Visiting Father Christmas is one of the most important and exciting times of the year even in 2025, where your children share their Christmas wishlists.
Here are our top 10 Christmas experiences to take your children to this year. Many of these suggestions are so popular they book up very early.
1. LaplandUK – Berkshire and Manchester
Lapland UK is a family Christmas experience like no other. A visit to Lapland UK isn’t simply a visit to see Father Christmas. Unless you actually visit Santa in Lapland (which is one of the most magical holidays you will ever have) – Lapland UK the best Christmas experience that you will ever have in the UK. A forest has been transformed into a snowy winter wonderland, where you walk through a guided theatrical tour, meeting certain characters along the way.
During your three and a half hour journey you experience a Narnia like wonderland of snow covered trees and pathways, beautiful snow covered buildings and brilliant actors.
All activities including toy making, gingerbread decorating, ice skating, meeting the husky dogs, a beautiful gift for each child and a souvenir family photograph with Father Christmas is included. A visit to Lapland UK is definitely a visit you will never forget.
New for 2025 is their new location in Manchester. The new venue is expected to be a similar size to the original Lapland UK at Ascot, with a capacity for 178,000 guests during the festive period.
- Cost: From £59 – it’s worth checking with LaplandUK daily for cancellations
- When: 13th November to 24th December
- Web: Lapland UK
2. Step inside Santa’s Grotto at Fujifilm, Covent Garden
The perfect family treat for a winter’s day, this immersive wonderland in Covent Garden is brimming with exciting opportunities for little ones and big ones alike. As the countdown to Christmas begins, 3,000 feet of floorspace has been transformed into an enchanting festive landscape.
Venture further around the space and find Santa’s helpers hard at work, creating toys, packing presents, and getting up to mischief. Towering ladders, conveyor belts, and shelves overflowing with gifts create a feast for the eyes. Here, children can collect an array of craft materials to help them get creative and make postcards and Christmas cards.
- Cost: from £30
- When: 7th November until 24th December
- Where: House of Photography in Covent Garden, London.
- Web: House of Photography in Covent Garden
3. Storytelling with Father Christmas at the Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is transformed for Christmas with a fairy-lit wonderland filled with snowy Christmas trees as the setting for Storytelling with Father Christmas. Settle down on cushions to hear Santa read The Night Before Christmas, and hear how he, his elves and his reindeer get ready for the festive season. Children all receive a festive gift and chance to have a photo with Father Christmas.
- When: 1st to 21st December
- Where: The Natural History Museum Cromwell Road London SW7 5BD
- Cost: Adult: Free, Child: £18, Member: £16.20
- Web: https://www.nhm.ac.uk
4. Santa’s Enchanted Grotto at John Lewis
Father Christmas is visiting John Lewis stores in London and Cardiff this year. You’ll take to the skies on an unbelievable adventure to reach Santa’s Post Office. You’ll journey through this world before finally meeting the jolly man himself. We won’t give all the magic away, but you’ll leave with a special LEGO® set.
- When: Various dates in November and December
- Where: John Lewis stores in London and Cardiff
- Cost: £25 per child, plus a £2.50 booking fee. £5 per adult, plus a 50p booking fee.
- Web: https://www.johnlewis.com/our-services/santas-grotto
At the other Jon Lewis stores across the country you can also meet santa. This is your classic Santa experience. You’ll meet him, share Christmas dreams and wishes, before receiving a special LEGO™ set to take home.
5. Storytelling with Father Christmas at Fortnum & Mason – London
I like this because it’s a unique Christmas experience. Fortnum & Mason is once more running their Storytelling with Father Christmas sessions at its fifth floor boardroom. Children get to meet Santa and listen to him as he reads a story before they give him their all-important Christmas lists and get a little gift to take away.
This event is now sold out. You are welcome to check the Eventbrite booking site should there be any cancellations: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/fortnum-mason-11264447008
- When: Various dates in December – tickets go on sale August/September
- Where: Fortnum & Mason, 181 Piccadilly, London W1A 1ER
- Web: Fortnum & Mason
6. Meet Father Christmas At Hamleys Regent Street & The Langham
Join Santa and his loveable elves at The Finest Toy Shop in the World for fun, magic and theatre at the most wonderful time of year. The Santa’s Grotto at Hamleys is an extra special experience where children will take part in seasonal activities at the Hamleys North Pole, spend time with Santa and that’s not all, you’ll also receive an extra special gift bag to take home with you.
- Cost: from £85 for entry of 4 people into the Santa’s Grotto.
- When: Various Dates in November and December
- Web: Santa’s Grotto at Hamley’s London
Hamley’s are also offering a one-of-a-kind experience at the Langham that will transport you from Regent Street to the North Pole and into our bespoke Elf Workshop!
The Hamleys Grotto at the Langham is set to offer a magical 30-minute experience for families, with children able to play games with the elves, indulge in sweet treats and meet Santa himself who will present each child with a special gift.
- Cost: from £350 for entry of 4 people into the Santa’s Grotto.
- When: 15 December to 24 December
- Web: Santa’s Grotto at Hamley’s Langham
6. Santa’s Grotto at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland – London
Christmas at Hyde Park’s is one of the best places in London for festive fun for families and its free to enter. Head over to Santa Land where you will find Santa in his grotto along with fabulous Christmas market stalls.
This year, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland introduces a new Santa’s Grotto, the largest free grotto in London – a must visit for young families in London over the holiday season. For the first time, Mrs. Claus will join the festivities, greeting visitors from the grotto balcony with waves and warm interactions.
- When: from 14th November – Santa’s grotto is open every day from 10am to 6pm
- Where: Hyde Park – Santa Land
- Cost: Entry to the Grotto is free but you will need to purchase an entry ticket to get into Winter Wonderland
- Web: https://hydeparkwinterwonderland.com/things-to-do/santaland/
7. Stories with Santa at Warwick Castle
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, so why not make it even more special by taking your little ones on an unforgettable journey, where they can make magical memories with Santa and Mrs. Claus as you listen to a special story of Christmas hope and joy at the magical setting of Warwick Castle.
- Cost: from £22.00
- When: Various dates in November and December
- Web: Christmas at the Castle
8. Meet Father Christmas at the Eden Project, Cornwall
Father Christmas and his team of industrious Elves have set up camp at the Eden Project and are making their final preparations for Christmas. In their biggest immersive Father Christmas experience ever, prepare for enchantment, theatre, entertainment and unexpected delight for the whole family.
You will be welcomed into the vault of Christmas magic – a treasure trove brimming with festive wonder and timeless traditions – for a special behind-the-scenes glimpse into the heart of the Christmas spirit.
As part of this Christmas experience, each child will be given the chance to meet Father Christmas and leave with a precious keepsake to take home.
- Cost: £16 per person (age 1+)
- When: 22, 23, 29, 30 Nov; 6, 7, 13–24 Dec 2025
- Web: Father Christmas at the Eden Project
9. Visit Santa at Bamburgh Castle
Breathtaking Bamburgh Castle will be transformed into a spectacular festive experience inspired by The Twelve Days of Christmas.
Set to be the largest indoor Christmas event in the north east, visitors will be transported into an enchanted, whimsical world inside the castle. Sets will include lords-a-leaping, swans-a-swimming, gold rings, a partridge in a pear tree – and more – in the castle’s wonderland installation which celebrates the lyrics of the famous Christmas carol and its festive traditions.
The Christmas Kingdom at Bamburgh Castle will see Father Christmas and his team of elves taking up residency at the castle.
- Cost: Adults £19.95 / Children £10.00 / Children aged four and under free of charge plus £19.95 per child to see Santa (in addition to general admission ticket).
- When: From 27th November – 23rd December
- Web: Christmas at Bamburgh Castle
10. Kielder Winter Wonderland – Northumberland
This is a fabulous LaplandUK alternative. Kielder Winter Wonderland is a full day experience packed full of festive activities to keep you and your little ones entranced all day. Your full day will include everything from helping Mrs Christmas get ready for Christmas to helping in the elves workshop to walking through the forest to find Father Christmas plus lots more! With the forest home to Father Christmas and his festive friends you never know who you could bump into!
- Cost: Ticket prices start from £38.50 per person. If your child is under 2, the ticket price is £5. A £5 booking fee applies.
- When: 15th November until 23rd December
- Web: Kielder Winter Wonderland
Are there any other magical Christmas experiences for families in the UK that should be added to this list, please let us know.