*Updated for 2026*
We know from experience that the best Christmas events in Nottingham sell out very quickly – so if you’re looking for a magical Christmas experience for your little ones to see Santa or a special Santa’s Grotto visit then look no further!
You can also check out our blog post all about Winter Light Trails if you fancy an illuminating after-dark experience!
All Santa experiences are booking required unless otherwise stated
This article is split into four categories for easier browsing:
>Christmas Experiences that Include Santa – £20+
>Christmas Trains
>Santa’s Grotto (under £20 per child)
>Breakfast with Santa / Tea with Santa
>One Off Santa’s Grottos, Events, Fun Days and Parties with Santa
Christmas Experiences that Include Santa – £20+
Sundown Adventureland
Christmas Spectacular 2026
About: A full day at Sundown Adventureland including the rides and attractions, Night Before Christmas Ride and a visit to Santa, with a gift for children.
Dates: Daily 14th November – 24th December 2026
Price: Adults/children over 10 without gift £27.95, children 90cm-10 years £31.90, under 90cm £5.95
White Post Farm
Christmas at the Farm
About: Spend the day at the farm with a Christmas market, festive activities, a visit to Santa in the Christmas Barn, a story and a gift from the Elves’ Workshop.
Dates: Selected dates 29th November – 24th December 2026
Price: Adults £22.95, Child £29.95, Under 2 £17.95
Manor Farm Park & Woodlands
Christmas Woodlands
About: Visit Santa in his woodland grotto, choose a gift from his Toy Shop, decorate a gingerbread biscuit with Mrs Claus, make reindeer food and explore the Elves’ Village, with farm admission included.
Dates: 29th November, weekends from 5th December, 21st-24th December 2026
Price: Children £39.95, Adults £19.95, under 2 £29.95, babe in arms free
Bluebell Dairy (Derby)
Santa’s Enchanted Christmas 2026
About: Step into the most magical Christmas experience in Derbyshire. Climb aboard our brand-new Candycane Express tractor ride and journey through the farm to Santa’s enchanting Woodland Cabin, where Santa will know each child’s name and exactly why they’re on his Good List.
Dates: Selected dates 28th November – 24th December
Price: Children £39.95-£49.95, Adults: £25-£30, babies under 1 FREE (no gift)
Twinlakes Park
Twinlakes Winter Wonderland & Santa’s Grotto
About: Twinlakes transforms into a Winter Wonderland with festive lights, rides, Christmas entertainment, gingerbread decorating, Christmas hunts, workshops and a visit to Rudy the Reindeer. Santa’s Grotto is an optional extra, taking families through a magical sleigh ride before meeting Santa in his log cabin, with a golden ticket for each child to choose a gift.
Dates: 28/29th November, 5/6th, 12/13th, 19-24th December 2026
Price: Park admission varies; Santa’s Grotto is an additional charge for children, with accompanying adults free. Day admission is required to visit the Grotto
Wheelgate Park
Christmas at Wheelgate & Santa’s Grotto
About: Wheelgate becomes a festive Winter Wonderland with thousands of lights, Christmas crafts, gingerbread decorating, a stocking hunt, Christmas entertainment and festive animal experiences. Santa’s Grotto takes families through a Christmas forest to meet Santa, with each child receiving a golden ticket to choose a gift from the Elf Toy Shop.
Dates: Daily 5th–24th December 2026, excluding Tuesdays
Price: Park admission varies depending on date; Santa’s Grotto is an additional charge – £9.99 for children, with adults entering the Grotto free.
Belvoir Castle
About: A private family visit with Father Christmas inside the beautifully decorated rooms of Belvoir Castle. Each child receives a special present and the experience includes the Mice Trail, with Castle entry required.
Dates: Selected December dates 2026
Price: £15 child tickets for Grotto, Castle entry: Adults from £27, Children from £13.50, Family discounts available
Santa’s Grotto at Belvoir Retail Village
Dates: 14-15, 21-22, 28-29 Nov, 3-6, 10-13, 17-24 December 2026
Price: from £12
About: A private family visit with Father Christmas at Belvoir Retail Village, with a special present for every child. No Castle or Deck the Halls entry is required for this experience.
Booking required
Search for Santa
Dates: 28-29 Nov, 5, 13,20, 23 December
Time: 5pm-7.30pm
Price: from £35, under 3s from £5
About: Follow a festive trail through Belvoir Castle’s grand rooms, solving clues and meeting festive characters before finding Father Christmas. Children receive hot chocolate, a biscuit and a present, while adults receive refreshments and a glass of bubbles.
Christmas Train Experiences
Sherwood Forest Railway
About: A festive trip along the Sherwood Forest Railway ending with a one to one visit to see Sant in his grotto where your child will be given an age appropriate wrapped gift.
Dates: 12-13th, 19-20th December 2026
Price: Children £15.75, Adults: £9.45
Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre
Santa’s Steam Train Adventure
About: This festive season join us on a magical Christmas train ride through the South Nottingham countryside. The Jingle Bell Express is a festive adventure where children and families help Santa to gather enough Christmas cheer to power his sleigh. Along the journey you will be treated to interactive seat dances, top tapping original songs and joyful activities that will usher in the Christmas spirit. With twinkling lights, mischievous elves and a surprise visit from Santa, this unforgettable ride is sure to create lasting memories
Dates: 5th December 2026
Price: £12.50pp, Under 2s FREE
Great Central Railway
The Great Central Santa Express
About: Join Santa, Mrs Claus and the GCR elves for a festive journey aboard a heritage steam train. Children receive a Christmas activity pack, festive treats and a Christmas gift from Santa.
Dates: Selected Dates Saturday 28 November – Thursday 24 December 2026
Price: from £27.50-£38.50, infants £8
Santa’s Grotto (under £20 per child)
DERBIon
The Santa Experience with Peter Rabbit™
About: Visit Santa this Christmas at Derbion and experience the brand-new tale of Peter Rabbit and Friends, in a heart warming new festive adventure! Each child will take away a decorated biscuit and receive a lovely gift from Santa.
Dates: Selected Dates 26-29th November – 2-24th (excl 7,8,14,15) December
Prices: £11 per child £2 per adult
Four Seasons Mansfield
About: Santa’s Magical Elevator
Dates: Weekends in Nov then every day from 25th November – 24th December
Price: £10 per child + £1.50 booking fee per family
Wollaton Hall
Santa’s 12 Days of Christmas
About: A festive self-led walk through the lower basement of Wollaton Hall, with Santa, his helpers and festive characters along the route. Children receive a gift.
Dates: Weekends 28th November – 20th December 2026
Price: Children 1-15 £9 including gift, under 1s free, adults £9 unless they have an Annual Pass
Nottingham Castle
Santa’s Grotto
About: Meet Santa or his festive friends at Nottingham Castle. Children receive a gift.
Dates: Selected dates in December 2026
Price: Children 1-15 £9 including gift, under 1s free; adult admission also applies unless covered by an Annual Pass
Clumber Park
Meet Father Christmas
About: Meet Father Christmas, hand over your Christmas letter and visit the Elves’ Toy Shop to choose a gift.
Dates: 28th-29th November and 5th-6th 12-13th, 19-23rd December 2026
Price: £18.50 per child includes 1 adult, additional adults £3
Blue Diamond Garden Centre (East Bridgford)
About: This Christmas, take a magical journey the whole family will remember.
Begin your adventure at the North Pole, where little ones can help mix the all-important reindeer food ready to sprinkle on Christmas Eve. Then, wander through to Santa’s cosy living room for a special one-to-one meeting. There’ll be time for a festive photo too, available to purchase at the end of your visit.
But the magic doesn’t stop there, in the Present Room, each child will choose a toy to take home from Santa’s carefully picked selection.
Dates: 21-22, 28-29 November, 4-6, 10-13 17-24 December 2026
Price: Child £17.99, Accompanying Adults free
Planter’s Brookfields
About: Ho ho ho! Join Father Christmas at Planters Brookfields for our group grotto experience!
Enjoy a visit to the north pole post office where you can write a letter to Father Christmas, before visiting Mrs Claus to craft some magical reindeer food. Then, it’s off to see Father Christmas himself, where he’ll tell you a story, ask what you’d like for Christmas and have a photo taken too. Afterwards, choose your own toy from our toy shop before viewing your photos (sold separately). Please note: this is a grotto experience with other families present.
Dates: Weekends from 14th November. Baby and Toddler special sessions during the week
Price: £29-£45 Children, First 2 adults free, additional Adults £25-35
Baby and Toddler weekday sessions – Mon/Weds/Fri from 30 November – 18December- £12
SEN Friendly Grotto – £12
Rufford Abbey
Santa’s Grotto
Dates: Selected dates 28th November – 23rd December 2026
Price: £14per child (includes 2 adults free)
Floralands Farm Park
Christmas at Floralands
About: Includes a visit with Santa in his grotto, a special gift from his toy shop and farm park admission.
Dates: From 28th November 2026
Price: £16 per child
Woodborough Green Garden Centre (Timmermans)
About: Please note that this is a Group Grotto Experience
Nothing captures the magic of Christmas like a visit to Santa’s Grotto.
From the moment you arrive, Santa’s band of elves will be there to welcome you into their workshop where you’ll be whisked away on a joyful journey, full of festive fun.
You’ll then be taken into the Grotto to meet Father Christmas himself, and you’ll have the chance to take some photos* of this magical moment
Dates: Selected dates from 21st November. Baby and Toddler special sessions during the week, Quiet sessions available
Price: Start from £19.99-£25.99 per child (up to 2 adults free per child. Additional adults £5)
Baby and Toddler Weekday – £15.99-£16.99
Cherry Lane Bradmore
Santa’s Grotto
About: Step into a festive Christmas world and meet Father Christmas in his cosy grotto. Children can enjoy a magical visit with Santa and receive a special gift.
Dates: Selected dates in December 2026
Price: 11.50 per child, adults free
Spring Lakes Watersports Centre
About: Each ticket includes entry for 1 child & up to 2 adults/guests into the grotto with Santa, for a photo opportunity & of course a wrapped present to take away.
Prior too & following your visit to see Father Christmas, please enjoy a stroll through our festive light walk and maybe indulge in a mulled wine, hot chocolate or some sweet & savoury treats!
Dates: 4th-6th, 11-13th, 18-23rd December
Price: £11 per child, 2 children together £20
Erewash Museum
Story with Santa
About: Join Santa for festive crafting, stories and a Christmas museum trail, with a gift from Santa for every child. Suitable for all ages, with a maximum of two accompanying adults per family.
Dates: Saturdays 5th, 12th & 19th December 2026, various sessions from 10am-2.30pm
Price: £7.50 per child
Breakfast with Santa / Tea with Santa
East Bridgford Garden & Home
Breakfast with Santa
About: Family breakfast with Santa and his elves, a festive story and a gift for each child.
Dates: Selected dates in December 2026
Price: From £18.50
Trowell Garden Centre
Breakfast with Santa
About:Enjoy Breakfast, listen to an Elf tale, and meet Santa at your table. He will give each child a gift.
Dates: 12, 13, 19, 20th December 2026
Price: From £17.99per adult, £18.99 per child, Unders 2 (no food) £10.99
Thoresby Park
Breakfast with Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy & Santa’s Elf
About: Enjoy a cooked breakfast and drink while meeting characters!. There will also be entertainment from the characters.
Dates: Elsa, Anna, Cinderella and Belle – Saturday 12th December 9am-11am
Woody, Bo Peep, Jessie and Buzz – Saturday 18th December 9am-11am
Mickey Minnie Donanderld and Daisy – Sunday 20 December 2026, 9am-11am
Price: £18.50 per person plus booking fee
Cherry Lane Bradmore
Breakfast with Santa
About: Enjoy a freshly prepared breakfast with Santa and his elves, with festive entertainment followed by a visit from Santa and a special gift for each child. Previous sessions have included balloon modelling and magic.
Dates: 5-6th, 12-13th, 19-22nd December 2026
Price: £9.99 per adult, £13.99 per child
Tea with Santa
About: Enjoy a festive tea with Santa and his elves, with food, entertainment and a special visit from Father Christmas. Children receive a gift as part of the experience.
Dates: 15th and 17th December 2026
Price: £9.99 per adult, £13.99 per child
The Nottinghamshire
Brunch with Santa
About: Enjoy a festive late breakfast including Full English breakfast options, waffles, fruit, hot drinks and juices, followed by a visit from Santa. Children also receive a gift and there are festive games and entertainment.
Dates: Sunday 20 December 2026, 11am-2pm
Price: £20 per person or £80 family of 4
The Lady Bay, West Bridgford
Breakfast with Santa
About: A family breakfast with Santa where children receive a special gift and have plenty of time to tell Santa what’s on their Christmas list. Numbers are limited to keep the experience relaxed.
Dates: Saturday 12 & Saturday 19 December 2026
Price: Check booking page
Booking required
The Cooper’s Brook, Daybrook
Breakfast with Santa
About: Children can enjoy a breakfast, drink and special gift, with time to meet Santa and tell him their Christmas wishes. Adult breakfast options are also available.
Dates: 6, 13 & 21 December 2026
Price: Check booking page
Booking required
The Magna Charta, Lowdham
Breakfast with Santa
About: Enjoy a hearty breakfast with Santa, with children able to choose from a selection of breakfast options and receive a special gift. Adults can also enjoy breakfast from the festive menu.
Dates: Saturday 12, Saturday 19, Sunday 20 & Thursday 24 December 2026
Price: £10.99 per child; £5 deposit per person
Booking required
The Cadland, Chilwell
Breakfast with Santa
About: Children receive a Kids’ Breakfast, drink, festive activity pack and Christmas gift, as well as a meet-and-greet with Santa. Adults can enjoy breakfast and complimentary tea or coffee.
Dates: Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 December 2026
Price: £12.99 per child, plus an adult breakfast
Booking required
The Apple Tree, West Bridgford
Breakfast with Santa
About: Children can enjoy a Kids’ Breakfast, drink and festive activity pack before meeting Santa and receiving a Christmas gift. Adults need to purchase at least one adult breakfast per booking and receive tea or coffee.
Dates: Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 December 2026
Price: £12.99 per child, plus an adult breakfast
Booking required
Ye Olde Plough House
Afternoon Tea with Santa
About: Enjoy a festive afternoon tea followed by a visit from Santa. Children can meet Santa as part of the afternoon and enjoy the Christmas atmosphere.
Dates: Sunday 20 December 2026, 2pm-4pm
Price: £27 per person
Booking required
The Gedling inn
Breakfast with Santa and Special Guest
About: Enjoy a delicious English Breakfast Buffet
Mini Disco & Games with Special Guest: Christmas Stitch!
Visit to Santa’s Grotto and a gift for every child
Dates: 5th Dec (Christmas Stitch) , 12th Dec (Elf on the Shelf), 19th December (The Grinch) 9.30am
Price: £10 per person
John Lewis Nottingham
Afternoon Tea with Santa
About: Join Santa and his elves for story time, including cocoa and a scrummy snack for kids to tuck into (plus a hot drink and slice of cake for adults, too). There’s plenty more fun to be had, including a gift from the big guy.
Dates: 4-6th December 2026
Price: £25 Child, Adult £8 plus booking fee
The Headstocks at Brinsley Ltd
Supper with Santa
About: Enjoy a festive afternoon with Santa, including Christmas stories, crafts and festive activities. Every child receives a special present.
Dates: Wednesday 9th & 16th December 2026, from 4.30pm
Price: £14 per child
The Anchor, Gunthorpe
Breakfast with Santa
About: Enjoy a full breakfast and hot drink before meeting Santa, with a special gift for every child. Both adults and children require a ticket.
Dates: 12th, 13th, 19th, 20th, 23rd & 24th December 2026, 9am-11am
Price: £20 per person
The Horse & Groom, Newthorpe
Breakfast with Santa
About: Enjoy a festive breakfast with Santa, with children receiving a meal, drink and gift and the chance to tell Santa their Christmas wishes.
Dates: 6, 13 & 21 December 2026
Price: Check booking page
Booking required
One Off Santa’s Grottos, Events, Fun Days and Parties with Santa
Rufford Abbey
Arrival of Santa
About: Santa arrives at Rufford Abbey with a festive parade, entertainment, live music, fairground rides and a chance to meet Santa.
Dates: Saturday 21st – Sunday 22nd November 2026, 10am-4pm
Price: Free entry, parking charges apply.
Christmas at Kelham Hall
Christmas at Kelham Hall
About: A festive family day at Kelham Hall with Christmas entertainment, Santa’s Grotto and the chance to meet Santa’s reindeer.
Dates: Sunday 29th November 2026, 11am-4pm
Price: £8 adults, £3 under 16s, Santa’s Grotto £17.50
Tiny Town Adventures
About: 1.5 hours play session, visit Santa in his Grotto, photo op, Christmas activities
Dates: December 7th and 12th 2026
Price: £13.95 child ticket (includes 1 adult), £2.50 adults
Church of the Good Shepherd, Notts
About: Stalls, Tree Trail, Free Grotto
Dates: Saturday 28 November 2026 10.30-2.30pm
Price: £1 adults, children free, free to meet santa!
The Sun Inn Hotel, Eastwood
About: EASTWOOD LIGHT SWITCH ON
Come and See Santa and his little helper! All children will receive a present, reindeer food, goody bag and get to have a picture with santa and give him your present list
Dates: Saturday 28th November, 5:30-7:30pm
Price: £5 per child, drop in and queue
Mighty Monsters Soft Play
About: “Black Santa is returning to Mighty Monsters – and this year he’s bringing a very mischievous friend with him… THE GRINCH!” Get ready for a magical 3-hour Christmas experience packed with festive fun, laughter, games, soft play and a very special visit to Santa’s Grotto.
Dates: 6th December 10-1pm
Price: £30 (1 child and 1 adult), 2 children and 1 adult – £55
Savoy Cinema Nottingham
Home Alone Pyjama Party (With Santa)
About: Get ready for an unforgettable cinema experience like no other at our festive pyjama party featuring a guest appearance from Santa Claus himself.
Dates: December 12th 2026
Price: £10.95-£11.95
Broxtowe Christmas Lights Switch on Dates
Santa’s Grotto at each event
Stapleford Christmas Lights Switch On – Saturday 21 November
Kimberley – Friday 27 November
Eastwood Christmas Lights Switch On – Saturday 28 November
Beeston Christmas Lights Switch On – Saturday 5 December
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