Where to see Santa in York this Christmas: Grotto Guide 2015
He’s made his list. Checked it twice. He’s even found out who’s naughty or nice. Santa Claus is right here in town!
And it’s about time too. He’s had a whole year off eating leftover mince pies and watching Downton box sets with Mrs Claus, and now he’s ready to get his ho-ho-ho in gear again.
Here’s where you can see him in and around York.
New this year
York St Nicholas Fair
St Nicholas Fair is dotted all around York but you’ll find Santa in his woodland cabin grotto in Kings Square outside York’s Chocolate Story.
Tea with Father Christmas at Creepy Crawlies
The Web Adventure Park
Wigginton Road, York, YO32 2RH
Dec 11, 10am + 4pm
£8 (including meal)
Pull up a chair for a meal with Father Christmas, enjoy crafts and games, and then have a one-to-one chat with the man in red and receive a gift.
Santa goes back in time
A Victorian Christmas at York Castle Museum
York Castle Museum, Eye of York, York, YO1 9RY
Dec 19-23, 4-7.30pm
£8.50 (includes gift)
Tour the Victorian street of Kirkgate with Eliza Mistletoe and Barnaby Jingle as they seek out gifts and enjoy fun festive activities. Book early – this is a very popular one.
DIG – An Archaeological Adventure
A Christmas themed session for two to five-year-olds with stories, activities and of course, a special beardy visitor.
Christmas at Barley Hall
Barley Hall, 2 Coffee Yard, Stonegate, York, YO1 8AR
Dec 5-6 + 12-13
£12.50 (including gift)
Christmas characters welcome you to Barley Hall for breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea. There are festive games and crafts and the chance to meet Santa himself .
Narnia Grotto at The Rock Church
The Rock Of York, 12 Priory Street, York, YO1 6EX
Dec 5, 6, 12, 13 (19 + 20 fast pass tickets only
£6.50 (£8.50 fast pass)
Experience CS Lewis’ The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe before your very eyes. Meet the famous characters and experience a world beyond the wardrobe.
Nunnington Hall 1920s’ Christmas
Nunnington Hall, Nunnington, York, YO62 5UY
Nov 21 to Dec 13 (weekends only)
£6 + normal admission fee
The hall will be decorated as it would have been for the Fife family festivities. You’ll be welcomed by the butler and given an insight into family traditions and celebrations. You’ll receive a personalised invitation and a gift to put under the tree.
Fountains Abbey Grotto
No chimneys to climb down in the ruins of the Cistercian Abbey, but Father Christmas does have his own grotto. And you can visit the elves’ Christmas workshop while you’re here.
Santa goes shopping
Winter Wonderland at the Designer Outlet
York Designer Outlet, St Nicholas Avenue, York, YO19 4TA
Nov 21 to Dec 24, 11am-5pm
£4.50 (includes gift)
Enjoy Christmas at the Designer Outlet with an ice skating rink, traditional funfair and Santa’s grotto in a traditional log cabin.
Santa with the animals
Yorkshire Museum of Farming Santa Special
Yorkshire Museum of Farming, Murton, YO19 5UF
Every pre-Christmas weekend in Dec, from 9.30am
£9 (including gift)
Enjoy a family day of Christmas festivities with the elves in Santa’s workshop and treat yourself to a ride on Murton’s railway to see the big man himself.
Piglets Adventure Farm Park
Enjoy sleigh rides to Santa’s woodland village (you can choose either a daytime or night time flight) to see elves, animals, Santa’s grotto and toyshop.
Santa on the move
North Yorkshire Moors Christmas Railway
Park Street, Pickering, YO18 7AJ
Dec 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 21 + 22
£16 (including gift + NYMR hat!)
Hop aboard the Santa express service and visit him in his grotto. Trains depart from Pickering, Grosmont and Whitby.
River Ouse Christmas Cruise
A magical hour-long cruise on one of York’s famous boat tours with festivities, fun surprises and personalised gifts from Santa for every child.
Santa at the stately homes
Christmas at Castle Howard
Castle Howard, Coneysthorpe, York, YO60 7DA
Pre-Christmas weekends + the week of Dec 24
£20
Enjoy an audience with Father Christmas and see the beautifully decorated house.
Beningborough Hall
Beningbrough Hall, York, YO30 1DD
Pre-Christmas weekends in Dec, 11am-3.30pm
£7
Settle down for story time with Father Christmas in Beningborough Hall library. Give him your list, have your photo taken and, if you’ve been good, you might get a present.
15 sparkly photographs from the York Christmas lights switch-on 2015
Chuffin’ heck! Panto cast check out their new 1,000-seater home at the NRM