See Santa

Christmas would not be complete without a visit from Santa Claus - and we've heard a rumour that the man in red will be calling in at some of Nottinghamshire's best-loved attractions.

At this magical time of year youngsters will be able to see Santa in his grotto and tell him what they would like for Christmas. And, as an extra special treat, they may even receive a small present to take home with them.  

So, take a look at some of the places you can see Santa in Nottinghamshire this year. 

See Santa in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire

Stop by the National Ice Centre this December and visit Santa's Grotto! Please note, Santa's Grotto is £18 per child and includes a meet with Santa, a gift, ice skating and a drinks token. The dazzling Christmas rink will also be adorned with hundreds of Christmas lights and a huge tree, with lots of festive fun guaranteed. Your little ones can take to the ice and grow their confidence at their own pace while they skate with reindeer, penguin, seal and snowmen ice equipment. You can then finish off with hot chocolates and marshmallows in the SubZero cafe. The perfect Christmas treat! 

Get into the Christmas spirit and enjoy a deliciously festive Afternoon Tea with Santa in Bramleys restaurant. New for 2023, your visit to the Orchard Hotel will include a festive afternoon treat, a meet and greet with Santa, a special gift from the North Pole for the children and plenty of magical photo opportunities around the stunning Christmas Tree.

Catch Santa at his Woodland Grotto at the Conkers Winter Wonderland 2023 from Saturday 25th November - Sunday 24th December. Santa's Chief Elf and his team will send you through Watersides Enchanted Forest and the Valley of Christmas Lights to discover Santa's Woodland Grotto. This is your chance to tell Santa that you have been good, and fingers crossed, he may share some pre-Christmas presents! Upon arrival, each adult receives their voucher for mulled wine and a special treat, and children are given a delicious treat during the Winter Wonderland Walk.

Meet Father Christmas at Clumber Park each weekend from Saturday 25th November - Monday 25th December (weekends only). Add a little magic and some Yuletide cheer to the festive season with a visit to see Father Christmas in his grotto. From his arrival on Saturday 25th November, visitors can book to see him every weekend up to the big day for the bargain price of only £10 for one child (and a free adult)!

Notts County Foundation are hosting their first Christmas Community Day on Saturday 9th December, including Santa's Grotto. Join them from 11.30am as they aim to raise awareness for the charity through providing fun family Christmas activities in the padel court area, Meadow Lane. There will be delicious food, Christmas crafts, Santa’s grotto, padel activities, stalls and more! They will also be collecting non-perishable foods and clothing to donate to two key Nottingham homeless charities. We recommend making a day of it by staying for the Notts County v Walsall Match just after!

Rufford Abbey have a whole host of unique events where you can meet Santa. Enjoy The Arrival of Santa at Rufford Abbey on 18th or 19th November for free, or drop into on of their paid and ticketed attractions including their Grotto from 25th November - 23rd December, or enjoy Breakfast with Santa from 25th November - 23rd December.

Santa will be making an appearance at Christmas at Kelham Hall on Sunday 26 November. Visit the Grotto to meet the man himself, where you can share your Christmas wishes and receive a small surprise! Entry is £10 per child on top of the admission price to the event. You can also expect to reindeer, live music, market stalls, and even children's rides at the event. This event promises to be a memorable day filled with laughter, delicious food, enchanting entertainment, and Christmas magic.

Santa will be visiting Creswell Crags again this year! Join him in their crafting room, making your own take home crafts while you wait to see the big guy. Each family will get to visit Santa in his grotto when their number is called, and each child will be given an age-appropriate Christmas present. If you book your car parking in advance online then you will also be given a car parking permit from the reception team which is valid until 14th January so you can come back and park for free anytime you visit until that date.

Visit Santa in his Woodland Wonderland at Manor Farm Park & Woodlands from 25th November to 24th December. Venture down to the farm this Christmas to visit Santa and his reindeer in the Woodland Wonderland and explore the Elves' Village. You can also expect to see reindeer, enjoy a festive scavenger hunt, enter a gingerbread man decorating competition and much more. 

The Sundown Adventureland Christmas Spectacular is expecting Santa from 18th November - 24th December. Get ready to embark on a magical journey through the enchanted forest aboard one of Santa's sleighs. The destination is none other than Santa's Magical Grotto, where cheerful elves and the ever-friendly Mrs. Claus eagerly await your arrival. When your turn comes, you'll have the privilege of meeting Santa himself, receiving a thoughtfully wrapped present, and sharing your heart's desires with him. Your ticket grants you access to the park for the day, unlimited use of all rides and attractions, a magical journey on the 'Night Before Christmas' ride, and a memorable visit with Santa himself. 

Santa and Mrs Claus are joining Christmas at the Tropical Butterfly House every weekend this December until Christmas Eve. You can enjoy a wonderful winter’s day out and journey through the wildlife park before meeting Santa at his woodland cabin grotto. While you're there, you can also enjoy a festive trail, carolling, and much more! Every child can see Santa as part of general admission to the park and receive a Christmas treat. An age-related wrapped gift can also be purchased in advance or on the day for £8.

Join Father Christmas at Bolsover Castle this December for a magical way to start the festive season. Father Christmas is taking time out of his busy festive schedule to tell some of his favourite seasonal stories around the Christmas tree, in these group storytelling sessions. Then, you and your children will get the chance to meet the man himself, take photographs and make memories to treasure. Every child will also get a traditional present to unwrap.

Join Papplewick Pumping Station at their Christmas Market with evening lamp light steaming on Saturday 2 & Sunday 3 December and visit their very special Santa's Grotto! Immerse yourself in Papplewick’s sights and sounds as you explore the market stalls and discover unique gifts, crafts, and treats from local artisans. Check out the entertainment from top vocalist Jayne Darling on the Saturday and Bestwood Male Voice Choir on the Sunday, too.

Catch Santa's Grotto at The Framework Knitters Museum from Thursday 30 November - Saturday 2 December. His grotto will be decorated with all the festive trimmings, the fire will be glowing, and he'll be waiting to greet young and old alike, with a Christmas present for every child!

Santa will be paying a visit to Christmas Carols in the Millyard at Green's Windmill on 16th December. A Yuletide treat for all the family, complete with a lantern-lit mill yard, a visit from Santa Claus, mince pies and mulled wine, you can enjoy carols performed by the Nottingham Ukulele Concert Band and the Salvation Army. There will also be the chance to do some last minute Christmas shopping by browsing the stalls or buying a bag of organic, stoneground flour. Entry is free but there is a small charge for refreshments.

Santa is coming to the East Midlands Designer Outlet this December! Their Santa's Workshop will be open on Friday 1st December and will remain open right through to Christmas Eve. The grotto experience is £2.50 per child with 100% of the proceeds going to our local charity partnership. Each child will receive a gift and a photo of their experience will be available to purchase. The event is only by pre-advanced booking only - find the full info on their website. You can even get a spot of Christmas shopping done while you're there!

You can also meet Santa in his grotto at one of the free Christmas light switch on events at Eastwood (Tuesday 28th November), Beeston (Saturday 2nd December), and Stapleford (Saturday 25th November). You can also expect tons of great entertainment at these events, including fairground rides and a fireworks show to close the evening! 

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Click here for more Christmas events in and around Nottinghamshire!