Getting to see Santa in the flesh will be one of the many highlights of Christmas for a lot of children.
We've rounded up the best places to meet Santa this November and December in locations up and down the UK, so take a look to find the events running in your area.
You may need to book tickets in advance, so don't leave it too late! And get ready to see your child's face light up once they witness the magic!
1. Meet Santa at Lapland UK, Ascot, Berkshire
Enjoy a magical, four-hour immersive Christmas experience at Lapland UK. From the personalised invitation and passport through to the recreation of Father Christmas’ arctic homeland, visit the attraction, and believe in the magic!
When: Until 24 Dec 2022
Where:
Lapland UK
, Whitmoor Forest, Swinley Road, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 8BD
2. Santa's Sleepover, Alton Towers, Staffordshire
Take a trip to Alton Towers this Christmas where you can enjoy a magical sleepover with Santa. Jump onto specially selected rides, dive into the Waterpark, explore the new Garden Lantern Trail, tuck into a festive evening meal, and meet Santa, of course!
When: Until 31 Dec 22
Where:
Alton Towers Theme Park
, Alton Towers Resort, Alton, Staffordshire, ST10 4DB
3. Christmas at Paulton's Park, Hampshire
See Peppa Pig World decorated for Christmas, and meet George and Peppa in their Christmas outfits! Plus, there'll be special festive theatre shows, story time with Santa, and magical illuminations around the park itself.
When: 3-23 Dec 22
Where:
Paulton’s Park Home of Peppa Pig World
, Ower, Romsey, Hampshire SO51 6AL
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4. Winter Wonderland at Ribby Hall Village, Lancashire
Visit Ribby Hall Village this Christmas and you’ll see it transformed into a magical Winter Wonderland. Meet Mr & Mrs Claus and indulge in some truly festive activities and entertainment. Chose a Little Elf Break for midweek, and your toddler can enjoy free, unlimited preschool activities.
When: Until 2 Jan 23
Where:
Ribby Hall Village
, Ribby Road, Kirkham, Preston, Lancashire, PR4 2PR
5. Santa's Winter Wonderland, Staffordshire
Enjoy a super snowy trip to see Santa at the SnowDome; this year, the new Wonderland show will take place in the new larger theatre. Santa's magical winter wonderland in Tamworth features real snow, real animals and the chance to see the real Santa!
When: Until 1 Jan 23
Where:
SnowDome
, Leisure Island, Riverdrive, Tamworth, Staffordshire, B79 7ND
6. Father Christmas at Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland
Visit Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland this Christmas and meet the big man himself in his special Christmas grotto. Good boys and girls will receive an exclusive, special gift from Father Christmas.
When: Until 23 Dec 22
Where:
Bamburgh Castle
, Bamburgh, Northumberland, NE69 7DF
7. Santa's Special Trains, Epping Ongar Railway, Essex
Bring the family to see Santa on is special train with the fantastic, festive Epping Ongar Railway Santa Specials. Listen to the live brass band and enjoy some festive food on the platform, before boarding the train where you can write a letter to Santa, enjoy the on-board entertainment, and wait for Sant himself to come and find you in your carriage.
When: 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18 and 20 to 24 Dec 22
Where:
Epping Ongar Railway
, Station Approach, Chipping Ongar, Ongar, Essex, CM5 9BN
8. Santa Saves Christmas at the World of Beatrix Potter, Windermere
Who can save the magic of Christmas? Jack’s beanstalk won’t grow, Cinderella’s glass slipper is broken and what’s happened to the magic in the Fairy Godmother’s wand? It looks as though Christmas might have to be cancelled… Join Jack, Dasher the Reindeer and Pompom the Penguin for this festive, musical, interactive adventure, as they meet Father Christmas at his home in the North Pole and help Santa Save Christmas! It’s a family show suitable for 2-7 year olds, where every child will receive a specially wrapped present from Santa – after the most Christmassy Christmas show ever!
When: 17-24 Dec 22
Where:
World of Beatrix Potter
, Crag Brow, Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria, UK, LA23 3BX
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9. Santa's Woodland Village at Piglet's Adventure Farm, York
Santa's cheeky elves know this has been a tough year for many, so they've added even more magic and sparkle to the Piglet's Adventure Farm’s Christmas wonderland this year. Take magical sleigh ride through the trees to Santa's woodland village; share your hopes and dreams with the big man; then watch the fantastic new Elf show; and give all the farm's furry friends festive cuddles and treats.
When: Until 24 Dec 22
Where:
Piglet’s Adventure Farm
, Towthorpe Grange, Towthorpe Moor Lane, York, YO32 9ST
10. Santa Specials at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway
Join Santa and his special team of elves at either Pickering or Grosmont Station before a magical adventure aboard the Santa Express which will take you on a festive journey you won’t forget! This enchanting Christmas experience sees Mr. Claus and his jolly helpers pass through the heritage carriages, giving children a chance to meet the legendary man himself on board the train, and gifting special presents to the children onboard
When: select dates between 3-24 Dec 22
Where:
Santa Specials
, Pickering and Grosmont Stations,
North Yorkshire Moors Railway
11. Dippy's Christmas Celebration, Roarr! Dinosaur Adventure, Norwich
Meet Santa and have a whole host of dino fun at one of two Christmas treats on offer at Roarr! Dinosaur Adventure in Norwich this Christmas. Choose between the earlier Jingle All The Day adventure, or go after nightfall for the Sparkle in the Dark experience; either way, you'll get to meet both Mother and Father Christmas, enjoy some sweet festive treats (hot chocolate, anyone?!) and have a magical time.
When: select dates between 26 Nov-24 Dec 22
Where:
Roarr! Dinosaur Adventure
, Lenwade, Norwich NR9 5JE
Got a dino fan in the family? Here are our recommendations for top days out for mini dinosaur lovers
12. Christmas Canoe Paddle to meet Santa, Hampshire
Why not try something different this year? Explore the
New Forest waterways
on a 90-minute tour, with the added excitement of meeting jolly old Saint Nick. There'll be hot chocolate on hand afterwards to keep everyone toasty.
When: 10-11, 17-23 Dec 22
Where:
New Forest Activities
, Bailey's Hard, Beaulieu, Hampshire, SO42 7YF
13. The Father Christmas Experience at Marsh Farm in Esssex
A wondrous journey awaits you at Marsh Farm's Father Christmas Experience. First stop: Elf Academy! Learn the spells and be inducted as an honorary Elf! Head to Mother Christmas’ kitchen where she’ll share some treats to keep you fuelled up for the rest of your adventure. Then meet Father Christmas himself before meet Father Christmas himself before visiting the Teddy Bear Market and taking a trip to the Toy Shop in ElfVille, where you can exchange your Magical Snowy (elf money!) for any toy on the shelves. It's a wonderful 2.5 hour magical experience for the whole family.
When: Until 24 Dec 22
Where:
Marsh Farm
, Marsh Farm Road, South Woodham Ferrers, CM3 5WP
14. See Santa at Church Farm, Wirral
Santa drops in to Church Farm for a few days in December on his way to the North Pole. He also brings his friends the elves, Frosty the snowman, and his real reindeer. Come and visit the beautifully lit-up farm for songs, dancing and audience participation with the folk from the North Pole, in your 80-minute magical, Christmassy experience. How does Santa know all the children's names and what they want for Christmas? It's magic!
When: 3-18 Dec 22
Where:
Church Farm
, Church Lane, Thurstaston, Wirral, CH61 0HW
15. Santa Weekends, Macdonald Aviemore Resort
Meet the UK’s only free-ranging reindeer at the Macdonald Aviemore Resort. Head to the beautiful winter wonderland in the Caringorms where you’ll enjoy a festive panto, a free family movie pass and a chance to meet Santa in his grotto.
When: select dates between 9-25 Dec 22
Where:
Santa Weekends
,
Macdonald Aviemore Resort
, Highland Resort, Aviemore, Inverness-shire, PH22 1PN
16. Santa's Woodland Experience, Stirlingshire
Take a trip to meet Santa in a grotto tucked away in 14 acres of fairy-lit woodland near Stirling. Take a covered tractor ride, taking in the beautiful views and looking out for some of Santa's woodland neighbours! After meeting Santa himself for a cosy chat in his cabin, you'll head back through the woods to a Christmas shed where you can have hot and cold refreshments and the chance to buy some festive treats.
When: 2-24 Dec 22
Where:
Santa's Woodland Experiences
, North Ballochruin Farm, Balfron Station, G63 0LE
17. Christmas Wonderland at The Jungle
Celebrate Christmas at The Jungle, and you can combine giggles with the Elves, exciting adventure activities, get creative with arts and crafts, and cuddle creatures in the Jungle’s Woodland Petting Farm. There’ll be stories from Mrs Claus and a chance to meet Santa in his magical grotto.
When: Until 2-23 Dec 22
Where:
The Jungle
, 60 Desertmartin Road, Moneymore, Magherafelt, BT45 7RB
18. Santa’s Cottage, County Down
Visit
Santa's Cottage
and experience for yourself the wonders of an old-time Christmas. Meet Santa by the fireside, take a look around his cottage and pay Rudolph a visit too.
When: Until 24 Dec 2022
Where:
Santa's Cottage
, Sandbank Road, Newry County Down, BT34 5XX
19. Santa Stayover at La Mon, Castlereagh, Belfast
Follow La Mon's elves as they lead you a merry dance through La Mon’s enchanted forest to the elf workshop where you can write a letter to Santa, create reindeer food and make a special Christmas tree decoration. Then share your Christmas wishes with Father Christmas in his grotto; all good boys and girls receive a special cuddly gift.
When: selected dates between 2-23 Dec 22
Where:
La Mon Hotel & Country Club
, 41 Gransha Road, Castlereagh, Belfast, BT23 5RF
20. Winter Wonderland at Todds Leap, Co Tyrone
Santa's mischievous little elves are wreaking havoc throughout Todds Leap once again. Visit their winter wonderland where you can write and post a letter to Santa, take a ride on Santa's sleigh and help the elves in their workshop. You can then meet Mr and Mrs Christmas in their cabin and choose a present to take home.
When: select dates from 1-22 Dec 22
Where:
Todds Leap Activity Centre
, Todds Leap Road, Ballygawley, Co Tyrone, BT70 2BW
21. Santa's Magical Grotto, County Tyrone
Take an enchanting walk through a fantasy frozen world of ice caves and walls, to a magical Christmas Village. You'll be greeted by elves and can enjoy a festive theatre show. At the end of the tour, you can meet Santa and Mrs Claus and every child will receive a special present.
When: select dates until 21 Dec 22
Where:
Santa's Magical Grotto
, 51 Dungannon Road, Coalisland, County Tyrone, BT71 4HP
22. Christmas Experience, Glenarm Castle, Ballymena, Co Antrim
Christmas at Glearm Castle promises to be a real festive treat with a nativity scene with real animals, story-telling and gingerbread making with Mrs Claus and a Polar Express train adventure. Your magical experience will finish with a chance to see Santa and his elves in his busy workshop.
When: 1-19 Dec 22
Where:
Christmas Experience
, Glenarm Castle, 2 Castle Lane, Glenarm, Ballymena, Co Antrim, BT44 0BQ
23. See Santa at the Reindeer Lodge
Enjoy an unforgettable drive-through experience at the Reindeer Lodge in Mold. There's a drive-in theatre show and more than 1.3km of enchanted Christmas lighting trails surrounded by paddocks of gorgeous reindeer herds, magical woodlands, and a hidden elf village with a drive-through toy workshop. You can meet Father Christmas himself (who has a gift for every child) all from the warmth and safety of your car.
When: select dates until 24 Dec 22
Where:
Reindeer Lodge
, Black Meadows Farm, Leeswood, Mold, Flintshire, CH7 4SB
24. Christmasland at Bluestone, Pembrokeshire
During Christmasland the entire Bluestone resort is transformed into a magical festive wonderland. From the glow of the Toymaker's Trail along the Nature Trail, to the Serendome Snow Globe – complete with snow flurries – it's a Christmas experience like no other.
When: Until 1 Jan 23
Where:
Bluestone Resort
, Canaston Wood, The Grange, Narberth, Pembrokeshire, SA67 8DE
Looking for more festive fun in your local area? Check out our listings for Christmas fun near you, or exchange ideas with other parents in the forum.
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