The Best Santa’s Grottos In London 2023: 27 Places to See The Big Man!
If you’re searching for Santa’s Grottos in London this Christmas, we have listed all of the best places to see the big man.
From Hamleys to Harrods, breakfasts, speed boats and more. There are so many places to see Santa in London.
We have been to quite a few London Santa’s Grottos over the years. And whilst the kids still believe, we’ll keeping looking for new and fun places to take the kids to see Santa in London.
These aren’t all traditional Santa’s Grottos. There are some really quirky places to see Father Christmas in London.
For the London Santa’s Grottos (and places to meet Santa) that have been announced, tickets are selling out fast so book soon to secure your meeting with Father Christmas in London!
Not all of the 2023 Santa’s Grottos in London dates have been released yet. We’ll aim to update this post when more dates are released.
Before you read on… you might like to check our recommendations for the best days out for Harry Potter fans.
This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one and buy something, we may earn a small commission but this is at no additional cost to you.
Before we provide information on the best Santa’s Grottos in London this year, here are some other ideas for what to do at Christmas in London.
Christmas shows in London
- The Snowman – an absolute must-see when in London at Christmas with kids.
- Elf – The Musical.
- Christmas by Candlelight – catch one of these stunning performances (The Nutcracker, classic carols, Christmas movie soundtracks and more).
- Potted Panto – 7 classic pantos in 70 minutes.
- Jack and the Beanstalk – classic pantomime at the London Palladium.
- Santa Rocks – Santamime comes to London’s West End @ Wonderville.
Christmas at London attractions
- London Eye
- Madame Tussauds
- Shrek’s Adventure (a bit alternative but if your little one is a Shrek fan, they can meet Shrek Santa in his Shrektacular Grotto on 3rd,4th,10th,11th and 17th – 24th December).
- London Dungeon
- SEA LIFE
- Tower of London – bringing the 12 days of Christmas to life.
Save money on London attractions
If you’re in London this Christmas and going to be visiting some of the biggest attractions, you should take a look at the London Explorer Pass. Add 2,3,4,5,6 or 7 attractions and make huge savings. See how it all works here.
Looking for more festive ideas? We highly recommend the Polar Express train ride experience. Take a look to see if there’s a Polar Express train ride near you.
These are the best Santa’s Grottos in London in 2023
Here’s where to meet Father Christmas in London this year.
Santa’s Grottos in London department stores
Which London department store does Christmas best? Well, that’s a personal choice and they’re all great but we absolutely love the Christmas window displays at Harrods.
These are the best department store Santa’s Grottos in London..
Hamleys
Dates: End of November to the 24th December 2023.
Ticket Price: Up to 3 people – £50.00, 4 people – £65.00, 5 people – £80.00 and 6 people – £95.00.
Location: Hamleys, 188-196 Regent Street, London, W1B 5BT.
Harrods
A few years ago we would have said that The Santa’s Grotto at Harrods was the best Santa’s Grotto in London. But these days it has become so exclusive and almost impossible for the average family to visit Santa here.
So sadly it isn’t the best place to see Santa in London anymore.
But if you have spent at least £2000.00 in the Harrods store or are one of the 160 lucky families to get a ticket (out of 4,400 tickets) when they are released, then you are sure to have a magical time.
Even if you don’t manage to visit this Santa’s Grotto in London, we think it’s still worth a visit at Christmas. You can visit their Christmas department and their toy department.
Dates: Tickets are usually released mid-November.
Ticket Price: £20.00 per child.
Location: Harrods, 87–135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7XL.
Selfridges
Breakfast with Santa at Selfridges
Selfridges put on a few events at Christmas but their most popular one is breakfast with Santa.
Dates: 2023 dates TBC.
Ticket Price: From £60.00 per person.
Location: Selfridges & Co, 400 Oxford Street, London, W1A 1AB.
Photo Credit: Selfridges
John Lewis Santa’s Grotto
In 9 stores across the UK, children will get the chance to meet Santa in the Santa’s Grotto at John Lewis.
Dates: 22nd November to 24th December (dates vary slightly by location).
Ticket Price: Child – £20 (plus £2 booking fee). Adult – £2 (plus 20p booking fee). Booking is now open.
Location: John Lewis, 300 Oxford St, London W1C 1DX and Peter Jones, Sloane Square, London, SW1W 8EL.
If you can’t book the Santa’s Grotto, there will be a chance to book ‘Santa’s Tea Party’ at more locations.
Westfield
Meet Santa in his woodland lodge and then try a spot of ice skating.
Dates: 2023 dates TBC.
Ticket Price: TBC.
Location: Westfield London, Ariel Way, Shepherds Bush, London, W12 7GF.
Fortnum & Mason
Storytelling with Father Christmas is an incredibly popular event at Christmas in London and needs to be booked as soon as tickets are released.
As with the other London department stores, they go all out with the Christmas decorations. We love how they decorate the store front to look like an Advent calendar each year.
Dates: 2023 dates TBC.
Ticket Price: Go on sale on 8th September 2023 at 7.30am. Be quick!
Location: Fortnum & Mason, 181 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London, W1A 1ER.
Santa’s Grotto at Winter Wonderland
Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park has a Santa’s Grotto among the many other attractions. It is free to visit but you do need to buy a ticket to Winter Wonderland.
There is no booking a visit to this London Grotto. It is on a first come, first served basis.
It is open every day from 10am to 6pm and there will be a gift for children.
On certain days, you can also spot Santa when he sets off on a parade at the end of the day.
SantaLand at Winter Wonderland
Dates: 17th November to 1st January 2024.
Ticket Price: Visiting Santa’s Grotto is free but you need to buy a ticket to Winter Wonderland.
Location: Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park, London, W2 2UH.
Other Santa’s Grottos in London
ZSL London Zoo
London Zoo, one of London’s top family days out, brings you ‘The Magic of Christmas at London Zoo’. You will get the chance to meet Santa and London Zoo and also take part in lots of fun Christmas activities.
They are also offering the opportunity for a VIP Breakfast with Mrs Claus on select dates.
Dates: End of November to the beginning of January. 2023 dates TBC.
Ticket Price: £Currently need to email to express interest.
Location: London Zoo, Regent’s Park, London, NW1 4RY.
Shrek’s Adventure
This is a bit of an alternative Santa’s Grotto in London but during December you can visit the Shrek themed Santa’s Grotto and even meet Shrek Santa.
Dates: Dates TBC.
Ticket Price: £TBC.
Location: Shrek’s Adventure, Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge, London, SE1 7PB.
You can buy your Shrek’s Adventure tickets here.
Wishmas
Wishmas – billed as London’s ultimate festive adventure, how about meeting Father Christmas in the magical realm of Wishmas?!
Dates: 14th November to 7th January 2024.
Ticket Price: From £69.00 (includes a private audience with Santa).
Location: The Old Bauble Factory, 1 Launcelot Street, London, SE1 7AD.
Santa Steam Express
Hop aboard the Santa Steam Express and enjoy a 90 minute return journey departing from London Victoria. Children will receive an age appropriate gift from the Big Man. This is the only Christmas train ride in London.
Dates: 15th, 18th and 21st December 2023.
Ticket Price: From £65.00 per person.
Location: Victoria Station, Victoria Street, London, SW1E 5ND.
Thames Rockets
Jingle Bell Blast – carol sing your way along the River Thames on a speed boat while sightseeing. On weekends, you will get the chance to meet a gift-bearing Santa too.
Dates: 1st to 23rd December 2023.
Ticket Price: Adult: £49.95. Child (Under 14): £44.95.
Location: Thames Rockets, The London Eye Pier, Boarding Gate One, London, SE1 7PB.
Kenwood House
An Audience with Father Christmas at Kenwood (their Facebook page has the most up to date information)
Dates: Weekends in December 2023.
Ticket Price: £10.00 per person.
Location: Kenwood House, Hampstead Lane, Hampstead, London, NW3 7JR.
See also their fabulous winter illuminations.
The National Gallery
Dates: Weekends from the end of November to the end of December 2023.
Ticket Price: Ticket on sale from Mid October.
Location: National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN.
Chelsea Christmas
Chelsea Christmas light switch-on – Father Christmas will be switching the lights on and there will be a Christmas Grotto.
Dates: TBC.
Ticket Price: FREE.
Location: Duke of York Square, 80 Kings Road, London.
Greenwich Market
Dates: Mid-November to 23rd December 2023. 2023 dates TBC.
Ticket Price: £10.00 per child plus booking fee.
Location: Greenwich Market, Durnford Street, Greenwich, SE10 9HZ.
Museum of London Docklands
Meet Santa in the Victorian Santa’s Grotto
Dates: Throughout December 2023.
Ticket Price: £12.50 per child.
Location: Museum of London Docklands, No1 Warehouse, West India Quay, London E14 4AL.
Christmas in Leicester Square
Leicester Square is transformed at Christmas into a fabulously festive Christmas market. There are lots of food stalls and Christmas ornaments as well as a Grotto where you can visit Father Christmas.
Dates: 8th November to 7th January 2024.
Ticket Price: £TBC.
Location: Leicester Square, London, WC2H 7LU.
London Transport Museum
Dates: 24th November to 23rd December 2023.
Ticket Price: TBC.
Location: London Transport Museum, Covent Garden Piazza, London, WC2E 7BB.
Charles Dickens Museum
Follow a Family Trail full of clues and puzzles which will help you discover Santa’s Grotto. You’ll learn loads about how the Victorians celebrated Christmas, and what inspired Charles Dickens to write A Christmas Carol.
Dates: 2023 dates TBC.
Ticket Price: TBC.
Location: Charles Dickens Museum, 48 Doughty Street, London, WC1N 2LX.
The Strand Palace
The basement of the Strand Palace hotel is transformed into a winter wonderland. After a wander through the snow, you’ll find a lovely cosy Santa’s Grotto.
Dates: TBC.
Ticket Price: £25.00 per child (including gift), £5.00 per adult and £8.00 for a photo.
Location: The Strand Palace Hotel, 372 Strand, London, WC2R 0JJ.
Alexandra Palace
Santa’s Grotto at Alexandra Palace
Dates: 2023 dates TBC.
Ticket Price: £14.50 per child.
Location: Alexandra Palace East Court, Alexandra Palace Way, London, N22 7AY.
Royal Albert Hall
Storytelling with Father Christmas at the Royal Albert Hall
Dates: Through December. 2023 dates TBC but this sells out fast.
Ticket Price: £21.50 per child.
Location: Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AP.
Photo Credit: Royal Albert Hall
Kew Gardens
Kew Gardens transforms at Christmas into a magical winter wonderland with its fabulous light trail. Look out for details on the Santa’s Grotto. TBC for 2023.
Dates: 15th November 2023 to 7th January 2024.
Ticket Price: Adult – £21.50 to £28.50, Child (4-16) – £14.00 to £14.50, Under 4 – Free.
Location: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Road, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AE.
Photo Credit: Kew Gardens
Chelsea Physic Garden
Take a look at their family-friendly events throughout the year. They offer some really lovely classes, including some fun Halloween activities.
Dates: 2023 dates TBC.
Ticket Price: £11.50 per child and £9.50 for an accompanying adult.
Location: Chelsea Physic Garden, 66 Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London, SW3 4HS.
Jungle Cave
The Jungle Cave (formerly Rainforest Café) offers the opportunity to have breakfast with Santa in London.
The breakfast runs on select mornings from 9am to 10.30am and includes a meeting with Santa, a photo opportunity and a goody bag for the children.
Dates: TBC.
Ticket Price: From £15.00 per person.
Location: Jungle Cave, 20 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 7EU.
Springtime Nurseries
Christmas Wonderland is a magical place to visit at Christmas. It is a little way out of the centre of London in Enfield but is one of the best Santa’s Grottos in London.
Dates: 11th November to 24th December 2023.
Ticket Price: Children – £14.95, Adults – £3.95.
Location: Springtime Nurseries, Cattlegate Road, Crews Hill, Enfield, EN2 9EE.
Santa’s Grotto’s near London
If you are willing to travel a little way out of London, there are some really great places to see Santa near London.
You can also arrange a family Christmas break at Legoland and Chessington if you have the time.
Legoland Windsor
Dates: Select dates from 25th November 2023.
Ticket Price: Tickets coming soon.
Location: The LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort, Winkfield Road, Windsor, SL4 4AY.
Chessington World of Adventures
Dates: Weekends from 25th November to 30th December 2023.
Ticket Price: Tickets coming soon.
Location: Chessington World of Adventures, Leatherhead Road, Chessington, Surrey, KT9 2NE.
See our Chessington review for more info on visiting.
Lapland UK
Lapland UK is arguably the best place to see Santa in the UK, but it is incredibly expensive and can be difficult to book.
Dates: 12th November 2023 to 24th December 2023.
Ticket Price: From £65 to £135 per person. Tickets for 2023 have sold out but you can go on a wait list.
Location: Lapland UK, Whitmoor Forest, Swinley Road, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 8BD.
These are the best Santa’s Grottos in London in 2023. Have any more suggestions? Let us know!
