 10.30am

• Tuesday November 25, 2.30pm – 3.30pm

• Friday December 19, 5.30pm – 6.30pm

• Thursday January 1, 3.30pm – 4.30pm

BSL Interpreted Session: Saturday December 13, 11am, 3pm

More photos to come