Christmas Events In Kent – Santa’s Grottos
With our magical round-up of Santa’s Grottos throughout the Graden of England, little ones can journey to the North Pole in the heart of Kent.
Each visit to Santa’s Grotto is not just about meeting the big man, it’s a sprinkle of magic to festive celebrations. Santa’s Grottos in Kent are a limited-time enchantment, so secure your spot and create a cherished memory for your family. Elves, hot chocolates, candy and his faithful reindeer -there are plenty of festive delights including meeting Mrs Claus. Plus there is Santa Paws too for fur babies.
Ho-ho-ho here’s where to find Santa for Christmas events in Kent. By Julia Roy
CHRISTMAS EVENTS IN KENT
For more festive events in Kent see our seasonal category under What’s On in Kent for Christmas Experiences with Winter wonderlands, Christmas Fairs & Fayres blog, Christmas Activities, and Christmas Pantos & Shows. See also our round-up of Christmas Markets in Kent blog.
DON’T MISS WHAT’S ON IN KENT
Updating regularly as more events come in.
CHRISTMAS EVENTS IN KENT – SANTA’S GROTTO 2023
EXPERIENCE CHRISTMAS
Kent Life Heritage Farm, Maidstone
Until 24th December 2023
This magical journey includes visiting Santa’s enchanting grotto to meet Father Christmas himself. Little ones can then choose a gift from the toy shop. There’s live entertainment with enchanting shows, movies, workshops, an Elf School to graduate from and lots more.
Price: Standard/Kent Life Members: – Child – 1 to 15 years: £18.95/£16, Child – under 1 year: £8/£6.80, Adult: £13.95/£10.95, Family – 2 adults + 2 children: £65/£53.50, Concession: £12.95/£9.95, Carer: Free. * Additional fees apply. Booking fees apply. Pre-booking is essential. Pictured above. Read More
CHRISTMAS AT THE CASTLE
Tonbridge Castle
Until 24th December 2023 – weekends
As part of the trio of spectacles for this Christmas event – Winter Light Trail, Christmas Market and Alpine bar – there will be a Santa meet & greet. More details to be confirmed. Pictured above. Read More
CHRISTMAS AT BEWL WATER
Tunbridge Wells
6th to 10th, 13th to 24th December 2023
Step into an enchanted Christmas, where a tale of magic unfolds. At Santa’s request, with the delightful help of our woodland friends, they’ve brought four festive fantasies to life. These include a visit to Santa’s Grotto, with a present for each child, festive crafts, live Christmas storytelling performances and lots more. Price: Child – 13 years and under: From £40/Child – under 1 year: Free – observer-only access/Adult: From £15. PIctured above. Read More
CHRISTMAS AT HEVER CASTLE
Sevenoaks
6th to 24th December
Lots of festive fun at the castle this Christmas including Santa & The Festive Trail. Little ones can also visit Father Christmas and travel through the grotto, meet cheerful elves and wander along the paths to the Toy Workshop. They will then meet the big man himself and receive a soft toy gift. They can also explore the charming Lost in the Festive Forest Christmas Trail with Red the Squirrel. Price: General Public/Hever Castle Annual Member Daylight Father Christmas, Castle & Gardens: Adult*: £22/Free, Child – 5 to 17 years: £28.50/£15, Child – under 5 years: £15/N/A. Twilight Father Christmas, Castle & Gardens: Adult*: £25/£15, Child – 5 to 17 years: £30/£22.50, Child – under 5 years: £15/N/A. * Adult tickets are valid for the Grotto when accompanied by a child with a Father Christmas ticket. Booking fees will apply. PIctured above. Read More
CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS VILLAGE
Rochester Christmas Market
8th to 10th December 2023
The Children’s Christmas Village at Rochester Castle’s Christmas Market 2023, is a new attraction where little ones will be met by Santa’s elves, who will show them to Mrs Claus’ snug, where they will be told a magical Christmas story. Afterwards, in the elves’ workshop, they can decorate a Christmas tree decoration, and enter Mrs Claus’ kitchen where the elves are baking up a storm of gingerbread people, ready for the children to decorate to take home. Price: Child: £10 – maximum of two accompanying adults: Free. Pictured above. Read More
A MAGICAL FLIGHT TO VISIT FATHER CHRISTMAS
Calverley Grounds, Tunbridge Wells
Until 24th December 2023
Little ones will start their journey at the Festive Post Office. There they can write their Christmas letter before taking a seat in the magical sleigh to enjoy a virtual reality flight over the snow-topped trees and mountains before landing. Then Santa’s elves will take them to meet Father Christmas in person at his grotto. Price: Child: £25, Additional Child: £20, Adult: £5. Transaction fees apply Price includes a special gift for each child. Pictured above. Read More
BELIEVE MAGICAL SANTA’S GROTTO
Bluewater Shopping Centre, Dartford
Until 24th December 2023
This year the festivities at Bluewater are back with a new story, theming, and family activities. Believe Magical Santa’s Grotto at Bluewater Shopping Centre in Dartford guarantees that each family group will have an individual meet with Father Christmas. Lots more with decorating a gingerbread treat (allergies catered for). Price: Child: £15 – includes a gift, Adult: £6, Child – under 12 months: Free if accompanying a paying sibling, but will not receive a gift. If bringing the baby alone will have to pay child price. If want a baby to have a gift you have to pay for a child ticket. Carer: Free with one paying child. Booking fees apply. Pictured above. Read More
SANTA’S GROTTO EXPERIENCE
Ramsgate Garden Centre, Thanet
8th to 10th, 15th to 24th December 2023
A band of elves have been busy decorating and filling the Grotto ahead of Santa’s arrival at Ramsgate’s Winter Wonderland. Upon arrival at your allocated booking time, you’ll be greeted by Santa’s elves, before being shown into the Grotto to meet Santa for a photo opportunity* and receive a special gift. Price: Child: £15.95 – each child ticket includes 2 adult tickets free of charge. Read More
MISSION CHRISTMAS: THE CLAUSOMETER CATASTROPHE
Historic Dockyard Chatham
9th, 10th, 16th to 24th December 2023
At this family Christmas experience find out what happens at the Dockyard when it is closed for the holiday season. The dockyard is on high alert at Christmas time, for deep inside is a secret substation, hidden from plain sight. Little ones can step into the centre of this secret world and help Mrs Claus save Christmas from catastrophe. In addition, the elves are shy and hide from sight but they’re excited that humans will be passing through the substation. Also they can learn the elf code before graduating from Elf Academy. They will then be able to solve the mystery of the missing clausometer. Their journey will end in a magical meeting with Father Christmas. Accessibility – Quiet sessions and British Sign language (BSL) sessions are available. Price: Child: From £17, Child – 3 years and under: £4.25 Adult: From £14. Carer: Free/ This is a separately ticketed event and annual tickets are not valid for Mission Christmas. Pictured above Read More
SANTA’S GROTTO
Wildwood, Herne Bay
9th, 10th and 16th to 23rd December 2023
Festive events in Herne Bay include this grotto where elves have been busily preparing for the arrival of Father Christmas, who will be swapping the North Pole for a stint in North Kent this Christmas. Visitors will be transported to a magical world to meet the big man himself. They will be gifted with a luxury soft toy and have their photo taken with Santa. Pictured above. Price: £20. Must pay admission fee before 3pm to enter the park – Admission Wildwood Member: Free With Gift Aid/Without – Adult (18 years+): £15/£13.64, Child – 3-17 years: £12/£10.91, Senior: £14/£12.73, Student: £14/£12.73, Family – up to 2 adults + 2 children: £45/£40.91, Child – Under 3 years: Free. Carer: Free. Time: 10.05am to 4.55pm – bookable slots.Read More
SANTA SPECIALS 2023
Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway
9th, 10th, 16th, 17th, 21st to 24th December 2023
enjoy festive fun with a return train trip with seasonal refreshments, and the main event – a visit to Santa in his grotto. Children will receive a gift for all booked children up to 15 years. Plus, if you arrive early you can visit the Model Railway Exhibition at New Romney before the train ride begins. Departures from New Romney. Price: Adult: £29.50, Child – 1 to 15 years: £29.50, Child – under 1 year: £15. Pictured above. Read More
SANTA’S LODGE
Designer Outlet Ashford
Until 24th December 2023
Learn all about the big man in red himself. Find where he learnt the twinkling tricks of the trade. What is the knack behind the signature Ho-Ho-Ho? And how does he really get around the world in one night? Step into the cosy cabin for a Santa’s Workshop experience and meet the cheeky elves for some fun and games before settling down for storytime. You can take your own pictures with Santa too. Price: Child: £5. Adults do not need to book tickets, maximum of 2 accompanying adults per paying child. Proceeds to charity. Pictured above. Read More
SANTA AT CANTERBURY CHRISTMAS MARKET
Canterbury
8th to 10th, 15th to 23rd December 2023
At Canterbury Christmas Market Santa’s Grotto With Talking Letterbox, Breakfast with Santa, and the Dash’s Toy Workshop Rescue. In Santa’s Grotto, you can meet the big man himself and with the Talking Letterbox and Elf Encounters Experience, this is an unforgettable festive journey. Price: Santa’s Grotto With Talking Letterbox: £10. Breakfast With Santa: Child: £10 including breakfast, activities and a meet and greet with Santa, Maximum 2 adults per child/Accompanying adult: hot drink and pastry £8/Accompanying adult hot drink and breakfast: £10 Booking fees apply. Pictured above. Read More
SANTA’S GROTTO AT WHITSTABLE CASTLE & BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
Whitstable
9th, 10th, 17th, 23rd to 24th December 2023
At the magical Santa’s Grotto at Whitstable Castle, little ones will receive a gift, a chocolate cone and reindeer food. There are also opportunities to have breakfast with him too. Price: Santa’s Grotto: Child: £8. Breakfast with Santa: Child: £16, Adult: £13. Read More
SANTA SPECIALS AT CRAMPTON TOWER
Broadstairs, Thanet
9th, 10th, 16th and 17th December 2023
Little ones can visit Father Christmas at Crampton Tower Museum in Broadstairs. The price includes seeing Father Christmas, a trip on the 5-inch gauge miniature railway and a museum entry. Price: £12 per child – includes Santa’s Grotto, a gift, accompanying parents and guardians – maximum of 2 per group: Free entry. Main picture. Read More
CHRISTMAS GROTTO
The Reindeer Centre in Ashford
9th and 10th, 16th and 17th and then from the 18th to 24th December 2023
Families can enjoy meeting with Father Christmas in his magical Christmas cabin. Walk through his enchanting 150ft animated magical grotto, through to the big Christmas animal barn full of farm animals, and of course reindeer! You can feed his reindeer and have fun in the popular snow pit, soft play and lots more. Price: Adult: £14-£24/Child: £20-£28/Child – under 12 months: Free – need to purchase a child ticket if want to receive a gift from Santa/Senior – 65 years +: £12-£20/Carer: Free to £7.50. Time: Weekdays: 10am-4pm, Weekends: 9.30am-5pm and 24th December: 9.30am-2pm. Pictured above. Read More
SANTA PAWS
Canterbury Christmas Market
8th, 10th, 15th and 17th December 2023
Unleash the holiday magic and take your tail-wagging friend to meet the one and only – Father Christmas himself! Two human companions allowed too to take the pictures! Price: £5, up to 2 human companions: Free. Booking fees apply. Pictured above. Read More
MINSTER COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS FAIR
Minster Village Hall
9th December 2023
Festive community fun with stalls and a Santa’s grotto. Price: TBC. Read More
SANTA’S GROTTO AT LYMPNE CASTLE – Sold Out, other activities available
Hythe
9th, 10th and 16th December 2023
While visits to the grotto are fully booked, you can enjoy other activities for this Christmas Event in Kent. There are Christmas crafts, family photo opportunities in Santa’s sleigh and Snow Globe, and food and drink offerings. Read More
CHRISTMAS AT MARGATE CAVES
Margate, Thanet
9th, 10th, 16th 17th, and 18th to 23rd December 2023
Santa and his elves are back for Christmas At Margate Caves at Margate Caves where you can enjoy a sparkling subterranean wonderland, full of fairytale magic. Little ones can write a letter under the Nutcracker Christmas tree, North Pole Penny from the Elf and visit the Wishing Well, discover the Frozen Forest and the Sugar Plum Fairy’s Land of Sweets and then visit Father Christmas in his festive cave. They can also create a craft to take home. Price: Child: £12, up to two adults per child: Free, additional adult: £4. Pictured above. Read More
CHRISTMAS WORLD AT DREAMLAND MARGATE
Margate, Thanet
15th to 22nd December 2023
Margate, Thanet
Another Christmas Events in Kentw here little ones can have a magical grotto experience with Santa at this magical merry event. Lots of other activities too – festive rides and even snowball fights, sleigh rides, the Jingle, Jangle & Buddy’s Christmas Elf Extravaganza! and lots more. Price: Magical Festive Grotto
Child: £22.34 – can be accompanied by 2 adults into the grotto. Read more for prices for other activities. Pictured above. Read More
SANTA’S GROTTO
Salomons Estate, Tunbridge Wells
18th to 23rd December 2023
Little ones can meet Santa Claus and his merry elves in the magical grotto. Lots more to enjoy with a festive treasure trail, gingerbread decorating, reindeer food making, and joyful activities for all with plenty of treats. Price: Child: £20, accompanying Adults: Free. Pictured above. Read More
See Kent, Know Kent This Christmas
Picture Credit: © Christmas Events in Kent Main picture Santa Specials at Crampton Tower.
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