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Where to See Santa 2021

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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 8th December 2021

Harpenden Round Table Santa Float
1st - 24th December 2021
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, usually between 6.45pm and 8.30pm each weekday night and 4.30-6.30pm at weekends. 

Visit the Harpenden Santa website to see which areas will be visited on which dates. Plus visit the website on the night Santa is in your area and track his progress towards your street. Unfortunately they will be unable to visit every street in every area. 

Harpenden Rotary Club Santa Float
The Rotary Club of Harpenden Village usually organise a charity Santa Float around Wheathampstead, Blackmore End and Kimpton. We will share the timetable here as soon as it is available.

Harpenden Christmas Carnival Santa's Grotto
Sunday 28th November 2021, 12.30pm - 5.30pm
Santa's Grotto will be located on Leyton Green opposite Park Hall.
More details


Southdown Lights Switch On
Friday 3rd December 2021, 5.30 - 7.30pm
Santa will be there in his grotto.
More details


Winter Wonderland at The Little Gym
Sunday 19th December 2021, 3 - 6pm
Enter our Winter Wonderland at The Little Gym Harpenden to meet Santa, sing songs and stories and get a special gift. Festive themed assault course in the gym with indoor sledging then onto our garden for sensory snow play and hot chocolates! Suitable from 4 months - 12 years old. £25 per child. Arrival times every 20 minutes then the experience lasts an hour. 
Email [email protected] to book


Redbourn Christmas Market
Sunday 28th November 2021, 11 - 5pm
Santa will be in his magical grotto on the High Street
More details


St Albans Christmas Cracker
Sunday 21st November 2021, 12-6pm
The start of the Christmas Festivities in St Albans will include Santa's Grotto with his friendly reindeer helpers near the Alban Arena. 
More details

Meet Father Christmas at The Mall, Luton
Weekends from 27th November then daily 18th to 24th December 2021
Experience the true magic of Christmas by giving back and helping local families at The Mall Luton this Christmas - visit Father Christmas at his magical workshop with proceeds being donated to Luton Foodbank. Meet the Toy Guard before entering the Grotto to be transformed into an elf and meet Father Christmas. You’ll then be led past the reindeers to the elf workshop where you can make reindeer food to scatter outside your home on Christmas Eve and meet Reggie the Reindeer!
More details


Meet Father Christmas at The Mall, Luton - Quiet Sessions
Sundays 12th & 19th December 2021
As above, but on the quiet mornings, although the centre will be open to the general public, the majority of shops will be closed therefore creating a much quieter and more relaxing environment. There will be no background music and we’ll have plenty of staff on hand to ensure any questions/needs are fulfilled.
More details


Christmas Grotto at Burston Garden Centre
20th November - 24th December 2021
Come and visit Santa in our magical Christmas grotto! Children will be met by one of Santa’s elves at the entrance to Candy Cane Lane, where they'll explore a magical world of gingerbread men, giant lollipops and gingerbread houses. Each family will then meet Santa individually and children will receive an age-appropriate gift.
More details 


Christmas Grotto at Burston Garden Centre - Additional Needs Sessions
28th November, 10th December 2021
Specially adapted sessions suitable for children who require additional support throughout the experience, along with their families. Santa and his elves wish to make the experience for your family truly magical. We’d love to hear from you with information or special requirements that we’ll pass along to Santa. 
More details 


Willows Farm Santa Spectacular
20th November - 24th December 20121
There’s no better place to bring your children to meet Santa and enjoy a fabulous festive family day out. As well as lots of your Willows favourites, there is so much to look forward to including a trip through our magical winter wonderland where you’ll find Santa in his amazing Grotto, choose a gift from Santa's Toy Shop, visit our Create-a-Cuddle Workshop and make a soft toy, decorate tasty gingerbread, write a letter to Santa, watch our short festive 3D film, enjoy our brand new Polar Bear show with a very special guest, meet our reindeers in The Farmyard and more.
More details

Father Christmas at Wardown House
Weekends from 4th December plus 20th - 22nd December 2021.
Curl up with Miss Christmas for a special story in the library before joining Father Christmas in the dining room for a special gift from under the tree. Afterwards, you'll be treated to milk and cookies with our friendly elves.
More details

 

Meet Santa at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo
Weekends from 20 November, then 18-24 December 2021
Book a timed slot to visit Santa in his grotto (general zoo entry still required).
On weekends and throughout the week leading up to Christmas, experience festive magic with Meet Santa at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo! 
Say hello to our cheeky elves before meeting the man himself! Every child who meets Santa will receive an early Christmas gift.
More details


Meet Santa at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo - Quiet Sessions
This year, due to visitor demand, we’ve introduced designated ‘quiet sessions’. These include the same experience of festive crafts, meeting Santa and receiving a gift, but with limited lights, ambient sounds and other sensory stimulation, designed especially for children with neurodiverse conditions including autism and other sensory processing difficulties. You will be able to register your interest in these sessions using the same form as for standard Meet Santa.
More details


Christmas at Houghton Hall Park
Sunday 5th December 2021
There will be a reindeer trail around the park for children to complete with a visit to Santa in his grotto to claim their present!
More details


Aldenham Country Park Winter-Fest Drive-Thru Grotto
4th - 24th December 2021
Included in the Winter-Fest pass is the Drive-Thru Grotto. The whole family will safely meet Santa from the comfort and warmth of their own car, whilst taking part in an interactive and one-of-a-kind show.
More details


Winter Wonderland with Santa's Grotto, British School's Museum, Hitchin
18th, 19th, 22nd & 23rd December 2021
Chat to Santa in his Grotto, every child gets a gift. Explore our sparkling Winter Wonderland. Immerse the family in the tale of five Christmases in the Festive Headmaster's House. Discover what Santa's elves are up to in the classrooms. Children's holiday activities...  and much more!
More details


Knebworth House Lunch/Dinner with Santa
Lunch: 5th, 12th, 19th & 23rd December 2021
Dinner: 7th, 14th & 21st December 2021
Give your family an early Christmas treat with a fantastic lunch at Knebworth Barns, complete with a visit from Santa and a gift for every child. Pre-booking essential.  Register your interest now.
More details


Van Hage Garden Centre, Great Amwell
Weekends from 5th November, then daily from 26th November to 24th December 2021
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 requred.
More details


Leighton Buzzard Railway - Santa's Steam Specials
Weekends and Wednesdays 4th - 19th December, then 20th - 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
Thursday - Sunday from 2nd December, plus 20th - 24th December 2021
Make magical memories at The Magic of Christmas at Mead Open Farm packed full of mayhem, & merriment. As well as full day entry to the farm tickets include magical Christmas walkthrough, meet Father Christmas, Elf Academy Show, Make a Bear workshop, Magical Toy Shop, decorate gingerbread and make reindeer food.
More details 


The Olde Watermill Christmas Grotto, Barton-Le-Clay, Bedfordshire
Weekends from 20th November, then Thursday - Monday from 2nd December 2021
Come and join us at The Olde Watermill Santa’s Grotto for a magical 40 minute fun-filled experience of singing, funny antics and belly laughs. Elfie Selfie will show you how to make some magical Reindeer food and teach you a very special way to send your Christmas wishes to Santa. Then it’s on to Mrs Claus’ cosy sitting room for a story and a present from Santa himself. All before exploring our spectacular snow covered winter wonderland full of magical surprises. Booking required.
More details


Frosts Garden Centre, Woburn Sands
13th November - 24th December 2021
here will be lots of fun in our NEW North Pole Post Office writing your letter to Santa, then Reindeer Ronnie will be on hand to greet you in our Reindeer Stables to make the all-important Reindeer food - ready to sprinkle out on Christmas Eve. Once your family has been to see the big man himself, it's onto our toy workshop, where every child will decorate a Christmas stocking and get to choose their very own special toy to take home! 
More details


Buckinghamshire Railway - The Panto Express with Father Christmas
4th, 5th, 11th, 12th, 18th - 21st December 2021
See Father Christmas whilst enjoying a steam train ride and watch a pantomime – all in one amazing Christmas experience! This year's mini pantomime is Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Running time approximately 20-25 mins.
More details


Christmas at Paradise Wildlife Park, Broxbourne
Every weekend from 27th November then daily 18th - 24th December 2021
Entry to Santa’s Grotto is included with your day tickets. You will have the opportunity to meet and have your photo taken with Santa.
More details

Christmas Wonderland at Springtime Nurseries, Crews Hill, Enfield
From 12th November
All aboard at our new outside sheltered station, 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 continue your magical ride through the Wonderland where you will see some familiar Christmas favourites, on route to Santa’s NEW magical Ice Kingdom where Santa will greet you alongside your carriage. No pre-booking required.
More details

The Santa Claus Experience at Lee Valley Animal Adventure Park, Waltham Abbey
Weekends from 20th November then 17th - 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 Elves Magical Show, decorate a gingerbread person in Mrs Claus' Kitchen and meet Santa with photo opportunities and goodies for the children.
More details

Odds Farm Park, High Wycombe
1st – 24th December 2021
Snuggle down with your loved ones and be transported to a magical world of merriment and yuletide wonder, as Father Christmas treats you to tales full of Christmas adventure and festive frivolities. Father Christmas invites you to join him and his Elves for an enchanting group story-time. After meeting Father Christmas and stopping for a festive photo keepsake (additional charges apply), you will take a magical stroll deep into the sparkly, wintery Enchanted Woodland, to arrive at the North Pole, with a stop at The Toyshop on the way!
More details


Winter Festival Brent Cross - Santa's Grotto
27th November - 24th December 2021
Children will be able to meet Santa at his Grotto in the Magical Castle and good children will receive their very own gift from Santa himself! A Santa's Grotto ticket does not include entry to the park and entry must be purchased in addition to the Grotto tickets.
More details

The Centre:MK – Santa’s Grotto with Peter Rabbit and Friends
From 12th November 2021
Visit Santa’s Grotto and step into the wonderful World of Peter RabbitTM along the way. Experience an incredibly exciting, immersive theatrical Christmas adventure, brought to life by actors playing the part of Peter Rabbit and his woodland friends.
More details

 
Bletchley Park Vintage Christmas Grotto
27th November - 23rd December 2021
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
28th November 2021
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


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