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 Norfolk 2026
Read on for more on Santa's grottos, Santa by Steam and Santa's workshops in Norfolk in 2026
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!
An updated list of Where to See Santa in Norfolk 2026 - m
Find Santa in Norfolk right here...
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Dates from 5th December 2026 Father Christmas is coming to Church Farm Stow Bardolph 2026 Church Farm Rare Breeds Centre, Stow Bardolph, PE34 3HT https://churchfarmstowbardolph.co.uk/visit-father-christmas-at-the-farm/ All Father Christmas tickets include your day (10am- 5pm) at the Farm as well as meeting Father Christmas during your chosen timeslot. See below for more details about your visit. You can stay all day and enjoy everything Church Farm has to offer including:-
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Santa's Grotto at Highway Garden and Leisure Highway Garden & Leisure, Framingham Pigot, NR14 7PW https://www.highwaygardencentre.co.uk/events/santa-s-grotto?event_location=Highway+Garden+Centre Step into a winter wonderland and begin your magical journey to the North Pole! Your adventure starts as you meet a friendly elf and receive your exclusive North Pole Passport. From there, take a magical sleigh ride and soar through the skies, landing in the heart of the North Pole. Spot some adorable funny friends, then wander over to the reindeer stables to see Santa's team getting ready for the big night. Pop into Mrs Claus' cosy kitchn, filled with the scent of festive treats, before heading to the Posting Room, where letters from children all over the world are being sorted with care
Breakfast with Santa at Highway Garden and Leisure Highway Garden & Leisure, Framingham Pigot, NR14 7PW. Children can fill their tummies with a yummy cooked breakfast, cereal and juice while the adults enjoy a hot drink and cooked breakfast, cereal and juice while the adults enjoy a hot drink and cooked breakfast. Santa will visit your table to have a chat and a giggle with each family, your special breakfast will be topped off with your child's gift delivered to your table.
Afternoon Tea with Santa at Highway Garden and Leisure Highway Garden & Leisure, Framingham Pigot, NR14 7PW. Children can fill their rumbling tummies with some delicious sandwiches, sausage roll, chocolate brownie, festive biscuit, chocolate strawberry and a yummy milkshake while the adults enjoy their very own Christmas Afternoon Tea. Adults Afternoon Tea includes sandwiches, sausage roll, fruit scone with jam & clotted cream, a mince pie, a chocolate brownie and a chocolate strawberry. Santa will visit your table to have a chat and a giggle with each family, your special Afternoon Tea will be topped off with your child's gift delivered to your table. |
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Dates from 5th December 2026 The Norfolk North Pole at Pensthorpe Pensthorpe Road, Fakenham, NR21 0LN. https://pensthorpe.com/events/the-north-norfolk-pole/ Step into the magic this Christmas at Pensthorpe’s North Norfolk Pole Experience – a 5-star family favourite and festive highlight of the season. From 5th December, join in for a 90-minute interactive adventure packed with Santa, elves, surprises, and seasonal sparkle. Spaces vanish fast, so early booking is strongly encouraged |
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Dates from 5th December 2026 The Christmas Experience Wroxham Barns https://www.wroxhambarns.co.uk/plan-your-visit/whats-on/the-christmas-experience/
Step into a world of festive magic where laughter, wonder, and togetherness fill the air. Imagine the delight on little faces during a private meeting with Santa, the laughter, the wide-eyed wonder, and the joy of sharing special family moments. With festive mischief and surprises scattered throughout the day, it’s more than a visit – it’s a Christmas adventure your family will treasure forever.
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Dates from 21st November 2026 Santa's Magical Journey Thursford https://www.thursford.com/santas-magical-journey/ Start your journey inside Fantasy Land, and travel through a winter wonderland like no other where you'll meet Penguins, Polar Bears, Giant Teddy Bears and a mischievous snow family (watch out for the snowballs!). Pass the busy Elves as they work hard in the toy factory with the wonderful wrapping machine, ready to load onto Santa's sleigh. You'll then come face-to-face with Santa's workshop where you'll meet the man himself! Make sure you have your Christmas wishes ready. Your journey then continues outside to the luminated Enchanted Journey of Light - a beautiful walkthrough filled with giant lanterns including giant bugs, jungle animals, the icy north pole and much more! |
Other Santa events in Norfolk for 2026
Other Santa events in Norfolk for 2026
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**Details for the 2026 event are still to be announced - see below for details of the 2025 event** |
Santa's Grotto at Cromer Christmas Festival
Cromer Community Centre
www.facebook.com/cromerchristmas
More details to follow
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**Details for the 2026 event are still to be announced - see below for details of the 2025 event** |
Santa Cruise River Trip 2024
Broads Tours, Wroxham Bridge, NR12 8RX
https://www.broadstours.co.uk/santa-cruise/
Leaving from the boatyard in Wroxham, Santa's Elves will have a gift bag for all children aboard over 3 years old including a juice box, activity book and crayons and a festive treat - plus all children can visit Santa in his grotto and receive a present from Santa himself.
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**Details for the 2026 event are still to be announced - see below for details of the 2025 event** |
Diss Christmas Lights Switch-On
Diss Town Centre, IP22
www.facebook.com/disschristmaslightswitchon/ and https://www.diss.gov.uk/diss-christmas-lights
Afternoon of entertainment, live music, performers, comedy, stalls, Santa's Grotto, a small funfair and the Christmas Lights switch-on. Santa's Grotto at URC between 1:30pm and 5pm
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**Details for the 2026 event are still to be announced - see below for details of the 2025 event** |
Santa Express Road Train
Great Yarmouth
Road train providing a free shuttle service between the market place and the Minster where Father Christmas will be avaialble for a photo
Dates from 21st November 2026
Santa Specials at North Norfolk Railway
North Norfolk Railway, Sheringham Station, NR26 8RA
Enjoy a magical Christmas journey along the whole length of the line, meet Santa and receive a special wrapped present, festive activity packs, balloon modellers and entertainers
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**Details for the 2026 event are still to be announced - see below for details of the 2025 event** |
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**Details for the 2026 event are still to be announced - see below for details of the 2025 event** |
Storytelling with Father Christmas at Oxburgh
Oxburgh Hall, King’s Lynn, PE33 9PS
Join Father Christmas and settle in for a Yuletide tale in Oxburgh's festive second-hand bookshop. After the story, Father Christmas will have a small gift for you to take home
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**Details for the 2026 event are still to be announced - see below for details of the 2025 event** |
Dippy's Christmas Celebration
ROARR! Dinosaur Adventure, Lenwade, NR9 5JE
www.roarrdinosauradventure.co.uk
The festive season is just around the corner, and Father Christmas has officially confirmed his visit to ROARR! Norwich this November and December, bringing with him a sleigh full of holiday cheer for the entire family.
Starting November 30th, weekends and selected days leading up to Christmas will see ROARR! transformed into a dazzling winter wonderland for Dippy’s Christmas Celebration. Packed with heartwarming activities that will melt even the grumpiest of grinches, all for a wallet-friendly price of just £15.95 per person.
From the moment guests step into the Park, they’ll be immersed in the festive spirit. Picture seasonal music filling the air, towering Christmas trees adorned with oversized decorations, and of course, dinosaurs celebrating the season too!
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**Details for the 2026 event are still to be announced - see below for details of the 2025 event** |
Santa at Wells ChristmasTide Festival
Wells-next-the-Sea, NR23
https://www.facebook.com/xmastide
Father Christmas and a firework display - more details nearer the time
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**Details for the 2026 event are still to be announced - see below for details of the 2025 event** |
Father Christmas at Thetford Garden Centre
Thetford Garden Centre, Kilverstone, IP24 2RL
www.thetfordgardencentre.co.uk
Grotto experience with a special gift - see website to book
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**Details for the 2026 event are still to be announced - see below for details of the 2025 event** |
Breakfast with Santa at Thetford Garden Centre
Thetford Garden Centre
https://www.thetfordgardencentre.co.uk/upcoming-events-2024/
Details to follow soon
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**Details for the 2026 event are still to be announced - see below for details of the 2025 event** |
Supper With Santa
Thetford Garden Centre
https://www.thetfordgardencentre.co.uk/upcoming-events-2024/
Details for follow soon
Other Santa events in Norfolk
Dates from November 2026
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**Details for the 2026 event are still to be announced - see below for details of the 2025 event** |
WINTER WONDERLAND NORWICH
Norfolk Showground, Dereham Road, Norwich, NR5 0TT.
www.winterwonderlandnorwich.com
Outdoor Christmas event with ice rink, rollercoasters, children’s rides, funhouses, Santa, food, drink and more.
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**Details for the 2026 event are still to be announced - see below for details of the 2025 event** |
SANTA’S GROTTO AND TRAIN RIDE at Whitwell Station 2024
Whitwell Station, Whitwell, Reepham, Norwich, NR10 4GA.
Don’t miss this opportunity to create lasting Christmas memories with your family!
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**Details for the 2026 event are still to be announced - see below for details of the 2025 event** |
33 Woodcock Road, Norwich, NR3 3TT.
Raffle, tombola, games, craft stalls, food and drink and Santa’s grotto.
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**Details for the 2026 event are still to be announced - see below for details of the 2025 event** |
Santa’s Grotto Experience at Wells Maltings 2024
Wells Maltings.
He’s back! After arriving via Wells Harbour as the climax of Christmas Tide, Santa Claus takes residence in his specially created grotto at Wells Maltings to meet children and their families and share a few stories and gifts.
Spaces are strictly limited, and available on the basis of ONE TICKET PER CHILD, with up to a maximum of TWO accompanying adults free. Santa will spend approximately 25 minutes with the whole group, telling stories and tales of his adventures, before opportunities for photos with individual children and families (with parental consent only).
Dates from 5th December 2026
Father Christmas Experience 2026 at Cromer Pier Pavilion Theatre
Cromer Pier Pavilion Theatre.
https://cromer.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873661561/events/128641770
Follow the twinkling sound of bells as Father Christmas arrives at the Pier in his sleigh, joined by Sparkle the elf and his wonderful team of reindeer led by Rudolph. Braving the winter winds, they land in a beautifully magical grotto set on the theatre stage, ready to welcome good boys and girls for a truly enchanting Christmas experience.
Step into a moment of festive magic and create a memory your family will treasure forever. This intimate and heart-warming visit allows the whole family to share in the joy, with plenty of time to take your own keepsake photos and videos. Each child receives a quality, age-appropriate gift, and all accompanying adults attend free of charge. With very limited availability, early booking is recommended to secure your magical Christmas 2026 visit with Father Christmas.