Santa Claus is coming to town…
Time to find out if you’ve been naughty or nice as the big man himself makes appearances around York and beyond. Find out where to find him using our guide below…
City centre
Santa’s Sweet Adventure
- York’s Chocolate Story, 3-4 Kings Square, York YO1 7LD
- 23 November – 24 December
- £6-£17.50
- 01904 527765
- More details
York’s Chocolate Story will deck the tours with boughs of holly! All three floors will have a festive make-over as Father Christmas himself takes up residence.
Christmas at York Castle Museum
- York Castle Museum, York YO1 9RY
- Weekends 16 November – 22 December plus 23 and 24 December
- Free-£15
- 01904 687687
- More details
Create unforgettable memories with York’s favourite Father Christmas as he talks to children ahead of his busiest time of year
Tales with Father Christmas
- Treasurer’s House, Minster Yard, York YO1 7JL
- 7 December
- £8.50
- 01904 624247
- More details
Father Christmas has crashed into the roof again – his GPS is terrible! Don’t worry, we’re here to save the day and set him up a special grotto in the attic. Grab a hard hat and head to the rooftops to listen to his stories and receive a gift.
Breakfast With Santa!
- The Golden Fleece, 16 Pavement, York YO1 9UP
- 14 December
- £7.50
- 01904 620491
- More details
Come down to The Golden Fleece and meet the big man himself this Christmas!
Further afield
Christmas at Piglets Adventure Farm
- Piglets Adventure Farm, Towthorpe Grange, Towthorpe Moor Lane, York YO32 9ST
- 23 November – 24 December
- £4.95-£16.95
- 01904 499183
- More details
Share your wishes & dreams with Santa who will give you the magic key to unlock his amazing Toy Shop. Choose your perfect gift from a huge selection.
A Victorian Visit to Father Christmas
- Nunnington Hall, Nunnington York YO62 5UY
- Weekends 30 November – 15 December
- £8
- 01439 748283
- More details
Step back in time and meet Father Christmas during the Victorian times.
Drop in Santa’s Grotto
- Castle Howard, Coneysthorpe, York YO60 7DA
- Weekends 30 November – 22 December
- £8
- 01653 648333
- More details
We’ve persuaded the big man himself and one of his cheeky elves to take up residence in the cosy Courtyard Grotto!
Storytime with Father Christmas – rewashed!
- Beningbrough Hall, Gardens and Gallery, Beningbrough, York YO30 1DD
- Weekends 30 November – 22 December
- £10
- 01904 472027
- More details
Father Christmas has been on many travels and he needs to do his washing so he’s visiting the Victorian laundry at Beningbrough during weekends on the build up to Christmas. You’re invited to join Father Christmas for a new and unforgettable experience in the historic Victorian laundry.
Santa at the Mill
- Holgate Windmill, Windmill Rise, York YO26 4TX
- 7, 8, 14, 15 December
- £5
- More details
Santa will be arriving in the windmill again this year!
Dunnington Christmas Craft Fair & Meet Father Christmas
- Dunnington Reading Rooms, Church Street, York YO19 5PW
- 7 December
- Free-Donations
- More details
Meet Father Christmas in his grotto!
Santa’s Grotto
- Langlands Garden Centre, York Road, York YO43 3PN
- Weekends 1 December – 22 December plus 23 and 24 December
- £7.50
- 01430 873426
- More details
Groups will be taken through to the Grotto at timed intervals for an interactive meeting with Santa. The kids can also have a personal chat with Father Christmas. Santa also makes sure every child gets a nice present to take home as well!
Christmas at Flamingo Land
- Flamingo Land, Kirby Misperton, Malton YO17 6UX
- Weekends 23 November – 22 December plus 23 and 24 December
- £4.95-£16.95
- More details
Meet Santa in his grotto and share your Christmas wish, have you been good this year?
Santa’s Grotto
- York McArthur Glen Designer Outlet, St Nicholas Avenue, York YO19 4TA
- 15 November – 24 December
- £5
- 01904 682700
- More details
Follow the path through the snowy enchanted woodland, where fairy-tale creatures glow in the dark and trees sparkle with lights, find Santa’s cosy log cabin and meet Father Christmas himself to collect a special gift.
Christmas at the Web Adventure Park
- The Web Adventure Park, Cliftongate Business Park, Wigginton Road, York YO32 2RH
- 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 24 December. Weekends 14-22 December
- £5
- 01904 692221
- More details
A children’s VIP festive event with a Christmassy breakfast and time to meet Father Christmas in his grotto, a visit to Father Christmas in his workshop and a magical, memorable way to celebrate your baby’s First Christmas.
Santa on the move
City Cruises York Santa Experience
- York Boat, Lendal Bridge, York YO1 7DP
- 24, 30 November. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 December
- Free-£16
- 01904 628324
- More details
Santa Claus himself will find his way aboard and each child will be hand delivered a personalised present from Santa whilst everybody on board will enjoy refreshments, fun and surprises, making this a Christmas treat to remember.
Santa Special
- Yorkshire Museum of Farming – Murton Park, York YO19 5UF
- Weekends 7 – 22 December
- £8-£11
- 01904 489966
- More details
The Derwent Valley Light Railway will be running heritage passenger trains on which children will receive an early Christmas gift from Santa himself.
Santa Specials
- North Yorkshire Moors Railway, 12 Park Street, Pickering YO18 7AJ
- Weekends 30 November – 22 December
- £22-£23
- More details
Join Santa and his special helpers on a magical adventure aboard the Santa Express, which will take you on a festive journey you won’t forget!