An Immersive Festive Experience Will Take Over Chiswick House This Christmas

It may be July but it’s prime time to lock down your Christmas bookings, from special menus at the city’s most sophisticated restaurants to awe-inspiring light trails across London’s green spaces. But the fastest sell-out is always Christmas theatre, and this year there’s a bounty to enjoy. New on the agenda is The Twelfth Night of Christmas, a new festive experience set to take over Chiswick House from the end of November.

This west London spot has never hosted festive celebrations before, but in 2025 Chiswick House is jumping on the trend set by the likes of Kew Gardens, Hyde Park and plenty of historic houses across the UK. Teaming up with live entertainment company Underbelly and theatrical heritage site curators CLW Event Design, Chiswick House’s very first festive offering is The Twelfth Night of Christmas, a theatrical journey delving into the contemporary period the beloved carol ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’ was written in: the Georgian era.

This is the first time Underbelly and CLW Event Design have teamed up. The former is the multi-award winning theatrical production company behind Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club in the West End, while the latter, founded by theatre producer Charlotte Lloyd-Webber and costume designer Adrian Lillie, has worked across site-specific experiences at heritage properties across the UK including Castle Howard, Kensington Palace, Bamburgh Castle, Beaulieu Palace House and Polesden Lacey House.

Charlie Wood (Underbelly), Adrian Lillie and Charlotte Lloyd Webber (CLW Event Design). (© Newby IMG)

‘We are thrilled to have the opportunity to bring the CLW Event Design and Underbelly magic to this stunning architectural gem,’ Lloyd-Webber says on behalf of CLW Event Design. ‘Rich in detail, this beautiful house lends itself perfectly to our theatrical design ethos, bringing to life the building as it was originally intended for moments of great celebration and joy amongst family and friends but now welcoming all ages who can come together for the festive season.’

‘I’ve been a massively keen visitor to everything that Charlotte has created for Christmas in the past few years, from Castle Howard to Bamburgh to Blenheim, so to partner with her on this project at the beautiful Chiswick House is the best Christmas present ever,’ adds Charlie Wood, Co-Director of Underbelly. ‘CLW Event Designs’ remarkable eye for detail and design, paired with Underbelly’s theatrical expertise, will create an experience that reimagines and opens up Chiswick House this Christmas. Together, we’re transforming it into an extraordinary festive journey.’

What To Expect

Inspired by the festive carol ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’, The Twelfth Night of Christmas is a theatrical experience with a Georgian theme. Think opulent installations, bespoke sculptures, fabulous floristry and impressive costumes.

Year round, visitors are welcome to explore the grounds’ beautiful landscaped gardens, but stepping inside Chiswick House is much more restricted. Completed in 1729, The Twelfth Night of Christmas will offer Londoners the chance to explore the west London neo-palladian villa’s rooms in a completely new way: they will be transformed with Georgian yuletide decor, with a healthy dose of fantasy, too.

Chiswick House was built by Richard Boyle, 3rd Earl of Burlington, with one main purpose: to entertain. Here, Burlington showcased his large art collection with Baroque opulence as a backdrop. Later Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire famously enjoyed much revelry here in the late 18th century – and The Twelfth Night of Christmas takes inspiration from her extravagance.

At The Twelfth Night of Christmas, visitors will traverse a series of themed rooms, ending with a sumptuous banquet installation. Santa will also sit in an enchanting 18th century grotto, ready to please younger visitors with a festive story and a special gift.

Chiswick House and Gardens Trust’s director Xanthe Arvanitakis describes The Twelfth Night of Christmas as ‘a truly special Christmas experience that promises to be unlike any other’.

‘I know that the beauty of Chiswick House, a place rich in history and famous for its spectacular interiors, will perfectly complement the unique, creative vision that CLW Event Design are bringing to life here,’ Arvanitakis adds. ‘We can’t wait to see The Twelfth Night of Christmas delight and inspire both those who already love this place, and those discovering our magical House and Gardens for the first time.’

Chiswick House and Gardens. (© Andre Pattenden)

Where & When?

The Twelfth Night of Christmas will run from 21 November 2025 to 4 January 2026 at Chiswick House (Burlington Ln, Chiswick, London W4 2RP). Santa’s Grotto will open on 29 November.

How To Get Tickets

Tickets are not on sale just yet, but you can sign up to Chiswick House’s Christmas mailing list to be the first to know when they are available.

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