Christmas is coming – which means Santa Claus is coming to York!
We’ve put together a guide on where to meet the big man himself in York and beyond.
Time to find out if you’ve been naughty or nice…
Are we missing an event? Let us know by leaving a comment below or dropping us a line at [email protected].
Where to meet Santa in York and beyond
Stories with Santa in the Courtyard Grotto
The award-winning Story Craft Theatre are making festive magic in Castle Howard’s Courtyard again this year, where Santa will be making a very special appearance at selected dates and times this December. Santa’s elves are on hand with stories and laughs, and Santa himself has a present for every child to take away. The Grotto also has special post basket for any last-minute letters!
A ticket to see Santa in our Courtyard Grotto doesn’t include entrance to the Castle Howard House and grounds, or to other Christmas events, but these experiences can be purchased separately.
- Castle Howard, York, YO60 7DA
- 3-4 Dec, 9-11 Dec, 16-24 Dec
- Various times throughout the day
- £20 per child, accompanying adults go free
- Website
Christmas Experience at Flamingo Land
This year at Flamingo Land it’s the ultimate Christmas experience for all children to enjoy! So, why not join Santa’s elves and visit our magical festive land, as we present:
Santa’s Grotto – Meet Santa in his grotto and share your Christmas wish, have you been good this year? 15 children per session, please note groups will be mixed.
Santa’s Magical Toy Shop – Enter Santa’s Magical toy shop to select your very own present.
Mrs Claus’ Kitchen – Join Mrs Claus and make some festive Christmas cookies.
Reindeer Paddock – Meet Thor and Eska, our two real reindeer and learn how to make some extra special reindeer food to take home just in time for Christmas Eve.
Merry Marshmallow Making – A festive sweet treat where you can decorate some yummy christmas marshmallows.
Magical Milkshake – Join the elves to make your very own magical milkshake.
Award Winning Zoo – See up to 140 different species including our mixed Rhino and Cheetah exhibit. There will also be a daily sea lion show and keeper talks.
Peter Rabbit Meet And Greet! – You can also meet and greet Peter Rabbit himself at intervals throughout the day.
Selection Of Rides – festive magical experience will also include a selection of five fun filled rides for younger children in the Muddy Duck Farm area.
A Letter to Lapland – A family activity which encourages children to write a personalised letter to Santa before posting it in the special postbox.
The Decoration Station – Make personalised Christmas tree decorations to take home or decorate the Christmas tree.
- Flamingo Land, Kirby Misperton, Malton, YO17 6UX
- 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 Dec
- Various times throughout the day
- £15
- Website
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Meet Santa at Askham Bryan Wildlife Park
Meet Santa in his Christmas grotto this half term! Each ticket includes one child entry to the Wildlife Park, a visit with Santa and a wildlife themed gift to take home. We will be running Christmas themed crafts throughout the day and Christmas themed trails across the Wildlife Park. Come and enjoy the magic of Christmas at Askham Bryan Wildlife Park!
- Askham Bryan Wildlife & Conservation Park, York, YO23 3FR
- 17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 24 Dec
- 3-4pm or 4-5pm
- £12
- Website
Santa’s Grotto at Beetle Bank Open Farm
Come and meet Santa in his spacious Grotto and meet Blitzen one of Santa’s faithful Reindeer. Each child will have a one on one experience with the big man himself, and before you leave your child can then pick an early present of their choice!
- Beetle Bank Open Farm, Moor Lane, Murton, York YO19 5XD
- 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18 Dec
- Various times throughout the day
- £15 per child, non-member adult fee £1.25
- Website
Storytime with Father Christmas at Beningbrough
The man in red is visiting Beningbrough once more to rest and recharge ahead of his busy night on Christmas Eve. He loves welcoming visitors and sharing stories of his adventures during the busy build-up to Christmas. Take a seat in the Victorian laundry for thirty-minutes, to hear first-hand tales of music, magical elves and mishaps along the way.
- Beningbrough Hall, Gallery and Gardens, York YO30 1DD
- 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18 Dec
- Various times throughout the day
- Normal admission prices on arrival
- Website
York’s Santa Experience with City Cruises
Join Santa for a marvellously magical festive cruise on the River Ouse at Christmas! Santa doesn’t let us say too much more about what happens, as that would spoil the magic, but we can guarantee that Santa Claus himself will find his way aboard and the whole family will have the most wonderful time…
- The Boatyard, Lendal Bridge, York, YO1 7DP
- 26 and 27 Nov, 3, 4, 10, 11, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 Dec
- Various times throughout the day
- From £14
- Website
Children’s Christmas Eve Afternoon Tea with Santa at Elmbank Hotel
Treat children to a special afternoon tea with Father Christmas. A specially catered children’s afternoon tea, a present from Father Christmas, ample photo opportunities and a Christmas disco. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Tea and coffee provided for adults.
- Elmbank Hotel York, The Mount, York YO24 1GE
- 24 Dec
- 11:15am – 3pm
- £19.95 per child, accompanying adults go free. Max 2 adults per child’s ticket
- Website
The Ginger Cow Santa’s Grotto
Our Elves will be here to guide you through your visit to Santa, making sure it’s extra special. Tickets to see Father Christmas include a private 1-2-1 meeting with Santa, where each paying child will receive a small Christmas gift. During your visit, your children will also be able to make a small bag of special reindeer food to take home with them ready for Christmas Eve!
- The Ginger Cow, Long Meadow Farm Hayton Lane, Everingham, York YO42 4LQ
- 3, 4, 10 Dec
- Various times throughout the day
- £14.50 per child, accompanying adults go free
- Website
Santa at Holgate Windmill
Breaking news! Santa will be back in his grotto in the mill this Christmas. He is really sorry he hasn’t been to visit for 2 years but is really looking forward to returning and talking to lots of children on the first 2 weekends in December.
- Holgate Windmill, Windmill Rise, Holgate, York, YO26 4TX
- 3, 4, 10, 11 Dec
- 2-4pm
- Free
- Website
Christmas at Mother Shipton’s
Santa is flying here to see you! Let the twinkling lights draw you into the wonder of Mother Shipton’s magical, memory-making Christmas experience. Enjoy a personal family visit with Santa in his cosy Christmas grotto, receive a special Santa gift and take a photo inside Santa’s magic sleigh.
- Mother Shipton’s Cave, Prophecy Lodge, High Bridge, Knaresborough, HG5 8DD
- 26 and 27 Nov, 3, 4, 10, 11, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 Dec
- Various times throughout the day
- £33 admission for up to 5 people, £10 for Santa Experience ticket – These tickets must be purchased in conjunction with a Christmas Park Admission ticket
- Website
Christmas at Murton Park
Prepare to be enchanted at Murton Park with our not-to-be-missed Christmas experience. Santa will take up residence in his village in the picturesque Long House which is oh-so Christmassy! He’ll want to find out what’s on your little ones’ Christmas list of course. He’ll even give them some special money to spend in our toy shop as a treat.
- Murton Park, Murton, York, YO19 5UF
- 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 Dec
- Various times throughout the day
- £10 per adult, £18 per child and £5 for 0-1 year olds
- Website
Meet St Nicholas and Lady Winter at Northwood Trail
Enjoy a glass of hot punch (alcoholic and non-alcoholic available) in the Northwood kitchen courtyard or in the courtyard marquee, before being taken to the woodland grotto to make a wish with Lady Winter and then a short story with St Nicholas, a very experienced story teller, aimed at the whole family.
- Northwood Trail, YO41 1AP
- 10, 11, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 Dec
- Various times throughout the day
- £16.95 per adult, £12.95 per child and £49.90 for family of 4
- Website
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Santa Specials at North Yorkshire Moors Railway
Join Santa and his special team of elves at either Pickering or Grosmont Station before a magical adventure aboard the Santa Express which will take you on a festive journey you won’t forget!
- Pickering & Grosmont Stations, North Yorkshire Moors Railway
- 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 Dec
- Various times throughout the day
- £30 per person
- Website
Magical Sleigh Rides at Piglets Adventure Farm
Jump aboard the Magical Sleigh Ride to Santa’s Woodland Village, for a truly unforgettable Christmas experience. Meet the fun festive elves and the big man himself! Share your dreams and wishes with Santa who will give you the magic key to unlock his amazing Toy Shop. Choose your perfect gift from a huge selection.
- Piglets Adventure Farm, Towthorpe Moor Lane, York, YO32 9ST
- 19-30 Nov, 1-24 Dec
- Various times throughout the day
- From £11.95
- Website
Santa’s Grotto at Rawcliffe
Santa is visiting Rawcliffe! Book your child’s ticket to visit Santa this year at The Rec Hall. Ticket includes:
– Kids Christmas Crafts
-A meet with the main man, Santa Claus!
-A gift to take home
Enjoy the Christmas market held in the Rec Hall with local Christmas stalls selling beautiful handmade crafts.
- Saint Mark’s Grove, Rawcliffe YO30 5TS
- 3-4 Dec
- 10am – 4pm
- £7
- Website
Christmas at Spilmans
Join us for some magical festive fun… with Santa’s cheery elves, Mrs Claus and Santa Claus himself! Join Father Christmas as he welcomes you into his warm and cosy cabin to tell you a story that will warm all your festive hearts.
- Church Farm, Sessay, Thirsk, YO7 3NB
- 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16-23 Dec
- Various times throughout the day
- £24.95 per child, £16.95 per adult
- Website
Santa’s Grotto at Stockeld Park
What could make Christmas more magical than meeting Father Christmas himself? Enter Santa’s Grotto, make lasting memories that will be cherished by young and old. At Stockeld Park, we always like to make Santa feel at home and so, as always, we have prepared him a beautiful, cosy log cabin ready for his arrival all the way from Lapland!
- Stockeld Park, Wetherby, LS22 4AN
- 19 Nov – 24 Dec
- Various times throughout the day
- From £12 per child. 2 adults free with every child’s grotto ticket. Please note that Santa is an additional charge to your park entry ticket
- Website
Chocolate Making with Santa at York’s Chocolate Story
Guests will be able to meet Santa on our special themed tours and make Christmas themed treats with him. Filled with festive fun, children will discover incredible seasonal secrets. Both children and adults will also get a gift from Santa.
- York’s Chocolate Story, King’s Square, York YO1 7LD
- 26 and 27 Nov, 3, 4, 10, 17-23 Dec
- Various times throughout the day
- £17.95 per child, £19.95 per adult, £6 for child under 4
- Website
Santa’s Grotto at Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland
No visit to Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland is complete without meeting Santa and his trusty elves. Follow the path through the snowy enchanted woodland to find his charming log cabin and collect a special gift.
- York Designer Outlet, St. Nicholas Avenue, York, YO19 4TA
- 18, 19, 20, 25-30 Nov, 1-24 Dec
- Various times throughout the day
- £6 per child (including gift) with £1 family booking fee
- Website
Santa’s Grotto at Thorp Perrow Arboretum
Walk through a miniature world of forest fairies and their woodland creature companions in the dell before discovering the polar circle and its arctic animals. Say hello to Rosie, the Grotto donkey, and explore the elves’ bedroom. Then it’s time for a chat with Santa in his grotto, and a gift to take home.
- Thorp Perrow Arboretum, Bedale DL8 2PS
- 24 Nov-24 Dec
- 9.30am to 5pm
- £10 per child (including gift)
- Website