Winter Wonderland 2014 santa land
Photograph: Winter Wonderland
Photograph: Winter Wonderland

Santa's grottos in London 2025: where to meet Father Christmas

Old Saint Nick is taking time out of his hectic festive schedule to greet the kids of London – here’s where to find him.

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The great thing about having kids at Christmas is that you can vicariously relive that wonderful joy that comes with believing in Santa Claus – the anticipation waiting for him to slide down the chimney, the delight at seeing he'd taken a hefty bite of mince pie and the starstruck timidness at meeting him face-to-face at one of his grottos. 

You may be a boring grown-up now, but it’s just as magical to watch your own little ones’ eyes light up as they see big man IRL. From a traditional Victorian hut to a gingerbread-themed alcove and the city’s only immersive black Santa experience at Noir Kringle, London has an assortment of grottos suited to every family. With help from Santa’s elves, each leaves kids with a special gift and a photo with the main man. Many also boast bonus Christmas activities from crafts and wintry trails, to film screenings and story time sessions.

Be organised, though. Santa is a popular guy and often there isn’t enough of him to go round aren’t enough to meet the demand, particularly at peak times on weekends. So you’ll need to act fast to secure your slot and avoid tears and tantrums. Here are some great grottos in London to try for a holly jolly good time this year. 

RECOMMENDED: Find more festive fun with our guide to Christmas in London.

Where to find Santa’s grottos in London 2025

  • Things to do
  • Festivals
  • Regent’s Park

Choosing just which grotto in London to meet Santa in can be hard, but London Zoo might just have the edge. Where else can you shake hands with the big guy and then go off and meet some of Mother Earth’s cutest creatures? This year, kids can take part in special Christmas crafts activities before they’re introduced to the man, the myth, the legend himself in his cosy grotto and receive a special gift to remember the day by. An audience with the man in red will cost extra, but the zoo’s other seasonal attractions – including a giant animal advent calendar, Christmas-themed animal talks and marshmallow toasting– will be open through to January.

  • Kids
  • Hampstead Heath

Alongside its neon Neverland-themed Christmas light trail, Father Christmas himself is stopping by Kenwood House to amp up the festivities. Mr C is selflessly taking time out of his hectic pre-Christmas schedule to swing by Hampstead Heath’s stately home to spin a few yarns and do a meet-and-greet with some of his biggest little fans. Tickets include a group storytelling sesh and an individual meeting, where every kid will get to take home a wrapped Christmas present to open on the big day. 

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  • Kids
  • Hounslow

South London adventure park Hobbledown Heath is offering a whole host of festive fun for little’uns this December, having transformed into Santa’s Secret Village for the season, with twinkling lights, treat trails and a whole host of face to face experiences with Mr Claus himself. The main event is a Santa’s Grotto experience taking place on weekends throughout the month, and daily in the run-up to the big day. Tickets include all day entry into the Hounslow fun palace, festive cookie decorating in the Elves’ Workshop, timed entry to a meet and greet with yer man and a token allowing kids to claim a present. For the tiniest tots, Hobbledown is also offering a Toddler Santa Experience, a group meet and greet for kids under five. 

  • Things to do
  • Markets and fairs
  • Hyde Park
  • Recommended

Winter Wonderland is where Santa thrives. The annual mega attraction doesn’t just boast a grotto, but a whole area dubbed Santaland. It’s filled with rides that take inspo from the jolly giant, like Santa’s Spinning Coaster and Santa’s Flying Sleigh Ride, a chill zone, and – on certain days – a whole parade where you’ll get to see the top dog and his elves heading home for the day. There is also the traditional grotto, of course, where you can get up close and personal with the guy behind the beard and grab a present – but only if you’re good.

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  • Things to do
  • Greenwich

Sugar plum fairies and toy soldiers will descend on The Orangery at Greenwich’s Queen’s House as it transforms into the gorgeous, enchanting world of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker for Christmas. For kids aged one to nine (who probably wouldn’t sit still for a full-length ballet) there will be 15 minute performances telling the Nutcracker story, followed by a visit to Father Christmas’s grotto and a promise of presents. 

Find more kids’ Christmas fun in London

  • Kids
Best London Christmas activities for children
Best London Christmas activities for children

December is never more exciting than when you’re littler than Santa’s elves. Your kids have been waiting for this all year: help to make their festive dreams come true at these great Christmas events for children. And you can have lots of wintry fun at London’s ice rinks, Santa’s grottos, Xmas lights and Christmas theatre shows too.

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