All across the country excited children are looking forward to visiting Santa before the big day. So we’ve compiled a list of some of the best places to catch the big man throughout Northern Ireland.
1. Winter Wonderland at Todds Leap
December 1 to December 23
Ballygawley, Todds Leap Road
Have a truly magical experience at Todds Leap’s Winter Wonderland. Travel through the magical tunnel and tour the elves workshop before helping the elves in Santa’s Post Office where you can post your letter to Santa. Then call with Mrs Claus in her cabin before visiting Santa in his grotto. Includes an off-road sleigh ride, animal village, Santa’s reindeer, a present from Santa, and complimentary tea and coffee for parents.
£10 Adult, £13 Child, www.toddsleap.com/christmas
2. Search for Santa at Victoria Square
Every Saturday from November 25
Victoria Square, Belfast
Mrs Claus needs your help to save Christmas! Santa has gone missing and Mrs Claus has searched high and low and just can’t find him anywhere! Jump on board our open-top coach and help Mrs Claus search for Santa! We’ll hunt all over Belfast and keep our fingers crossed that he’ll pop up at some of Belfast’s most famous sights, and if we find Santa, he’ll have treats for everyone!
£12.50 per person, www.victoriasquare.com/whats-on/search-for-santa
3. Santa’s Grotto at Castle Court
November 18 to December 24
Belfast, Royal Avenue
Visit Santa at his Christmas Grotto and receive a special gift. Make the fun and memories last with our take-home keepsakes, including a photo with Santa, which can also be bought as a keyring, magnet, Christmas bauble or snow frame.
£4.50 for visit and gift, photo keepsakes extra, www.castlecourt-uk.com/whats-on/events/2017/november/visit-santas-grotto
4. Magical Christmas Experience
November 22 to December 23
Titanic Belfast
Step through the Old Curiosity Shop to enter the Magical Workshop and watch the excitement unfold as Father Christmas and his elves count down to their favourite night of the year. Peek into the toy shop, join Mrs Claus to hear Christmas tales, and post your letter to Santa. Have your name checked off on the “Naughty or Nice” list by the Chief Elf, and then journey through the enchanted forest to meet Father Christmas.
£4 Adult, £15 Child, www.titanicbelfast.com/Explore/whatson/A-Magical-Christmas-Experience-at-Titanic-Belfast
5. Santa’s Grotto at Victoria Square
November 10 to December 24
Belfast
Bring the kids to meet Santa in his Christmas Grotto amongst the magical twinkly lights of Victoria Square this Christmas season. Your visit will include a child’s meeting with Santa and a gift, and photographs are available for an additional cost. Please expect queues at busy times.
£6, www.visitbelfast.com/whats-on/event/santas-grotto-at-victoria-square-1
6. Meet Santa at W5
November 23 to December 23
W5 at the Odyssey, 2 Queen’s Way, Belfast
Santa’s Grotto at W5 will give young children a memorable experience, as little ones get the opportunity to meet Santa Claus in his icy Christmas Cavern. Children will be rewarded with a gift from Santa and parents will have the opportunity to buy a photograph of their child, children, or the whole family. Meeting with Santa costs an additional £5 per child on top of admission and includes a Christmas present containing a soft toy. This year, each child will also receive a Flexi Ticket to The Stena Line Belfast Giants!
Admission to W5 plus £5 per child, www.w5online.co.uk/whats-on/meet-santa
7. Wildlife Wonderland at Belfast Zoo
December 16-17
Belfast Zoo, Antrim Road
Visit Belfast Zoo this Christmas and you will be walking in a ‘Wildlife Wonderland’ with festive fun for all the family. Children taking part in Wildlife Wonderland can visit Santa and his elves in the grotto, write a letter to Santa, wrap and deliver presents to the cheeky chimpanzees and watch as they open their surprises, decorate Christmas trees for the Asian elephants, make their own Christmas crafts, and wish all of the animals a ‘Merry Christmas’ at feeding time as they enjoy some special surprises. The ticket price includes admission to the zoo for the day, a visit to Santa’s grotto, a present from Santa, one professional photograph per child, and all activities listed.
Age 4-16 £17, Under 4 £12.50, www.belfastzoo.co.uk/news-and-events/events/Events-4267.aspx
8. Santa’s Grotto at St. George’s Market
December 22-24
St. George’s Market, East Bridge Street, Belfast
Meeting Santa is one of the most exciting things for children when it comes to Christmas. If you haven’t decided where to take your child to meet Santa this year, then come along for a truly magical experience and see Santa in his Christmas grotto at St George’s Market!
£10, www.visitbelfast.com/whats-on/event/santas-grotto-at-st-georges-market-22-24-december
9. Santa and Gruffalo’s Grotto
December 1-22
Colin Glen Forest Park, Stewartstown Road, Belfast
Join us at the Gruffalo’s Christmas Party! The party kicks off with a storytelling session from the best-selling children’s books ‘The Gruffalo’s Child’ or ‘The Stick Man’. The storyteller will then take party guests for a meander through the forest where they will see the characters from the book. During the walk each guest is encouraged to collect some items from the forest floor to create a Christmas themed piece of art. Rosy cheeked from your walk in the fresh air, return to the warm surroundings of Santa’s Grotto where each child will meet Santa and receive a gift. Please note that this package does not include a photograph. All guests are encouraged to bring a camera to take as many photos as you wish.
£9, www.colinglen.org/portfolio/santa-gruffalos-grotto
10. Meet Santa at Sea!
December 17
Stena Line, Main Terminal Building, Belfast
Jump on board with the kids to meet Santa at sea on a non-landing day cruise with Stena Line this festive season. Departing from Belfast port and travelling to Cairnryan port before heading back again, children can enjoy a day of fun festive activities, including face painting, balloon modelling, party games, arts and crafts, puppet shows, a karaoke disco and more. Not to mention all children will get to enjoy a visit from Santa, with a gift for every child.
Adult £12, Child £25, www.visitbelfast.com/whats-on/event/santa-at-sea-cruise-17-december
11. Santa’s Magical Kingdom
December 13-17
The Argory, 144 Derrycaw Road, Dungannon
Take a magical train journey around the estate at The Argory this festive season to see Santa in his grotto and meet his team of helpers from the North Pole. This event includes complimentary festive refreshments.
Child £7, Adult £15, www.visitbelfast.com/whats-on/event/santas-magical-kingdom-13-17-december
12. The Spirit of Christmas Past
December 9-17
Ulster American Folk Park, 2 Mellon Road, Omagh
This festive season, take the family back in time to experience the magic of a traditional Christmas. Gather around the warmth of the turf fire and enjoy readings from The Night Before Christmas, sing along with the Christmas Mummers, taste seasonal treats, and meet Santa and Mrs Claus in his workshop. Take home a treasured memory of your day spent in Christmas past by purchasing a special photograph with Santa and Mrs Claus.
£9, www.nmni.com/Whats-on/whats-on.aspx
13. Here Comes Santa!
December 21-22
Castle Espie, 78 Ballydrain Road, Comber
Make magical memories at Castle Espie this Christmas and visit Santa in the enchanted gardens this December. While you wait to meet your very own elf, you can relax and enjoy refreshments as the children create their own snowflakes to hang on your Christmas Tree. Go on a quest to find the golden snowflakes in the mystical gardens filled with winter wonderland surprises. Only when you find them all will you be lucky enough to meet Santa himself, who is cosied up waiting for you to arrive in his gorgeous grotto, hidden away in the gardens. A range of Christmas-themed activities will also be on throughout the day, including arts and crafts, and writing a letter to Santa.
Adult: £10, Child: £16.00, www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/castle-espie/whats-on/2017/12/09/christmas-at-castle-espie
14. Santa’s House at Castleward
December 6-21
Castle Ward, Strangford
Make magical Christmas memories when you come to Castle Ward to visit Santa and Mrs Claus. Travel along the illuminated avenue of lights, enjoy the festive lights and sounds in the stableyard, and have a go at some Christmas crafts or write a letter to Santa before you head to the basement of the big house where Santa is waiting to say hello. Booking is essential for Santa visits.
Adult £8, Child £16, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events/13c2bcf9-6d41-4cd9-b40c-12a288461121/pages/details
15. Santa’s Grotto at Spruce Meadows
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in December until December 23
Lisburn, 112 Ravernet Road
Father Christmas and has transformed the meadows into a festive wonderland! There’s elves, animals, and presents galore, with crafts and photos and so much more. So hurry aboard the Christmas Express and begin the adventure that’s sure to impress! Included in the Santa Experience is Christmas crafts, a train ride to visit Santa, and an individual chat with the man himself, along with presents for the children, animal feeding, bouncy castle, mulled wine and mince pies, and loads of illuminations and Christmas lights!
Child £15, Adult £7.50, www.spruce-meadows.co.uk/santas-grotto
16. Lapland Express
Every Saturday and Sunday from November 25 to December 23
Downpatrick Station
Board the train at Downpatrick Station and take a trip along the South Line towards King Magnus’ Halt. The train then returns to the Loop Platform, where Santa’s special North Pole workshop train is waiting. Everyone gets off the train and your children get their present from Santa in his workshop, where you can take photos with Santa. You can have a cup of tea or refreshments in the buffet carriage there while you wait for the next train to pick you up again.
Adults £8.50, Child £10, www.downrail.co.uk/santa
17. Christmas Experience
December 1-12
Glenarm Castle, Castle Lane, Glenarm, Ballymena
Enjoy our Christmas Experience with a host of attractions for all the family, including a charming nativity scene with real animals, story-telling with Mrs Claus, and of course our popular Polar Express train adventure. Most importantly, Father Christmas and his elves will be here, ready to welcome the children into their busy workshop as they prepare for their busiest time of the year. Price includes personal photo with Father Christmas, special gift, unlimited carousel and train rides, hot food, complimentary tea/coffee, shortbread, and refreshments for both adults and children.
Adult £15, Child £20, www.glenarmcastle.com/events/christmas-experience
For kids, visiting Santa Claus with Christmas-inspired pin badges, keychains, and other small items or with customised patches on their outfits with Christmas-themed patches will surely be a delightful event. Such small items are not only commemorative and symbolic of Christmas, but can also be given as gifts to friends who have arranged to visit Santa together, or even as gifts to Santa Claus to impress him in anticipation of more gifts in the coming year. For kids who want a little something like customised badges, check out pinbadges.co.