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Where to Meet Santa for Christmas 2024

Posted: 04 November 2024

Santa Claus with phone in wooden home interior

You can still meet Santa in a variety of creative and fun ways this Christmas. From meeting him in person, to virtual visits to Lapland, don't miss out on these festive events featuring the big man himself.

Santa's Grotto at Preston Markets

Come and visit Father Christmas, receive a free gift and let him know what you want for Christmas this year - don't forget to let him know you're on the nice list!

Last year our Santa's grotto was a resounding success with Santa and his cheeky elves handing out over 200 free gifts to the lovely children who came to visit him at Preston Markets.

No need to book. Just turn up and enjoy the festive experience.

  • Date: Saturday 14 December
  • Time: 11am - 3pm
  • Price: Free (donations welcome)

Santa's Magical Toy Shop Grotto at Fishergate Preston

Discover the magic of Santa's Toy Shop Grotto at Fishergate Shopping Centre. Meet the jolly man himself and share your Christmas wishes, plus get a high-quality gift wrapped with love.

Breakfast with Santa in Preston 

A range of places in and around Preston are offering you and your family a magical morning with Santa whilst having breakfast, these include:

Santa by the Lake - Brockholes

Santa's grotto is a magical space adorned with Christmas trees and stunning decorations. Each little one will have five whole minutes to chat with Santa himself and pick out a special gift or toy straight from his enchanting workshop. And don't forget your cameras—there will be plenty of chances to snap some festive photos! 

This year, Brockholes have added an extra sprinkle of Christmas cheer to the grotto! While you wait or after your visit with Santa, unleash your creativity at our cookie decorating station. It's a deliciously fun way to keep the holiday spirit going! 

  • Dates include: Every Saturday and Sunday starting 23 November and running to Sunday 22 December (an additional date of Monday 23 December is also included).
  • Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm (in hourly time slots)
  • Price: £13.95 per child
  • Book Christmas events at Brockholes

Breakfast with Santa - Brockholes

Children can enjoy a cooked breakfast followed by a very special visit from Santa, who will be bearing a gift for each child.

Children's breakfast includes bacon, scrambled eggs, beans, toast and orange juice, apple juice or squash. 

Adult tickets include a full cooked breakfast with unlimited tea and filter coffee and free parking for the day after registering your cars vehicle registration number. 

Vegetarian options are available. Breakfast will be served buffet style.

  • Dates: Saturday 30 November, Saturday 07 December, 14 December, 21 December and 23 December 2024.
  • Time: 9.15am - 11am 
  • Price: £14.95 per child (aged 3+), £11.99 per adult 
  • Book Christmas events at Brockholes

Supper with Santa at Brockholes

Supper with Santa is a magical event designed to bring joy and festive cheer to families.

Join Brockholes for a delightful supper where you'll savor a delicious traditional Christmas dinner including Turkey, Gammon and Nut roast, in a warm and welcoming atmosphere with free flowing squash, tea and filter coffee. No Christmas dinner is complete without dessert!

Throughout the event, children and adults alike will have the chance to meet Santa Claus, share their holiday wishes, and take memorable photos with him. Each child will also receive a gift from Santa himself! 

Santa Special Events - Ribble Steam Railway

Let Ribble Steam Railway and Museum bring even more happiness and entertainment to your seasonal celebrations.

Create warm and magical memories on the Santa Special Steam experiences. The perfect opportunity for a family get together, sprinkled with a generous helping of festive fun, excitement and laughter.

Snuggle up with your loved ones in your warm, steam-heated carriage. Watch eyes light up as Father Christmas visits you in your seat to hand each child their very own Christmas gift. Light seasonal refreshments on the train are included and Mrs Ribble's Tea Room will be open for extra drinks and goodies.

Don't forget to bring your letters for Santa and post them in our special Santa Mail post box.

Santa's Grotto - Dobbies Preston

This year Dobbies is offering a Little Seedlings train-themed journey for children and families, complete with interactive elements and a meeting with Santa himself! 

Take in the atmosphere as you arrive in the enchanting forest, and after a warm welcome from the elves at Sleigh bell Station, children will get to experience snowy scenes, spot woodland characters, find hidden nutcrackers, all culminating in the chance to meet Santa

Children are encouraged to share their excitement, wishes and stories before receiving their gift. Dobbies are also offering Santa's Quiet Grotto experiences for children with additional needs. 

  • Dates: Every Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday from Saturday 30 November till Sunday 22 December and including Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 December 2024.
  • Price: £12.99 per person
  • Book your ticket on Dobbies website

Breakfast with Santa at Dobbies Preston

Each child will get to build their very own festive soft toy to take home, meet Santa Claus and take part in storytelling and family-friendly activities  

You'll start with a tasty breakfast before your little ones are gifted their special toy from Santa and then encouraged by him to fluff, stuff and name their toy to take home

  • Dates: Every Saturday and Sunday, including a range of dates throughout December.
  • Price: £16.99 for over 3s, under 3s £13.99 and adults £8.75
  • Book your ticket on Dobbies website

Santa's Grotto - Ribby Hall Village

Step into a world of wonder and delight at Ribby Hall Village with Santa's Grotto Experience, where the magic of Christmas comes to life.

Your journey begins at the enchanted entrance, where friendly elves greet you with cheerful smiles and festive tunes. You'll collect Santa's checklist and follow Candy-Cane lane into the magical woodland.

Along the way, complete interactive games to guarantee your space on Santa's 'nice list'. Before meeting Santa, stop by Festive Point to collect reindeer dust and write your Christmas list.

The highlight of the experience awaits as you enter Santa's cozy grotto to meet the big man himself for a personal and memorable encounter.

Santa's helpers are on hand to ensure you get the perfect professional picture and each child leaves with a special gift from Santa, a keepsake to remember this magical experience. 

  • Dates: From Sunday 17 November - Tuesday 24 December 2024
  • Prices: £29.50 per child

Magical VR Sleigh Ride - Barton Grange

Hop on board a magical, virtual sleigh ride, flying through Lapland and around the world. In this 4D virtual reality experience, you will fly through London, over New York, and even into space. The journey lasts five minutes and booking is necessary.

Santa's Grotto at Barton Grange

Step into an enchanting winter wonderland where your very own elf guide will guide you past snow-capped trees and polar bears to meet Father Christmas. An age-appropriate gift and photograph to commemorate the magical moment is included. 

SEN Grotto at Barton Grange

This year, Barton Grange are hosting an SEN Santa's Grotto, supported by local charity, CO's Care, who work with children with autism, learning disabilities and associated disorders.

All children are welcome to Barton Grange's Santa events but if you feel your child has special requirements, you may wish to consider booking on the SEN dedicated days. To book onto these sessions, please email: sen.santa@bartongrange.co.uk

Christmas at Mrs Dowsons Farm

Christmas at the farm is an immersive adventure based on the original magical Father Christmas. Discover Father Christmas' secret farm Headquarters, hidden from plain sight, filled with activities and experiences, with spectacular sets and theatre performances. 

A Magical Meeting with Father Christmas - Hoghton Tower

Marvel at the magic of Christmas at Hoghton Tower in their magnificent Banqueting Hall where you will find Father Christmas next to the roaring log fire waiting to chat with you in small groups.

He will make sure that he knows what every child would like to find on Christmas morning. Each child will receive a gift from underneath the beautifully decorated Christmas Tree and there will be time for you to take individual or family pictures in the festive surroundings

Christmas Magic - Cuerden Valley Park

Come along for a magical Christmas experience in the Park.

Your ticket includes a delicious breakfast or lunch provided by Cuerden View café.  After which the children will write a letter to Father Christmas and collect a trail map to find the Santa's secret grotto hidden in the park.  The children will exchange their letters for an early Christmas gift.

  • Date: Saturday 07 December 2024
  • Time: 9.30am - 2pm
  • Venue: Cuerden View Cafe
  • Price: £22 per child and £12.50 per adult adult

Christmas events

Find out what else is going on in and around Preston this Christmas with our special .

Map addresses for Where to Meet Santa for Christmas 2021

  • Preston Market, 28 Market Street, Preston, PR1 2AR.
  • Fishergate Shopping Centre, Fishergate, Preston, PR1 8HJ.
  • The Black Bull, 315 Garstang Road, Fulwood, Preston, PR2 9UP.
  • The Sherwood, Sherwood Way, Fulwood, Preston, PR2 9GA.
  • The Pig and Whistle, 849 Blackpool Road, Lea, Preston, PR2 1QS.
  • The Ribble Pilot, Mariners Way, Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston, PR2 2YN
  • The Broughton Inn, 502 Garstang Rd, Broughton, Preston, PR3 5HE
  • Ribble Steam Railway and Museum, Chain Caul Road, Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston, PR2 2PD.
  • Brockholes, Preston New Road, Samlesbury, Preston, PR5 0Ag.
  • Dobbies Garden Centre, Blackpool Road, Clifton, Preston, PR4 0XL.
  • Ribby Hall Village, Ribby Road, Kirkham, Preston, PR4 2PR.
  • Barton Grange Garden Centre, Garstang Road, Brock, Preston, PR3 0BT.
  • Mrs Dowsons Farm, Hawkshaw Fold, Longsight Road, Blackburn, BB2 7JA.
  • Hoghton Tower, Hoghton, Preston, PR5 0SH.
  • Cuerden Valley Park, Berkeley Drive, Bamber Bridge, Clayton-le-Woods, Preston, PR5 6BY.