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Ho Ho Ho! Here's our ultimate guide to all the Santa's Grottos, Festive Events, Christmas Markets & Pantomimes 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 events are listed and the details 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 5th October 2024.
Where to See Santa?
NEW Lighting up Luton for Christmas
Saturday 23rd November
Our annual Christmas lights switch-on is back for 2024! Come along and enjoy an afternoon of entertainment and live music, with special guest Bluey, In addition, Luton Point will open their Enchanted Forest Grotto on the day from 10am, so that you and your family can meet Father Christmas in his log cabin, enjoy a festive craft and have a photo on the Woodland Throne. We promise you some great outdoor entertainment and live music on the day, from 2pm until the light switch-on at around 6pm
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NEW Meet and Greet with Santa
Sunday 8th December
Little Bramingham Care Home invites you to meet the Big Man himself! For just £3 per child you can get a small gift, available 10th & 12th December - book now to avoid disappointment.
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Father Christmas at Luton Hoo Walled Garden
Sunday 8th December
Father Christmas is taking some time out from his busy schedule to have a chat and a mince pie at Luton Hoo Estate. Places are limited - book early to avoid disappointment.
Tickets will be released in September.
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Father Christmas Visits Wardown House
7th, 14th, 20th & 21st December
A magical Christmas experience awaits the whole family at Wardown House, Museum and Gallery. Children are invited to listen to a festive story from Miss Christmas, meet the whimsical elves, and receive a special gift from under the tree when they meet Father Christmas. Plus, they can enjoy milk and cookies in our cosy café afterwards, while you enjoy a complimentary tea or coffee! There will be an opportunity to take photos of your children with Father Christmas, and enjoy the festive backdrop of the beautifully decorated house, decked out in traditional Victorian style decor. Booking now open.
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The Olde Watermill Christmas Grotto (Barton-Le-Clay)
From 23rd November
A fabulous festive fifty-minute experience with delights for all the family. Design your own Santa Express decoration to take home with you. Receive a Christmassy letter from Rudolph and your magical reindeer food ready for Christmas Eve. Make your own special wish upon a star. Enjoy a ride on Santa’s Express. Meet Santa and Mrs Claus in their cosy sitting room, where Santa will have a story for you and a present for each child, enjoy your own special time with him and there will be the opportunity for you to take that memorable photograph. Booking now open.
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The Olde Watermill Christmas Grotto SEN Sessions (Barton-Le-Clay)
Wed 27th & Thu 28th November
These exclusive family sessions will make sure that there is minimal queuing, minimal crowds and the noise level will be reduced to ensure that you and your family will enjoy your visit to Santa's Sitting Room and the magical surroundings outside the grotto.
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Harpenden Christmas Carnival Santa's Grotto
Sunday 24th November
Santa will be there in his Grotto. More details when we have them! Drop in on the day.
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Willows Farm Santa Spectacular (St Albans)
23rd - 24th, 28th - 29th November & 1st, 7th - 8th, 13th - 15th, 19th - 24th December
There’s no better place to bring your children to meet Santa and enjoy a fabulous festive family day out. Take 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!
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Christmas at Whipsnade Zoo (Dunstable)
Sat 23rd November - Tue 24th December
Santa will be there in his Grotto. More details when we have them!
Details coming soon...
Knebworth House Dine with Santa (Stevenage)
Sun 15th and Sun 22nd December
Give your family an early Christmas treat with a fantastic meal at Knebworth Barns complete with a visit from Santa. Pre-booking essential. Booking now open.
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Christmas at Mead Open Farm (Leighton Buzzard)
Weekends from 30th November then 20th - 24th December 2024
Experience a magical festive adventure as the yuletide cheer of the North Pole takes over the farm. Meet Father Christmas in his grotto, decorate gingerbread men with Mother Christmas, journey through Christmas HQ and help find the magic. Wander through The Magical Forest and make some Reindeer food to take home ready for Christmas Eve. Don’t forget to visit the Make a Bear Workshop to create your own cuddly toy. Booking now open.
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Frosts Garden Centre (Woburn Sands)
Sat 16th & 17th November, then 23rd November - 24th December
Gather 'round the fire with Mrs. Christmas as she brings the magic of Christmas to life with her heart-warming stories. Let your imagination run wild in our Toy Factory, where children can choose a Christmas-themed cuddly toy to build, adding a personal touch to their festive keepsake. Experience the joy of meeting Father Christmas himself! Step into a winter wonderland and join in the fun of making special reindeer food to sprinkle on Christmas Eve. Finally take a piece of the magic home with you by working with your family to plant a mini-Christmas tree, in a beautiful bamboo plant pot. Popular dates already selling out!
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Frosts Garden Centre Exclusive SEN Sessions (Woburn Sands)
Sun 17th & 24th November and 1st December
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.
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Christmas Wonderland at Springtime Nurseries (Crews Hill, Enfield)
Thu 14th November - Tue 24th December
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, en route 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.
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The Santa Claus Experience at Lee Valley Animal Adventure Park (Waltham Abbey)
Weekends from 24th November then 20th - 24th December
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 Sparkle Snow Show, Mother Christmas' Magical Kitchen, decorate a gingerbread man, and meet Santa with photo opportunities and goodies for the children. Only pre-bookings will be able to see Santa Claus. Booking now open.
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Odds Farm Park Christmas Cracker (High Wycombe)
Fridays - Sundays from 29th November, then 18th - 24th December 2024
Take a magical stroll to the North Pole and enjoy a personal visit to meet Father Christmas! Soak up the seasonal splendor with the return of our sell-out Christmas Spectacular Experience, where the Farm Park has been sprinkled with yuletide wonder and festive frivolities, and families will be joined by a very special guest! Booking now open.
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Odds Farm Park SEN Christmas Cracker (High Wycombe)
Sun 1st & Fri 6th December
Dedicated SEN sessions are set aside for families with children with additional needs, where there will be a slower pace
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Festive Themed Events
Santa's Lost Sleigh: A Christmas Family Adventure
Sat 21st December
Join us at Luton Library Theatre on this exciting, interactive child's show full of fun, music, Christmas sing along and much, much more.
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The Kings Polar Bear
Sat 7th - Tue 24th December
An epic polar adventure for the whole family at the Hat Factory Arts Centre. Join Luton’s favourites Full House Theatre for a timeless tale of hope and opportunity, told under the awesome shimmer of the northern lights.
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NEW Snow Globe at Market Hill
Sat 30th November
Step into the giant snow globe for a magical photo, then watch the first flurry from the new snow machine at 2pm and 4pm.
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NEW Snow Machine at Market Hill
From 30th November to Christmas Eve
Come and see daily flurries of snow fall by the Christmas tree at Market Hill.
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NEW Christmas at Hat Gardens
Sat 7th December
Enjoy this festive event in partnership with Luton BID featuring live music, face-painting, gingerbread men selfies, and meet a giant glowing LED penguin.
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NEW Christmas at Market Hill
Sat 14th December
Luton BID presents Santa’s Brass band with festive live music, while kids can enjoy an Elf Impersonator who will bring laughs and joy to the afternoon, as well as free face-painting.
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NEW Festive Sounds
Sat 21st December
Listen to live festive music at a wintery Market Hill while shopping for last minute Christmas gifts.
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Breakfast with Santa (The Old Moat House)
7th, 8th, 14th, 15th & 21st - 24th December
Santa is back for breakfast this festive season!
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The Elves and the Jingle Bell Ball (Hitchin)
Sat 28th - Tue 31st December
Our family friendly show is suitably for all children 1-12, with a little something for everyone. We have packed our show with more songs and silliness to keep the whole family entertained and this year we end our performance with a mini disco to celebrate the end of Christmas and the beginning of a new year!
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Pantomimes
Robin Hood - The Fantastic Family Pantomime
Fri 6th - 8th & 13th - 15th December
A merry pantomime adventure by The Griffin Players!
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Chaplins Pantomimes Jack and the Beanstalk
Sat 7th - Mon 30th December
This year Luton Rugby & Luton Celtic Youth are teaming up to bring you the amazing Chaplins Pantomimes Jack and the Beanstalk.
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Beauty & The Beast (Dunstable)
Fri 6 December – Sun 5 January
Showing at the Grove Theatre, this year’s hilarious fun-filled family pantomime, Beauty and the Beast, starring TV Legend Joe Swash.
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Sleeping Beauty (Harpenden)
Sat 7th - Mon 30th December
Featuring great songs, dazzling dance routines, stunning scenery, beautiful costumes and spectacular special effects this dream of a pantomime will be an unforgettable experience for children and adults alike, at the Eric Morecambe Centre in Harpenden.
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Panto Express (Buckinghamshire Railway Centre)
Sat 30th November - Sun 1st December
See Father Christmas whilst enjoying a steam train ride AND watch a pantomime - all in one amazing Christmas experience! This year, it's bigger and better than ever!
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Christmas Markets
Stopsley Christmas Market
Sat 30th November
Stalls, BBQ, festive refreshments, Santa's grotto and the market cafe!
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Raynham Way Community Centre Winter Fayre
Sat 16th November
Event details to be confirmed...
Details TBC
The Christmas Market at Luton Hoo Estate
Sun 8th December
Stalls at the stunning conservatory will put you in the Christmas mood with gifts, edible treat and seasonal fayre galore. Plus a Christmas choir, woodland strolls and season snacks from the Woodyard Cafe & Brasserie
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Christmas Market at The Market Cross Pub
Sat 7th December
A Christmas Market will be held this year at The Market Cross in Dunstable.
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Christmas Market at The Bull Barton
Sat 7th December
We are excited to announce the Bull will be holding our first Christmas market!
Details TBC
Redbourn Christmas Market
Sun 1st December
100+ stalls overflowing with delicious food, beautiful crafts and gift ideas. Seasonal music showcasing the best local talent playing your favourite festive tunes, and a yule raffle with lots of amazing prizes from local businesses.
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Harpenden Christmas Farmers Market
Sun 24th November
Each Market finds a huge selection of produce available including: Meats, Preserves, Cheeses; Vegetables; Dry herbs and spices, Flowers and plants, Fresh bread, cakes and pastries, Eggs & Organic produce.
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Standalone Farm Christmas Market
Sat 30th November - Sun 8th December
Join us at Standalone this Christmas for a fun-filled Festive Market complete with music, food and shopping. Our animals will even make an appearance!
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Bedford Christmas Gift & Craft Fair
Sun 8th December
We will have a variety of unique crafts, artwork, gifts and food that will make perfect Christmas presents that your friends and family will LOVE!
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