Santa Claus is coming to town!
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.
Santa’s Stories, St Andrew Square
As part of Edinburgh’s Christmas, Santa will be flying into St Andrew Square for Santa’s Stories.
Along with his friendly elves, he’ll be creating unforgettable festive memories with group storytelling sessions, as well as the chance to meet Santa and receive a gift.
A number of relaxed sessions with dimmed music, smaller numbers 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. British Sign Language (BSL) sessions for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing take place on 04 and 18 December.
Santa’s Stories takes place from 23 November to 24 December 2024.
Santa’s Tea Party at John Lewis
Join Santa and his elves for an enchanting craft and story session at Santa’s Tea Party in John Lewis at St James Quarter.
Create a beautiful Christmas keepsake to take home with you, then settle down for a festive tale read by Santa himself. You’ll receive a special gift to take away too.
Santa’s Tea Party runs from 09 to 13 December 2024.
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 01, 08, 15 and 22 December 2024.
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. This festive treat begins at 9am and includes Edinburgh Zoo admission for the rest of the day.
For some after-dark fun, Meet Mr and Mrs Claus in the evening is the zoo’s after-hours festive experience. Running from 5pm to 7:30pm, children will have 10 minutes to meet and chat with the Clauses. Please note, the remainder of the zoo will not be accessible.
See the Clauses at Edinburgh Zoo’s on selected dates from 14 to 24 December 2024.
Craigies Christmas Experience
Around a 45 minute drive from central Edinburgh will take you to the family-run Craigies Farm and the Craigies Christmas Experience – The Forgotten Magic.
Offering an enchanting festive adventure, children can meet Santa, enjoy story time with Mrs Claus, make a Christmas wish and hang it on the North Pole Wishing Tree, as well as having some fun with Splatz the elf.
Visit Craigies Christmas Experience between 30 November and 22 December 2024.
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 storytelling and family-friendly activities at Santa’s Breakfast. Take a wander through the enchanting snowy forest, keeping an eye open for woodland characters and hidden nutcrackers, before receiving a welcome and gift from the man himself at Santa’s Grotto. For furry friends, there’s even a Santa Paws!
The popular Santa’s Quiet Grotto will be returning, offering a more relaxed environment for children who appreciate a quiet atmosphere. Session run from 2.30pm on 06 December.
Visit the Santa experiences at Dobbies Garden Centre between 28 November and 24 December 2024.
Santa’s Grotto, Carberry Tower
Taking place in the stunning Winter Pavilion of 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. Afterwards why not treat all the family to some delicious food and drink in the Bistro. As grotto ticket holders get 15% off the total Bistro bill, it’s just like an early Christmas gift!
Santa’s Grotto is open from 13 to 24 December 2024.
Christmas at Almond Valley Heritage Centre
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. A relaxed experience is available, as well as a mid-week event for toddlers and nursery-goers.
Meet Santa at Almond Valley Heritage Centre from 06 to 24 December 2024.
Christmas at Beirhope
An hour’s drive from Edinburgh, nestled in the heart of the Cheviot Hills, Beirhope Alpacas is bringing some alpacas-filled fun to Christmas!
Meet Santa and feed the alpacas or choose to board the alpaca express for a stroll round Beirhope led by Santa himself.
Meet Santa and his friends between 08 and 23 December 2024.
What’s on in Edinburgh
For more things to see and do over Christmas and New Year, take a peek at our events page.
