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Palace of Holyroodhouse exhibitions & events in 2026

The Palace of Holyroodhouse exhibitions and events program include rotating royal art displays, family workshops, lectures, storytelling sessions, seasonal festivals, and hands-on activities throughout the year. While some experiences are included with King’s Gallery entry tickets, many require separate event tickets. This guide covers the major exhibitions, special events, timings, locations, and ticket details to help plan your visit.

Upcoming Palace of Holyroodhouse exhibitions & events

The Edwardians: Age of Elegance

Location: The King's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse

When: Daily from 24 April to 6 December 2026

Included with admission: No, but it is included with the King’s Gallery entry tickets

One of the headline Palace of Holyroodhouse exhibitions, this glamorous display explores Edwardian royal life through Fabergé creations, paintings, fashion, photography, jewellery, and decorative arts. You can see more than 150 treasures linked to King Edward VII and King George V, many displayed in Scotland for the first time.

King’s Gallery: Guided Looking

Location: The King's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse

When: Selected dates from 25 May 2026

Included with admission: No

These guided sessions encourage visitors to slow down and closely observe exhibition highlights through expert-led visual discussions. The experience offers deeper insight into artworks, symbolism, artistic techniques, and royal themes featured within the current Palace of Holyroodhouse exhibitions.

Art in the Age of Elegance: King’s Gallery Short Talks

Location: The King's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse

When: Every Thursday from 14 May 2026

Included with admission: No

These concise gallery talks focus on Edwardian artistic styles, collecting trends, fashion, and royal patronage connected to current exhibitions. You can gain extra context about featured paintings, photography, decorative arts, and exhibition themes in a shorter format.

Queen Alexandra and her Photography

Location: The King's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse

When: 29 May 2026

Included with admission: No

This lunchtime lecture explores Queen Alexandra’s pioneering role in royal photography and image-making. The talk examines how photography shaped public royal identity while highlighting rare objects and photographs displayed within the current Palace of Holyroodhouse exhibitions.

Arts, Crafts, and the Book Beautiful

Location: The King's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse

When: 5 June 2026

Included with admission: No

This special lecture explores Edwardian book design, illuminated manuscripts, decorative bindings, and Arts & Crafts influences within royal collections. You can learn how craftsmanship and design trends shaped literary culture during the Edwardian era.

The Cluttered World of the Edwardians

Location: The King's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse

When: 17 July 2026

Included with admission: No

This lunchtime session examines Edwardian collecting culture, elaborate interiors, and decorative excess during Britain’s royal high society years. The lecture complements the exhibitions by exploring how wealthy royal households displayed status through objects and furnishings.

Edwardians on Tour: The 1901 Ophir Voyage and Ceremonies of Gift-Giving

Location: The King's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse

When: 25 September 2026

Included with admission: No

This lecture focuses on Edward VII’s famous 1901 voyage aboard HMS Ophir, diplomatic ceremonies, and royal gift exchanges across the British Empire. You can connect exhibition objects to stories of global travel, diplomacy, and royal spectacle.

The Taste and Paintings Collection of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra

Location: The King's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse

When: 23 October 2026

Included with admission: No

This expert talk explores the artistic tastes and collecting habits of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. Discussions focus on royal patronage, important paintings, and personal artistic preferences reflected throughout the gallery exhibitions.

Holyroodhouse in the Edwardian Era

Location: The King's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse

When: 20 November 2026

Included with admission: No

This accessible lecture explores how the palace evolved during Edwardian royal visits and ceremonial occasions. Visitors can better understand the changing role of Holyroodhouse within Britain’s royal and political life during the early twentieth century.

Holyroodhouse in the Edwardian Era

Jacobite Activity Trail

Location: Palace of Holyroodhouse

When: Daily from 3 August 2026

Included with admission: Yes

This self-guided family trail leads visitors through palace rooms connected to Jacobite history, rebellions, and famous historical figures through clues, puzzles, and storytelling activities.

Jacobite Short Talks

Location: Palace of Holyroodhouse

When: Selected dates from 15 August 2026

Included with admission: Yes

These short expert talks introduce visitors to Jacobite battles, royal connections, and political history linked to the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Scotland’s royal past.

Jacobite Songs and Stories

Location: Palace of Holyroodhouse

When: 20 August 2026

Included with admission: Yes

Traditional ballads, storytelling performances, and historical commentary bring Jacobite history alive through music and oral storytelling inspired by palace events and Scottish traditions.

Physic Garden Festival

Location: Palace of Holyroodhouse

When: 18 July 2026

Included with admission: No

This outdoor celebration transforms the Physic Garden into a lively festival space featuring demonstrations, talks, gardening activities, and family experiences focused on historic medicinal and culinary plants.

Physic Garden: Flower Arranging

Location: Palace of Holyroodhouse

When: 13 June 2026

Included with admission: No

Participants can create elegant Edwardian-inspired floral arrangements using seasonal plants and flowers grown within the historic Physic Garden at Holyroodhouse.

Physic Garden: Floral Wreaths

Location: Palace of Holyroodhouse

When: 29 August 2026

Included with admission: No

This creative workshop teaches visitors how to craft decorative floral wreaths using historic gardening traditions, seasonal flowers, and foliage from the palace gardens.

Festive Wreath Making at Holyroodhouse

Location: Palace of Holyroodhouse

When: 10 December 2026

Included with admission: No

Guests can create luxurious seasonal wreaths using festive foliage and decorative embellishments inspired by palace holiday traditions and winter royal celebrations.

Edwardian Entertainment and Costume Balls

Location: Palace of Holyroodhouse

When: 12 November 2026

Included with admission: No

This evening lecture explores elaborate Edwardian parties, royal costume balls, entertainment traditions, and aristocratic fashion culture during the reigns of Edward VII and George V.

Palace Page Turners

Location: Palace of Holyroodhouse

When: Selected dates from 6 June 2026

Included with admission: No

These adult storytelling workshops combine literature, palace history, discussion, and creative activities inspired by Holyroodhouse’s royal residents, architecture, and historical events.

Recitals for Wrigglers Summer Concert

Location: Palace of Holyroodhouse

When: 10 August 2026

Included with admission: No

This relaxed live concert introduces young children to music through short performances, movement-friendly seating, and playful interactions within the palace setting.

Recitals for Wrigglers Christmas Concert

Location: Palace of Holyroodhouse

When: 15 December 2026

Included with admission: No

Families can enjoy festive music, carols, and holiday performances specially designed for younger children within the atmospheric surroundings of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Guided Looking: An Artwork Audio-Described

Location: Palace of Holyroodhouse

When: Monthly on the last Thursday from 28 May 2026

Included with admission: No

These accessibility-focused sessions use detailed audio descriptions to help visually impaired visitors engage more deeply with selected palace artworks and exhibition highlights.

Teachers’ Evening: The King's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse

Location: The King's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse

When: 19 June 2026

Included with admission: No

This educator-focused evening gives teachers exclusive exhibition previews, educational resources, and networking opportunities connected to the palace of holyroodhouse exhibitions programme.

Other family events and workshops

Visitors on a guided tour inside the ornate room of Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh.
Crafting a tulip necklace with beads and thread at a jewelry-making workshop.
Person crafting wooden toys in Amsterdam workshop.
Aerial view of Holyrood Abbey and surrounding gardens in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Children engaging with interactive museum exhibit.
People practicing yoga meditation in Dubai.
Two young athletes practicing yoga in a sunlit studio.
Crafting workshop with tools and stamps at Terre Ugo, Provence.
Elf wrapping gifts at a Christmas workshop in London, December.
Teddy bear in Santa outfit with Christmas list at Gardens by the Bay Christmas workshop.
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Royal Rhyme Time

Location: Palace of Holyroodhouse

When: Monthly on the first Monday from 1 June 2026

Included with admission: No

These interactive rhyme sessions help young children engage with palace stories through songs, movement, and storytelling. Families can enjoy playful literacy activities inspired by royal life, Scottish traditions, and the historic surroundings of Holyroodhouse.

Monday Makes

Location: Palace of Holyroodhouse

When: Every Monday from 6 July 2026

Included with admission: Yes

These family-friendly craft sessions invite children to create take-home artwork inspired by royal collections and palace stories. Activities often connect to seasonal themes, exhibitions, and important historical figures associated with Holyroodhouse.

Hands On History

Location: Palace of Holyroodhouse

When: Every Tuesday from 7 July 2026

Included with admission: Yes

Children can handle replica objects, solve activities, and explore palace stories through touch-based learning. These interactive sessions make history more accessible and engaging for younger visitors exploring the royal residence

Explorer Royal Rhyme Time

Location: Palace of Holyroodhouse

When: 10 July 2026

Included with admission: No

This themed rhyme-time experience combines palace exploration with songs, storytelling, and sensory activities designed for younger children and parents visiting Holyroodhouse during the summer season.

Botanical Plates: Family Workshop

Location: The King's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse

When: 24 July 2026

Included with admission: No

Families can design decorative ceramic plates inspired by botanical illustrations and floral motifs featured within the current Palace of Holyroodhouse exhibitions and Edwardian decorative arts displays.

Family Yoga: Early Years

Location: Palace of Holyroodhouse

When: 31 July 2026

Included with admission: No

This gentle yoga session introduces toddlers and parents to movement and mindfulness through palace garden themes, storytelling, and calming activities within a unique royal setting.

Family Yoga: Mixed Age

Location: Palace of Holyroodhouse

When: 31 July 2026

Included with admission: No

Designed for families with children of different ages, this inclusive yoga experience combines movement, relaxation, and imaginative palace-inspired themes suitable for mixed-age participation.

Fabergé Frames: Family Workshop

Location: The King's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse

When: 16 October 2026

Included with admission: No

Families can decorate picture frames inspired by Fabergé craftsmanship and exhibition patterns while learning about Edwardian decorative arts and royal luxury objects.

An Edwardian Christmas: Family Workshop

Location: The King's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse

When: 28 November 2026

Included with admission: No

This festive workshop allows families to create holiday ornaments and decorations inspired by Edwardian royal Christmas traditions and decorative themes from current gallery exhibitions.

Christmas Activity Day

Location: Palace of Holyroodhouse

When: 19 December 2026

Included with admission: Yes

Families can enjoy a full day of festive crafts, storytelling, games, and seasonal palace activities spread throughout the historic royal residence during the holiday season.

Frequently asked questions about Palace of Holyroodhouse exhibitions

Some exhibitions and family activities are included, but many gallery exhibitions, lectures, and workshops require separate paid tickets.