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

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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. 

Set up in 2018 by a mother in search of positive Black representation at Christmastime for her children, Noir Kringle offers a full-on grotto experience with a Black Santa. This is no rushed meet-and-greet, either – kids will have one hour to explore the grotto and take part in activities, like making Mrs Kringle’s reindeer food, attending a mini elf school and a group hang with Mr Kringle aka the Black Santa himself. The little ones will get to share their Christmas wish list with Mr Kringle, receive a gift to take home and be able to pose for some snaps with him too. It sounds super fun, but also an important step towards introducing more diversity into Christmas and extending inclusion to (whisper it) fictional characters. Tickets go on sale on October 2.