The best places to visit Santa in Yorkshire [Christmas 2026 guide]

Do you want to take the kids to meet Santa this Christmas? Here are 10 options to get the whole family into the festive spirit.

Do we hear sleigh bells? Is that the scent of chestnuts wafting from an open fire? Are you dusting off a box of baubles? Then it can only mean one thing: Christmas is coming.

In Yorkshire and beyond, meeting Santa in his grotto is a special treat for families. Not only do kids get to meet the magic man with the big white beard, but they usually get a gift to take home, too.

This year in Yorkshire, you're spoilt for choice. From caves to railways, from country houses to arboretums, the county is crawling with Clauses.

And if you want to combine your trip to the grotto with a trip to some enchanted caves, why not join us here at Stump Cross Caverns?

Where to see Santa in Yorkshire this year

Stump Cross Caverns, near Pateley Bridge

At Stump Cross Caverns, we're the proud custodians of prehistoric limestone chambers and passageways bursting with stalagmites, stalactites and other fascinating rock formations.

Every year, thousands of people visit us here – and this Christmas, we're pleased as punch to be welcoming Santa himself.

The little ones can meet Santa and his right-hand elf for a song-filled show. Each child receives a crystal to take home and gets to make snacks for Santa's trusty reindeer.

Our Christmas experience comes in different bundles and packages. You can make a day of it with a trip to our cute and cosy cinema, joining other families for a Christmas classic.

And, of course, you can take a self-guided tour of the show cave, solving Christmas riddles and marvelling at the ancient rock formations.

Santa will be here from Saturday 28 November to Wednesday 23 December. It's quick and easy to book your tickets online.



Stockeld Park, Wetherby

Stockeld Park is an 18th-century country house set in a 2,000-acre estate. All year round, families love to explore its woodlands, adventure playgrounds and enchanted forest.

Christmas at Stockeld runs from Saturday 21 November to Christmas Eve. It features a light show, Santa's grotto, live theatre show and even ice skating.

North Yorkshire Moors Railway

This heritage steam railway takes you through 24 miles of gorgeous North Yorkshire scenery. Hop on at Pickering, Levisham, Goathland, Grosmont or Whitby and get ready for a steam-powered adventure you won't forget in a hurry.

This Christmas, the railway service turns into the Santa Express – an hour-long return journey where each child gets a gingerbread man toy from Santa.

Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Doncaster

Polar bears, lions, penguins, cheetahs, tigers and giraffes – Yorkshire Wildlife Park has them all.

And this Christmas, it's home to an igloo grotto, where Santa and his elvish helpers are ready to meet children who've been good.

The grotto is open on the weekend of 5 December, the weekend of 12 December and between Saturday 19 and Thursday 24 December.

Castle Howard, near York

Located about 15 miles northeast of York, Castle Howard is a large and magnificent stately home. Built in the 18th century, it's home to acres of parkland, gardens and monumental landscapes.

This Christmas, Santa and his helpers are descending on Castle Howard with a Christmas show followed by a grotto. No child will go home empty-handed or without a festive smile on their face.

Christmas at Castle Howard runs on selected dates between Saturday 21 November and Christmas Eve.

Tong Garden Centre, near Bradford

Tong Garden Centre near Bradford is a place to shop, dine and play. And from Saturday 21 November to Christmas Eve, it's treating families to a unique experience.

Kids will join Santa's little helpers on an outdoor adventure, solving clues to find the missing pieces of Santa's pocket watch.

With the magical timepiece back together, they join Santa in the grotto, sharing their Christmas wishes and receiving a gift.

Thorp Perrow Arboretum and Wildlife Park, Bedale

Thorp Perrow Arboretum and Wildlife Park consists of 100 acres of gorgeous woodland gardens, walks, trails and glades.

Between Saturday 28 November and Christmas Eve, families will follow the glimmering woodland trail through the arboretum, arriving at Santa's secret grotto.

In the cosy grotto, the kids can chat with Santa, take a selfie and receive a gift to take home and treasure.

Whistlestop Valley, near Huddersfield

Whistlestop Valley is a family-friendly attraction in West Yorkshire, boasting a narrow-gauge steam railway and outdoor adventures.

This Christmas, visitors can hop aboard the steam train and take a trip to Santa's grotto. Whistlestop Valley also offers a service for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

What is Santa's grotto?

Santa's grottos are festive-themed rooms or other locations where children can meet Santa, tell him their Christmas wishes and take home a little gift.

The tradition began in the UK at the end of the 19th century. The first of its kind was David Lewis's Christmas grotto in his Liverpool department store.

By the end of the 19th century, Santa's grottoes were popping up all over the globe – from the UK to Europe, from North America to Australia.

Save on Christmas at the Caverns

We have a whole feast of festive fun planned for Christmas at the caverns this year.

Santa and his elf are paying us a visit, of course. But there'll also be a Christmas riddle trail, a classic festive film and more.

To give you the best value for your festive visit, we've created some fab ticket bundles, too:

• The full festive bundle: the Santa experience, the cave tour and a classic Christmas film in our cosy cinema – a complete Christmas day out for just £22 per person.
  
  
• The Santa and cave experience: enjoy our magical Santa experience plus the Christmas riddle tour in our caves for £18 per person.
  
  
• The Santa experience: visit Santa in our cinema and receive a glittering Christmas gift for £8 per person.
  
  
• The festive film: see a classic, family-friendly Christmas film for £7 per person – the perfect way to round off a winter's day in the Dales.
  
  
• Cinema and Santa bundle: meet Santa in his magical grotto, then stick around for the festive film. This bundle costs £13 per child and £8 per adult.
  
  

Our Christmas celebrations run from Saturday 28 November until Wednesday 23 December. Be sure to book early, as the sessions are always a sell-out!

Browse our Christmas bundles and book online.