Last Updated on 21 April 2026 by Colette
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[I will continue to update this post with suggestions of where to visit Father Christmas in York in 2025 as information & reviews become available!]
I know it might feel a little early to be thinking about booking in a Santa visit but, with the best experiences booking up early, it pays to be prepared especially as we’re all a bit skint and keen to make sure we spread costs out!
As I child, I visited Father Christmas at the same garden centre in West Yorkshire year in, year out. I think there’s something rather special about picking somewhere and making a tradition of it – it helps to retain the magic and as such we only ever take our children to see Father Christmas at Stockeld Park.
Click through here for festive days out in York!
If you haven’t decided where to take the kids to see Father Christmas yet this year, now is the time to make plans. There may be reduced capacity at festive events this Christmas and almost certainly increased demand and prices!
Check out these handy links to plan your next adventure …
If you’re looking for places to visit Santa in the York area this Christmas, why not take a look at some of the suggestions below:
The events below took place last year but have not yet been confirmed for 2026 – I’ll be updating these listings as information becomes available!
Contents - Click here to jump to the section you need
The Christmas Adventure at Stockeld Park – Saturday 22nd November to Wednesday 24th December 2025
This is our personal favourite and as such I’m putting it first on the list – it’s not strictly in York but it’s definitely one of the best places to visit Father Christmas in Yorkshire!
Fans of a traditional Santa’s Grotto are in for a treat at Stockeld Park where a cosy, rustic wooden cabin, decked with twinkling lights, awaits Santa’s arrival from Lapland.
Stockeld Park’s famous adventure season includes The Snowflake Maze and Winter Illuminations in the award-winning Enchanted Forest.
Tickets must be booked online this year at www.stockeldpark.co.uk. Pricing at Stockeld Park has become increasingly complicated and expensive in recent years – when we first started going you could pay about £10 for each child to see Father Christmas and everything else was an add on – now everyone attending the park needs a ticket, which if you want to see Father Christmas, costs at least £20 per person but includes the Winter Illuminations etc. I recommend you check out their ticket guide to see exactly what each package offers before booking because it seems to change every year.
You can read more about visiting Santa at Stockeld Park here:
11 things we love about the Christmas Adventure at Stockeld Park
The Christmas Adventure at Stockeld Park
or why not watch one of our videos: Stockeld Park Christmas Adventure 2019 | Father Christmas at Stockeld Park 2018 | Father Christmas at Stockeld Park 2017 | Our Stockeld Park Christmas Adventure 2016 | The Christmas Adventure at Stockeld Park 2015
Father Christmas in the Castle at Castle Howard – Saturday 22nd November to Wednesday 24th December 2025
Make magical memories, and meet Father Christmas, Mrs Claus and jolly WonderPhil at Castle Howard this Christmas. Watch a joyful performance bursting with jingle bells and Christmas spirit, sing Christmas songs together, and enjoy a special, individual moment with Father Christmas himself.
Each paying child will be given a special Christmas gift to take away.
Tickets to see Father Christmas at Castle Howard are available to book now priced from a rather bonkers £65. Your ticket to see Father Christmas also includes a visit to ‘The Wonerful Wizard of Oz‘, a series of theatrical installations throughout the Main House.
Santa’s Grotto in the Boathouse at Castle Howard – Saturday 29th to Wednesday 24th December 2025
This year Story Craft Theatre return to the Boathouse where they will perform a short show before your chance to meet the main man himself…Santa. There will be lots of laughs, smiles and of course, a photo opportunity for children and parents alike.
Tickets for Santa’s Courtyard Grotto at Castle Howard are available to book online now priced at £30 per child which is a slight drop on last year. Add this event to your Christmas at Castle Howard with the Wonderful Wizard of Oz tickets or Gardens tickets, cannot be purchased alone.
NYMR Santa Express– selected dates from Saturday 29th November to Wednesday 24th December 2025
Join Santa and his special team of helpers at Pickering Station (which has been by transformed by thousands of twinkling lights, real Christmas trees and joyful festive music) for a magical aboard the Santa Express which will take you on a festive journey you won’t forget!
Of course the highlight of the NYMR Santa Express is the chance to meet Santa Claus himself! Each child will receive a keepsake of their journey.
The Santa Express NYMR experience costs from £29.50 per person and includes a gift for each child. Pre-booking is essential to guarantee the time slot and date – please visit nymr.co.uk to book your NYMR Santa Specials Experience – tickets are already on sale and will certainly sell out.
Read more about Christmas on the NYMR here:
The Northern Lights Express on NYMR – Yorkshire Wonders
The Santa Cruise – selected dates from Saturday 22nd November through to Tuesday 23rd December 2025
The Santa Cruise experience returns for Christmas 2025. The one-hour trip on the River Ouse includes a welcome to the Grotto, cleverly hidden away underneath Lendal Bridge, a personalised present from Santa hand delivered to each child, refreshments, fun and surprises. (There might even be a glass of wine and a mince pie for the grown ups!)
Tickets for the Santa Cruise experience start from £14.00 for adults and £16.00 for children and must be pre-booked online.
Storytime with Father Christmas at Beningbrough Hall – weekends from Saturday 6th December to Sunday 21st December 2025 | SOLD OUT
Father Christmas is visiting Beningbrough Hall once more to rest and recharge ahead of his busy night on Christmas Eve. He loves welcoming visitors and sharing stories of his adventures during the busy build-up to Christmas.
Join Santa in the Victorian laundry for thirty-minutes to hear first-hand tales about his cheeky elves. You might even find he has brought a few sacks of gifts for the children.
There will be time for each child to have a chat and if you’d like to, bring a letter to Father Christmas on the day. He’ll love to read what you’ve been up to and all the kind things you’ve done through the year.
Tickets for Storytime with Father Christmas at Beningbrough Hall cost £14 per child and £7 per adult plus normal admission charges. Booking is essential and it is anticipated tickets will sell out fast so early booking is advised.
Meet Father Christmas at Nunnington Hall – selected dates from Saturday 22nd November to Sunday 13th December 2025 | SOLD OUT
This Christmas, visit Nunnington Hall to meet Father Christmas and his friendly Elf in the festively decorated Panelled Bedroom to tell him all your Christmas wishes, before receiving as special gift to take home. (To make the visit extra special, you can tell the team at Nunnington Hall your child’s name, age and something about them at the checkout.)
Tickets to meet Father Christmas at Nunnington Hall are on sale now priced at £10 per child. Entry to Nunnington Hall is free for National Trust members, non-members will need to pay standard admission prices. This event will sell out so do book sooner rather than later.
Magical Sleigh Rides at Piglets Adventure Farm – Friday 21st November to Wednesday 24th December 2025
Check in at Elf Airlines then hop on board the Magical Sleigh Ride to Santa’s Woodland Village – meet Santa in his grotto and receive a magic key to unlock his amazing toy shop and choose your own gift! Take the time to explore the Woodland Village, watch live shows, make reindeer food and write your Christmas wish to hang on the Wishing Tree.
Tickets to see Father Christmas at Piglets Adventure Farm must be pre-booked and are on sale now priced from £15.95 per person. Piglets Adventure Farm have low / mid / high pricing depending on when you book in the season.
Chocolate Making with Santa at York’s Chocolate Story – Saturday 29th November to Tuesday 23rd December 2025
Santa returns to York’s Chocolate Story this year on a mission to create festive themed chocolates however the elves brought far too much chocolate from the North Pole so he needs some extra helpers! Take part in festive themed lolly making at York’s Chocolate Story on selected dates in December and learn about how chocolate was involved in Christmases past. Ticket prices include a guided tour, meeting Santa, making chocolate with Santa and his Elf, photo opps and a festive chocolate making activity. Each child will also receive a gift from Santa.
Book your tickets for Chocolate Making with Santa online to avoid disappointment. Tickets are for this event are priced at £27.50 per person which a few quid more than last year.
You can read more about visiting Santa at York’s Chocolate Story here:
Santa’s Sweet Adventure – Yorkshire Wonders
Christmas at Murton Park, York – Selected dates from Saturday 29th November to Tuesday 23rd December 2025
Murton Park offers a magical Christmas experience in Santa’s village this year. You can meet the big man himself in his cosy winter cabin where children can share their Christmas list with Santa and then will receive Christmas money to spend in the Magical Toy Shop before taking a walk through the village to see the elves and peek inside their homes and workshops.
The playground will also be open if you need to burn off a bit of extra energy before heading home!
Tickets to visit Santa at Murton Park are available to book online now and are priced at £12 per adult and £22 per child.
Tea with Santa at Murton Park, York – Tuesday 17th / Wednesday 18th December 2025
This Christmas you can enjoy tea with Santa at The Yorkshire Barn Café!
Your two hour experience includes a meet and greet with Santa, (you are welcome to take photos), a delicious freshly prepared one-course meal and drink (with the opportunity to buy dessert if you have room!), crafts and colouring for each child, an early Christmas present for each child and you’ll get to meet Mother Christmas and one of Santa’s cheeky elves.
The meal will be taken in The Yorkshire Barn Café alongside other ticket holders. During the evening, one of Santa’s elves will take your family for your one-to-one with Santa.
Book your Tea with Santa priced at £25 for adults and £30 for children (or £5 for under 1s if you’d like them to receive a present). This price has increased by a hefty £5 per person for the second year in a row!
Santa’s Grotto at Beetle Bank Open Farm, York – selected dates from Saturday 7th December to Sunday 22nd December 2024
Santa Claus will be visiting Beetle Bank Open Farm on weekends throughout December with his faithful reindeer Blitzen. You child will get the chance to chat to the big man himself in his grotto before picking an early Christmas present of their choice. The café will be open for light refreshments and festive treats however the playground and fields will be closed for this Christmas event.
Tickets to see Santa at Beetle Bank Open Farm are priced at £30 for one child (a full £8 increase on last year!) and £21 for additional children. Accompanying adults are charged at £3.50 per person.
Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland, York Designer Outlet – Friday 14th November to Wednesday 24th December 2025
At Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland at York Designer Outlet this year, you can visit to Santa and his elves in his cosy cabin and collect a special gift.
Tickets to visit Father Christmas at Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland are available to book now priced at £6 per child with a £1.50 family booking fee. A reservation is required to visit Santa but can be made on the day, subject to availability – it’s worth noting that this was a sell out event last year so I would book ahead if you can.
Santa’s Grotto at Dobbie’s Garden Centre, York – Thursday 23rd November to Wednesday 24th December 2025
I do love good garden centre grotto – perhaps as it harks back to my own childhood experiences of visiting Father Christmas! This year at Dobbies, you can take your little ones for a walk through the magical outdoor woodland before being welcomed by Santa himself for a chat and a special gift (you can pre-select an age appropriate gift for your child when you book online). There’s also the option of buying a special photo of your visit (this is cheaper if you pre-order but you can also buy on the day).
Dobbies also offer a “Quiet Grotto” for children with additional needs on Friday 5th December 2025 – you can read more about this here.
Tickets are available to book online now priced at £14 per child.
(Dobbies also have a special grotto for your dog . . . make of that what you will.)
Santa’s Breakfast at Dobbie’s Garden Centre, York – selected dates from Saturday 29th November to Wednesday 24th December 2025
Enjoy breakfast with Santa with the whole family at Dobbie’s Garden Centre this December. As well as a delicious breakfast, there will be fun games and a visit from Santa with a special gift for every child.
This event is suited to families with children aged 10 years and under. To relax and fully enjoy the experience, families will be seated and served at their own table.
Breakfast is priced from £18 for children and from £9 for adults and you can choose from standard, vegetarian or “light” menu options. You can book your breakfast with Santa at Dobbie’s York here.
Meet Santa and his Alpacadeers at Sheriff Alpacas – Saturday 20th / Sunday 21st / Monday 22nd December 2025
Meet Santa at Sheriff Alpacas this Christmas with his special furry festive friends, the “alpacadeer”! The experience includes the opportunity to meet and feed the “alpacadeer” and their babies (who have the softest fleeces) and then to meet Santa in his cosy fireside grotto where you’ll receive a special handcrafted alpaca gift!
Tickets are available to book now priced at £30 per child, £15 per adult.
The information below relates to last year’s event and will be updated as soon as details become available.
Christmas at Spilmans – No Christmas event for 2025
The information below relates to last year’s event and will be updated as soon as details become available.
Christmas at Spilman’s Farm offers magical festive fun with Santa’s elves, Mrs Claus and even Santa Claus himself who will read you a story in his cosy cabin. You’ll meet the elves, try your hand at some festive crafts and even learn where snow comes from before decorating your own gingerbread biscuit with Mrs Claus and choosing your own Christmas present from her workshop.
Tickets are available to book online now and are priced from £15.95 (or £9.95 for under 2s)
See Santa at York Bird of Prey Centre – No details for Christmas 2025
The information below relates to a previous event.
This Christmas at York Bird of Prey Centre, you can visit the birds of prey, and Father Christmas! You will get the chance to meet Father Christmas in his homely grotto and tell him all about the things you’d like for Christmas this year, you’ll be able to meet the elves in their workshop and they will help you to build your own gift and don’t forget to join in with all the Christmas themed games and crafts.
Tickets can be booked online and are priced at £10 for adults and £15 for children.
Where can we see Father Christmas in York this year?
Phew. That’s quite the round up! Where will you be going to see Father Christmas in York this year? Have I missed anywhere off the list?
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:
The best places to visit Father Christmas in Manchester 2026
Christmas days out in Manchester 2026
The best places to visit Santa in Leeds
Christmas days out in the York area
Festive days out in the Leeds area
What’s going on in Liverpool this Christmas?
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This is such a fantastic guide for families looking to experience the magic of Christmas in York! I love how you’ve highlighted a variety of Santa visits, from the traditional magic of Stockeld Park to the cozy charm of Beningbrough Hall. It’s clear how much thought and care has gone into curating these special experiences for families. The tips on pricing and booking early are really helpful, especially with the growing demand each year. I can only imagine how much joy these festive experiences will bring to children (and adults alike). Thank you for sharing these wonderful options for making Christmas extra special!