Where to see Father Christmas in and around Cardiff

Father Christmas has a busy schedule in Cardiff this winter!

Thanks to everyone who read and shared my recent post on festive family things to do in Cardiff.  It’s great to see so many people getting excited about the festive season.

I’ve had a few people ask me the best places to see Father Christmas in and around Cardiff.

The readers on my Cardiff Mummy Says Facebook page had some great suggestions, but there were so many comments on the thread that it was getting difficult to keep up. So, I’ve done my best to collate all the places Santa is appearing in and around Cardiff this winter.

If you know of any more, please let me know so I can add them to the list. I have taken the information from websites and publicity material, so please do call ahead to confirm. A lot of the places need to be pre-booked. None of these companies have paid me to include them on this post, and inclusion here is by no means a recommendation, I just thought it would be nice to have them all in one place. I hope you and your little ones have fun meeting Father Christmas. Such a magical experience!

****UPDATE 20/09/2015 **** This article seems to suddenly be getting lots of views again! Please note it refers to Christmas 2014. I will be writing something on 2015 Christmas events hopefully in November.**************

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* Round Table Cardiff Santa Sleigh

Various dates touring the streets of Cardiff during December, and Sainsbury’s Colchester Avenue on the days he’s not touring

https://www.facebook.com/CardiffSantaSleigh

*Santa’s Grotto, Tesco Extra, Western Avenue 

December 15th-23rd

£5 per child

See in store for opening hours and further details

* Santa’s Grotto, Cefn Mably Farm Park

Every weekend from the last week in November through to Christmas

Prices are not yet on the website

Home

* Santa’s Grotto in aid of Noah’s Ark Appeal, Ikea, Cardiff Bay

6th-23rd December

£8 (visit & gift), £10 (visit, gift and photo)

http://www.noahs-ark-appeal.org/get-involved/christmas/santas-grotto/ke NOah’s Ark

* Meet Father Christmas at Hamleys, St David’s 2, Cardiff

1st-24th December (one hour event, breakfast, lunch and tea options available on different days)

£25

http://www.hamleys.com/explore-IMFC-Cardiff.irs

*Cardiff Model Engineering Society, Santa Special, Model Railway, Heath Park

Sunday 7th December

This one is already sold out, but I am including it in case any of you want to bookmark it for next year. Tickets go on sale in September and sell out pretty quickly.

http://www.cardiffmes.com/

* Santa Trains, Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway Station

Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th December, 11am-3.45pm

£9 per person

http://www.pontypool-and-blaenavon.co.uk/

* Winter Wonderland, Pugh’s Garden Centre, Radyr

22nd November – 24th December

£7 per child, £2 per accompanying adult

http://www.pughsgardencentre.co.uk/new-pughs-winter-wonderland/

* Father Christmas and A Christmas Carol-themed festivities, Tredegar House

29 & 30 November, 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 & 21st December, 11am-4pm

£2.50 per Father Christmas visit, usual entrance fees apply

* Santa’s Grotto, Celtic Manor, Newport

27th November-24th December

£11.50/£15/£17.50 depending on when you visit

http://www.celtic-manor.com/christmas-kingdom-santas-grotto

* Tea with Santa at John Lewis

1st-19th December at 5pm (Monday to Friday)

£8 per child, book instore or on 029 2053 6000.

*Meet Father Christmas & Friends

St Fagans National History Museum

29–30 November, 6–7, 13–14 & 20–22 December, 11am (Please note this session is Welsh language only on Saturday),1pm & 3pm

£12 per child (including one adult). Must be pre-booked. Ages 4-12

www.ticketlineuk.com/event/st-fagans

* Santa Tours, Millennium Stadium

4^th-24^th December

Adults £6, children £10.50, concessions £5.50, babes in arms free, family ticket (2+2 £30)

http://www.millenniumstadium.com/tours/santa_claus_tours.php

* Afternoon tea with Father Christmas, Ffresh, Wales Millennium Centre

29-30 November, 6-7 December

3pm

£12 adults, £8 under 12s

www.wmc.org.uk

*Santa Specials, Brecon Railway

November 29th and 30th, December 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd.

11am, 12.30pm, 2pm, 3.30pm, 5pm
Babies and children under 3, free; children 3-15, £11.50; adults, £13.50

http://www.breconmountainrailway.co.uk/santa-specials

* Christmas Festival and Santa’s Grotto, Memo Arts Centre, Barry
Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th November, 11am-5pm
Free entry to the festival, £6 grotto tickets, must be booked in advance.

http://www.memoartscentre.co.uk/events/christmas-festival-and-market/

* Santa’s Wintery Wonderland, Cwmcarn Forest Visitor Centre

Saturday 13th-Sunday 14th December, 10am-3.30pm
Prices to be confirmed

http://www.cwmcarnforest.co.uk

* Search For Santa, Sirhowy Valley Country Park, Crosskeys
Wednesday 10th and Thursday 11th December, 6pm-7.30pm
£1.50 per adult, £3 per child. Booking essential.

http://www.visitcaerphilly.com/events/item/68905/Search_for_Santa.html

*Father Christmas at Big Pit, Blaenavon

20th December, 10.30am

£5 per child

http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/whatson/?event_id=7582

* Santa’s Grotto, Cardiff Castle

6th-23rd December

This one has sold out but I am including it in case anyone wants to bookmark it for next year!

http://www.cardiffcastle.com/whats-on/2014/12/06/santas-grotto/

MERRY CHRISTMAS – NADOLIG LLAWEN!

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And if you liked this post, you may also enjoy this one about why November isn’t too early to start getting Christmassy.