- Mr Plane Guy
- Sep 29
- 5 min read
Buckingham Palace Is Hosting Its First Ever Christmas Pop-Up And It’s Fit for a King
By Mr. Plane Guy, Travel Blogger & Christmas Market Gluhwein Tester
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click and buy, I might earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep this blog running (and fuels my seasonal hunt for mulled wine at Christmas markets across Europe). Thanks for your support.
A Royal First: Buckingham Palace Does Christmas
It’s official: Buckingham Palace is getting festive. For the first time ever, the royal residence is opening a Christmas pop-up shop inside the historic Royal Mews. From November 14, 2025, to January 5, 2026, visitors will be able to shop a curated collection of seasonal gifts, decorations, and treats, all inspired by centuries of royal tradition.
That means you could be wandering the same grounds where royal horses are stabled while browsing baubles, chinaware, and chocolate, quite literally shopping with a royal seal of approval.
And yes, this is an event worth marking in your diary alongside London’s other festive heavy-hitters, like Winter Wonderland London and the city’s famous London Christmas markets.
What You’ll Find Inside the Buckingham Palace Christmas Pop-Up
The palace pop-up isn’t a sprawling outdoor market, it’s more of a boutique experience. But what it lacks in size, it makes up for in royal sparkle. Here’s a taste of what you can expect:
Handcrafted decorations: Guardsmen, crowns, and carriages, embroidered with detail fit for palace trees.
Festive treats: Chocolates, biscuits, and other indulgent nibbles.
Royal chinaware and crystal: Elegant glasses, mugs, and tableware inspired by royal history.
Botanical gin: Small-batch spirits made with botanicals picked from palace gardens.
Kitchen treasures: Themed accessories from the “Royal Kitchen” collection.
Every purchase supports the Royal Collection Trust, which maintains and preserves one of the largest art collections in the world. So you’re not just picking up gifts, you’re helping conserve royal heritage.
How to Visit the Buckingham Palace Christmas Pop-Up
Where: The Royal Mews, Buckingham Palace Road, London.
When: November 14, 2025 – January 5, 2026.
Entry: Free, no ticket required.
Nearest stations: Victoria, Green Park, and St. James’s Park.
Top tip: Arrive earlier in the day to avoid the worst of the festive crowds, and pair your visit with other Christmas attractions nearby.
Make a Festive Day of It in London After Visiting Buckingham Palace’s Christmas Pop-Up
Since you’re already in central London, you can turn your visit to Buckingham Palace’s Christmas pop-up into a full festive day out.
Winter Wonderland London: Just a short walk through Green Park to Hyde Park, where London’s most famous Christmas event awaits. Expect fairground rides, circus shows, ice skating, a Bavarian village, and one of the city’s biggest Christmas markets.
Covent Garden: Known for its jaw-dropping Christmas tree and sparkling light displays. Great for photos, hot drinks, and shopping.
Southbank Centre Winter Market: Riverside stalls selling mulled wine, global street food, and handmade crafts.
Leicester Square Christmas Market: Smaller but charming, right in the heart of the West End.
If you need a full list of the best markets to hop between, I’ve rounded them up in my guide to The Best Christmas Markets You Can Visit on a Weekend Break.
Or Check out my 1 day London itinerary!
Where to Stay Near Buckingham Palace’s First Ever Christmas Pop-Up
December in London is peak festive season, so book hotels early. Here are a few recommendations near Buckingham Palace and the markets:
The Rubens at the Palace – a classic London stay directly across from Buckingham Palace.
Hotel 41 – boutique, luxury, and just a few steps from the Royal Mews.
Strand Palace – well located for Covent Garden and the West End.
👉 Book your London stay with lastminute.com and unlock unbeatable prices on top hotels perfect for saving more to spend at the Christmas markets
Also Check out Booking.com for some great offers on hotels in London
Things to Do Beyond the Markets
London at Christmas is about more than just shopping. After visiting the pop-up and markets, you can add on a few experiences to make your trip truly memorable:
Christmas Lights Walking Tour – explore Regent Street, Oxford Street, and Carnaby in their full twinkling glory.
Thames River Cruise with Mulled Wine – see the city lit up from the water.
West End Theatre – book a festive show, from classics like The Nutcracker to seasonal comedies.
I recommend booking through GetYourGuide London experiences for easy reservations and skip-the-line options.
How the Pop-Up Fits Into London’s Christmas Scene
London is already spoiled for festive experiences, from Winter Wonderland London to the countless London Christmas markets scattered across the city. What makes Buckingham Palace’s pop-up different is its exclusivity. This isn’t a market you’ll stumble across anywhere else. It’s a one-off chance to step into the royal festive spirit, pick up gifts you won’t find on Oxford Street, and walk away with a story to tell.
Final Boarding Call
So there you have it: Buckingham Palace’s First Ever Christmas Pop-Up is not just a shop, it’s an experience. Whether you’re a London local looking for something new, or a visitor planning a festive getaway, it’s the perfect royal addition to your Christmas itinerary.
Pair it with London’s Christmas markets, a spin around Winter Wonderland, and maybe a festive Thames cruise and you’ve got yourself the ultimate Christmas trip.
Mark the dates: November 14, 2025 – January 5, 2026.
And remember: every gift you buy here is literally fit for a king.
Check out LastMinute.com London hotels for deals that cover both central luxury and budget-friendly stays.
👉 Next reads:
Hello, I’m Paul a professional jet-setter and all-around plane travel pro. After 15 years working in and around planes, I became a flight delay expert at a London Airport and mastered plane travel hacks, a PLANE flight expert with BIG travel plans but small carry-on.
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