What’s on in the Windsor area
Search our What's On in Windsor calendar to see what's on right now and what's coming up in the next few months. Why not sign up for the official Visit Windsor Enewsletter? We’ll keep you updated about what's on in the Royal Borough of Windsor.
Looking to check out what's on in Windsor, Eton, Maidenhead, Ascot and in local villages such as Cookham during your stay? Planning to time your visit with a specific event in our ‘What's on in Windsor’ calendar?
The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead is brim-full of great events for all ages and for all interests year round. Visit our Windsor Online Shop where you can book tickets in advance for all race meetings and many other events and attractions.
Use the ‘What’s on Search’ above to search the events calendar and start planning and read on for inspiration.
Theatre and arts centres in Windsor and Maidenhead
Windsor's historic Theatre Royal nestles at the foot of Windsor Castle and offers its audiences a new production every fortnight before heading to the West End or on national tour. You’ll also discover comedy nights, tribute bands and one of the best pantomimes in the local area. (Oh yes it is!)
We have two dynamic arts centres in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead: Norden Farm Centre for the Arts in Maidenhead and the Old Court in Windsor.
Enjoy live performances, comedy, music, film, exhibitions, classes and family activities all year round.
Read more about live entertainment and film in the Royal Borough.
Family-friendly events in Windsor
Windsor and the Royal Borough is filled with fun events and things to do for families with children of all ages! Whether you are looking for ideas and inspiration for a day trip, a weekend away or a family short break, we’ve got plenty to keep you occupied throughout the different seasons and especially in the school holidays, half term breaks and bank holidays! Check out our family-friendly events.
Horse events in Windsor and Ascot
Equestrian events are hugely popular in the Royal Borough. The Royal Windsor Horse Show takes place in May and the daily royal procession is the highlight of Royal Ascot week in June.
Why not enjoy a flutter on the horses at Ascot Racecourse, where jumps and flat racing take place throughout the year?
Royal Windsor Racecourse is located on an island in the River Thames and holds evening and daytime flat race meetings with themed race-day entertainment between April and October and winter jumps racing returns in 2024.
Windsor, Eton and Maidenhead town centre events
Windsor, Eton and Maidenhead have a fun and wide range of town centre events throughout the year, many of them free of charge.
Watch hilarious pancake racing in the town centre on Shrove Tuesday, rubber duck racing on the Thames in June, delicious local food and drink markets, craft markets, night markets and pumpkin carving parties in October.
But Christmas is a very special time and all the family will enjoy our Christmas events – superb Christmas lights, colourful fireworks, Christmas markets, Windsor Great Park Illuminated, LaplandUK, wonderfully creative living advent calendars throughout December and, of course, traditional carols. What better place to enjoy the yuletide season?
Festivals in Windsor
The annual Windsor Festival takes place in September and the Spring Festival takes place in March.
The festival’s ‘what's on in Windsor’ programme features literary events, concerts, talks, guided walks and much, much more. Some events take place in historic venues like Windsor Castle and Windsor Guildhall.
Windsor has a Fringe Festival too and an International String Competition every two years – plenty for those with an interest in cultural events.
Discover drink festivals too! Ascot Racecourse hosts a Beer Festival as part of its Autumn Racing Weekend.
Read more about our annual Festivals programme.
Art events in the Windsor area
Did you know that the annual Windsor Art Fair in November has raised thousands of pounds for the Prince’s Trust whilst bringing together over 160 artists, printmakers, photographers, sculptors, ceramicists and selected galleries offering the very best in contemporary art with prices from £50 to £5000?
Windsor sporting events
Whether you enjoy taking part or spectating, there are some great sporting events taking place in the local area.
The Royal Borough is home to the award-winning Parallel Windsor event, the UK's national celebration of disability inclusion and wellbeing. Parallel features a range of challenge events for all ages, health conditions and abilities. Walk, push or run, there are no cut off times, highlighted by the event's logan of 'Start Together, Finish Whenever'.
The Royal Windsor Triathlon attracts many participants in the summer and there are half marathons and 10K races throughout the Royal Borough too.
Dorney Lake – Eton College’s rowing lake where Olympic dreams were made real in London 2012 – hosts many events throughout the year.
Book Windsor accommodation
Whatever your reason for coming to Windsor and the Royal Borough, why not stay a bit longer?
Visit our accommodation pages and discover a wide range of excellent hotels, guest accommodation, self-catering properties and campsites.
Then you can include lots more things to do, attractions (such as Legoland and Dorney Court), restaurants, pubs and bars, entertainment and shopping areas.
AccessAble Access Guides for Windsor and Eton
Destination Access Guides for Windsor and Eton, developed thanks to a partnership between the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead and AccessAble, are now available. VisitWindsor has worked with AccessAble, the UK’s leading provider of detailed disabled access information, to produce the guides which help residents and visitors with access requirements to plan their journeys to and around both towns.
So what are you waiting for? Check out what’s on and make your visit to Windsor and Maidenhead a fantastically eventful one!
What's On Highlights
Santa's Grotto Experience at Daniel Department Store
Step into a cosy winter wonderland at Daniel of Windsor, where Santa's Grotto awaits. Meet Santa’s…
Pasta Wednesday at Caldesi in Campagna
Experience the ultimate pasta extravaganza at Caldesi in Campagna!
Embrace Christmas
Embrace Christmas at Windsor Royal. We’ll be joined by local choirs and bands setting a festive…
Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% May Racing Weekend at Ascot Racecourse
Gather with friends and family as you immerse yourself in action-packed entertainment and dine-out…
Spring Family Raceday at Ascot
See the Jumps season out in style at Ascot's Spring Family Raceday - our springtime extravaganza,…
Betfair Ascot Chase Raceday at Ascot Racecourse
A standout occasion in the Jumps season, the Betfair Ascot Chase Raceday is a highlight in Ascot's…
The Old Court Cinema: December Films
Discover December film screenings at The Old Court Cinema, Windsor
Parallel Windsor
Parallel Windsor is the UK's national celebration of disability inclusion and wellbeing. Our…
Christmas at Windsor Castle
Step into Christmas and 1,000 years of royal history at Windsor Castle. This festive period, see…
Breakfast with Santa at The Castle Hotel
Whether they have been naughty or nice this year, indulge your little ones with an unlimited…
BetMGM Clarence House Chase Raceday at Ascot Racecourse - Berkshire Winter Million Weekend
Banish the holiday blues at Ascot’s new year curtain-raiser. Shaking off its winter slumber, Ascot…
Howden Christmas Racing Weekend at Ascot
Get ready for two days of festive revelry and Jumps racing of the highest calibre at Ascot’s last…
Christmas Carols in The Savill Garden Visitor Centre
Relax in The Savill Garden Kitchen as you surround yourself with festive music and carols in The…
Royal Ascot
Royal Ascot is one of the pinnacle events of the summer social season and is certainly a…
Windsor Great Park Illuminated
Light up your year! Windsor Great Park Illuminated returns with another magical trail, bringing…
LEGOLAND at Christmas
Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year by rocking around the DUPLO® Christmas tree at the…
Festive Family Fun at Windsor Castle
Step into the shoes of a Victorian child this Christmas as you enjoy the beautifully decorated…
Afternoon Tea with Santa at The Castle Hotel
Treat your little ones to a fun-filled afternoon with our legendary festive afternoon tea and the…
- 1Santa's Grotto Experience at Daniel Department Store
- 2Pasta Wednesday at Caldesi in Campagna
- 3Embrace Christmas
- 4Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% May Racing Weekend at Ascot Racecourse
- 5Spring Family Raceday at Ascot
- 6Betfair Ascot Chase Raceday at Ascot Racecourse
- 7The Old Court Cinema: December Films
- 8Parallel Windsor
- 9Christmas at Windsor Castle
- 10Breakfast with Santa at The Castle Hotel
- 11BetMGM Clarence House Chase Raceday at Ascot Racecourse - Berkshire Winter Million Weekend
- 12Howden Christmas Racing Weekend at Ascot
- 13Christmas Carols in The Savill Garden Visitor Centre
- 14Royal Ascot
- 15Windsor Great Park Illuminated
- 16LEGOLAND at Christmas
- 17Festive Family Fun at Windsor Castle
- 18Afternoon Tea with Santa at The Castle Hotel