Ho Ho Ho!  Here's our ultimate guide to all the Santa's Grottoes and Father Christmas Experiences taking place in the local area this year.  From train rides to winter wonderlands you can find them all here.  So don't delay and get booking, as some of the most popular ones get booked up very quickly!

We will continue to add to this page as more details of where Santa will be appearing become available.  We do our best to ensure all these details are correct but from time to time things do change so please do check the websites and book where necessary to avoid disappointment.

Look out for the entries highlighted below in green, these indicate sessions catering for children with additional needs.

Last updated 13th December 2022

Harpenden Round Table Santa Float
1st - 23rd December 2022
Keep an eye (or an ear) out for this charity float and its special passenger passing through the streets of Harpenden and collecting for charity in the lead up to Christmas. 

The 2022 map and schedule has now been confirmed and you can find it on the Harpenden Santa website, and you will also be able to track Santa's progress on the website.  He is typically out between 6.30pm and 8.pm each weekday night and 4.30-6.30pm at weekends, but please be aware that it will not be possible for them to visit all the streets in every area.

This year Santa and his elves will be collecting for Herts Young Homeless, Cleft Lip and Palate Association, Against Malaria Foundation.

Harpenden Christmas Carnival Santa's Grotto
Sunday 27th November 2022
Santa will be there in his Grotto.
More details

Southdown Lights and Laterns Extravaganza
Friday 2nd December 2021, 5 - 8pm
Santa will be there in his grotto.
More details

Breakfast with Santa at Monty's
10th & 17th December 2022
Santa will be visiting Monty’s cafe in Harpenden Leisure Centre for breakfast and children are invitied to join him.  Place are limited so booking is required.
More details

Santa's Grotto at The Little Gym
Friday 23rd December 2022, 10am - 2pm
Awesome gymnastics, arts and crafts, sensory play, reindeer food, hot chocolate and the big man himself! Sessions last approx. 1 - 1.5 hours.
More details

Aldwickbury Park Golf Club - Brunch with Santa
18th December 2022
Santa is taking a break from his busy Christmas preparations to join us for Brunch and he is bringing present for all the children!
More details

The Old Bell - Breakfast or Dine with Santa
17th & 23rd December
The little ones can meet Santa - as well as receiving a little gift and enjoying a delicious meal.
More details

Redbourn Christmas Market
Sunday 27th November 2022, 11 - 5pm
Santa will be in his magical grotto on the High Street.
More details  

Wheathampstead Lights-Up and Christmas Market
Thursday 24th November, 4-8pm
Santa will be in his grotto in the market in the Crinkle Crankle Gardens.
More details

St Albans Christmas Cracker
Sunday 20th November 2022, 12-6pm
Santa will be there in his grotto 1.30 - 5pm.
More details

Abbey Line Santa Express
Sunday 11th December 2022
Children and adults are all welcome on Santa's festive train to meet Santa and his elves.
More details

Christmas Grotto at Burston Garden Centre
19th November - 24th December 2022
Come and visit Santa in our magical Christmas grotto. We’ve been working hard with Santa and his elves to ensure the safety of our guests and team members when you arrive this year.
More details

Christmas Grotto at Burston Garden Centre - Additional Needs Sessions
27th November, 9th December, 18th December 2022

Come and visit Santa’s Grotto for one of our additional needs sessions, which have been developed to provide a more relaxed and quieter environment for your child.  You’ll findmusic volume dimmed throughout, sessions are the first of the day, which is when our centre tends to be quieter, a restricted amount of tickets on sale and no walk in slots available, our grotto is also fully wheelchair accessible.
More details 

Giving Grotto & Reindeer Stables - The Mall, Luton
Weekends from 26th November, then 19th - 24th December 2022
Our smallest guests can meet Father Christmas to share all their hopes and dreams for Christmas and make sure their names are on the nice list. With a festive treat in hand they’ll proceed from Father Christmas’ secret hideaway, out into the Reindeer Stables to meet Tinker, the Chief Reindeer Herder. They’ll be taught how to feed the reindeer and keep their saddles shiny, before enjoying a Reindeer-themed craft. Once they've mastered all the Reindeer skills, they'll be rewarded with their very own Reindeer Antlers, just in time for Christmas. Guests are welcomed and encouraged to take photos of their visit with Father Christmas. This event is FREE to enable all families to experience the magic of Christmas, but if you can afford it, donations will be welcome. Book or drop-in.
More details

Giving Grotto & Reindeer Stables - The Mall, Luton - Quiet Sessions
Every Sunday morning 27th November - 24th December 2022, 10am
Our smallest guests can meet Father Christmas to share all their hopes and dreams for Christmas and make sure their names are on the nice list. With a festive treat in hand they’ll proceed from Father Christmas’ secret hideaway, out into the Reindeer Stables to meet Tinker, the Chief Reindeer Herder. They’ll be taught how to feed the reindeer and keep their saddles shiny, before enjoying a Reindeer-themed craft. Once they've mastered all the Reindeer skills, they'll be rewarded with their very own Reindeer Antlers, just in time for Christmas. Guests are welcomed and encouraged to take photos of their visit with Father Christmas. This event is FREE to enable all families to experience the magic of Christmas, but if you can afford it, donations will be welcome. Book or drop-in.
More details

Willows Farm Santa Spectacular
19th November - 24th December 2022
Booking opens mid-September
There’s no better place to bring your children to meet Santa and enjoy a fabulous festive family day out.T ake a trip through our magical winter wonderland where you’ll find Santa in his amazing Grotto. Santa will give children a key to his Toy Shop where they can choose any gift from the hundreds stacked from floor to ceiling. Visit our Create-a-Cuddle Workshop where children can choose from a range of soft toys to make, name and take home along with a certificate. Get crafty and decorate tasty gingerbread. Write a letter to Santa (don’t forget to add your address so he can reply!) Pop on 3D glasses to watch our short festive 3D film. Sing along with our new festive shows and more!
More details

Father Christmas at Wardown House
Saturdays from 3rd December then Friday 23rd December 2022.
A magical Christmas experience awaits the whole family at Wardown House, Museum and Gallery.
Listen to a festive story from Mother Christmas, share milk & cookies with the elves, and receive a special gift from under the tree when you meet Father Christmas. 
More details

Santa's Grotto at John Lewis, Welwyn
12th November - 24th December 2022
What will you discover inside Santa’s magical Wonderland? Come and plant a magic bean that turns into your very own mini Christmas tree you can decorate. You can also take home a wonderful LEGO® or LEGO DUPLO® gift and buy a photo taken with Santa.
More details

 

Meet Santa at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo
3rd - 24th December 2021
This December, Meet Santa returns to Whipsnade Zoo! Children are invited to meet Father Christmas among with some of the best company the animal kingdom has to offer. See our cheeky elves before meeting the man himself. Every child who meets Santa will receive an early Christmas gift. 
More details

Breakfast with Santa at Tring Garden Centre
Weekends from 3rd December then 19th - 24th December
Join us for Breakfast with Santa at British Garden Centres this year. Santa and his elves are waiting to host you for a breakfast to remember. After a good breakfast, sit back and enjoy tales from the north pole. Watch as your child's face lights up when they receive a gift from Santa and capture the moment with a photo opportunity (remember your phone).
More details

Santa's Grotto at the British Schools Museum
17th - 20th December 2022
Visit Santa, tell him your Christmas list, take away a small gift, and enjoy some Christmas Crafts for Children.
More details

Winter-Fest at Aldenham Country Park
26th November - 24th December 2022
Take a memorable trip through Santa's Magical Grotto to meet the excitable Elves! Venture on to meet the big man himself, and share all your Christmas wishes. Enter into his workshop and choose your perfect gift. On your way out, don't forget to write your letter to Santa and post it to receive a video message reply from Santa! 
More details

Knebworth House Dine with Santa
19th - 23rd December 2022
Give your family an early Christmas treat with a fantastic meal at Knebworth Barns, complete with a visit from Santa. Pre-booking essential.  
More details

Van Hage Garden Centre, Great Amwell
Weekends from 4th November, then daily from 28th November to 23rd December 2022
Guided by Santa’s little helpers, make your way to meet Santa himself sitting on his throne, as he awaits your arrival to discover if you’ve been naughty or nice - and to receive a very special gift! Booking required.
More details

Leighton Buzzard Railway - Santa's Steam Specials
Weekends and Wednesdays 3rd - 19th December, then 21st - 24th December 2021
Take a 25-minute steam-train ride over a historic narrow-gauge railway that’s more than 100 years old, and run by enthusiastic volunteers. Meet Santa at Page's Park grotto, where children up to 12 will receive an early present. 
More details

The Magic of Christmas - Mead Open Farm, Leighton Buzzard
Weekends from  from 2nd December, then 15th - 24th December 2022
This December, take an enchanting journey! Explore the Magical Christmas Walkthrough on your way to meet Father Christmas, choose a toy from his Toy Shop and build your own bear in the Make a Bear Workshop! Join in with the Tree Trimming Training show, make Reindeer Food and have a go at Gingerbread decorating with Mother Christmas and Merry Berry!
More details 

The Olde Watermill Christmas Grotto, Barton-Le-Clay, Bedfordshire
Weekends from 20th November, then 1st - 12th &  16th - 24th December 2022
Meet Santa’s head elves in their busy Toy Workshop for some sing along fun to get into the Christmas spirit before you decorate your very own wooden Elf to take home. Meet Drifter the Snowy Elf in his Winter Woodland who will show you how to send your very own secret wishes to Santa and also make some magic, sparkly Reindeer food. You will have special time with Santa and each child will leave with a present from the big man himself. Each party will also receive a special family gift for the home.
Finally, now step outside into the Winter Wonderland where Rudolph will keep you entertained and help you find the magical wishing well. Booking required.
More details


Frosts Garden Centre, Woburn Sands
Weekends from 12th November then 26th November - 24th December 2022
On arrival at the North Pole, you'll be greeted by Snowball Sammy. There will be time for fun and games with our playful elf before it’s off to make reindeer food with Reindeer Ronnie.   Then it’s time to see the big man himself... you will have individual family time with Santa in his cosy living room and one of his elves will capture the perfect festive photo. Santa will gift a storybook exclusive to Frosts Grotto for the whole family to enjoy! Children will be able to choose a toy from our large selection in the Toy Workshop. Then onto Mrs Christmas' Kitchen where the little ones will be able to decorate their very own gingerbread biscuit. Our team of elves will entertain you get everyone in the festive mood with lots of singing and dancing!
More details

Frosts Garden Centre, Woburn Sands - Exclusive SEN Sessions
20th & 27th November, 4 & 11th December 2022
To help make our Grotto experience as accessible as possible to any families who may require any additional support, we are offering an exclusive SEN session. 
This session will be the same unique Grotto experience you would expect from Frosts, with some small adaptations in the way of smaller groups of people, reduced lighting and sound and less display furniture making it easily accessible for all. 
More details

Christmas at Paradise Wildlife Park, Broxbourne
Weekends from 3rd December then daily 17th - 24th December
Santa will be arriving at Paradise in a beautiful grotto based at our Safari Stage where your little ones can join him safely for a fabulous photo opportunity. This is included in your day tickets so make sure to get a space in the queue early to not miss out, as we cannot guarantee everyone will be able to meet Santa on the day of your visit.
Santa has also brought the winter wonderland with him! There will be a glorious festive fairy light tunnel to walk through and enjoy with your loved ones. 
More details

Christmas Wonderland at Springtime Nurseries, Crews Hill, Enfield
From 11th November 2022
Our magical train ride takes you to see Santa in his magical Ice Kingdom at the North Pole! All aboard at our station platform, where you begin your magical ride through the reindeer forest! You may even be lucky enough to see Santa’s reindeer resting before they take flight on Christmas Eve. You’ll continue your magical ride through the Wonderland where you will see some familiar Christmas favourites, enroute to Santa’s magical Ice Kingdom where Santa will greet you alongside your carriage. Remaining in your carriage you finally visit the Elves toy shop where you finish your ride and choose your Christmas gift with love from Santa.
More details

The Santa Claus Experience at Lee Valley Animal Adventure Park, Waltham Abbey
Weekends from 3rd December then 21st - 24th December 2022
Our fabulously festive Santa Claus Experience is a great way to start your festive celebrations this year. Santa’s cheeky elves can not wait to welcome you on our magical group experience of festive fun.  Includes Elves Magical Show, decorate a gingerbread person in Mrs Claus' Kitchen and meet Santa with photo opportunities and goodies for the children. Only pre-bookings will be able to see Santa Claus.
More details

Odds Farm Park, High Wycombe
3rd – 24th December 2021
Enjoy a personal visit to meet Father Christmas in his grotto and be sure to tell him all of your Christmas Wishes! Experience a touch of added sparkle this year as you stroll through an enchanting festive forest, and journey to the North Pole in search of Father Christmas. Head on into the Elves’ Workshop to create your extraordinary take-home gift and finally onto the Toy Shop to choose your Christmas Spectacular present. The magic continues as guests can join Mother Christmas for some creative Christmas crafts, and get into the festive spirit in our Elf Academy shows!
More details

The Centre:MK – Santa’s Grotto with The Snowman
From 18th November 2022
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to join us on a magical journey to the North Pole this festive season as we welcome ‘The Snowman’ Christmas experience to the centre!
This nostalgic adventure begins with an exciting and heart-warming, live interpretation of ‘The Snowman’, brought to life by actors portraying the well-loved characters from the original story! A snowy landscape provides the perfect backdrop to view some of the most memorable and magical moments from the original animated film and all children will be given the opportunity to decorate a Christmas biscuit treat* before meeting with Santa in his woodland cabin!
A truly immersive experience for the whole family to enjoy and certainly one not to be missed this Christmas!
More details

 
Bletchley Park Vintage Christmas Grotto
26th November,  Weekends from 3rd December, then 19th, 20th, 22nd & 23rd December 2022
To celebrate the festive season here at Bletchley Park, we welcome children and their families to visit our unique Vintage Christmas Grotto to meet Father Christmas! Children will have a magical meeting with Father Christmas in our beautifully decorated Mansion, where they’ll receive a lovely Christmas gift to take home.
More details

Bletchley Park Relaxed Christmas Grotto
27th November 2021 & 21st December 2022
To make sure every child has the chance to celebrate the festive season here at Bletchley Park, we welcome children and their families to visit our unique relaxed Vintage Christmas Grotto experience to meet Father Christmas! Our fully trained team will make sure children have a magical meeting with Father Christmas in our beautifully decorated Mansion, where they’ll receive a lovely Christmas gift to take home.
More details

Santa Fly-In and Snowball Hunt at Shuttleworth
4th, 11th and 18th December 2022
 Look up in awe, as Santa gives his reindeer a rest and flies into the Old Warden Aerodrome in his vintage aircraft! Santa comes baring gifts for each child who completes our festive Snowball Hunt. Collect 3 snowballs and have the opportunity to meet Santa fresh from his fly-in and receive a Christmas gift!
More details

Father Christmas and Nativity Barn at Herrings Green Activity Farm
10th, 11th, 17th & 18th December
Add a little magic to the festive season with a visit to see Father Christmas in his nativity barn. He’s been busy all year preparing for the big day and has pulled out all the stops to bring some cheer to your visit to the farm. Plan a festive day our for all the family.
More details