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

What is it? 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.

What is it? 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. 

What is it? 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. 

What is it? 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.

What is it? 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. 

What is it? 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. 

What is it? This festive season the magnificent Chiswick House will open for the holidays for the first time in a special incarnation that aims to capture the opulent hubbub of a Georgian Christmas, in a presentation themed around the contemorary carol ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’. It’s suitable for all ages, and will be further pepped up with an eighteenth century-style Father Christmas’s Grotto.

What is it? The quintessential Santa meen’n’greet if you don’t mind going fancy, the grotto at world famous toy shop Hamleys offers a meet and greet Saint Nick himself, but also a chance to rub shoulders with the hard-working elves that make his Christmas gift-giving possible. Of course, you won’t leave the grotto empty-handed – Santa and his little helpers will send you off with some of their handiwork to take home when your time in their company is up.

What is it? Following last year’s inaugural gingerbread themed edition, this year’s Woolwich Works grotto is pushing the sugary stuff, with an iced roof and a garden lined with lollipops. Kids on the nice list will be treated to a candy cane gift and there’s a crafting station to amuse little ones while sibling etc are seeing the big guy. Curiously you can bring your dog along for its own festive grotto experience culminating in a dog treat.

What is it? The North Pole is an awfully long way from North London, but Santa is making the trek this Christmas to meet all the good children of the area. He’ll take up residence at Alexandra Palace’s East Court, where he’ll hold meet and greets, hand out pressies and pose for photos with the little ones. While you’re at Ally Pally, why not expand your Christmas experience with a trip to the ice rink?

What is it? Fancy a taste of Santa’s grottos of the past? Head to the London Museum Docklands where you and the kids can step into a metaphorical time machine and experience what little ones in the Victorian era would have witnessed when they went to meet Father Christmas. Even the gifts given out will be in keeping with times gone by and will be made from ‘traditional materials with minimal plastic’.

What is it? Father Christmas must have liked his posh new Chelsea digs last festive season as for 2025 he’s returning to Anya Hindmarch’s Village store, where visitors will be guided through a wintry wonderland of candy cane forests and icicle caves. When they make it to their destination, they’ll be rewarded with a festive story by the fire and a gift from Saint Nick.