Last Updated on 20 July 2026 by Colette
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[I am updating this post regularly with suggestions of where to see Father Christmas in Manchester in 2025 as information & reviews become available but do check with individual venues!]
I think there’s something special about picking somewhere to visit Santa year in, year out and making a tradition of it – it helps to retain the magic in my opinion! We go to the same place every year and the kids would find it ever so strange if we broke ranks and went somewhere different!
If you haven’t decided where to take the kids to see Father Christmas yet this year, now is the time to make plans. The best experiences book up early, so it pays to be prepared!
Why not read our list of suggestions for festive days out in Manchester or check out our Ultimate Guide to Christmas here.
Check out these handy links to plan your next adventure …
If you’re looking for places to see Santa in Manchester and the surrounding area this festive season, why not take a look at some of the suggestions below:
- The Grotto: Dear Santa at The Trafford Centre
- Lapland UK Manchester at Capesthorne Hall
- Reddish Vale Farm North Pole Experience
- Breakfast with Santa at Housing Units
- Meet Father Christmas at Quarry Bank
- Meet Father Christmas at Quarry Bank
- Father Christmas at The Farm, Tatton Park
- Santa Specials on the East Lancs Railway
- Breakfast with Santa at The Stockport Plaza
- Cruise with Father Christmas on Manchester River Cruises, Salford
- Christmas on the Farm! at Lancaster Park & Animal Farm
- Santa Claus Club at Bar Hutte Après Ski Bar
- Christmas Bricktacular at LEGOLAND Discovery Centre
- Sunday Lunch with Santa at Smokies Park, Oldham
- A Morning with Santa at Kargo MKT
Scroll down for more details or hit the button below to jump the event you are interested in!
Contents - Click here to jump to the section you need
The Grotto: Dear Santa at The Trafford Centre – Saturday 22nd November to Wednesday 24th December 2025
“In a land filled with wonder and enchantment, where dreams come true and letters to Santa require a very special delivery. Families will journey through the Candy Cane Land and Enchanted Forest in search of Santa’s Merry Mailroom. Assisted by Santa’s Elves, challenges and tasks await them on this journey, whilst they embark on an adventure to deliver their very own letter to Santa in his cosy cabin.“
Tickets are priced at £27 per child (including an age-appropriate gift) and £9.50 per adult (which is a £2 per person increase on last year). It is advisable to book your tickets online to avoid disappointment. (For SEND Father Christmas visits, with lowered lights, capacity and music, book a Whispering Winter session here). The Grotto will take place on Lower Peel Ave opposite Boots, near the Dolphin Fountain.
You can read more about Father Christmas at The Trafford Centre here:
The Grotto at The Trafford Centre
SEN visit to The Grotto at The Trafford Centre – Mother Geek
Lapland UK Manchester at Capesthorne Hall, Macclesfield | SOLD OUT
Brand new for Christmas 2025, LaplandUK opens a second location at Capesthorne Hall, Siddington, near Macclesfield in Cheshire.
The immersive festive experience lasts around 4.5 hours, with a host of magical seasonal activities: helping elves in the Toy Factory, decorating gingerbread in Mother Christmas’s kitchen, ice skating in the Elven Village, a personalised meeting with Father Christmas, souvenir photo, a husky soft toy for children, an invitation parcel in advance, and more.
Tickets cost between £60 and £195 per person, depending on the date, timing, and how close it is to Christmas. There’s also a booking fee per ticket and a postage fee for the invitation parcel. Parking on-site is included.
Because it’s the first year for the Manchester site, demand is high and tickets have already sold out in many cases; there will be occasional returns or extra drops, so signing up for alerts is a good idea.
Reddish Vale Farm North Pole Experience – Saturday 29th November to Wednesday 24th December 2025
This Christmas, Reddish Vale Farm invite you to enjoy their two hour long Christmas Experience – the adventure begins at The Elf Academy where you will qualify to become a “Workshop Elf”. At the Pole Office you will write and post your letter to Father Christmas before settling down in Mrs Claus’ Kitchen to decorate a festive treat. After a quick stop at Santa’s Stable to see some of Santa’s favourite farmyard friends, it’s finally time to meet Father Christmas himself and receive your special gift.
Tickets for Christmas at Reddish Vale Farm must be pre-booked online and are priced at £16.50 for adults and massive £46.50 for children. Tickets are strictly limited – please do check the terms and conditions online before booking.
You can read more about visiting Reddish Vale Farm here:
Reddish Vale Farm – Perfect for Under 5s
Breakfast with Santa at Housing Units – weekends from Saturday 22nd November then daily from Saturday 13th December to Tuesday 23rd December 2025 | Limited spaces remain
The popular Breakfast with Santa event returns to Housing Units this Christmas, taking place in the rather fabulous Wickentree Restaurant and makes the perfect festive family treat. To get everyone into the festive spirit, there will be live piano music and a singalong for Santa’s arrival. The whole family will enjoy a delicious set breakfast (including Bucks Fizz for the grown ups!) as well as the opportunity to meet Santa, receive an age-appropriate gift and take photos.
Tickets for Breakfast with Santa at Housing Units are priced at £31.95 per child and £31.95 per adult which has increased again this year! I recommend you are quick on this one as demand is likely to be high with Housing Units not hosting a grotto or dinner with Santa this year.
Meet Father Christmas at Quarry Bank – weekends from Friday 5th December to Sunday 21st December 2025 | SOLD OUT
The Father Christmas at Quarry Bank experience is pretty low key this year – as part of your winter visit to Quarry Bank you can share a moment with Father Christmas as he is getting ready for the big day. There will be the chance for children to share their wishlist and have their photo taken. Every child will get a sticker and a small treat to take home.
Booking is essential for this experience. Tickets cost just £2.50 per child (up to age 10) – all guests must have an admission ticket to Quarry Bank. Entry to Quarry Bank is free for National Trust members otherwise standard admission charges apply.
Father Christmas at Quarry Bank, Wilmslow is just a small part of a whole range of festive activities available at this National Trust property (you’ll find more information on what’s on here).
Cockfields Christmas Experience at Cockfields Farm, Oldham – Saturday 29th November to Wednesday 25th December 2025 | Limited tickets remain
Cockfields Farm Park is on the border between Oldham and Ashton. This Christmas they are offering a fantastic festive experience for the whole family – including exploring the Elf Village and of course, a private family visit to the big man himself in his magical grotto where you’ll receive a special gold coin to spend on anything in Santa’s Toy Shop. If you’re lucky, it might even snow.
Tickets are available to book now. Tickets can be booked one as well as various add-ons such as a photo package or marshmallow toasting. A payment plan is available for those booking well in advance.
Cockfields are also hosting a Breakfast with Santa event this year.
You can read more about Christmas at Cockfields Farm here:
Cockfields Christmas Experience Review 2019 – We’re going on an adventure
Cockfields Farm Christmas Experience 2019 – The Brick Castle
Father Christmas at The Farm, Tatton Park – Saturday 22nd November to Wednesday 24th December 2025 | SOLD OUT
Obviously being in Knutsford, Cheshire – Tatton Park is a bit of a stretch for my “Manchester area” list but I thought I’d include it as it’s really lovely!
Families can see Father Christmas and his elf helpers in a festive grotto at the Farm at Tatton Park. Enjoy roaming entertainers, live music with festive choirs and brass bands and stop off for a tasty treat in the Christmas Café located in the Clydesdale Barn.
Don’t forget to take your photo in Santa’s sleigh and make your own magical reindeer food in the Mill to take home and sprinkle around on Christmas Eve!
Tickets must be pre-booked online. Admission costs £13 per child (aged 0-15 including a gift from Father Christmas) and £11 per adult (this entrance fee applies to National Trust members too) You will also need to pay for parking on site at a cost of £8.
You can read more about Father Christmas at Tatton Park here:
Father Christmas at Tatton Park – We’re going on an adventure
Santa Specials on the East Lancs Railway – weekends from Saturday 22nd November to Wednesday 24th December 2025
This year’s East Lancs Railway Santa Specials will help you to get into the festive spirit as you take an exciting steam train trip with a host of happy elves and of course, the man himself, Father Christmas!
The experience begins at the beautifully decorated Bury Bolton Street Station, where the steam train will be waiting for you to climb aboard. During your festive adventure, Santa’s happy helpers will help to keep you and your little ones entertained as your train makes its way to Rawtenstall and back. Before the trip ends, Father Christmas will pay you a special visit, take some time to chat and even have a selfie before making sure every little one receives a gift (well behaved parents also get a mince pie and a festive tipple).
Tickets for the Santa Specials are available now and can be booked here. (ELR are also doing an SEN friendly Santa Special this year)
Breakfast with Santa at The Stockport Plaza – Saturday 29th November / Saturday 6th / Saturday 13th / Saturday 20th December 2025 | SOLD OUT
Santa has been joining families for breakfast at The Plaza Café in Stockport Plaza since 1944, and it’s become something of a local tradition. Kids can enjoy a delicious breakfast scrumptious pastries, sugar waffles, donuts and chocolate dip, all served with lashings of cordial while they wait for Santa and his little helpers to arrive. (Grown ups will enjoy a slightly less fancy but equally delicious bacon barm with unlimited tea and coffee). After breakfast, little ones can visit Santa’s Grotto and receive a special gift from Father Christmas himself.
Book your breakfast with Santa at The Stockport Plaza here.
Cruise with Father Christmas on Manchester River Cruises, Salford – Saturday 22nd November to Tuesday 23rd December 2025
This Christmas Santa is giving up his sleigh for a boat this Christmas! You can take a Santa Cruise on the Manchester Ship Canal this festive period. Departing from Salford Quays, this hour long trip with Father Christmas and his elves offers mulled wine and mince pies for the adults, a cookie and juice drink for the children and, most importantly, the chance to meet Santa Claus and receive a gift from his grotto. Adult participation is required – this is a Chief Elf Skai rule.
Tickets for the Father Christmas River Cruise are available to book now priced from £16 per adult and £14 per child.
Christmas on the Farm! at Lancaster Park & Animal Farm – Saturday 6th to Wednesday 24th December 2025
The Christmas on the Farm! experience at Lancaster Park & Animal Farm offers a Christmas story with Mrs Claus in her cottage and the opportunity to meet Santa and receive a present as well as taking the time to write a letter to Father Christmas in his special log cabin. Lancaster Park & Animal Farm don’t charge for photos with Father Christmas so you are free to take along your own camera and take as many photos as you like! There are additional photo opportunities including a life size photo frame and even Santa’s sleigh! (You might even get to see the Grinch)
As well as all the festive fun at Lancaster Park & Animal Farm, you can enjoy feeding the animals, playing on the swings, slides and ziplines amongst other things. You are welcome to take your own picnic too (we recommend taking a hot picnic to warm up after all that outdoor fun!)
ALL bookings must be made online. Tickets are priced at £13 for adults and £16 for children / £6.50 for babies under 12 months (to include a gift).
Santa Claus Club at Bar Hutte Après Ski Bar – Saturday 14th December 2025
This Christmas snuggle up in a cosy hütte for an hour of karaoke, a free hot chocolate and colouring pads for the kids plus the opportunity to grab a self with Santa!
Book your spot at the Santa Claus Club now priced at £30 for one hour with a minimum of two people, maximum of six.
Christmas Bricktacular at LEGOLAND Discovery Centre – Saturday 23rd November to Wednesday 24th December 2025
As part of the Chrismtas Bricktacular at LEGOLAND Discovery Centre this December, there is also the option to visit LEGO Santa in his grotto (selected dates only) – this costs an additional £5 and includes the opportunity have a souvenir photo taken with the brick man himself and receive an “awesome” gift.
You can book your tickets for the Christmas Bricktacular at LEGOLAND Discover Centre now priced from £15 for children and £17.50 for adults plus an additional £5 per person for the LEGO Grotto Experience. (Don’t forget to use TopCashBack when you book too!)
Sunday Lunch with Santa at Smokies Park, Oldham – Sunday 7th December 2025
Enjoy a festive two-course Sunday dinner with a selection box from the Big Man himself
Book your Sunday lunch with Santa priced at £22.50 for adults and £12.50 for children.
Father Christmas at Staircase House – Saturday 13th / Sunday 14th December 2025
This one comes recommended by my friend Catherine who went last year and said she loved the quirky building and great value experience!
Experience a special festive visit to one of Stockport’s oldest houses. Your visit will begin with a trail through the historic rooms in Staircase House, where you can enjoy activities and crafts. At the end of your visit your family will meet Father Christmas in his grotto and all children will receive a gift.
Book tickets for Father Christmas at Staircase House priced at £15 per child with free entry to Staircase house for accompanying adults (making it one of the cheapest Father Christmas experiences on the list!)
A Morning with Santa at Kargo MKT – Wednesday 24th December 2025 | SOLD OUT
Head down to Kargo MKT for a morning filled with Christmas cheer and festive fun with Santa this Christmas Eve.
Book tickets to see Santa at Kargo MKT
The Father Christmas events below to place last year but details have not yet been confirmed for Christmas 2025 – I will of course update these as soon as information is available.
Baby and Toddler Festive Play Session with Father Christmas at Quarry Bank Mill – Christmas 2025 TBC
The information below relates to last year’s event and will be updated as soon as details become available.
This year, Quarry Bank Mill host a special Christmas baby and toddler “activity and play session” which includes special visit from Father Christmas and a gift for your little one. This event is suitable for children aged 6 months – 5 years.
None National Trust members do not need to purchase Quarry Bank admission tickets in order to attend this event. If, however, you wish to explore the buildings and gardens on your visit, then you will need to pay for admission at Visitor Reception.
Tickets for the baby & toddler Father Christmas at Quarry Bank Mill are available to book now priced at £13 per child with up to two adults per family.
Father Christmas at Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre, Oldham – Christmas 2025 TBC
The information below relates to last year’s event and will be updated as soon as details become available.
Father Christmas at Oldham Spindles shopping centre was recommended to me by a mum at Amy’s school who takes her little boy there each year – she said she likes it because “it’s not too busy and doesn’t cost a fortune!”
Tickets are just £5 per child including a gift and must be pre-booked online!
A Quiet Visit with Father Christmas at Quarry Bank Mill – No event for Christmas 2025
The information below relates to last year’s event and will be updated as soon as details become available.
This Christmas, Quarry Bank Mill are introducing neurodiverse friendly sessions to meet Father Christmas with fewer guests and no music. This special 30 minute session will include festive activities, crafts and the chance to meet Father Christmas and receive a gift in a more relaxed atmosphere.
These sessions are open to guests of any age who have additional needs – just book a Father Christmas ticket for each child/attendee that wishes to receive a gift. Two adults/carers per family group are permitted to attend with the ticket holder.
None National Trust members do not need to purchase Quarry Bank admission tickets in order to attend this event. If, however, you wish to explore the buildings and gardens on your visit, then you will need to pay for admission at Visitor Reception.
You can find more SEN friendly grottos and festive experiences here.
Santa’s Grotto Experience at Winter Island at Freight Island – Christmas 2025 TBC
The information below relates to last year’s event and will be updated as soon as details become available.
This Christmas you can visit Father Christmas at Winter Island (at Freight Island).
Your visit will include a trip to the huge new Grotto, a special visit to meet Father Christmas, plus your child will also receive a small Lego gift, a Lindt chocolate and the chance to take a photo with the man himself!
The cheeky elves will take you on a musical sing-along journey to meet Father Christmas! You will have an opportunity to write and post your letter to Lapland and you will receive a sprinkle of reindeer dust for the reindeers to find you on Christmas Eve.
Feel free to visit Freight Island for food and drink, before or after your visit to the Grotto, and explore Christmas Street Food Pop-Ups! You are asked not to arrived at the Grotto more than 5 minutes before your allotted visit time to ensure the magic is kept alive for every child!
Tickets for see Father Christmas at Winter Island at Freight Island are priced at £28 per child (which is quite a jump on last year!) and include a gift. Free for accompanying adults – maximum two per paying child.
You can find out more about Father Christmas at Freight Island here:
“It was well worth the visit. Entertainment from two elves beforehand (singing, dancing and a pesky water gun) and a little chat with the Big Man who knew a little bit about them both beforehand. He caught E off guard. And no charge for adults too!” KF
Santa’s Story Time at John Lewis, Trafford Centre | No event for 2025
The information below relates to last year’s event and will be updated as soon as details become available.
Santa’s taking a well-earned break ahead of the big Christmas rush. Join him at John Lewis, Trafford Centre for a special Christmas story time session, complete with snacks, cocoa and a special gift.
Book tickets for Santa’s Tea Party at John Lewis, Trafford priced at £17.50 per child and £3 for adults.
Sail with Santa! Portland Basin Museum, Ashton-under-Lyne – Christmas 2025 TBC
The information below relates to last year’s event and will be updated as soon as details become available.
Join Santa onboard the Community Spirit canal boat for a festive 35 minute round trip along the canals of Tameside with songs, stories, and presents with Santa! Each ticket includes a snack for the children and a mince pie or cake and hot drink for the grown ups.
Book your tickets for Sail with Santa! here priced at £11 per person – all passengers, including babes in arms, must purchase a ticket to be allowed on board. Spaces on board the boat are strictly limited. In the unlikely event that there is ice on the canals, the experience will still go ahead with the boat remaining stationary at Portland Basin.
Christmas Clip ‘n Climb at Summit Up – Christmas 2025 TBC
The information below relates to last year’s event and will be updated as soon as details become available.
This Christmas, enjoy Clip ‘n Climb with a festive twist at Summit Up Climbing – as well as your climbing session, you’ll enjoy festive crafts, a hot chocolate and even the chance to meet Santa!
Book your Christmas Clip ‘n Climb session
Breakfast with Father Christmas at Salford Museum & Art Gallery – Christmas 2025 TBC
The information below relates to last year’s event and will be updated as soon as details become available.
Father Christmas is making a special trip to Salford with a visit to Lark Hill Place this festive season and you are invited to join him for a fantastic family breakfast at Salford Museum & Art Gallery.
Your Breakfast with Father Christmas ticket price includes breakfast, a story time session, a craft activity, a meet and greet with Father Christmas as well as a small gift. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options will be available for breakfast.
You can book your Breakfast with Father Christmas at Salford Museum & Art Gallery online now priced at £15 per person.
A Visit to Father Christmas Experience at Bramall Hall – Christmas 2025 TBC
The information below relates to a previous event and will be updated as soon as information becomes available.
Young visitors to Bramall Hall will go on a magical journey around the Hall decorated for Christmas with all the festive trimmings. Along the way they will enjoy a fabulous Elf spotting trail, make a Christmas tree decoration and write a letter to Father Christmas. Before leaving children will have an audience with Father Christmas in the Great Hall and collect a gift.
Tickets to see Santa at Bramall Hall are available to book online now priced at £17 per child. Each ticket admits one child and one accompanying adult, additional adults are priced at £5.
Sail with Santa, Hollingworth Lake Adventure & Water Activity Centre – December 2025 TBC
The information below relates to a previous event and will be updated as soon as information becomes available.
Visit Hollingworth Lake this Christmas and take a magical boat trip to visit Santa’s Grotto. Post your Christmas list in the magical elf post box and get a gift from the man himself.
The experience will last around 20 minutes from boarding the boat, filling in the letter to Santa (aboard the boat), arriving at the grotto harbour, entering grotto and posting letter and visiting Santa and receiving present. There are a maximum of 10 places available per trip and each group of 10 people will all visit Santa together. Don’t forget to dress for the weather – it can be really blowy around Hollingworth!
You can book your tickets for Sail to Santa’s Grotto here priced at £10 for children and £5 for adults (including a complementary hot drink).
If you fancy a wander round Hollingworth Lake while you’re there, read this next!
Our favourite family dog walks in the Manchester area
Below you’ll find a list of events which have previously taken place in Manchester but for whatever reason didn’t happen last year so are unlikely to take place this Christmas:
- Housing Units Grotto | There has been no grotto at Housing Units for several years now but they do still host a breakfast with Santa
- The Santa Experience at Heaton Park Garden Centre | No event for 2025
- Santa’s Grotto, Touchstones, Rochdale | No event this year – Touchstones is temporarily closed for redevelopment.
- Santa’s Grotto at Chill Factore | There hasn’t been a grotto at Chill Factor for a few years now sadly.
- Silcock’s Winter Wonderland, Event City (next to the Trafford Centre) | Silcock’s have confirmed there will be NO Winter Wonderland at Event City this year (not least because Event City doesn’t exist any more!
Phew. That’s quite the round up! Where will you be going to see Father Christmas in Manchester this year? Have I missed anywhere off the list – let me know and I’ll add it in if I can!
Please note that, to the best of my knowledge, all information is correct at time of publishing but do check directly with individual venues to confirm!
For more festive days out why not read one of these posts next:
Christmas days out in Manchester 2025
Free or low cost festive days out in Manchester 2025
Where to go ice skating in Manchester this Christmas
What’s on at the theatre in Manchester this Christmas
Where to visit Father Christmas in York
The best places to visit Santa in Leeds
What’s going on in Liverpool this Christmas?
Festive light trails near Manchester
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Awww nice round up. I’ll have a think, I’m sure we’ve seen him a few places you have’nt mentioned. We have been on the ELR Santa Specials a few times, but I’ve never blogged it!