SoGlos’s elves have been working hard to help ensure 2024 is the biggest and best Christmas ever — discover exactly where Santa Claus will be across Gloucestershire, for those magical family moments to treasure this December.
SoGlos rounds up 20 festive places to meet Santa in Gloucestershire, where children can show Father Christmas their lists, ho, ho, ho!
Meet Santa at Coal Kitchen
Ho, ho, ho! For one day only on Sunday 15 December 2024, Coal Kitchen will be visited by Santa and his elves for some festive family magic.
The immersive Santa experience allows visitors to enjoy two hours of festive fun; freshly baked pastries and a local Gloucestershire breakfast; Christmas crackers; a singalong with Santa and his elves; as well as a personalised photo with Santa at your table; and a special present, too!
Meet Santa at Cotswold Airport
It was the flight before Christmas... Running throughout November and December 2024, families can step into a world of magic and wonder onboard Negus, the preserved British Airways jumbo jet based at Cotswold Airport — this year, Father Christmas and his team of elves are gearing up for another big Christmas delivery, and they're asking for your help!
Fully revamped, including new characters, activities, and completely new sections, the immersive theatrical grotto production lasts approximately one hour and a half, with each group being guided by their very own appointed elf, featuring lots of theatrics, singalongs and fun, all before being transported by the magic of Christmas to the North Pole to meet Father Christmas — and new for 2024, you will also receive a printed photo of your family with the jolly man in red.
Meet Santa at Cotswold Farm Park
Families and little ones can indulge in a truly unique experience at Cotswold Farm Park this Christmas and enjoy the marvels and magical festivity, surrounded by donkey foals, lambs and greedy goats!
Taking place on various dates throughout November and December 2024, kids can meet the man himself in his winter grotto and enjoy everything that's included, such as a special make-a-bear activity led by the elves; festive gingerbread decorating; a magical coin token to choose a gift in the festive shop; as well as entry to the farm park during the day or the Enchanted Light Trail in the evening.
Meet Santa at Winter Glow
Returning after a sold out run in 2023, be transported to a festive wonderland full of immersive adventures and Christmas delights with Winter Glow's personalised Santa experience, just over the border in Malvern.
Available from Friday 22 November up until Tuesday 24 December 2024, Father Christmas's grotto promises magic, wonder and festival spectacles like never before, offering little ones the chance to meet elves, Santa and even Mrs Claus! Plus, back by popular demand, you can now add your four-legged friend to several dates throughout the run, with the Santa Paws sessions.
Meet Santa at Batsford Arboretum
Santa is returning to his magical grotto at Batsford Arboretum this Christmas, offering little ones an enchanting day out, as well as the chance to meet the festive hero himself.
Santa's Grotto will be open on various dates from Saturday 7 to Sunday 22 December 2024 from 10am until 3pm. Slots must be booked in advance so that Santa's elves can prepare your gift!
Meet Santa at Dean Forest Railway
Experience a festive train ride through the forest to see Santa and his elves with Dean Forest Railway. Usually selling out, the event is expected to be bigger than ever, with the magic getting underway on selected dates from Saturday 23 November 2024 until Tuesday 24 December 2024 — and advance booking's essential this year.
You can even add on a special Christmas Afternoon Tea with festive treats including turkey, cranberry and stuffing sandwiches, or visit the cafe for seasonal take-away refreshments before heading to the steam train shop, which is well-stocked with toys and gifts — and plenty of stocking filler ideas!
Meet Santa at Westonbirt Arboretum
Head to Westonbirt Arboretum this Christmas and help the elves as they scramble to finish decorating the forest before Father Christmas arrives, all while experiencing mesmerising light displays and stunning spectacles along the way.
The arboretum’s Enchanted Christmas gets underway this November 2024 and will have visitors embark on an adventure through the illuminated trees, watching as the playful elves create the illuminated trail around you — if you're lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of Father Christmas himself!
Meet Santa at Clearwell Caves
Wander the underground caverns at Clearwell Caves this December 2024 and follow the magical tale of The Very Hungry Polar Bear as the story unfolds this Christmas.
While you’re there, meet Santa and his elves before enjoying Clearwell Caves’ Christmas stalls, where you can find stocking fillers and decoration for your tree. What’s more, the underground cafe has delicious cakes and warming drinks — perfect for the winter weather. Tickets for this experience need to be booked online.
Meet Santa at Cattle Country Farm Park
Ahead of his magical round-the-world voyage, Father Christmas is heading to Cattle Country Adventure Park from Saturday 7 to Monday 23 December 2024. Families will be able to enjoy a whole host of festive fun, including meeting Santa, visiting the elves' workshop for Christmassy crafting fun, send your wish list directly to Father Christmas's living room in the North Pole, and more.
All of the Christmas activities are included in the tickets to see Santa, which also give visitors full access to the park between 10am and 5pm.
Meet Santa at Blenheim Palace
Enjoy the most wonderful time of the year at Blenheim Palace, where more than one million lights, lasers and seasonal sounds will fill the air with festive fun, as well as larger-than-life illuminations. And where you may even be able to catch a glimpse of Father Christmas along the way!
Blenheim’s visitors will also see the return of the ever-popular dancing reflections in the colourful cascades and magical lakeside walk.
Meet Santa at the Brewery Quarter
Wrap up warm this Saturday 23 November 2024 and head down to Cheltenham’s Brewery Quarter for its official Christmas lights switch on party, when Father Christmas will be on a whistle stop tour before switching on the festive lights.
Expect singing and dancing; local community performers; dance and snow; party acts; Christmas hits; and much more.
Meet Santa at Perrygrove Railway
All aboard! Christmas is ‘bigger than ever’ at Perrygrove Railway this December 2024 with the launch of a brand-new special festive experience for families to enjoy. Hop aboard the Christmas Story Train where passengers will be taken on a journey through the illuminated woods, while reading along to the narrated story with your complimentary copy of a fully illustrated children’s Christmas story, before stopping off to see Father Christmas at his snowy station.
Everyone will enjoy a hot chocolate and receive a Christmas decoration, unique to Perrygrove. Tickets are for whole compartments, separated by glass from others.
Meet Santa at Dobbies in Gloucestershire
With venues across Gloucestershire, Dobbies Garden Centre is getting into the Christmas spirit with events including Santa’s Breakfast, where the whole family will be able to join in with games, a visit from Santa and a special gift for every child.
Little ones will also be able to meet Santa at his grotto at Dobbies too, by walking through the snowy woodland scenes and spotting the Christmas characters along the way, before being welcomed by Father Christmas himself, who will give them a special gift.
And it’s not just children who can be treated this Christmas, as Santa Paws is also on hand to make sure good pooches receive a special treat too!
Meet Santa at GWSR
Hop on board a festive train ride with Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway this Christmas, starting in November 2024.
Travelling from Toddington Station, enjoy a ride on a historic steam locomotive adorned with festive decor, offering the perfect opportunity to write letters to Santa Claus, to hand deliver to him. Children will have the chance to meet Santa in the 'North Pole' — and good boys and girls will receive a little something, too — plus, there's complimentary mince pies, hot and cold drinks, biscuits and fruit for passengers to tuck in to.
Meet Santa at Trioscape Garden Centre
Get into the festive spirit this December 2024 at Trioscape Garden Centre, where a range of Christmas events is taking place. On every Saturday throughout the month, the whole family will be able to enjoy breakfast with Santa and his helper, before choosing from a selection of premium gifts. Advanced booking is recommended for this experience.
What's more, back again by popular demand, Trioscape will be welcoming Santa's reindeers to the garden centre this Christmas. On Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 December 2024, little ones will have the chance to say hello to the beautiful four-legged friends and get into the Christmas spirit.
Meet Santa at Cotswold Reindeer Herd
Embark on a magical real-life reindeer-filled Christmas adventure with Cotswold Reindeer Herd this festive period. From Saturday 16 November to Tuesday 31 December 2024, families will be able to visit Santa and his grotto near Cirencester.
Receive a special gift from Father Christmas, as well as a professional photo if you wish, before visiting his reindeer where you can treat them to a tasty snack.
Meet Santa at Webbs Garden Centre in Cheltenham
Families can head to Webbs Garden Centre in Cheltenham, where they can wander through a very festive Christmas village with surprises around every corner.
From Saturday 30 November until Tuesday 24 December 2024, children will greet a whole host of friends, from waddling penguins to a cuddly mama polar bear; visit the reindeer stables and mix up some magical reindeer food; before meeting Father Christmas in his cosy cabin, where they will choose their own special gift.
Meet Santa at The Gables Hotel
Head to The Gables Hotel in Wotton-under-Edge near Bristol on selected dates in December 2024, where families can enjoy a delicious three-course lunch with options including roast turkey and bacon wrapped pork and stuffing for lunch, toffee and honeycomb cheesecake for dessert and more, before Santa appears, bringing small gifts for all the good girls and boys — with plenty of magical photo opportunities.
Meet Santa at the Sundial Theatre
Following last year's sell-out performances, families can join Jack, Dasher the reindeer and Pompom the penguin in The Santa Show 2024 at the Sundial Theatre in Cirencester for an interactive and festive musical adventure, as they meet Father Christmas at his home in the North Pole to help save Christmas.
What's more, every child will receive a specially wrapped present from Santa after the Christmassy show-HO-HO-HO!
Meet Santa at The King Edward VII
Returning for 2024, Father Christmas will be spreading joy in Gloucester at The King Edward VII, offering children the opportunity to eat breakfast with Santa on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 December.
Little ones can tuck into their favourite hearty Ember children's breakfast for just £10.99 — and what's more, the big man will be bringing a sack full of gifts for all to enjoy!
