Visiting Father Christmas is one of the most important and exciting times of the year even in 2026, 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.
Returning in 2026 is their Manchester location. Like in 2025 it 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 £60 – it’s worth checking with LaplandUK daily for cancellations for the Ascot location
- 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 £37 (child plus up to two adults)
- When: 13th 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 22ndDecember
- Where: The Natural History Museum Cromwell Road London SW7 5BD
- Cost: Adult: Free, Child: £20, Member: £18.00
- Web: https://www.nhm.ac.uk
4. Queen’s House Grotto
Step into a magical Christmas adventure at Greenwich’s Queen’s House, where the historic venue is reimagined as a breathtaking winter wonderland inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen. Far more sophisticated than a traditional festive grotto, this immersive, actor-led storytelling experience brings Andersen’s beloved fairytale to life through encounters with its unforgettable characters. The journey concludes with a visit to Father Christmas’s grotto, where little ones can meet the festive icon himself and receive a special gift from the man in red.
- When: 14th – 24th December
- Where: Queen’s House Romney Road Greenwich London SE10 9NF
- Cost: £30 (£27 early bird)
- Web: https://www.rmg.co.uk/queens-house
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
Celebrate the festive season with a visit to Regent Street’s iconic Santa’s Grotto, where one of London’s most beloved Christmas traditions returns to delight families once again. Step into a magical world filled with festive cheer as Santa’s cheerful elves welcome guests and guide them through an enchanting experience brimming with sparkle, laughter and seasonal wonder.
At the heart of the grotto, Santa awaits with a warm welcome, ready to share festive tales and create unforgettable Christmas memories. Every visit includes a special keepsake, giving children a lasting reminder of their magical encounter with Father Christmas.
Perfect for families looking to embrace the spirit of the season, this much-loved Christmas experience captures all the joy, wonder and excitement that has made it a treasured festive tradition for generations.
- Cost: from £75 – £195
- When: from 14th November
- Web: Santa’s Grotto at Hamley’s
6. Santa’s Grotto at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland – London
For families searching for the ultimate festive day out, Winter Wonderland’s Santaland delivers far more than a traditional Santa’s grotto. Nestled within London’s iconic Christmas attraction, this dedicated festive zone is packed with Santa-themed rides, seasonal entertainment and magical experiences designed to bring the spirit of Christmas to life.
Visitors can hop aboard favourites including Santa’s Spinning Coaster and Santa’s Flying Sleigh Ride, while a relaxed festive area offers the perfect place to soak up the seasonal atmosphere. On selected dates, guests can also catch Santaland’s lively parade, featuring Father Christmas and his team of elves as they make their way home after a busy day of spreading festive cheer.
Of course, no visit would be complete without stopping by Santa’s Grotto itself. Here, children can meet Father Christmas in person, share their festive wishes and receive a special gift, provided they’ve made it onto the nice list this year.
- When: from 19th 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 £29.00
- When: Various dates in November and December
- Web: Christmas at the Castle
8. Meet Father Christmas at the Eden Project, Cornwall
Join the man in red along with his fun-loving elves as they take you on a magical journey in a brand new immersive experience. Packed with wonder, laughter, and theatrical surprises, this interactive adventure is designed to delight the whole family.
Every child will share a magical moment with Father Christmas himself, complete with a timeless keepsake to treasure and a sweet marshmallow to toast on the fire pit. Plus, everyone will receive a ticket to enjoy a joyful spin on their classic carousel!
- Cost: £16 per person (age 1+) *All Father Christmas ticket holders require a valid Eden admission and the experience lasts around 45 minutes.
- When: 21–22, 28–29 November; 4–6, 11–13, 17–24 December
- 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.
- When: From 28th 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 £44.50 per person. If your child is under 2, the ticket price is £10. A £6 booking fee applies.
- When: 28th 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.