Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
Where's Santa in Dorset 2024
Read on for more on Santa's grottos, Santa by Steam and Santa's workshops in Dorset in 2024...
Updated 28/10/2024
At this time of year Father Christmas becomes an incredibly busy man, but as he’s so friendly and thoughtful he will always find time to listen to your wish lists.
There’s nothing that Father Christmas loves more than talking to children, so he uses his super magical powers to whizz all over the county and can be in many places often at the same time!
You’ll find him in cosy cabins, in sparkly grottos, on festive trains and on horse-drawn sleighs in town centres, shopping centres, garden centres and family attractions. As he gets exceedingly hungry on his travels he even turns up for breakfast and lunch at some places!
So, along with his many helpers, do look out for Santa at the following locations this festive season…
PS. Don’t forget to leave out a treat or two for Santa and his reindeer on Christmas Eve. The cheeky elves have told us he likes smelly socks, but we think he would rather tuck into a tasty mince pie!
Places to See Santa in Dorset in 2024
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Russell Cotes Museum and Art Gallery |
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Featured Father Christmas and Santa events |
7th to 23rd December 2024
Abbotsbury Garden's Santa's Grotto
Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens, Bullers Way, Abbotsbury, Weymouth, DT3 4LA
www.abbotsbury-tourism.co.uk/gardens
Someone very special is visiting the Subtropical Gardens. Make a magical memory with a Christmas tradition. The Garden’s Santa is back again this year in his cosy cabin. A ticket to see Santa includes a visit to the Gardens Grotto where Santa will talk about festive traditions and a special age approximate gift.
For family and friends that want to visit together when booking tickets look for timeslots at the same time or consecutive. The Grotto is cosy so it does depend a little on space. Each timeslot can accommodate 3 children. Each child must have purchased a ticket no matter what age.
Tickets include free entry to the gardens for the child and one adult (daytime only). Family members can join the Santa visit for a walk around the Gardens a special winter ticket can be purchased on the day.
Selected dates between 30th November and 24th December 2024
Crealy Great Adventure Park, Clyst St Mary, Near Exeter, Devon, EX5 1DR
https://www.crealy.co.uk/events/christmas-at-crealy/
It's the most wonderful time of the year with Christmas at Crealy. See the Park transform into a Winter Wonderland - from sparkling lights to magical entertainment - there's something for the whole family to enjoy.
Don't miss out on the chance to meet & greet with Santa himself in the popular grotto experience, including a FREE toy for every child from Santa's Magical Toy Shop.
What's on this Christmas at Crealy?
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Live Christmas on Ice Show
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Winter light displays around the Park
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Rides and thrills in the dark
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Christmas Sooty Show
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Santa's Post Office
Further details will be coming soon
Dates from 30th November 2024
Storytelling with Santa at Kingston Lacy 2024
Kingston Lacy
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/kingston-lacy
Santa is stopping at Kingston Lacy this festive season! Make memories, start traditions and come on a fantastical journey with his helpers to find the storybook nook, before settling in for a festive tale, an early Christmas gift and a chance to take a picture together with Santa!
Tickets £15 per child (0-12 years old) with one accompanying adult per child.
Five additional accompanying adult tickets are available for each storytelling, £5 per ticket. This is only needed if you have more adults than children in your group. Normal property entry charges apply.
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19th to 21st December 2024
Santa is Coming To Monkey World
Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre.
https://monkeyworld.org/events/santa-is-coming-to-monkey-world-2024/
Santa is coming to Monkey World! On the 19th to 21st December Santa’s sleigh will touch down at the park! As well as meeting Santa and receiving a special present from him, your little monkeys can enjoy festive fare, a Christmas trail around the park, and even make a present for the primates with Santa’s elves.
18th December 2024
SEND Date - Santa Is Coming To Monkey World
Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre.
https://monkeyworld.org/events/santa-is-coming-to-monkey-world-send/
Event exclusively for visitors of all ages with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities. As well as meeting Santa and receiving a special present from him, visitors to the grotto can enjoy festive fare, a Christmas trail around the park, and even make a present for the primates with Santa’s elves!
Dates from 30th November 2024
Peekaboo and Brew Christmas Experience
Peekaboo and Brew, Broadstone
https://backgardenbubbles.com/grottos/
Santa's Grotto experience designed to create cherished meories for families and children of all ages with soft play for under 5s, games for over 5s, gingerbread decorating, the opportunitiy to visit Santa and receive a gift and the option to receive a gift
30th November and 7th December 2024
Visit Santa: Make Christmas Magical
Museum of East Dorset.
https://museumofeastdorset.co.uk/project/visit-santa-make-christmas-magical-2/
Make Christmas magical this year and visit Santa at the museum. On arrival, your child will be given a ‘Golden Ticket’ to see Santa. Firstly, the family can enjoy 45 minutes exploring the museum, where there will be a festive trail and the opportunity to make Christmas crafts and write a letter to Santa.
After 45 minutes, the elves will lead you from the museum kitchen down the garden to our Garden Room, where Santa will tell an interactive story to the group and each child can select a gift to take home with them. To make the most of this wonderful festive experience, why not visit our Tearoom, where tasty festive treats can be purchased, including mince pies, Christmas Cake, Hot Chocolate, and more!
This is a fundraising event and all profits go towards the running of the museum
Thursday 5th December 2024
SEN Santa Experience 2024 at Museum of East Dorset
Museum of East Dorset
https://museumofeastdorset.co.uk/project/sen-santa-experience/
Santa will be in the Garden Room, adjoining the museum Tea Room, creating a truly magical experience for all.The SEN Santa experience has been designed to cater for children with Autism, ADHD or with a similar diagnosis whose condition means that they have been unable to visit Santa with their family previously. There will be no queuing, loud noises, or flashing lights.
The Museum have set this event up as 5 minute time slots, choose your preferred time and book tickets for up to three children. Accompanying adults don’t need to book a ticket. Let them know your child’s interests when booking and Santa will be able to chat to them, even if they are non-verbal.
They are keen to eliminate queuing time, so booking is essential.
Dates from 23rd November to 24th November 2024
The Polar Express at Swanage Railway 2024
Swanage Railway.
www.swanagerailway.co.uk/events/view/polar-express
Themed experience consisting of an hour long train journey to meet Santa, leaving from Swanage Railway Station where there will be singing, dancing and interaction as well as a cup of hot chocolate and a cookie on the journey and a special present on the return journey
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Santa comes to Town For Weymouth Santa Weekend
Weymouth.
https://www.love-weymouth.co.uk/events/weymouth/christmas-in-weymouth/weymouth-santa-weekend/
The weekend of the 21st/22nd of December is all about Santa!
Gosee Santa in his Grotto, there’ll be activities for children taking place around Weymouth Town Centre and Harbourside area and lots more.
More information will be available nearer the time
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Other Santa themed activities in Dorset
Dates from 7th December 2024
Breakfast with Santa at Cliffhanger Restaurant
Waterford Road, Highcliffe, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 5JA.
https://www.cliffhanger-restaurant.com/event/breakfast-with-santa/
Includes Breakfast / Drink, Quality toy / Story from Father Christmas, Sing-a-long Christmas songs with Father Christmas and Photos on the full size sleigh with Father Christmas.
2024 Dates to be confirmed
Santa at Castlepoint Bournemouth
Castlepoint Bournemouth, Castle Lane West, Bournemouth, BH8 9UZ.
https://www.castlepointshopping.com/
More details to follow.
Dates from 23rd November 2024
Santa at Brewery Square/Dorchester Christmas market
Brewery Square
https://brewerysquare.com/meetsanta/
Opportunity to meet Santa, decoration making and photographs can be taken. Book online
Dates from 7th to 23rd December 2024
Christmas at Farmer Palmer's 2024
Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park, Poole, Dorset, BH16 6EU
https://www.farmerpalmers.co.uk/events/christmas/
Two different experience available - Daytime Experience or Twilight Experience.
Children can enjoy a farm-tastic time at the Farm Park! Experience the wonder and excitement of meeting ‘the man in red’ and all his festive friends in the Magical Christmas Barn. PLUS every child with a ‘Farmer Christmas Experience Ticket’ receives a great gift from the Elves at Ye Olde Toy Shoppe! See the website for details
Dates from 30th November 2024
City Cruises Poole, Poole, BH15 1HJ
www.cityexperiences.com/poole/city-cruises/sail-with-santa/
Santa will walk around the boat meeting all the children and giving out gifts as you pass Brownsea Island, Sandbanks Peninsula, Studland Bay and more with Christmas carols playing in the background.
Will not be taking place in 2024 - statement here
Santa Specials at Moors Valley Railway
Moors Valley Railway, Near Ringwood, BH24 2ET
30th November to 1st December 2024
Father Christmas at the Russell Cotes
Russell Cotes Museum. www.russellcotes.com
Visit Father Christmas in the beautifully festive historic house for a personalised conversation and receive a small gift. Timed tickets, pre-booking essential
Details to be confirmed for 2024 - details below refer to a previous event
Breakfast with Father Christmas at Shire Hall Courthouse Museum
Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum, High West Street, Dorchester, DT1 1UY
https://shirehalldorset.org/events/breakfast-with-father-christmas-2/
Enjoy a special festive treat for all the family and have breakfast with Father Christmas. More dates have been added for 2023
Details to be confirmed for 2024 - information below refers to a previous event
Breakfast With Santa at The Brewery Tap
The Brewery Tap, Hall and Woodhouse Brewery, Bournemouth Road, Blandford Forum, DT11 9LS. https://tinyurl.com/hj39mwz9
Enjoy a breakfast, story time with Santa Claus or Mrs Claus, a gift and photo opportunities as well. Book online
Details to be confirmed for 2024 - information below refers to a previous event
Christmas Party Night at The Ark Poole Park
The Ark Poole Park.
http://www.thearkpoolepark.co.uk/news-events/events
Evening of exciting games, prizes and entertainment including a disco, soft play, party games with prizes to be won, craft workshop, glitter tattoos and facepaints as well as a special visit from Santa
Dates for 2024 to be confirmed - information below refers to a previous event
Christmas on the Farm at Nick's Farm
Nick's Farm, Throop.
Sant'as Grotto - meet Santa and his elves, and receive a special gift. Booking is available via the website or Facebook Messenger. SEN Visits
23rd December 2024
Lollipops Christmas Event 2024 - NOW SOLD OUT
Lollipops Cafe, Bournemouth.
https://lollipopscafe.com/christmas/
Christmas tea, tunes, meet and greet and photo opportunities and visit from Santa
Dates from 14th December 2024
Swanage Pier.
https://www.swanagepiertrust.com/events.aspx#
Take in the atmosphere as you arrive at the enchanting winter wonderland. A warm welcome from the Merry Elves will greet you upon arrival. Gather everyone together in Father Christmas’s sleigh and the mountain cable car photo booths, play snowy games and post your Christmas letters to Father Christmas in our magical post box before meeting the man himself!
Details to be confirmed for 2024 - information below refers to a previous event
Santa's Grotto at Fantasy Island Fun Park
Fantasy Island Fun Park, Weymouth
https://fantasyislandweymouth.co.uk/santas-grotto-2023/
Santa's grotto experience - see the website for details
Dates from 1st to 22nd December 2024
Moonfleet's Winter Wonderland Grotto 2024
Moonfleet Manor Hotel.
https://luxuryfamilyhotels.co.uk/event/santas-grotto/
You are invited to experience the enchantment of our Christmas Village themed Grotto, located in the cosy Schooner with a new waiting area at the Waters Edge Lounge. Children can enjoy a hot chocolate with a gingerbread cookie, and get creative in the crafting area before going into the magical grotto to meet Santa.
Details to be confirmed for 2024 - information below refers to a previous event
Santa at the Farm at Foxdown Children's Farm
Foxdown Children's Farm.
Festive Santa experience to include a visit and a present from Santa for kids and a hot drink and festive snack for adults. Festive animals and activities in the barn.
30th November 2024
Meet Santa at Boo's Toy Shop
Boo's Toy Shop.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1059298032248864
Santa experience with gift from Santa, special photo print out, reindeer food and chocolate