Discover where to see Santa this Christmas in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
This may be his busiest time of the year, but Santa has still managed to squeeze in some time to fly round Edinburgh and the Lothians and pay a visit to those on the nice list.
So, this festive season, why not treat your young ones to a trip to see the jolly man in red – and maybe even get a special gift to take home.
Tip 1: Santa is a popular man, so book early to avoid disappointment.
Tip 2: All bookings should be made in advance on the venue’s website.
Tip 3: Several venues offer relaxed sessions for those who prefer a quite environment. See websites for details.
Elf Adventures, St James Quarter
With face painting, elf school, reindeer food making and story time, Elf Adventures at St James Quarter gives children the chance to learn what it takes to become one of Santa’s best elves.
All sessions are free on a no booking, drop-in basis. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Join Elf Adventures on 16 November or 07 December 2025.
Santa’s Stories, West Princes Street Gardens
As part of Edinburgh’s Christmas, Santa will be flying into West Princes Street Gardens for Santa’s Stories. Along with his friendly elves, he’ll be creating unforgettable festive memories with storytelling sessions, as well as the chance to meet the big man himself.
Relaxed sessions with smaller numbers, dimmed music and no flashing lights or loud noises are available on select dates. Two Audio Description performances for children who are blind or sight impaired run on 05 December, and British Sign Language (BSL) sessions for people who are deaf or hard of hearing take place on 03 and 18 December.
Santa’s Stories takes place from 21 November to 24 December 2025..
Santa’s Grotto, Dobbies Garden Centre
30 minutes’ drive from central Edinburgh, Dobbies Garden Centre in Lasswade is running a variety of Santa experiences.
Build your own festive soft toy to take home, meet Santa Claus and take part in family-friendly activities and games at Santa’s Breakfast. Take a wander through the snowy North Pole, before receiving a welcome and gift at Santa’s Grotto. For furry friends, there’s even a Santa Paws! The popular Quiet Grotto will be returning, offering a more relaxed environment for children who appreciate a quiet atmosphere.
Visit the Santa experiences at Dobbies Garden Centre between 23 November and 24 December 2025.
Conifox Christmas Experience
This year’s Conifox Christmas Experience features a host of family-friendly activities, including the chance meet and greet with Santa.
If you’re lucky enough to be on the nice list, you’ll get a Golden Christmas Coin to exchange for a gift in the Toy Workshop!
Visit Conifox Christmas Experience between 28 November and 24 December 2025.
The Santa Experience at Archerfield Walled Garden
A 40 minute drive from Edinburgh will take you to Archerfield Walled Garden in East Lothian, and The Santa Experience.
Write and post a letter to Santa, listen to Christmas tales in his cosy cabin, then meet Santa and choose a gift to take home.
The Santa Experience takes place between 28 November and 23 December 2025.
Meet Santa at Dalkeith Country Park
As part of Dalkeith Country Park’s Winterfest, A Tale with Santa is a group storytelling session full of the magic of Christmas.
Listen to a tale, meet Santa and then take home a special gift, handpicked by Santa himself.
A Tale with Santa runs on select dates between 29 November and 23 December 2025.
Santa’s Grotto at Dynamic Earth
For the chance to meet Santa in the icy landscapes of the North Pole, don’t miss Santa’s Grotto at Dynamic Earth.
As the Northern Lights twinkle above, listen to magical tales about life in the Arctic, pose with Santa for a special photo, then receive a special present.
Visit Santa’s Grotto at Dynamic Earth from 29 November to 23 December 2025.
Christmas at Craigies
A short drive from central Edinburgh will take you to the family-run Craigies Farm and Craigies North Pole Express.
Offering an enchanting festive adventure, children can meet Santa, receive a special gift, and then board the Craigies North Pole Express to the festive PYO area.
Visit Craigies Christmas Experience between 29 November and 21 December 2025.
Sunday Family Feasting, Brewhemia
A treat for all the family, Brewhemia, Edinburgh’s largest restaurant and bar, is once again welcoming families with their Sunday Family Feasting.
Tuck into a delicious roast with all the trimmings, then pop over to see Santa in his grotto for an after-dinner treat.
Sunday Family Feasting is available on 30 November, and 07, 14 and 21 December 2025.
Christmas with the Clauses, Edinburgh Zoo
Back by popular demand, Santa and Mrs Claus are at Edinburgh Zoo this Christmas with a variety of meet and greet activities.
Start your morning with a real Christmassy feel with Breakfast with the Clauses. Enjoy a tasty breakfast with festive snowman pancakes, craft activities and a story from Mrs Claus, then have the rest of the day to explore the zoo. Or come along and see the man himself at the Festive Grotto. Please note, grotto tickets do not include entry into Edinburgh Zoo
See the Clauses at Edinburgh Zoo’s on selected dates from 06 to 24 December 2025.
Christmas at Almond Valley
Almond Valley Heritage Centre in West Lothian will be filled with magical Santa experiences this winter.
Meet Santa in his cosy cottage, have a chat and take home a Christmas gift. Relaxed experiences run on selected dates, as well as mid-week events for toddlers and nursery-goers.
Meet Santa at Almond Valley Heritage Centre from 06 to 24 December 2025.
Meet Mrs. Claus at Lost Shore
Santa might get most of the credit, but the real brains behind Christmas is Mary Claus, and there’s the chance to meet her this Christmas at Lost Shore Surf Resort.
At Meet Mrs Claus children will be invited to write their very own kindness promise for next year and post it in the Goodwill Letterbox, before receiving a gift and the chance to get a picture with Mary.
Meet Mrs. Claus between 06 and 22 December 2025.
The Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage
Santa will be appearing at The Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage this Christmas for one special day only. Have a chat with the man himself, then take home a photo and gift.
See Santa at the Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage on 06 December 2025.
The National Mining Museum Scotland
The National Mining Museum Scotland in Newtongrange, Midlothian will be welcoming Santa in his cosy grotto. Write a letter, chat with Santa, receive a special gift, and take a photo as a festive keepsake.
See Santa at The National Mining Museum Scotland between 06 and 21 December 2025.
Naughty Elves Breakfast at The Ivy
While not Santa, there’s the chance to meet his elves at The Ivy for Breakfast with The Naughty Elves.
The mischievous elves will be on hand for letter writing to the North Pole and tricks and treats to entertain the whole family. Children will take home an Ivy teddy bear, and adults will receive a glass bauble as a memento of the morning.
Naughty Elves Breakfast takes place on 14, 21 and 23 December 2025.
Santa’s Grotto, Carberry Tower
Taking place in the stunning Carberry Tower, a glorious mansion house and estate near Musselburgh, Santa’s Grotto returns to delight youngsters this Christmas.
Children will get the chance to meet Santa and receive a gift from his elves.
Santa’s Grotto is open from 15 to 24 December 2025.
Christmas at Beirhope
An hour’s drive from Edinburgh, nestled in the heart of the Cheviot Hills, Beirhope Alpacas is bringing some alpaca-filled fun to Christmas.
Join Santa for a stroll with the alpacas, enjoy Christmas crafts and reindeer feed making, then visit Santa’s Mail Room for a personal gift and letter.
Meet Santa and his friends between 20 and 24 December 2025.
What’s on in Edinburgh
For more things to see and do over Christmas and New Year, take a peek at our events page.
