Book these magical Santa's Grottos now for Christmas 2025
From wreath-making workshops and festive film screenings to winter lights trails and the annual Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market, Winchester district is full of things to do around the festivities. But if December won't feel like December without some quality time with Father Christmas himself, look no further. Here's your guide to Santa's Grottos and Father Christmas experiences in and around Winchester this year.
We've got the jolly fellow popping up in historic buildings, on vintage steam trains, at garden centres and in a planetarium. Some Santa experiences come with extras like theatre shows, craft workshops and photo opportunities to make it into a full family day out. All guarantee a gift from Santa for little ones. Get booking now for Christmas 2025.
Christmas at Marwell Hall
Head to historic Marwell Hall for a 45-minute grotto experience, with Christmas storytelling, craft activities and a chance to meet Santa. The experience will begin with stories from one of Santa’s elves, before children take a trip to Santa’s Workshop to create a Christmas decoration and visit Santa's Post Room to write a letter to Santa and take a selfie in his sleigh. To finish, all children will receive a gift from the big man himself.
Christmas at Marwell Hall, near Winchester. 28 November - 24 December 2025.
Santa's Grotto at The Great Hall
Share a magical moment with Santa and his elf in the historic setting of Winchester's Great Hall Grotto. There will be crafts and activities in the hall to do before or after your meet. All children will be given a gift from Santa and every ticket holder will get a hot chocolate to enjoy.
Santa's Grotto at The Great Hall, Winchester. 29 November - 23 December 2025.
Santa's Christmas Party
Head to Theatre Royal Winchester for a family-friendly Christmas show - with the added bonus of meeting Father Christmas at the end. The 45-minute show will be an adventure full of fun, much-loved festive songs and party games. The audience then gets the chance to meet Santa at his home in the North Pole afterwards, where every child will receive a special Christmas present.
Santa's Christmas Party, Theatre Royal Winchester. 22 December 2025.
Cosmic Christmas
Santa is having a cosmic Christmas in Winchester Science Centre's Planetarium. Ticket holders will blast off on a live-action immersive festive space adventure to the International Space Station, before meeting the man in red himself for a photo and getting a special Christmas gift.
Cosmic Christmas, Winchester Science Centre. 6 - 23 December 2025.
Father Christmas Express
Take a ride on the Father Christmas Express, a steam train running from Ropley to Medstead and back, where Santa is also one of the passengers on board! Once you've met Father Christmas, you can exchange your magic token for a Christmas present at Present Junction. Other activities include an activity trail, letter writing, festive photo opportunities and the chance to make reindeer food to take home with you for Christmas Eve.
Father Christmas Express, The Watercress Line, Ropley, near Alresford. 13, 14, 20, 21, 22 and 23 December 2025.
Santa's Grotto Experience
Brambridge Park garden centre is the setting for this Father Christmas meet-and-greet. Little ones will venture to the North Pole to mix reindeer food ready to sprinkle on Christmas Eve, before being invited into Santa’s living room for a special one-to-one meeting. There's an opportunity for a photo, available to purchase at the end of your visit. Then, each child can choose a toy to take home from Santa’s Present Room.
Santa's Grotto Experience at Brambridge Park. 22 November - 24 December 2025 (selected dates only)
More Christmas events in Winchester district
CLOSES: 24th Dec 2025
Christmas - The Candlelight Concert
Guildhall Winchester
CLOSES: 29 November 2025
DATE: 28 Nov 2025 - 28 Nov 2025
CLOSES: 29th Nov 2025
CLOSES: 14th Dec 2025
CLOSES: 18th Dec 2025