Making the most of Blenheim Palace events

Located in Woodstock in Oxfordshire, Blenheim Palace is a magnificent building that is home to the 11th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough. The palace began life as a gift to the first Duke of Marlborough to celebrate the victory over the French during the Wars of the Spanish Succession. A trip here is fun for the whole family with plenty to do all year round. We’ve highlighted some of the best Blenheim Palace events so that you can make the most of your visit.

Christmas at Blenheim

From November to December, the palace prepares to ‘A Dickensian Christmas’ where the palace turns into a wondrous winter wonderland with huge Christmas trees adorning the Great Hall, all decorated in colourful baubles and candles in true Victorian style. Scenes from Dickens’ classic tales are played out by actors. There are also carol singers, freshly cut Christmas trees for sale, a Victorian Christmas feast and other festive dining options for visitors in the cafés around the palace. Families can also enjoy a trip on the decorated Miniature Train taking you to The Pleasure Gardens deli where parents can stop for a warm drink while children can visit Santa’s Grotto to receive a gift! Don’t miss the Living Crafts for Christmas market where you can see around 130 stalls selling wonderful gifts including ceramics, fashion, toys and jewellery. Christmas at Blenheim Palace is a truly magical experience and not to be missed! You can access this event by purchasing a ‘Palace, Park and Gardens’ ticket. Entrance for a family costs around £60.

Battle Proms Concerts

Held annually each summer, the Battle Proms Concert at Blenheim Palace is a firm favourite with families. This event is a display of powerful classic music teamed with impressive aircraft such as spitfires that fly overhead to perform incredible choreography to ‘wow’ the audience. The evening also hosts a range of singers and musicians on stage, Calvary and infantry displays, cannon fire and a fantastic firework display. It’s a delightful way to spend a warm summer evening outside. Tickets are around £35 for adults and £16 for children, but if you book early online, you can get a small discount. If you enjoy live music, Blenheim Palace also has a range of performances on weekends from guest musicians. 

Other activities to do at Blenheim Palace

The Formal Gardens at Blenheim Palace are a stunning attraction you can enjoy on your visit. The gardens comprise of the Water Terraces, Italian Garden, Secret Garden and Rose Garden. Each is unique and delightful in its own way, perfect for a gentle afternoon stroll.

The Pleasure Gardens shouldn’t be missed. Getting to the gardens is easy, either travel by foot or take the Miniature Train that links the palace to the gardens for an enjoyable ride that allows you take in the Palace’s wonderful surroundings. There’s plenty to do for children including the Adventure Playground and exciting Marlborough Maze. The maze covers around an acre of land and has two wooden bridges providing helpful vantage points to navigate! Kids will love the giant chess and draughts set inside the maze too. You may have a hard job getting them back out!

The Pleasure Gardens are also home to the Butterfly House, a tropical oasis where a colourful exotic butterflies can be seen flying freely above you! There are butterflies from all over the world here. Children are sure to be mesmerised! The kids can get creative with arts, crafts and pottery decoration in the ‘Pottering About’ studio. Check out the children’s shop and delicious deli where you can stop for a bite to eat.

Inside the palace, the Untold Story exhibition is a fun and interactive experience where you’ll learn stories of Blenheim and be introduced to some wonderful characters by your ghostly guide, Grace. There are touch screens and even talking portraits to see! Try a family quiz in the State Rooms and the Churchill Exhibition. Other events held at the palace each year are the Fidelity International Horse Trials, the Blenheim Palace Half Marathon, Blenheim Palace Literary Festival and spooky family entertainment during Halloween week. Many of these events just require a standard entry ‘Palace, Park and Gardens’ ticket.

Blenheim Palace has entertainment for the whole family and hosts many fantastic events throughout the year. There are plenty of campsites near Blenheim Palace so there’s no reason not to make Oxfordshire your next family holiday destination!