Santa’s Grotto and Father Christmas Experiences in Bristol & Bath
Father Christmas experiences and Santa’s Grottos in Bristol get booked up quickly, so I have made this post early to help you plan ahead! Our full Christmas and Winter Guide will be published as usual in November, with a more comprehensive list of Christmas events and activities across Bristol.
Santa’s Grottos in Bristol
Santa’s Grotto and Father Christmas experiences where meeting the big man is the main event:
Christmas in the Caves Visit Santa and his polar bear at Redcliffe Caves 4 – 24 Dec More info & booking
Clearwell Caves The Festive Forest trail 28 Nov – 31 Dec More info & booking
Avon Valley Railway Santa Specials Festive Train Ride 22 Nov – 24 Dec More info & booking ⭐access needs/SEN call to book
Father Christmas Grotto at The Holburne Museum 27 Nov – 23 Dec More info & booking
Almondsbury Garden Centre Christmas Grotto Experience 28 Nov – 24 Dec More info & booking ⭐SEN Sessions
Cadbury Garden Centre Santas Grotto 1 Nov – 24 Dec More info & booking
No.1 Royal Crescent Meet Father Christmas. First three weekends of Dec More info & booking
Cabot Circus Santa’s Grotto 1 Nov – 24 Dec More info & booking
Santa & Snowball Interactive Santa show all ages. 2 Nov On The Hill; 28 Nov Front Room Theatre, WSM; 29 Nov Rondo Theatre, Bath; 5 Dec Clevedon Theatre & 12/13 Dec Wardrobe Theatre More info & booking
Bristol Museum & Art Gallery Santa’s Grotto 5-20 Dec More info & booking
The Ashton Breakfast With Santa 12, 19 & 20 Dec More info & booking
Whitehall Garden Centre, Lacock Story Time with Santa 28 Nov – 24 Dec More info & booking
De Vere Tortworth Court Santa Sunday Lunch 6, 13 & 20 Dec More info & booking & Santa’s Grotto at the Christmas Fireworks 21 & 22 Dec Book fireworks
Emersons Green Village Hall Christmas Grotto 28 Nov More info & booking
Born in Bristol Santa’s Grotto 6, 13 & 20 Dec More info & booking
The Hideaway @ Discovery Santa’s Breakfast 6 Dec More info & booking
The Secret Garden Outdoor Playgroup Story with Santa Multiple dates 2-22 Dec. Ages toddling-6 More info & booking
Poplars Farm Event details TBC More info & booking
IKEA Details to be released 26 Oct More info & booking
On The Hill (formerly Zion) Christmas Market Santa’s Grotto 5 & 6 December More info & booking
The Play Shed Santa’s Grotto 19 Dec & Breakfast with Santa/Grinch 20 Dec More info & booking
M.O.M Play Space Stories with Santa 1 Dec More info & booking
Imagination Fascination Meet Santa 12 & 19 Dec. Grinch sessions also available More info & booking
The Little Pottery Barn, Radstock Meet Santa, crafts, story, music & dancing. 6 Dec More info & booking
Ashton Court Miniature Railway Santa Special 6 Dec SOLD OUT. Tickets go on sale in July, keep an eye on their socials for next year if you’re keen!
Meet Santa – Part of a Christmas Day Out
Events where you can meet Father Christmas as part of a bigger Christmas experience or day out:
Longleat Santa Train available as part of The Festival of Light 7 Nov – 24 Dec More info & booking
Avon Valley Santa’s Grotto (new for 2026) as part of the Christmas Experience 5 – 24 Dec More info & booking
Slimbridge WWT Santa’s Grotto 5-23 Dec More info & booking
Cattle Country Meet Father Christmas as part of a Christmas On The Farm 5 – 23 Dec More info & booking
Perrygrove Railway Father Christmas at Perrygrove 5 – 24 Dec, with train rides and show More info & booking
Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm Meet Santa in Santa’s Library 28 Nov – 22 Dec More info & booking
Stourhead Storytime with Father Christmas 12 – 23 Dec More info & booking
Puxton Park Magical Christmas Adventure 5 – 24 Dec More info & booking
Slimbridge Breakfast with Santa 13-23 Dec More info & booking
Cotswold Farm Park Christmas at Cotswold Farm Park: Meet Santa on the Farm 27 Nov – 23 Dec More info & booking
Wookey Hole Visit to Santa as part of Winter Wonderland 21 Nov – 24 Dec More info & booking
Old Down Country Park Breakfast & Brunch With Santa 19-24 Dec More info & booking
Palette and Pasture Santa’s Grotto at Christmas on the Farm 5 – 23 Dec More info & booking
Cheddar Gorge Christmas at Cheddar 21 Nov – 24 Dec More info & booking
The Grand Pier Santa’s Grotto & Grinch Grotto. Multiple dates 5-24 Dec More info & booking
Lacock National Trust Toddler Time with Mother Christmas for under 5s. 11 – 18 Dec & Storytime with Mother Christmas 12 – 20 Dec More info & booking
The Avon Centre Avon Winterland – Santa’s Grotto & pony experiences. 29 Nov More info & booking
West Somerset Railway Santa Express from Bishops Lydeard. Dates between 5-24 Dec More info & booking
Christmas Experiences Further Afield
Notable Christmas experiences further afield, that might be worth travelling to!
Lapland UK Ascot & Manchester – At the time of writing Ascot is sold out for 2026, but additional tickets can become available closer to the date, so it may be worth checking. Manchester still have tickets available! Tickets are usually on sale mid-March. This is an amazing immersive experience. Read our review from 2024! Book tickets ⭐SEN Sessions
The Polar Express Train experience with actors inspired by the film. The closest are:
- Brecon Mountain Railway Wales. 1 hr 20 mins drive from Bristol. Running 13 Nov – 23 Dec
- South Devon Railway 1 hr 50 mins drive from Bristol. Running 27 Nov – 23 Dec
- Seaton Tramway 1 hr 50 mins drive from Bristol. Running 27 Nov – 24 Dec
- Birmingham Moor Street 2 hr 15 mins drive from Bristol. Running 22 Nov – 23 Dec.
Center Parcs Longleat Christmas Breaks with Santa and other activities More info & booking
Bluestone Christmas Breaks with Santa’s Lodge, Rudolph, Elves and other activities More info & booking
Warwick Castle Christmas at the Castle 21 Nov – 3 Jan More info & booking
Legoland Christmas event where you can meet LEGO Santa, festive live shows and lots more. 21 Nov – 2 Jan More info & booking
Thank you for reading!
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