Christmas in the Caves: visit Santa in the Yorkshire Dales
Christmas in Yorkshire has never felt so magical! Bring the whole family to Stump Cross Caverns for a day of festive fun, including Santa's grotto, a cosy film and a magical underground adventure.
From 28 November to 23 December • Family tickets available
A very Yorkshire Dales Christmas – underground!
Visit Santa in his grotto
This year, Santa's swapped the North Pole for our cosy cinema. Join the jolly fellow and his Head Elf for a show full of sing-alongs and festive fun. (And prezzies, of course!)
Explore our Christmas caverns
You've never seen a cave like this before! Venture underground and explore our real ancient caverns, guided by twinkling Christmas lights.
A whole day of family fun
Looking for Christmas days out in North Yorkshire? There's loads to do for the whole family. Solve our Christmas riddle, make reindeer food and snuggle up for a classic festive film.
The most unique Santa experience in Yorkshire (or anywhere)
You'll find lots of family Christmas events in Yorkshire this year. And you know what Santa says: "The more, the merrier!"
But wouldn't it be amazing to spend Christmas in a cave?
At Stump Cross Caverns, we're hosting a yuletide extravaganza underground – and you're invited.
Visit Santa in our above-ground cinema, where the whole family can sing songs and kids get a sparkly gift to take home. Embark on a self-guided tour of our ancient underground caverns, where Christmas lights sparkle and riddles wait to be solved. Then end the day back in the cinema, where we'll screen a classic family Christmas film (it's a surprise).
It's a truly unique way to spend Christmas in Yorkshire, and a magical memory waiting to be made. But don't delay – tickets always sell fast!
What's on this Christmas in the caves?
The Yorkshire Santa experience
Visit Santa in the Yorkshire Dales and enjoy a fun-filled show of laughter and sing-alongs. His grotto looks especially enchanting this year.
A sparkly gift for every child
Who needs toys when you can take home real treasure? Every participating child gets a sparkly crystal gift from Old Saint Nick.
Christmas lights in the caves
There's always magic in our caves – but at Christmas, you can really feel it. Explore the twisting underground passageways, lit by gorgeous twinkling lights.
Make your own reindeer food
Santa's had his fill of mince pies. So, why not make some grub for Rudolph and his pals instead? Have fun making reindeer food you can leave out on Christmas Eve.
Solve Christmas riddles
There are Christmas conundrums to crack as you explore our underground caves. Can you solve them all and win a prize?
A classic family Christmas film
What better way to end the day than with a festive family film? Snuggle up in our cosy cinema and get ready to experience some big-screen Christmas magic.
Your ticket options
We've made it easy to plan your own Christmas day out in North Yorkshire. Go for a full day of Christmas magic or pick and choose the activities you want to try.
A complete Christmas day out
Full-day Christmas experience
Santa visit and sing-along
A sparkly gift
Make reindeer food
Christmas cave adventure
Christmas riddles
Festive family film
From £44 (1 adult, 1 child)
Santa experience and cave tour
Santa's sing-along, a sparkly gift and an underground adventure.
Santa visit and sing-along
A sparkly gift
Make reindeer food
Christmas cave adventure
Christmas riddles
Festive family film
From £36 (1 adult, 1 child)
Santa experience and film
Visit Santa in his grotto, then cosy up for a festive Hollywood classic.
Santa visit and sing-along
A sparkly gift
Make reindeer food
Christmas cave adventure
Christmas riddles
Festive family film
From £21 (1 adult, 1 child)
Santa experience only
The best Santa experience in Yorkshire, bar none.
Santa visit and sing-along
A sparkly gift
Make reindeer food
Christmas cave adventure
Christmas riddles
Festive family film
£8 per child, £2 per adult
Film only
One for the film lovers. Join us in the Dales for a cosy Christmas movie at 4pm.
Santa visit and sing-along
A sparkly gift
Make reindeer food
Christmas cave adventure
Christmas riddles
Festive family film
£7 per person
What you need to know
When is Christmas in the Caves?
Our Yorkshire family Christmas event runs on weekends and selected weekdays from 28 November to 23 December.
The full list of dates:
- Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November
- Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December
- Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 December
- Every day from Saturday 19 December to Wednesday 23 December
Where is Stump Cross Caverns?
Stump Cross Caverns is an ancient underground cave system in the Yorkshire Dales. You'll find us on the B6265 between Grassington and Pateley Bridge. (Just watch for the sign with the mammoth tusks – you can't miss it!)
Looking for Harrogate Christmas events? You'll be pleased to know we're just half an hour from the town centre by car.
Do children need a ticket?
Yes. All participating children need a ticket and must be accompanied by an adult. That includes very young children, though some activities have a special price for under-fours.
Non-participating babies in arms get free entry. However, this doesn't include reindeer food or a gift from Santa.
Are family tickets available?
Yes. We offer several family ticket options, so it's easy to plan your day, no matter your group size.
How much time should I allow for the Santa visit?
It's much more than a meet-and-greet. Allow around 30 minutes for the full show.
How much time should I allow for the cave tour?
The cave tour is self-guided, so you can take it at your own pace. That said, we recommend allowing around one hour.
Will I be in the caves the whole time?
No. Only the self-guided cave tour is underground. The Santa experience and film screening take place in our above-ground cinema. So, if your little ones don't fancy exploring the caves, you can choose to skip that part when you book your tickets.
Book quick – it's always a sellout!
Ready for a family Christmas event in Yorkshire that you'll never forget?
Stump Cross Caverns promises a festive experience like no other. But don't wait too long – Christmas in the Caves is always very popular, and dates often sell out fast.
Book today and get your Christmas entertainment sorted in 2026.
