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It may be early but here some great ideas for Father Christmas visits and experiences for this year. We have rounded up Santa's grottos, breakfast's with Santa and full Christmas experiences so you can take your pick. These events do book up fast, particularly weekend dates so may be subject to availability! We will be adding to this list as more information becomes available.
(Last updated 10/11/2024)
Christmas at the Royals - WEEKEND AVAILABILITY
When: Santa will be at The Royals from 16th November until December 24th 2024
Tickets: Tickets are just £7.50 per person and includes a special gift!
More info: Experience the magic of Christmas with a memorable visit to see Father Christmas in his charming grotto. Souvenir photography is available on the day and you may also take your own photos if you wish.
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Father Christmas at Prittlewell Priory - WEEKEND AVAILABILTY
When: Sat 14th and Sun 15th December 2024
Tickets: Tickets start at £18.04
More info: 30 minute slots. Your child will have the opportunity to meet Father Christmas in person, in the historic setting of Prittlewell Priory where he will be seated by the magnificent Christmas tree in the Refectory and each child will have the chance to sit next to him and tell him their Christmas wishes. You can then continue the fun by completing the festive activity trail, creative Christmassy crafts, storytelling sessions and other family friendly activities.
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Caddies Christmas Experience - WEEKEND AVAILABILITY
When: Weekends from 7th December, then 23rd and 24th Dec 2024
Tickets: £15.00 child, £5 adult
More info: Our famous Christmas Experience & Santa’s Grotto is back for 2024, with the return of all your favourite features and a host of exciting changes and new additions for this year including a festive show and free round of crazy golf. (Festive show is additional charge at £12.50 per child and £10 per adult)
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Christmas grotto at Barleylands - WEEKDAY AVAILABILTY LEFT
When: 29th November to 24th December 2024
Tickets: From £34.99 per child and £15.50 per adult. Under 1 £10.00 Carer £2.40 (non members)
More info: Start your journey with one of Father Christmas’ elves who will guide you to our Christmas barn, here you will meet Mrs. Claus who has a festive story for all to enjoy. There will be so much to see and do...
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Sarah's Chocolate Kitchen Santa Experience - FEW SLOTS AVAILABLE ON ALL DAYS
When: 7th, 8th, 14th December 2024
Tickets: Child £25 per ticket, Adult £15.00 includes breakfast and drink OR No food option - Child £15.00 Adult £10.00
More info: A chocolate themed reusable gift for each child, Photo with Santa in our Grotto area, NICE Certificate from Santa for each child, An activity sheet and colouring pencils to take away with you.
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Eastgate Basildon Santa's grotto - AVAILABILITY
When: From 23rd November on selected dates until 24th December 2024
Tickets: FREE
More info: A magical visit to meet Santa at Eastgate!
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The Party Kingdom Christmas Experience - MID- WEEK AND EARLY DECEMBER DATES STILL AVAILABLE
When: Selected dates from 25th November - 23rd December 2023
Tickets: Gold experience: Child tickets £28.50 Baby tickets (up to 14 months old without a paying child) £15, Adults £10 (21st,22nd and 23rd are premium slots and have a £30 surcharge) Premium experience: Child tickets £39.00 Baby tickets (up to 14 months with a paying adult) £15, Adults £15.50 (21st,22nd and 23rd are premium slots and have a £30 surcharge)
More info: Included in our 2024 Christmas Experience, Invite from Father Christmas (downloaded after your booking), Arts and Crafts with Mother Christmas, 4 Winter Wonderland Sections, Santa’s Train (Weather Permitting), 6 new amazing interactive sections, Personal family visit to Father Christmas, Present from The Elf Post Office, Favourite Christmas Characters, Lots of fun, and interactive games throughout
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Alton Garden Centre Santa's Grotto - MIDWEEK DATES AVAILABLE
When: 16th November to 24th December 2024
Tickets: Child 0-16 yrs £16, Adult Free
More info: Step into the enchanting world of Christmas as you’re greeted by one of Santa’s very own Elves, who will present you with a special Elf name to begin your journey! Make your way through the magical Grotto passing our busy post room then onto wishing ‘Merry Christmas’ to Santa’s favourite Reindeer! Our Elves will then introduce you to the jolly man himself, Santa, where every child will receive a special keepsake gift & mini-Christmas tree to remember this magical day. Also adding to your Alton’s festive experience our VR ride with a brand-new adventure this Christmas season. Make memories that will last a lifetime in this merry adventure! VR Ride is separate from the Grotto so NO NEED TO BOOK, turn up on day, pay & enjoy the exciting Christmas VR Ride lead by our Christmas Elves team.
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View Garden Centre Santa's Grotto - LOTS OF WEEKEND AVAILABILITY
When: 11am-2pm from Saturday 30th November to 24th December 2024 on selected dates
Tickets: Tickets start from £13.99 for children (up to 15 years old) and £2.99 for adults (16+), with a maximum of 8 people per time slot. Each time slot is 5 minutes long and will allow your child to receive a special gift from Santa. BAND A: 30th Nov & 1st Dec - £13.99
BAND B: 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th, 21st & 22nd Dec - £15.99
BAND C: 23rd Dec - £17.99
BAND D: 24th Dec - £19.99
More info: Come explore our Christmas grotto where you’ll get a gift from Santa! After your experience why not wander through our enchanting Christmas wonderland filled with sparkling lights and festive joy in our Christmas Department
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Marsh Farm Father Christmas Experience - WEEKEND AVAILABILTY
When:16th November to 24th December 2024
Tickets: From £30.00 – £75.00 per person. Under 1 – FREE.
More info: A wondrous journey awaits you, but before you can embark on your enchanted adventure, you’ll need to be granted special access to the North Pole! Don’t worry, our expert Elves in Passport Control will make sure all your papers are in order and send you on your way.
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Santa on the Pier
When: 2nd - 24th Dec 2024
Tickets: £30 per child with free adult. Additional adult is £5.00
More info: Santa is returning to Southend Pier this festive season! Book your little one's ticket for a magical experience like no other. Children and one accompanying adult will be whisked down to the end of the Pier by pier train where you will meet Santa and his merry band of helpers.
White Elm Garden Centre - VERY LIMITED AVAILABILTY - FEW WEEKDAYS REMAINING
When: Multiple dates from 23rd November - 23rd December 2024
Tickets: Child £19.99 Under 6 months FREE with paying sibling, Adults £2.50
More info:The Elves are getting excited as Christmas Day is getting closer, come and join us to visit Santa and his Elves in his magical Grotto at White Elm Garden Centre! Each Child ticket entitles a child to walk through Santa’s Magical Grotto, meet and chat to Santa in his lounge and receive a gift. Children will also have some Grotto games to complete for a sweet treat.
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Christmas at 401 - GOOD AVAILABILTY
When: Weekends in December
Tickets: £27.73 incl. £2.78 Fee per person, Adult £6.13 incl. £1.13 Fee
More info: Our Christmas experience will be full of festive fun throughout the journey to meet Santa in his magical grotto! Includes making reindeer food, Mrs Claus story time, a visit to The Elf cookie station. Lastly there will be a station for Christmas colouring and writing a letter with all their Christmas wishes to Santa himself, and he will stamp each letter and the passports on your visit to the magical grotto. Includes a free drink per person
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Christmas at Maldon Zoo - LOTS OF WEEKEND DATES AVAILABLE
When: Multiple dates from 23rd November - 24th December 2024
Tickets: Child £21.95 Under 2's FREE, Adults £10.95
More info: Entry to the Zoo ( unlimited time in the zoo ), Meet our real Reindeers & Sit on a Static Sleigh, Animal Meet & Greets, Reptile Handling, Cute & Fluffy Handling, Meerkat Feeding Demonstration, Farm Talks, Wise Owl Wishing Tree, Visit the Reindeer Harness Room, Visit the Elf House, Visit Santa in his Grotto & Choose a Gift from the Elf workshop
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Fobbing Farm Shop Santa's grotto - GOOD AVAILABILTY WEEKEND DATES
When: Multiple dates from 1st December - 24th December 2024
Tickets: Child £20.00 + £1.10 booking fee, 1 adult free, additional adult £5.00 + £1.10 booking fee
More info: As well as including our always popular "North Pole Post Office", for the children to write out their letters to Santa, and "Santa's Sorting Office" (for the children to collect their gifts after their visit). This year we will also have some amazing extra elements including an interactive sleigh-ride with additional activities such as making Reindeer food for you and the family to help you get in to the Festive spirit.
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The Magic of Christmas at Colchester Zoo - LIMITED AVAILABILITY MIDWEEK DATES ONLY
When: 23rd & 24th Nov, 30th Nov & 1st Dec, 7th & 8th, 14th & 15th, 19th - 24th Dec 2024
Tickets: £16.00 per child (Admission to Zoo needs to be purchased separately)
More info: Step into the magical wonderland of the North Pole as you journey through the white woodland, take a break at Mrs Claus’ Kitchen and discover how ‘Wilbur the Woolly Mammoth’ is made in the Elf Workshop before visiting the main man himself and receive a special gift, ‘Wilbur the Woolly Mammoth’.
Epping Ongar Railway - WEEKEND AVAILABILITY
When: 23rd & 24th, 30th Nov; 1st, 7th & 8th, 14th & 15th, 19th - 24th Dec 2024
Tickets: Ticket prices vary but minimum price is £120 for a family space of 4 on the train
More info: The experience starts as you join our vintage London bus service at either Epping Underground station or in Ongar at the times shown below. When you arrive at North Weald Station you will get the chance to get in the spirit with something from our festive food stall whilst you listen to our live brass band! As you wait for the train perhaps you will meet our characters who will be walking around the crowds looking for the nice children to make sure that Santa will find them later. Naughty children will not be allowed to board the train!
Audley End Christmas Special - LIMITED MID WEEK AVAILABILITY
When: Selected dates from 21st November - 24th December 2024
Tickets: Child under 92cm from £12.50, Over 92cm from £23, Adult from £23, Child under 1 goes free
More info: A Nutcracker will board you onto our Christmas train so you can journey deep into the Enchanted woods of Audley End Miniature Railway, to visit Father Christmas in his Winter Workshop! Mother Christmas and her elves will be busy making sure all the toys are ready for Christmas Eve. Father Christmas will visit you in your carriage with a gift for every child.
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The Essex Soft Play Dinner with Santa
When: 22nd December 2024
Tickets: 1 x Adult & 1 x Child £64.95, 2 x Adults & 1 x Child £84.95, 1x Adult & 1 x 2 Children £79.95, 2 x Adults & 2 x Children £114.95
More info: Breakfast & dinner includes food, drink and full access to the soft play is included within your ticket, with Santa gifting presents to every child 🎁Be Personal events will be providing there selfie booth to capture the festive moments.
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The Essex Soft Play Breakfast with Santa
When: 8th December 2024 at 10.00am
Tickets: 1 x Adult & 1 x Child £49.95, 1x Adult & x 2 Children £59.95, 2 x Adults & 1 x Child £69.95, 2 x Adults & 2 x Children £94.95
More info: Breakfast & dinner includes food, drink and full access to the soft play is included within your ticket, with Santa gifting presents to every child
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Scott's of Southend Breakfast with Santa - VERY LIMITED AVAILABILITY
When: Weekends in December 2024
Tickets: £39.50 per person (Babies in arms free)
More info: Elf Show, Mini Disco, Interactive festive games, magic elf wishes, elf sing-along, Magical Lapland VR Ride, Breakfast Buffett, write your letter to santa, Meet and greet Santa and more
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Christmas at Ho-Ho-Hopefield - GOOD AVAILABILITY
When: 30th Nov & 1st Dec, 7th & 8th, 14th & 15th, 21st & 22nd Dec 2024
Tickets: Child 2-15 £18.99 Adult £9.00
More info: Event includes letter writing to Santa, visit from Santa with gift, a Christmas Trail, free mince pie & mulled wine for the grown ups, gingerbread and warm squash for children, miniature Christmas village, general admission to the sanctuary. There are both indoor and outdoor activities, so the event will go ahead come rain or shine!
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A Christmas Journey at Old McDonalds Farm - GOOD AVAILABILTY
When: 22nd - 24rd Nov, 29th - 30th Nov, 1st Dec, 6th - 8th Dec, 13th - 24th Dec 2024
Tickets: Child £31 Adult £30.50 Under 2's free
More info: Whether you are trying to track down all of the missing Gingerbreads, riding on one of our awesome rides or enjoying our Farms attractions or festive shows, you are going to love this year's Christmas event at OMD's
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We will be adding and amending this list as information becomes available but as always, if you have any information or events you would like to tell us about, please contact us!
