Christmas might be months away, but Santa’s elves have already started putting plans in place for festive visits.
This year, COVID-19 has cast a not-so-festive feel over the proceedings, but if there’s one thing you can be sure of, Santa won’t let a global pandemic get in his way (he is a key worker, after all).
While it’s a little early to know what grotto visits might look like this year, there are already some Christmas experiences available to book.
We’ve rounded them up – some already taking bookings – in case you want to get in there early.
Tickets on sale: October 9, 2020 (October 8 for Piece Hall members)
Dates: December 5, 6, 12, 13, 18-24, 2020
Find Father Christmas at The Piece Hall and enjoy a magical journey of storytelling with The Tellers – funny folk who live under the arches of The Piece Hall telling stories and ringing tiny bells. This year, they’re on a mission to bring the magic of storytelling back to Christmas with the help of Santa himself. Expect a 35 minute interactive experience with jokes, rhymes, laughs and games. Children will meet Father Christmas and receive a Santa Activity Bag.
Price: £13.95 per person. Available for group bookings of 3, 4 or 5 people only.
KEIGHLEY & WORTH VALLEY RAILWAYTickets on sale: Now
Dates: Each weekend from November 28-December 20, 2020, December 21-24, 2020
Meet Santa’s Elves, collect your golden ticket then enjoy a magical train ride to Kringle Town’s Winter Wonderland. Each household will get their own private compartment and meet Santa at Kringle Town Station, with singing, laughter and goodies galore.
Tickets include a round trip from Oxenhope, decorated private family compartments on the steam trains, refreshments, a gift, meeting Santa and his friends and a photo opportunity.
Price: Tickets per compartment, from £80-120.
Tickets on sale: Already on sale
Dates: 28th November – 24th December 2020
Step aboard the steam-heated carriages of our Santa Specials and be transported to the magical North Pole!
Meet Santa and his jolly helpers inside their cosy grotto filled with sacks full of presents for the good girls and boys.
All Christmas services last for approximately 1hr 30m and are return trips.
The 2020 Santa Specials have been meticulously planned to allow for social distancing on the stations, platforms, trains and grotto. This means only HALF the usual number of tickets will be available this year.
Price: from £9 – £17 depending on age of child and booking day.
Tickets on sale: Wednesday, September 9
Dates: 27th November 2020 – 5th January 2021
Journey into the North Pole to our tree-lined home where Santa and his elves have taken up residency for the final weeks preparation before Christmas day. Come and meet our elves, help out in the crafts workshop and even make your own souvenir to take away with you. Our Head Elf will make sure you are looked after during your time there. While you are there, take the opportunity to write a postcard to Santa to make sure he knows what you want, and finally meet the big man himself!
Preschoolers Santa’s Cabin in the Elf Village – An experience for younger visits to see Santa for a present without the full North Pole additions.
Price: From £4.15 person, or £12.95 per child for Santa’s Elf Village
Tickets on sale: Already on sale
Dates: 21st November 2020 – 24th December 2020
Jump aboard the Magical Sleigh Ride to Santa’s Woodland Village for a truly unforgettable Christmas experience with NEW activities for this year!
NEW exclusive individual family visits to see Santa
NEW Gingerbread decorating
Check in at Elf Airlines
Ride on Santa’s magical sleigh through the twinkling Woodland Village.
Receive the golden key to unlock his amazing Toy Shop.
Enjoy festive food and much more!Price: TBC
Tickets on sale: Now
Dates: From November 28, 2020
Visit Santa in his rustic wooden cabin with twinkling lights and lots of Christmas cheer.
You can also see the winter illuminations in the Enchanted Forest (extra cost), and try your hand at the maze!
Price: £12.50 per person. 2 adults free.
Tickets on sale: Now!
Dates: November 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29, December 2-24 (apart from 7 & 8), 2020
Enjoy a magical journey along an enchanting pathway to meet Santa – and this year it is an exclusive family experience! You can stop along the route to snap memorable family moments, then meet Santa in his grotto and choose your own gift from the North Pole toy shop.
£14.95 per child (two adults free per child). Children under 12 months £12.95.
Tickets on sale: TBC
Dates: Dates for 2020 not yet released
Nostell is delighted to welcome back Father Christmas all the way from the North Pole to help young visitors make magical family memories.
Price: TBC
Tickets on sale: October 27, 2020
Dates: December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19-24, 2020
This year’s Santa experience includes a trip through the elf check-in, a visit to Santa in his enchanting grotto and a high-quality present.
This brand new, entirely outdoors socially-distanced Santa experience will see Santa doing a parade loop around the sheep racing arena. All children will be given a keepsake colouring book featuring our most famous animals, drawn by local artist Elysia Gilman.
Elves will be on hand to ensure social distancing is in place around the track and to move customers in and out of each session.
Tickets include farm admission, so you can see animals in the undercover barns and roundhouse, visit the reptile house and enjoy the outdoor adventure playgrounds.
Please note: there is no opportunity for children to have a one-to-one meeting with Santa at this event.
Price: £9.95, plus £1 booking fee. Includes farm admission.
