For many, Christmas is the most joyous time of the year. Yet, no matter how much we cherish the festive season as adults, nothing compares to the magic of Christmas as a child. Young, innocent minds delight in the wonder of this season, and while we may feel Christmas has become increasingly commercialised, it’s children who keep the true enchantment alive. Although we can’t recapture the feelings we had during our childhoods, seeing the joy and excitement on the faces of our children and grandchildren is a gift in itself.
For those looking to create magical memories with their little ones, Yorkshire is brimming with opportunities. For kids, it’s all about the jolly man in the bright red suit, and towns and cities across the county are offering enchanting encounters with him.
We’ve compiled a list of the most magical Santa experiences in Yorkshire, guaranteed to help you create lasting memories of the most wonderful time of the year. Each one promises fantastic entertainment, a captivating festive atmosphere, and of course… a special meeting with Father Christmas!
10 of The Best Santa Experiences in Yorkshire – 2024
Cannon Hall Farm
Where: Cannon Hall, Cawthorne, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S75 4AT
When: December 1st 2024 – December 22nd 2024
Prices: Children ( 2 and over ) – from £24.95, Adults from £15.95
Cannon Hall Farm, one of Yorkshire’s most beloved family destinations, is renowned for its delightful animal encounters and endless fun for little ones. During the festive season, this charming farm park transforms into a magical winter wonderland, offering a Santa experience that includes full-day access to the farm. For 2024, Cannon Hall Farm has unveiled an all-new attraction – Santa’s Magic Elevator.
In this immersive experience, you’ll start your journey by boarding a magical elevator that whisks you through the clouds to Santa’s traditional grotto. After meeting Santa, the adventure continues at the Toy Factory, where you’ll encounter the North Pole Elves, meet a real reindeer, and select a special gift to take home.
Children’s tickets (ages two and up) start at £24.95, with adult tickets from £15.95. For an extra £5 per person, you can add the VR Santa’s Magical Sleigh Ride, a thrilling addition to an already enchanting day. Be sure to book tickets online in advance, where you’ll receive both your farm entry time and the specific time for the Santa’s Magic Elevator experience.
The Polar Express at Wensleydale Railway
Where: Departs from Leeming Bar Station
When: November 12th 2022 to 23rd December 2022
Price: Adults £40.90 or £45.90 with lap infant (child under 2), Children (over 2) £40.90
The Polar Express at Wensleydale Railway is undoubtedly one of the most magical Santa experiences in Yorkshire. As the largest of its kind in the UK, organized by an award-winning team, tickets are in high demand and tend to sell out quickly! Based on the beloved festive film that so many of us watch year after year, the team truly brings the magic of The Polar Express to life.
Board the train at Leeming Bar Station and journey through the stunning Yorkshire Dales, all while sipping on hot chocolate and enjoying freshly baked cookies. Characters from the movie will delight passengers with festive stories and sing-a-longs, but the real excitement begins when you catch a glimpse of Santa and his reindeer. Before long, Santa himself boards the train, accompanied by one of his trusty elves, to greet each child and present them with a special silver sleigh bell.
This captivating, theatrical Santa experience will spark young imaginations and create cherished memories for years to come. Whether you’re a fan of the movie or not, this is a festive adventure you won’t want to miss.
Father Christmas in the Castle
Where: Castle Howard, York, YO60 7DA
When: From 30th November 2024
Price: £63.30 per child and £32.70 per adult for the Father Christmas in the Castle experience. From £38.50 per child and £13.71 per adult for Santa’s Grotto (prices depends on whether or not you want access to the house)
The Father Christmas in the Castle experience at Castle Howard promises to be a truly magical one and tickets are already selling fast! Ticket holders will watch a live show filled with festive performances and Christmas sing-a-longs before enjoying an individual moment with Father Christmas. All children with paid-for tickets will receive a special gift.
A wonderful, theatrical event that the whole family will adore and likely, never forget. Tickets for the full experience include access to the house and gardens so Castle Howard’s main Christmas attraction for 2024, Alice’s Christmas Wonderland can also be enjoyed. This will see the grand stately home transformed into a festive wonderland via awe-inspiring theatrical installations bringing Lewis Carroll’s colourful characters to life. One of the best things to do in York at Christmas!
For those who don’t want to book the full Christmas experience at Castle Howard, there’ll also be an experience available at the Boatyard Grotto which can be visited for a lower price. Children will enjoy a short show performed by the Story Craft Theatre before visiting Santa and receiving a gift Entry to the house and gardens is also included and The Boathouse is situated next to Castle Howard’s adventure playground so there’ll be plenty to see and do after the experience.
Mother Shipton’s Cave
Where: Mother Shipton’s Cave, Prophecy Lodge, High Bridge, Knaresborough HG5 8DD
When: November 23rd 2024 – December 24th 2024
Price: £36 – £42 for a Magical Christmas family ticket (covers 5 people). Additional £13-£16 per child for the Santa experience.
The 2024 Christmas experience at Mother Shipton’s Cave offers a unique and magical way to meet Father Christmas. As you wander through the beautifully adorned winter woodland, you’ll find yourself in the heart of the enchanting Christmas village, where Santa’s chief elf, Chestnut, will warmly welcome you. From there, you’ll be guided to an impressive grotto for a memorable and personal encounter with Santa himself.
The festive displays at Mother Shipton’s are known for their exceptional charm, making this a truly delightful experience for visitors of all ages. To complete the festive atmosphere, you can enjoy a variety of seasonal treats available at the village, including rich hot chocolates, gingerbread biscuits, and marshmallows perfect for toasting over the crackling Christmas fire.
Christmas at Stockeld Park
Where: Stockeld Park, Wetherby LS22 4AN
When: November 16th 2024 – January 6th 2024
Price: Silver package from £20, Gold package from £29.50
What better place to meet Santa than amidst the magic of an enchanted forest, sparkling with dazzling lights and captivating projections, offering endless opportunities for fun and adventure? Every year, Stockeld Park transforms into a Winter Wonderland, complete with a family-friendly ice rink and the thrilling Snowflake Maze—a maze full of frosty twists and turns. For 2024, the festivities are set to be even more spectacular with the introduction of a brand-new Christmas show at the onsite theatre, where guests of all ages can join in the fun and become honorary Christmas elves.
On November 16th, Mr. and Mrs. Claus will make a grand entrance in a unicorn-drawn carriage, leading a glittering parade through the breathtaking Enchanted Forest. After the parade, Santa will settle into his cosy forest grotto, ready to welcome children and spread holiday cheer.
For this year’s Christmas Adventure at Stockeld Park, guests can choose from a variety of experience packages, with or without a visit to Santa’s grotto. The Silver and Gold packages both include access to Santa’s grotto, the dazzling Winter Illuminations, the Snowflake Maze, and the magical Enchanted Forest. For those seeking the full festive experience, the Gold package also includes exclusive access to the live Christmas show.
Father Christmas at Bolton Abbey
Where: Bolton Abbey, Skipton, North Yorkshire BD23 6EX
When: November 23rd to December 23rd
Prices: Children – 23/24 November – £32.50, 30 November/1/7/8 December – £35, 14/15/20/21/22/23 December £40. Adults – £12 (every booking must include at least one adult ticket). Older siblings – £10 (cannot be booked without an adult ticket. No gift included)
Father Christmas is set to return to the picturesque Bolton Abbey near Skipton from late November until December 23rd, bringing with him an enchanting holiday experience unlike any other in Yorkshire. This year’s Santa encounter promises much more than a quick visit to the grotto—it’s an immersive adventure in the transformed Strid Wood Christmas Village, now reimagined as a festive bushcraft haven.
Children will be welcomed by traditional woods-people as they embark on their magical journey, which begins with the lighting of the village fire. From there, the experience unfolds with a variety of hands-on activities such as candle-making, axe-throwing, and natural crafts—truly making this one of the most unique Santa experiences around. Each family will be called individually to Santa’s grotto, where children can meet Father Christmas, take photos, and share their holiday wishes.
The magic continues as families gather around the crackling fire for storytime with Santa and his elves, all while sipping hot chocolate they’ve prepared themselves. To complete the experience, every child will receive a special gift and take home the festive crafts they’ve made along the way.
The Christmas Village experience is exclusive to ticket holders, so booking is essential. Parking is available at the Riverside car park, with the village just a scenic 15-minute walk away. Since most of the adventure takes place outdoors, be sure to dress warmly and wear comfortable shoes for a magical and cosy winter day out!
Father Christmas Experience at Harewood House
Where: Harewood, Leeds LS17 9LG
When: 30th November – 24th December 2024
Prices: Children – £37 for a standard ticket or £45 for a premium ticket. Adults – £37
This year, Father Christmas and Mrs Christmas are inviting children for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of their festive workshop at the magnificent Harewood House. While Harewood House sets the perfect festive scene each year, this Christmas there’s a bit of mischief afoot! The mischievous Angels from the house have snuck into the workshop, causing all sorts of chaos, and now Father Christmas, Mrs Christmas, and Peppermint the Elf need some extra help!
Children will embark on this enchanting Santa experience in groups of 15, where they’ll get to join in the fun and enjoy a magical adventure. Each ticket includes a special gift, along with access to Harewood House’s main festive event for 2024—Mischief at the Mansion. Admission to the Gardens and a parking pass are also part of the package.
This Yorkshire Santa experience is designed for children aged 4 and over, but this year, Harewood House has introduced a special Father Christmas Early Years Experience tailored specifically for younger children. This will take place on the 19th and 20th of December, with tickets priced at £20 for children and £33 for adults.
The Christmas Experience at Lotherton Hall
Where: Lotherton Hall, Lotherton Lane, Aberford, Leeds LS25 3EB
When: 23rd November 2024 – 5th January 2025
Prices: The Christmas Experience (without Santa visit) – Adult £11, Child £6.75, FREE for Children under 2. Santa’s North Pole Santa – £18.95. Santa’s Cabin – £11. ALL visitors require admission tickets for the Christmas Experience
This enchanting Edwardian hall in Aberford, Leeds, offers one of the most magical Santa experiences in Yorkshire. Visitors can explore an illuminated woodland, discover the whimsical Elf village, and enjoy festive magic shows and Christmas crafts.
For older children, weekends and late afternoons provide a 30-40 minute visit to Santa ‘In The North Pole’ for £18.95. Pre-schoolers can enjoy a more intimate experience at Santa’s Cabin on weekdays during term time for £11.
The woodland walk is a delight for little ones, who will be captivated by the twinkling lights and enchanted by the whispers of hidden fairies. For an additional cost, families can make the experience even more special by listening to Mrs Claus’s heartwarming stories, crafting keepsakes with the elves, or enjoying a dazzling festive magic show. Bookings can be made here.
Magical Sleigh Rides Experience at Piglets Adventure Farm
Where: Towthorpe Grange, Towthorpe Moor Lane, York YO32 9ST
When: 22nd November – 24th December 2024
Prices: Child – £14.95 – £28.95, Adult – £14.95 – £28.95, Child Under 1 – £9.99 (includes gift)
Piglets Adventure Farm’s Magical Sleigh Rides is one of Yorkshire’s most enchanting Santa experiences, offering an unforgettable festive adventure for the whole family. Your adventure begins in the festive Departure Lounge, where families can enjoy delicious pre-flight pizza and waffles before the real fun begins. Children will love visiting the Polar Post Office to send off their Christmas wish lists, collect their passports, and complete special activities before take-off.
Next, it’s time to meet the Elf Academy, where aspiring elves can join a fun and interactive show to see if they have what it takes to become fully-fledged recruits! But the magic doesn’t stop there—armed with a Magic Key, little ones will enter Santa’s Toy Shop, a wonderland filled with delightful treats, where every child can choose their special gift.
Once aboard the enchanted sleigh, you’ll be whisked away through a winter wonderland to Santa’s secret woodland village, where you’ll meet the jolly man himself in his sparkling grotto. With plenty of festive crafts, farmyard animals, and yuletide cheer, Piglets Adventure Farm’s Magical Sleigh Rides is a must-visit for families wanting to make the most of Christmas in Yorkshire!
Christmas at Gulliver’s Valley
Where: Mansfield Road, Rotherham S26 5QW
When: Various dates from 16th November 2024
Prices: Smasher package from £25pp, Cracker Package from £32pp, Festive Breakfast from £31pp and Tinsel Tots from £9pp
Yorkshire’s newest theme park, Gulliver’s Valley, is pulling out all the stops with an array of exciting Christmas experiences this year, from festive breakfasts to Santa sleepovers—and, of course, magical grotto visits! With a range of packages to suit every budget, you can tailor your visit to include just the right amount of festive fun.
The ‘Smasher’ package starts at £25 per person and includes access to Christmas-themed rides and attractions, along with a visit to Santa’s house, where children will meet Santa and receive a special gift. For even more magic, upgrade to the ‘Cracker’ package, which adds a Christmas show and a hot turkey roll meal to your day.
If you’re after an earlier start, the ‘Festive Breakfast’ package offers a morning show accompanied by a breakfast bap and a drink. For younger children, the ‘Tinsel Tots’ package provides access to select indoor rides and attractions plus a grotto visit, all starting at just £9.
For the ultimate Christmas adventure, opt for one of the Santa Sleepover packages and extend the fun with an overnight stay, making it a truly unforgettable festive getaway.
