Where to see Father Christmas in Cardiff and South Wales – 40+ Santa events and experiences for Christmas 2024
It’s the most magical time of year. Whether you call him Santa, Father Christmas or Sion Corn, he’s going to be in a lot of places in South Wales this Christmas. Just how does he manage to do it?!
I’ve included all the Santa experiences I can find, but let me know any I’ve missed. Lots of these events will sell out fast, so it’s advisable to book as soon as you can. However, there are a few walk-in experiences which don’t need booking such as the grotto on Cardiff’s Queen Street or the one at Ikea, in aid of Noah’s Ark Children’s Charity.
I’ll be posting another article very soon filled all with other Christmas events, from theatre and panto to light trails and festive family fun. Watch this space!
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Where to see Father Christmas in South Wales
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Storytime with Santa
Big Pit National Coal Museum, Blaenavon
Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 December, 10.45am-4.30pm various sessions available, English and Welsh language options
£10 per child
Join Santa and his elves in a cosy cottage, for a warm welcome and a festive story told by Santa. Each child will receive a gift plus an opportunity for you to take photographs, and to get creative with some Christmas Crafts – all included in your ticket price. You can also book for Christmas biscuit decorating, £10 per child, plus pay a visit to the underground mineshaft while there.
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Blaenavon Ironworks
Saturdays and Sundays 14 and 15, and 21 and 22 December, 10.30am-3.30pm
£10 per child, free for accompanying adults
Visit Father Christmas in the Victorian grotto at the Ironworks this Christmas for a unique family experience. Must be booked in advance in person at the site or by telephone or email.
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Blaenavon Heritage Railway
Saturdays and Sundays 7 and 8, 14 and 15, 21 and 22 and Monday 23 December,10.45am, 12.10pm, 1.30pm, 2.50pm, 4.10pm
Open seat ticket, adult or child £22.50, traditional compartment up to six £125, up to eight £150
Step on-board Santa’s Magical Steam Train for a fun festive journey. Santa will meet everyone personally at their specially reserved table or compartment in the vintage train carriages, with a present for all the children.
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Brecon Mountain Railway
Saturday 23 November-Sunday 22 December
Adults and children 2-15 £23, under 2s £10
Travel by steam train from Pant Station to Pontistcill to meet Santa in his Grotto where every child receives a lovely present and enjoys an unforgettable experience. Selling fast – limited availability. Includes gift for children and babies.
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British Bird of Prey Centre at the National Botanic Gardens of Wales, Carmarthenshire
Saturday 30 November-Monday 23 December
£8 per child, accompanying adults free; owl handling experience £3
As well as meeting Santa/Sion Corn, come face to face with the owls who help deliver Christmas wishes straight to the North Pole. Watch Wings in the Shadows: The Secret Life of Owls, an immersive indoor flying show narrated in the style of David Attenborough, and hold one of Santa’s magical owls. Get creative by making a decoration or holiday card, wand find all the elves hiding in the Great Glasshouse in festive scavenger. Tickets also include entry to the National Botanic Garden of Wales, The British Bird of Prey Centre and the Christmas Flying Show.
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Afternoon tea and story time with Santa
Bryngarw Country Park, Bridgend
Sunday 8 December, 12pm-3pm
Standard £36, under 10s £24, infant (no food) £6
A festival afternoon tea in the beautiful marquee, before Santa arrives to read a Christmas story to the group.
Sunday 15 December, 12pm-3pm
Standard £37.50, under 10 £21.50, infant no food £7.50
A three-course meal in the beautiful marquee Santa arrives to hear the children’s Christmas wishes.
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Cantref Adventure Farm, Brecon
Saturdays and Sundays 23-24, 30 November, 1, 7-8, 14-15. 21-22 December plus Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 December
Adults £15, children £20
Meet Santa in his magical grotto. While you’re waiting, you can create your own reindeer food, sit in Santa’s sleigh, and slide down his chimney! Plus meet the adorable animals and play our snowball game.
Visitors can also enjoy festive shows including Mr Ev’s Christmas show, learn the secrets of elf life at Elf Academy, and unleash your creativity with Mary Christmas’ gingerbread decorating. Join in the fun with our energetic party games and don’t miss our adorable animals in the pet barn.
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Cardiff Castle
Tuesday 10-Tuesday 17 December, selling fast, limited availability
Private tour £80 (up to two adults and two children), additional adult £12, additional child £18
Santa’s ever-popular Victorian Christmas gives visitors the chance to enjoy an exclusive private evening tour of Cardiff Castle’s beautifully decorated apartments where you’ll learn about a Victorian Christmas. Take part in a festive treasure hunt around the rooms and then get ready for a special meeting in the elegant Drawing Room, where children will have a chance to talk to Santa, have photographs taken and leave with a choice of gift. Includes a complimentary mulled wine or soft drink and biscuits in the Library.
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Cefn Mably Farm Park, Cardiff
Weekends from 30 November-22 December
£20 per child, £4 per adult
More information to follow as Cefn Mably gets set to welcome back Santa.
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Celtic Manor Resort, Newport (Caernarfon Suite, resort hotel)
Selected dates from 30 November-24 December, various times
Prices vary according to date, adults from £34, children from £24
The Celtic Manor resort welcomes back Santa and his helpers with a magical experience for all the family. Get in the Christmas spirit with a festive afternoon tea including sweet and savoury treats, in magical surrounding and with plenty of festive cheer. Includes individual meeting with Santa and a gift.
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Dan Yr Ogof Showcaves, Abercrave, Swansea
Weekends Saturday 30 November-Sunday 22 December, Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 December, 10am-3pm
Adults £20, children 3-12 £18 including gift, under 2s £10
Visit Santa, explore magically festive caves, as well as visiting the dinosaur trail and park, the outdoor and indoor play areas, and the Shire Horse Centre and farm.
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Dobbies garden centre, Swansea
Thursday 28 and Saturday 30 November, Sunday 1, Saturday 7, Sunday 8, and Saturday 14-Tuesday 24 December. (Selling fast with limited availability on some dates)
£12.99 per child
Dobbies popular Santa experience includes a train-themed theatrical experience for children and families, complete with interactive elements and a meeting with Santa himself. Take in the atmosphere as you arrive at the enchanting forest, and after a warm welcome from the elves at Sleighbell Station, children will get to experience snowy scenes, spot woodland characters, find hidden nutcrackers, all culminating in the chance to meet Santa.
‘Quiet’ experiences available
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Eto, Holton Road, Barry
Saturday 7 December, 11am-4pm
£3 per child
A Santa experience with a twist. Festive magic meets sustainability, as Father Christmas and his elves have been busy carefully selecting special preloved gifts for each child, ensuring that every present is filled with love and care. Explore the grotto, adorned with upcycled decorations that add a creative and eco-friendly touch to the holiday scene. From repurposed ornaments to recycled festive decor, every detail reflects our commitment to a greener Christmas.
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Fonmon Castle, Vale of Glamorgan
Saturday 23 November-Monday 23 December
Adults £40, children £32, under 3s £10, selling fast, limited availability
Have a private meet and greet with Santa Claus and his elves and enjoy a special party with your child. The ticket also includes live shows with Santa’s Elves, surprise Christmas characters making an experience, Santa reading the children a Christmas tale and a tea party with Santa’s Elves. You’ll also get access to Festive Lights, were yourself in the enchanting atmosphere as the castle comes alive with festive lights, a journey through a festive story trail, and a festive illuminated dinosaur walk. You can also just buy tickets to just the Festive Lights as well as the Silver Experience which includes most of the above but not the Santa festive tea.
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Forage, Vale of Glamorgan
Saturdays 30 November, Sunday 1 December, Fridays 6, Saturdays and Sundays 6-7-8, 13-14-15 December plus Tuesday 17-Monday 23 December
Adults £13.50 (14+), children 3-13 £16 (includes gift), children 2 and under £5 (includes gift)
Not just a chance to meet Santa but a mini Christmas show too! Forage returns with its popular Christmas experience, a festive family show featuring music, magic and dance. Ever wondered how your letter to Santa gets all the way to the North Pole? Watch Elf Mabel as she takes charge of Secret Santa Sorting Office 13875 – Location: Forage Farm, where she discovers not everything is as it should be. Can she get the children’s letters to Santa in time for Christmas?
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Future Inns, Cardiff
Lunch Sundays 1, 8, 15 and 22 December, 12.30pm-4pm
Adults from £35, children under 12 from £21
A three-course festive lunch, children’s disco and meet and greet with Santa in his grotto.
Brunch Saturday 24 December, 10am-1pm
Adults from £28, children under 12 from £17
A traditional Welsh brunch and a visit from Santa.
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Gower Fresh Christmas Trees, Gower, Swansea
Saturday 23 November-Monday 23 December
Adults £6.95, children £9.95, family (2+2) £45
As well as collecting you Christmas tree, you can visit Santa at Gower Fresh. Explore the different scenes inside, with plenty of photo opportunities. Sit in the magical sleigh, feed the reindeers, and more.
Plus new for 2024: Light Trail. See website for details.
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Gwili Railway, Carmarthen
Saturdays and Sundays 30 November-1 December, 7-8, 14-15 and 21-22, and Monday 23 December, 10am-6pm
First Class Compartment up to 6 £225, traditional compartment up to 6 £175, up to 8 £225, open seat ticket £30, one infant up to 24 months (one per booking) £15
Santa is back for a scenic steam ride through the beautiful South Wales countryside on-board 1950s carriages steam, with trains departing and returning to Abergwili Junction station in Carmarthen. All children under 12 will receive a gift.
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Santa’s Grotto in aid of Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital Charity
Ikea, Cardiff
Saturday 23rd November-Monday 23rd December, no need to book
£12 per child for visit and gift, £14 for visit, gift and photo; adults free
The award-winning Santa’s Grotto is back at Ikea Cardiff, raising money for the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital Charity. No need to book; check the website for opening times and just turn up. Welsh language visits to Sion Corn on Sunday 24 November and Sunday 8 December (with more dates to come) and quiet sessions for children with sensory needs on Wednesdays 11 and 18 December, 10am-12pm November and Tuesday 6 December, 10am-12pm.
John Lewis, Cardiff
Thursday 19-Monday 23 December
£17.50 children, £6 adult (including hot drink and cake) plus 60p booking fee
Join Santa for a special Christmas story, complete with snacks, cocoa and a gift. Limited availability.
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Santa’s Grotto and Festive Feast
Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 December
Llandegfed Lake, Pontypool
Children £18.95, adults £14.95, under 2s free
Choose from breakfast with Santa at 9am or 10.40am and lunch at 12.30pm or 2.10pm as Father Christmas tradies the North Pole for South Wales as he sets up his grotto at Llandegfedd Lake. Little ones can enjoy a delicious breakfast or lunch in the Lakeside Café before meeting the big man himself. Santa will warmly welcome children to his grotto, listen to their Christmas wishes, and present them with a thoughtful gift.
Relaxed experience available, Sunday 8 December at 2.10pm.
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Llanerch Vinyard, Hensol, Vale of Glamorgan
Thursday 19-Monday 23 December, 4pm-8pm
£35 per person
Experience the magic of the holiday season with A Magical Christmas Afternoon Tea, with a visit to Santa and entertainment. Guests will be greeted with a glass of mulled wine or orange juice on arrival, before being served a festive afternoon tea, accompanied by music and entertainment. They will then have the chance to meet Santa in his grotto, plus there will be party games and a children’s disco.
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Speedboat Santa’s Festive Feasts
Llanishen and Lisvane Reservoir, Cardiff
Saturdays and Sundays 7-8 and 14-15, plus Wednesday 18-Sunday 22 December; breakfast 10.15am-11.30am, lunch 12.15pm-1.45pm and 2.30pm-4pm
Children £18.95, adults £14.95, under 2s free
Speedboat Santa is back! With his reindeers building up their strength for Christmas Eve, Santa will arrive in his own speedboat! He will then join his very special guests in the café for festive food, over breakfast or lunch. After the meal, he will chat, sit with them for photos and present a gift.
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Family Brunch With Father Christmas
Lo Lounge Cardiff Bay
Sundays 1, 8, 15 and 22 December, 12-1.30pm or 2-3.30pm
From £20 per person
Festive entertainment, tasty food and a visit from Father Christmas as he joins you at your table for a chat and to give your little ones a special gift. An afternoon of festive cheer, with a gift for every child from Santa, a Christmas actvity pack including letter writing, a Santa certificate, plenty of photo opportunities, table games and a bar for the grown ups, mulled wine and minced pieces and a Christmas movie on the big screen. Includes a donation to Boomerang Cardiff Charity to help them in the battle to ensure all children have a gift this Christmas and food on the table.
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Margam Country Park
Saturdays and Sundays 7-8, 14-15, 21-22 December
£19.84 per car
Not a traditional Santa visit but a chance to see him feed his wild deer in the grounds of Margam Park.
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FREE Storytime with Santa
McArthur Glen Designer Outlet, Bridgend
Saturdays 7, 14, 21 December, 11am-3pm
Join Santa and his trusty elves every Saturday in December for Storytime at his sleigh. Stories will be BSL interpreted by Santa’s elf. Free with no need to book.
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The Meadows Farm Village Retreat, Groeswen, Cardiff
Weekends from November 30-December 22, plus Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 December
£8.50-£25
Meet Santa and his reindeer. Say hello to Santa in his cottage in the woods and his reindeer will be ready to meet you from their home at the meadows. Includes a gift. Price £25 per child.
Other festive activities include write and post your letter to Santa, Christmas hint adventure, park illumination after dark.
Morgan Quarter, Cardiff city centre
Saturdays 23 and 30 November, 7, 14 and 21 December
£5 per child, accompanying adults free; age guidance 2+ (walking involved)
Five of Santa’s most mischievous elves have escaped from Santa’s Grotto, and rumour has it they’ve been causing chaos around the Morgan Quarter. Embark on an interactive trail to locate the missing elves and report back to Santa himself and receive a small prize for your hard work. The trail will finish at Santa’s Grotto, located at 18 Morgan Arcade. The £5 ticket fee will be fully donated to Noah’s Ark children’s charity.#
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Pyle Garden Centre, Bridgend
Mondays to Fridays 2-6, 9-13 and 16-20 December, 5pm-7pm
Adults £13.50, children £18.50
A magical Christmas evening of Christmas crafts, songs, an individual photo opportunity and a present from Santa.
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Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Friday 13-Friday 20 December
Adults from £12, under 16s from £15 including a gift from Santa; family (2+2) £40
A fun filled visit to the stadium for children which ends with a visit to see Santa Claus in his secret grotto deep in the heart of the stadium. Step into a magical wonderland at the home of Welsh rugby as Santa and his team make the stadium their home this festive season. Welsh language visits and group trips available.
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Queen Street, Cardiff
14 November-23 December, from 10.30am
Prices TBC
Visit Santa in his log cabin on Queen Street, outside Queen’s Arcade, and receive a gift.
No need to book.
Update: I’ve been told the Cardiff Queen Street grotto is not happening this year.
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Breakfast With Santa / Afternoon Tea With Santa
Raglan Garden Centre
Saturdays and Sundays 30 November and 1 December, 7-8, Saturday 14-Tuesday 24 December
Adults £13.50, children £15.50
Breakfast With Santa will include a cooked breakfast, table activities for the children and a very special meet and greet with Santa.
Festive Afternoon Tea with Santa…a magical family event a sweet and savoury teatime treat, table activities for the children and a meet and greet with Santa.
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Rhondda Heritage Park
Saturday 23 November-Tuesday 24 December
£12.50 adults and children 18 montha+; £5 children 0-18 months (Christmas Eve £13.50/£6)
Santa’s Toy Mine returns to Rhondda Heritage Park. Every toy mine ticket includes a guided tour through the toy mine to find Santa in his grotto. The toy miners will take visitors underground on a journey to find the man in red himself. Along the way there will be fabulously festive sights to see and lots of fun to be had as the elves are sure to have been up to snow good… Includes a gift from the gift shop.
Quiet tours: 4 and 11 December.
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Meet Santa at The Royal Mint Experience
The Royal Mint Experience, Llantrisant, Cardiff
Saturday 23 November to Monday 23 December
Adults £12.50 children £17.50, family of four £55, under 18 months free
Ultimate Christmas Bundle, including experience entry, strike your own coin for the children printed photo with Santa plus a meal each in the café, £110 family of 4, £135 family
See The Royal Mint Experience as never before, glistening with snow and ready for the busiest night of the year. Take a magical festive interactive tour around the factory with Santa’s Chief Helpers, e3xplore Santa’s workshop in a 360º immersive setting, meet Santa in his grotto and enjoy time with him as a family. Each child under 16 will receive a cuddly gift, plus strike your own festive coin (additional cost) as a memory of your visit. There are plenty of photo opportunities along the way, plus the café has a festive menu. Quiet tour available (update – sold out).
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St Donat’s Castle, Vale of Glamorgan
Saturday 30 and Sunday 1 December, 10am-4pm
£13 per car, £3 on foot, advanced booking recommended
Meet Santa, £8.50 per child including selection box
The 12th century castle will be joined by more than 70 local food, craft and drink traders to kick-start the festive season.
Plus you can meet Santa where he’ll listen to Christmas wishes and give each child a selection box. Must be pre-booked. There’s a complimentary magic show for little ones, from local magician Simon Sparkles, and songs from Atlantic College Choir.
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St Fagans National History Museum, Cardiff
Saturdays and Sundays 30 November-1 December, 7-8, 14-15 and 21-22 December, various time slots
£10 per child, age guidance 3+
Father Christmas/Sion Corn will be visiting St Fagans once again this year. Visit his magical grotto in a private area within the main building where Father Christmas will read a story before meeting each child individually and giving them a gift.
Also at St Fagans: Christmas crafts, write a Christmas letter in the Victorian schoolhouse, Christmas trail – Runaway Reindeer, Carols in the Chapel and The Mari Lwyd & Hunting of the Wren Performances. See website for details to add to your Santa experience.
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Tiny Rebel Brewery Bar, Newport
Sunday 1, Saturday 14 and Wednesday 18 December, 3.30pm
£22.95
A sandwich lunch, picture with Santa and a gift.
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Roaming Santa as part of Festive Weekends
Tredegar House, Newport
Saturdays and Sundays 14-15 and 21-22 December, 12pm-8pm
Events are included in usual admission, adults £13.20, child £6.60, family £33
A weekend of Christmas cheer with choirs, festive singalongs and some very special guests. The ever-popular grumpy old Scrooge will make his return to cast his disapproving eye on the Christmas festivities, but there will be plenty of choir singing and singalongs to keep the festive spirit alive. Father Christmas will also be roaming the house and gardens, spreading joy to all. Scrooge and Father Christmas will be visiting between 12pm and 6pm.
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Tretower Court and Castle, Crickhowell
Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 December, 11am-3pm
£5 per child in addition to usual admission charges
Children will receive a gift while adults can soak in the festive spirit with some mulled wine and a mince pie. Grotto tickets must be booked in advance.
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Woodland Walk Garden Centre, Pontypridd
Saturdays and Sundays 23-24, 30 November, 1, 7-8 plus 14-24 December
£13 per child, £4 per adult, £4 per photo
Each child will receive a visit with Santa as well as getting to meet the reindeer and receiving a present from Santa’s toy shop.
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Zipworld Tower, Aberdare
Saturday 30 November, Sunday 1, Fridays 6-7-8, 13-Tuesday 24 December, 9am-6.30pm
Adults from £11, children from £16
The magical Tower Grotto returns to Zip World Tower. On arrival you will be greeted with a delicious complimentary mince pie and hot chocolate (plus a mulled wine for the adults) and a letter writing station to write your letter to Santa. You can then head to the magical mezzanine where the Grotto awaits. You’ll get to meet Santa, take plenty of selfies and let him know your Christmas wish, as well as receive your special gift and Welsh slate bauble – which you can then decorate at the bauble crafting station.
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Not local but worth travelling for – first time in Wales!
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Aberystwyth
Off-peak from £37.95, standard from £44.95, peak from £49.95
Saturday 30 November-Tuesday 24 December
Bringing the magic of the movie to life, this is an opportunity to meet the iconic characters from the movie and the big man himself Santa Claus. Immerse yourself in a theatrical performance with singing and dancing, featuring the movie’s beloved characters – performed on the platform before boarding the train and during the train ride.
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