Santa’s grottos · Christmas 2026
Santa’s grottos near Newcastle
We’ve checked 14 Santa’s grottos within 30 miles of Newcastle. 12 have confirmed 2026 dates, 2 are still to announce. The first opens on Friday 20 November (Father Christmas at Lilidorei, The Alnwick Garden).
Where prices are published, entry runs from £10 to £28 per child. 11 include a gift in the price. 2 have already sold out. Where booking hasn’t opened yet, the listing says when it does.
On this weekend
Based on each listing’s first and last dates. Some run on selected days only, so check times before you set off.
- ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Santa Stories at Christmas Village Newcastle
Christmas Village Newcastle, Old Eldon Square, Newcastle upon Tyne · in central Newcastle · run by Christmas Village Newcastle (Event Inspirations)
- When
- From Sat 21 Nov
- Times
- 35-40 minute sessions
- Price
- From £10.50
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- From £10.50 + booking fee
- Gift included
- No
- Adults pay
- Yes
- Type
- Santa experience
Dates: Sessions from Saturday 21 November 2026; check the box office for each date
Prices: From £10.50 plus booking fee per child; from £6.50 plus booking fee per adult
Santa tells a story in a heated tipi. Children do a Nice List activity and take home a certificate and a souvenir snowglobe. All ages welcome. Booking fees are added to ticket prices.
Under-5s: Good for themChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: christmasvillagenewcastle.co.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
The Santa Experience: Operation Christmas Eve at Life Science Centre
Life Science Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne · 1 mile from Newcastle
- When
- Sat 21 Nov – Wed 23 Dec
- Price
- From £25
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- £25
- Gift included
- Yes
- Adults pay
- Yes
- Type
- Santa experience
Dates: Saturday 21 November to Wednesday 23 December 2026; relaxed sessions on certain Sundays
Times: Timed slots; science centre open 10am-5pm on the day of booking
Prices: £25 per child, £25 per adult (adult ticket includes science centre entry); maximum 2 adults per child
Aimed at ages 3 to 10. Includes a new Elf Show with live science experiments, a Santa visit with a gift and a Christmas Eve bag (reindeer food, hot chocolate mix, sweet treat), the What Santa Sees dome show and science centre entry. Very young children do not need a ticket but get no gift and sit on an adult's lap. The Play Zone is closed during the event.
Parking: Nearby at Times Square Car Park; main entrance on Times SquareUnder-5s: Good for themChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: life.org.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Storytime with Santa at Gosforth Civic Theatre
Gosforth Civic Theatre, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne · 2 miles from Newcastle
- When
- Sat 5 Dec – Tue 22 Dec
- Price
- From £16
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- £16
- Gift included
- Yes
- Adults pay
- No
- Booking opens
- Wednesday 22 July
- Visit length
- 30 minutes
- Type
- Santa experience
Dates: Sat 5, Fri 11, Sat 12, Sat 19, Sun 20, Mon 21 and Tue 22 December 2026
Times: Sessions between 10am and 5pm (about 30 minutes each); some sessions for under-4s and for children with complex needs (40 minutes)
Prices: £16 per child including up to two adults and a gift from Santa
Santa tells a story in the theatre studio, with a maximum of 20 children per session. The 10am sessions on Sat 5 Dec and 2pm on Sat 12 Dec are for under-4s, and some sessions are for children with complex needs. Ideal up to age 10. The cafe bar is open before and after sessions.
Parking: Small free car park, likely to be busy; the venue is a 2-minute walk from Regent Centre Metro stationAccess: Fully accessible venue: automatic wheelchair-accessible entrances, accessible toilet, all on one level; one free carer ticket per bookingUnder-5s: Good for themChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: gosforthcivictheatre.co.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Elf Express at Stephenson Steam Railway
Stephenson Steam Railway, North Shields · 5 miles from Newcastle · run by North East Museums for North Tyneside Council
- When
- Sat 5 Dec – Wed 23 Dec
- Price
- From £20.50
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- From £20.50
- Gift included
- Yes
- Type
- Santa train
Dates: 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 22 and 23 December 2026
Times: Start times 9.45am, 11.15am, 12.45pm, 2.15pm, 3.45pm
Prices: Tickets from £20.50; group tickets for private compartments
A 15-minute live show from Santa and the elves in the museum, then a heritage train ride, a hot drink and a sweet treat. Children aged 0-12 get a gift from Santa. Some of it is outdoors, so wrap up. Your slot is for the show, not the train departure; tickets cannot be exchanged or refunded.
Parking: Free on-site car park with 74 spaces, plus overflowAccess: Buggies can be left in the museum during the train rideUnder-5s: Good for themChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: stephensonrailwaymuseum.org.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Father Christmas Grotto at Beamish Museum (daytime)
Beamish, The Living Museum of the North, Beamish, Stanley · 7 miles from Newcastle · run by Beamish Museum
- When
- Sat 21 Nov – Thu 24 Dec
- Price
- From £10
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- £10 (0-16 years)
- Gift included
- Yes
- Adults pay
- No
- Type
- Grotto visit
Dates: Daytime Christmas at Beamish, Sat 21 Nov to Thu 24 Dec; choose your grotto date and time when booking
Times: Museum open 10am-4pm; grotto time chosen at booking
Prices: £10 per child (0-16 years) including a small traditional gift; two accompanying adults free with each child's grotto ticket; additional adults £2.50. Children 5+ also need museum entry (Unlimited Pass or Friends of Beamish membership); under-5s need only the grotto ticket
Father Christmas is in a grotto in Rowley Station goods yard. Grotto tickets must be pre-booked, subject to availability. Under-5s do not need a museum ticket; children 5 and over do.
Access: Large open-air museum with some historic buildings that are not fully accessible; a wheelchair-accessible vehicle is available on callUnder-5s: Good for themChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: beamish.digitickets.co.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Breakfast with Father Christmas at Beamish
Beamish, Coffee Pot Cafe, Beamish, Stanley · 7 miles from Newcastle · run by Beamish Museum
- When
- Sat 5 Dec – Sun 20 Dec
- Price
- Not published
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Type
- Breakfast with Santa
Dates: Sat 5 and Sun 6 December; Sat 12 Dec sold out; Sun 13, Sat 19 and Sun 20 December with limited tickets
Times: Sat 5 Dec 9-10am; other times on the booking page
Held in the Coffee Pot Cafe in the entrance building. Saturday 12 December is sold out and the other dates show limited tickets.
Access: Large open-air museum with some historic buildings that are not fully accessible; a wheelchair-accessible vehicle is available on callChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: beamish.org.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Quiet Santa Sessions at Beamish
Beamish, 1900s Town Bank Board Room, Beamish, Stanley · 7 miles from Newcastle · run by Beamish Museum
- When
- Sat 19 Dec – Wed 23 Dec
- Price
- From £10
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- £10 per person taking part
- Gift included
- Yes
- Adults pay
- No
- Type
- Grotto visit
Dates: 19, 20 and 23 December 2026
Prices: £10 per person taking part; museum entry not included (ages 5+ need an Unlimited Pass or Friends of Beamish membership; under-5s need only the Santa Session ticket)
A sensory-friendly grotto for people with additional needs who prefer a calmer setting. Only the person taking part gets a gift; other party members do not need a Santa ticket. Pre-booking is compulsory. Questions: 0191 370 4003.
Under-5s: Good for themChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: beamish.org.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Santa's Grotto at Holmside Park
Holmside Park, Edmondsley, Chester-le-Street · 10 miles from Newcastle
- When
- Sat 5 Dec – Thu 24 Dec
- Price
- From £14.50
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- £31 (4+), £25 (1-3), £14.50 (under 12 months)
- Gift included
- Yes
- Adults pay
- Yes
- Visit length
- 15 minutes
- Type
- Santa experience
Dates: 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 December 2026
Times: Grotto slots 10.15am-5.45pm (Christmas Eve 11.30am-5.30pm); park open from 10am
Prices: Child ages 4+ £31 (£33 Christmas Eve); ages 1-3 £25 (£27); under 12 months £14.50 (£16.50). Adults £11-£17 depending on activities (+£2 Christmas Eve)
A 15-minute grotto slot with a gift from Santa and reindeer dust to take home, plus all-day park admission with 20+ activities. Pre-book and pre-pay online only. There is no separate breakfast with Santa this year; the cafe serves seasonal food.
Under-5s: Good for themChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: holmsidepark.co.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Santa and Dasher the Reindeer at Hall Hill Farm
Hall Hill Farm, Lanchester · 15 miles from Newcastle
- When
- Sat 5 Dec – Wed 23 Dec
- Price
- From £18.95
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- £18.95 (ages 1-15)
- Gift included
- Yes
- Adults pay
- Yes
- Booking opens
- Mid-September 2026 (on sale)
- Type
- Santa experience
Dates: 5, 6, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 December 2026
Times: Arrive within a 15-minute window of your booked time; the farm closes at 4.30pm in December
Prices: Child (1-15) £18.95 including a gift from Santa; adult £13.50; babes in arms (0-12 months) free; family tickets £63 (2 adults, 2 children) and £80 (2 adults, 3 children)
Ticket includes Santa's Winter Wonderland area, a visit with Dasher the reindeer and entry to the farm. No tickets are sold at the gate; entry to the Winter Wonderland area is refused without a pre-booked ticket. No dogs except guide dogs. Annual Pass members get one discounted visit.
Dogs: Not allowedUnder-5s: Good for themChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: hallhillfarm.digitickets.co.uk Book a visit - ✓ 2026 dates confirmed
Father Christmas at Lilidorei, The Alnwick Garden
Lilidorei, The Alnwick Garden, Alnwick · 30 miles from Newcastle · run by The Alnwick Garden
- When
- Fri 20 Nov – Thu 31 Dec
- Price
- From £26.50
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- From £26.50 (Saver date)
- Gift included
- Yes
- Adults pay
- Yes
- Visit length
- 10 minutes
- Type
- Grotto visit
Dates: Daytime and evening slots from 20 Nov to 31 Dec (not 26 Nov or 3 Dec); Saver, Standard and Premium priced dates
Times: Daytime and evening slots; evening visits include Winter Light Trail entry
Prices: Saver dates from £26.50 (£21.50 members); Standard and Premium dates cost more. Ticket covers the child's visit plus entry to the Garden and Lilidorei for that child
One-to-one visit of about 10 minutes with a gift from Father Christmas. A booking allows up to four adults in with the child; adults without their own Father Christmas ticket need a Garden and Lilidorei day ticket (before 4:30pm) or a Winter Light Trail ticket (after 4:30pm). Only assistance dogs are allowed over the festive period.
Parking: £3.75; free for blue badge holdersDogs: Not allowedUnder-5s: Good for themChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: alnwickgarden.com Book a visit - Sold out
Santa's Grotto at Dobbies Birtley
Dobbies Birtley, Birtley · 7 miles from Newcastle · run by Dobbies Garden Centres
- When
- See dates below
- Price
- See the booking page for prices.
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Gift included
- Yes
- Type
- Grotto visit
Dates: 22 November to 24 December 2026; not every store runs every date
Santa's Grotto 2026 is sold out at Birtley, along with a separate Santa's Breakfast and a Santa's Quiet Grotto for children with additional needs. Every child gets a collectable penguin soft toy. A maximum of 2 adults per child; the grotto may be outdoors.
Checked Mon 5 Oct · source: events.dobbies.com Details - Sold out
North Pole Express at Tanfield Railway
Tanfield Railway, East Tanfield Station, Stanley · 7 miles from Newcastle · run by Tanfield Railway
- When
- Sat 28 Nov – Thu 24 Dec
- Price
- From £28
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Per child
- £28
- Gift included
- Yes
- Adults pay
- Yes
- Visit length
- 145 minutes
- Type
- Santa train
Dates: 28, 29 Nov; 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 22, 23 and 24 December 2026
Times: Departures 10.25am, 11.25am, 12.25pm, 1.25pm, 2.25pm, 3.25pm, 4.25pm
Prices: Adult (16+) £24 plus £1.44 booking fee; child (0-15) £28 plus £1.68 booking fee; carer tickets at half adult price
All tickets are shown as sold out. The 2 hours 25 minutes includes a steam train ride of around 10-15 minutes each way, a North Pole visit with Father Christmas, the Jingles Elf Show, refreshments and a tote bag; every child gets a gift.
Parking: Free car parking; limited spaces, disabled parking availableAccess: Accessible compartment (1 wheelchair plus 4 companions); no heating or toilets on the train, toilets at the station and North Pole; assistance animals onlyDogs: Not allowedChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: tanfield-railway.co.uk Details - Awaiting 2026 dates
A Canny Christmas Grotto at Discovery Museum
Discovery Museum, Newcastle upon Tyne · 1 mile from Newcastle · run by North East Museums
- When
- Last year: 11-14 and 18-23 December 2025
- Price
- Not published
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Gift included
- Yes
- Adults pay
- Yes
- Type
- Santa experience
Last year's session included a Geordie Santa, a hot chocolate, a sweet treat and festive crafts. Children under 12 got a gift; babies under 18 months went free but needed a ticket for a gift. Every person in the party needed a ticket. No 2026 dates or prices are published yet.
Under-5s: Good for themChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: northeastmuseums.org.uk Book a visit - Awaiting 2026 dates
Santa's Elf Academy at Metrocentre
Metrocentre, Gateshead · 3 miles from Newcastle
- When
- Awaiting 2026 dates
- Price
- Not published
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Visit length
- 30 minutes
- Type
- Santa experience
Dates: Last year: Santa's Elf Academy (latest dates published: Sat 16 November to Christmas Eve 2024, Lower Blue Mall)
The Elf Academy format lasted 25-30 minutes and suited children from 18 months to 10 years, with quieter SEND sessions on Thursday and Sunday mornings. Children received a memento. 2026 dates and prices are not announced yet.
Under-5s: Good for themChecked Mon 5 Oct · source: thenorthernecho.co.uk Book a visit
Compare at a glance
| Name | Where | When | From | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Stories at Christmas Village Newcastle | Newcastle upon Tyne (0 mi) | From Sat 21 Nov | £10.50 | Book ahead |
| The Santa Experience: Operation Christmas Eve at Life Science Centre | Newcastle upon Tyne (1 mi) | Sat 21 Nov – Wed 23 Dec | £25 | Book ahead |
| Storytime with Santa at Gosforth Civic Theatre | Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne (2 mi) | Sat 5 Dec – Tue 22 Dec | £16 | Book ahead |
| Elf Express at Stephenson Steam Railway | North Shields (5 mi) | Sat 5 Dec – Wed 23 Dec | £20.50 | Book ahead |
| Father Christmas Grotto at Beamish Museum (daytime) | Beamish, Stanley (7 mi) | Sat 21 Nov – Thu 24 Dec | £10 | Book ahead |
| Breakfast with Father Christmas at Beamish | Beamish, Stanley (7 mi) | Sat 5 Dec – Sun 20 Dec | — | Book ahead |
| Quiet Santa Sessions at Beamish | Beamish, Stanley (7 mi) | Sat 19 Dec – Wed 23 Dec | £10 | Book ahead |
| Santa's Grotto at Holmside Park | Edmondsley, Chester-le-Street (10 mi) | Sat 5 Dec – Thu 24 Dec | £14.50 | Book ahead |
| Santa and Dasher the Reindeer at Hall Hill Farm | Lanchester (15 mi) | Sat 5 Dec – Wed 23 Dec | £18.95 | Book ahead |
| Father Christmas at Lilidorei, The Alnwick Garden | Alnwick (30 mi) | Fri 20 Nov – Thu 31 Dec | £26.50 | Book ahead |
| Santa's Grotto at Dobbies Birtley Sold out | Birtley (7 mi) | 22 November to 24 December 2026; not every store runs every date | — | Book ahead |
| North Pole Express at Tanfield Railway Sold out | Stanley (7 mi) | Sat 28 Nov – Thu 24 Dec | £28 | Book ahead |
| A Canny Christmas Grotto at Discovery Museum | Newcastle upon Tyne (1 mi) | Awaiting 2026 | — | Book ahead |
| Santa's Elf Academy at Metrocentre | Gateshead (3 mi) | Awaiting 2026 | — | Book ahead |
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Common questions
When do Santa’s grotto bookings open near Newcastle?
Storytime with Santa at Gosforth Civic Theatre: Wednesday 22 July; Santa and Dasher the Reindeer at Hall Hill Farm: Mid-September 2026 (on sale). Popular weekend slots can go within days, so it pays to be ready.
Which Newcastle grottos include a present?
The Santa Experience: Operation Christmas Eve at Life Science Centre, Storytime with Santa at Gosforth Civic Theatre, Elf Express at Stephenson Steam Railway, Father Christmas Grotto at Beamish Museum (daytime), Quiet Santa Sessions at Beamish and Santa's Grotto at Holmside Park and 5 others include a gift for each child in the ticket price.
Are any Santa’s grottos near Newcastle free?
None of the ones we checked is free. The cheapest is Father Christmas Grotto at Beamish Museum (daytime) at £10, and the dearest North Pole Express at Tanfield Railway at £28.
When do Santa’s grottos near Newcastle open in 2026?
Confirmed so far: Father Christmas at Lilidorei, The Alnwick Garden (Fri 20 Nov); Santa Stories at Christmas Village Newcastle (Sat 21 Nov); The Santa Experience: Operation Christmas Eve at Life Science Centre (Sat 21 Nov); Father Christmas Grotto at Beamish Museum (daytime) (Sat 21 Nov); North Pole Express at Tanfield Railway (Sat 28 Nov); plus 6 more on the list. Every listing shows the date we last checked it.
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