Best Santa’s Grottos In Kent 2024
Best Santa’s Grottos In Kent 2024
Discover the Magic of Christmas in Kent with Our 2024 Santa’s Grotto Guide!
With our magical round-up of Santa’s Grottos for 2024 throughout the Garden of England, little ones can embark on a journey to the North Pole—right here in the heart of Kent. From enchanting castles and historic towers to festive garden centres and delightful animal parks, there’s no shortage of incredible places to meet Father Christmas and create unforgettable holiday memories.
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Get ready to experience the wonder of the season as we unveil the top spots to enjoy the magic of Santa’s Grotto this year!
In date order of when they open – do check all as some open very close to Christmas, but tickets can sell out early!
Updated 6th December 2024
For Even More Festive Fun: Don’t miss our other magical guides! Explore the best Christmas Markets in Kent 2024, discover the most dazzling Kent Christmas Lights Switch-On events, enjoy belly laughs and timeless tales with Pantomimes in Kent, and so much more. There’s something for everyone to make this holiday season truly unforgettable! 🎄✨Be sure to check out all our festive round-ups for a complete Christmas experience in Kent in our blog section.
For more festive events see also our Seasonal category to find what’s on near you for Christmas.🎄
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Herne Bay Pier
Until 8th December 2024
Celebrate Christmas in Herne Bay in Kent and visit Santa in his grotto at Herne Bay Pier. A helpful elf with meet little ones and chat to them before they take them to see Father Christmas. Price: £5.
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Shires Oast, Hop Farm, Tonbridge
Shires Grotto
Until 20th December 2024
For those looking for family-friendly festive events in Tonbridge head to the Shires Oast for their Shires Grotto. Children will take part in arts and crafts with the elves, while they await their turn with Father Christmas. Then they can enter the magical Shires Grotto and meet Santa in a beautifully decorated festive setting. Price: Child – under 5 years: £15, Child – 5 to 10 years: £15, Child – 10 years+: £15. Includes a gift. Adult: £2.
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Time Christmas, Rochester
Until 22nd December 2024
Be greeted by one of Santa’s magical elves or even Mrs Claus who will take you through the Time Christmas Wonderland. You will meet Santa and another of his magical elves, take pictures or use their Elfie Selfie Photo Booth. Price: Child: £12.50 – includes a gift, Child – under 1 year: Free with a paying Child ticket, Carer: Free, Accompanying adult: Free.
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Dover Castle
Until 22nd December
For Santa’s Grottos in Kent is the chance to visit to see Father Christmas at Dover Castle. After a group storytelling session, families can visit Santa, take photographs and make memories to treasure. Father Christmas will also give every child a traditional present to unwrap. Santas Grottos in Dover. Santa’s Grotto Price: £9.50 per child, admission fees will also apply. For prices see our listing –
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Margate Caves, Thanet
Until 23rd December 2024
Enjoy a private visit with Father Christmas in his cosy cave at this annual festive family event. This year’s theme pantomimes, oh, yes you won’t miss out on the Christmas fun as you enter the enchanting depths of the caves. Price: Child: £13.50, Up to two adults per child: Free, Additional adult: £4, Babes-in-arms not requiring a gift: Free.
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Royal Victoria Place, Tunbridge Wells
Until 24th December 2024
Father Christmas returns to Royal Victoria Place for 2024. At this festive event in Kent take little ones to visit and receive a gift from Santa and his elves in his grotto. Price: TBC.
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Tenterden Garden Centre
Until 24th December 2024
As part of the garden centre’s family festive fun celebration of Christmas, there is a Santa’s Grotto. In addition, there is also a Christmas tree experience. Price: Grotto: £12.50 – with gift. Pre-booking essential.
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Canterbury Garden Centre
Until 24th December 2024
Visit Father Christmas as part of the garden centre’s family festive fun celebration for Christmas. In addition, there is also a Christmas tree experience. Price: Santa’s Grotto: £12.50 – with gift. Pre-booking essential.
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Customs House, Folkestone Harbour
Until 24th December 2024
Christmas events in Kent include Santa’s Grotto in Folkestone at The Customs House. Especially created by local artist Sally Hogarth, “It’s important that the connections to the sea, harbour and industries here are referenced, so don’t expect a traditional Santa’s Grotto. You’re going to get the Folkestone Harbour take on it, ” says Hogarth, whose design is for visitors to discover and explore. Price: Child: £6, Parent/guardian: Free. Booking fees apply. Friday to Sunday, and 23rd and 24th December 2024. Read More
Aladdin
Tower Theatre, Folkestone
Pantomime is a Christmas as visiting Santa and don’t miss this classic fairytale filled with magic, laughter, and a touch of genie-us to entertain the whole family. Secure your seats for a family festive fun show – oh yes you will!
Book Here
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Hever Castle, Sevenoaks
Until 24th December 2024
As part of their festive celebrations at the castle visit Father Christmas in his Grotto. On arrival little ones will be greeted by Mother Christmas before journeying along a tree-lined path, passing the reindeer stables, and seeing the cheerful elves along the way. At the end of the enchanting paths, they’ll meet Father Christmas in his cosy log cabin and receive a gift. The Christmas at Hever Castle event also includes Christmas lights, Christmas Trail & Characters, the Castle decorated in the Magic of Christmas Past and a fairground. Selected dates between November 22nd 2024 and 24th December 2024. You must pre-book. Adult tickets are valid for the Grotto when accompanied by a child with a Father Christmas ticket. Santa’s Grotto must be pre-booked. Price: see our listing
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The Grove Ferry Inn, Canterbury
Until 24th December 2024
There is plenty to keep the family entertained at this festive event. Mrs Claus will take you to the Winter wonderland village for workshops and more where children and adults can make and buy wonderful creations and explore multiple spectacular zones filled with activities and surprises. There’s also a Christmas Market and lots more family festive fun. Want your fur baby to meet Santa too? Don’t worry there is also a Santa Paws for canine fun this Christmas. Price: Santa’s Grotto: £10.45, Accompanying Adults: Free.
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The Reindeer Centre, Ashford
Until 24th December 2024
For Christmas Grottos in Ashford, the annual Kent festive event at The Reindeer Centre lets families meet Father Christmas in his magical Christmas cabin. Walk through his enchanting 150ft magical grotto, follow the trail and see all the farm animals including goats, donkeys, llamas and pigs. The reindeer are in the big barn, where you can learn about these festive animals, and feed them. Lots of fun activities, plus a snow pit and soft play area. Price: Online bookings only – Child: £22-£30, Child – under 12 months: Free – need to purchase a child ticket if want to receive a gift from Santa, Adult: £16-£26, Senior – 65 years +: £14-£22, Carer: £10 – not available 24th December.
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Hempstead Valley Shopping Center, Gillingham
Until 24th December 2024
For Santa’s grottos in Gillingham head to Hempstead Valley shopping centre for a magical Christmas experience. Price: TBC.
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Bewl Water, Tunbridge Wells
Until 24th December 2024
As part of Bewl Waters festive fun visit Santa in his Grotto. Enjoy gingerbread decorating, crafting Christmas ornaments, making reindeer food, and writing heartfelt letters for express delivery straight to the North Pole! Explore immersive play zones, wander through enchanting wonderlands, and meet the storytelling elves and more. Price: Adult: £18, Child: £45-£48, Child – under 1 year – does not include participation in activities, workshops, or a gift from Santa: Free, Carer: Free.
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Historic Chatham Dockyard, Medway
Until 24th December 2024
As part of their Mission Christmas event experience a personal visit with Father Christmas. Impressed by the invaluable help extended to the elves, he will bestow upon your children a special gift to treasure and take home. Price: Child – 4 to 15 years: From £23, Child – 3 years and under: £7, Adult: From £16. Carer: Free. This is a separately ticketed event and annual tickets are not valid for Mission Christmas.
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Westwood Cross Shopping Centre, Thanet
Until 24th December 2024
Little ones will be welcomed by Santa’s workshop elves, who will let them know all the exciting things they’ve been up to on the run-up to the big day. Santa will be waiting in his chair so they can share their hopes of what they want to receive on the 25th of December. During their visit to Santa’s Grotto at Westwood Cross, they can get a photo with Father Christmas and will receive a gift too. Price: Child – £6.50 – including gift, Adult with accompanying fully paid child ticket: Free – no gift, Adult without child: £6.50 – including gift. Carer: Free. Booking fees apply.
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Shires Oast, Hop Farm, Tonbridge
Our Amazing Animal World & Shires Grotto
Until 24th December 2024
Meet Father Christmas and exotic and furry friends from Our Amazing Animal World for magical moments this Christmas in Kent. Price: Child: £39, Adult: £2.
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Calverley Grounds, Tunbridge Wells
Until 24th December 2024
At the Magical Grotto Experience enjoy family festive fun in Tunbridge Wells for 2024, where little ones can decorate a gingerbread man in Mrs. Christmas’ Gingerbread Kitchen. Following this Santa’s elves will deliver you to meet Father Christmas, take your own pictures or have a professional photo. Price: Child: £30, Adult: £8, Adult + Baby: £8 – no gift or activity included. Booking fees will apply.
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Designer Outlet Ashford
Until 24th December 2024
Step into Santa’s Lodge for festive fun, and this year there are four different themes to choose from. Join Santa’s head elf for Letters to Santa and create the best Christmas wish list and letter to the big man in red! Or visit for the Sing a long with Santa and pick up an instrument to join the elves for festive songs. Enjoy Santa and his elves’ storytelling with Santa Storytime or play classic Games with Santa including Christmas musical statues, what’s the time Mr Claus?, and pass the present! Price: Child: £5
Adults do not need to book tickets: Maximum of 2 accompanying adults per paying child. All proceeds to charity.
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Canterbury Christmas Market
Until 24th December 2024
Annual favourite where little ones will be greeted by Mrs Christmas with glitter and winks, elves will help them decorate beautiful letters to Santa and then venture to the Talking Letterbox. They will meet Father Christmas for a gift and there’s also a chance to breakfast with Santa on selected dates. Price: Santa’s Grotto With Talking Letterbox: £10, Breakfast with Santa – Child: £15 – including breakfast, activities and a meet and greet with Santa – Maximum 2 adults per child
Accompanying adult: hot drink and pastry: £8.
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Ramsgate Garden Centre, Thanet
Until 24th December 2024
For those looking for Thanet Santa’s Grottos head to this festive experience and meet Father Christmas for a special message and gift. . Families will be greeted by Santa’s band of elves, who will welcome you into their workshop for a joyful journey, full of festive fun. Price: £14.95-£19.95 Up to two adults per child: Free, Additional adult: £4, Babes-in-arms not requiring a gift: Free.
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Kent Life Heritage Farm Park, Maidstone
Until 24th December 2024
Say Ho Ho Ho! and embark on a magical journey that includes meeting Father Christmas in his enchanting grotto. There’s plenty more – build a Be My Bear teddy bear, see an enchanting live show, and enjoy festive treats and drinks at The Snow Inn. Plus, hop on The Jingle Express for a merry ride, be creative in Mrs Christmas’s Kitchen and decorate gingerbread, feed the farmyard animals, and make special reindeer food to ensure Father Christmas’s reindeer are well-fed on Christmas Eve. Price: Members/Non-Members – Child – 1 to 15 years: £16/£18.95, Child – under 1 year: £6.80/£8, Adult: £10.95/£13.95, Concession: £9.95/£12.95, Family – 2 adults + 2 children: £53.50/£65, Carer for disabled child: Free – tickets do not need to be booked.
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Wildwood, Herne Bay
Until 24th December 2024
Meet Santa in his Grotto and head to his enchanting world surrounded by elves at Wildwood. At this Santa’s Grotto in Herne Bay, children will receive a luxury soft toy and have their photo taken with Santa. Price: Child: £20. Entry to the park is not included.
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Quex Adventure Farm Park, Birchington
Until 24th December 2024
Christmas events in Birchington include the Elf Express and enjoy a tractor ride around the Quex Adventure Farm Park, with dancing elves and spectacular Christmas lights. Now in its 10th year, immerse yourself in the Magic of the Elf Kingdom and Magical Elf Woods. Meet some festive characters, before setting off down Candy Cane Lane and Santa’s Farm. Enter the Elf Kingdom, the home of Santa, to visit his elves and two of his real-life reindeer. It’s then time to climb the ramps to the woodland treehouses for an audience with Santa, and a visit to Santa’s Toy shop to choose a gift. Price: Child: £21.95-£28.95 Adult: £12.95-£15.95 and booking fees apply.
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Meadow Grange Nursery, Whitstable
1st, 7th, 8th 14th, 15th, 21st and 22nd December 2024
At this outdoor event, little ones can see Father Christmas and his festive farm animals, including donkeys.
Price: £12 – booking fees apply
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Shorne Woods, Gravesend
7th, 8th, 14th and 15th December 2024 – 7th December event cancelled
At the Kent Country Park, explore the woodland on a self-led trail, and enjoy crafts and a festive hot chocolate around the campfire at the Woodland Christmas Fun event. Then, head to the Grotto to meet Father Christmas for a small gift. Sessions from Sessions from 10am to 12.30pm then 1.30pm to 2.30pm, every 15 minutes. Price: Child: £12, Adult: £3, Parking charges apply.
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Reuthe’s Lost Gardens of Sevenoaks
7th, 14th, 15th & 21st December 2024
Meet Santa in Sevenoaks this Christmas at Reuthe’s Lost Gardens of Sevenoaks and receive a gift. Your ticket also includes entry to its Candy Cane Christmas Trail on the same day as your woodland Santa’s Grotto visit and, in addition, entry to the gardens and their Christmas Market. From 10am to 2pm. Price: Child – 3 years+: £9.95, Adult: £3.
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Crampton Tower, Broadstairs
7th to 22nd December 2024
Little ones can visit Father Christmas, and take a trip on the 5-inch gauge miniature railway. It also includes entry to the museum for this festive weekend Santa Specials event. Price: Child: £15 – includes a gift, Accompanying parents and guardians – maximum of 2 per group: Free entry, Additional accompanying adult/older sibling: £4. Booking fees will apply.
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The Rare Breeds Centre, Ashford
7th, 8th, 14th, 15th and 20th to 23rd December
For festive events In Ashford don’t miss the enchanting grotto for a magical 15–20-minute interactive experience with Santa and his cheeky elves at The Rare Breeds Centre as part of their A Truly Magical Christmas event. Tickets include entry to the farm, with plenty of activities around the festively decorated centre – embark on a Christmas Word Trail, have crafty fun with Christmas crafts, and meet all their friendly animals. They are also offering twilight grotto visits. Price: Adult Member: Free, Child Member: £12, Child – 3 to 15 years: £20, Child – under 3 years with present: £12, Child – under 3 years without present: Free, Adult: £15.75, Senior – 60 years+: £13.50, Carer: Free.
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Salomons Estate, Tunbridge Wells
7th, 8th 14th, 15th, 21st to 23rd December 2024
Little ones can enjoy festive activities including Gingerbread decorating, colouring in and reindeer food making with Santa’s elves. Then the magical moment arrives to knock on Santa’s door. Afterwards, set off on a Christmas trail, followed by a cup of hot chocolate. Price: Child: £28, Accompanying Adults: Free.
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Fenn Bell Conservation Project, Rochester
8th, 14th, 15th, 19th to 24th December 2024
Hop on board the Santa’s Safari at the Fenn Bell Conservation Project for a day of fun where you can visit the zoo and meet Father Christmas in his grotto. Visitors s can enjoy the magical winter wonderland where you can meet the main man, at Rochester’s Santa’s Grotto, and the animals who call the zoo their home.
Price: Child and adult: £25.
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Whitstable Castle
7th to 24th December 2024
At this annual event, little ones can visit Santa and his elves in the magical grotto at Whitstable Castle. Little ones can write a letter of wishes to him, and families can take as many pictures whilst inside the grotto for everlasting memories. Price: Child: £8 – gift and hot chocolate cone.
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Lympne Castle, Hythe
10th December 2024
For festive events in Hythe for Christmas in Kent for 2024 visit the enchanting Santa’s Grotto! Set against the backdrop of the castle’s historic charm, little ones will be greeted by Santa’s friendly elves and taken to meet Santa in his Grotto. They can see real reindeer before they help deliver the presents, ride on Santa’s magical sleigh, enter the festive craft room, hunt for naughty, hidden castle elves and lots more. Price: £15 per person. Age Guidance: 0 to 12 years.
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Dreamland Margate
14th to 23rd December 2024
At the Magical Festive Grotto experience meet Santa in his festive grotto and receive a present, as part of a guided walkthrough experience accompanied by Santa’s helpful elves. Enjoy sparkling seasonal moments and whimsical fun whilst making reindeer food and bauble decorating. Also new for 2024, Santa and his elves have added an Ultimate Christmas World Package. Price: £34.55*, Ultimate Package: £51.35*, Accessible: £24.47**. * One adult free of charge with every paying child ticket. Additional adult tickets can be purchased. **Accessible tickets are available for both the Magical Festive Grotto and the Ultimate Package, which include two adults accompanying one child, and the option of priority queue access. Booking fees apply.
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Huckleberry Woods, Faversham
19th to 21st December 2024
This Christmas visit the mini Santa’s Grotto at Huckleberry Woods. Santa and his elves are visiting the micro pigs, miniature donkeys, Teddy Bear and Valais Blacknose sheep, pygmy goats, alpacas, mini chickens and turkeys checking to see if they have been behaving themselves this year. They need help handing out their favourite Christmas nibbles. Enjoy the woods’ inhabitants and little ones can receive a gift from Santa in his cosy grotto. Price: Child: £12, Child – not visiting Santa’s Grotto – 2 to 16 years: £5.50, Adult- 17 years +: £8.50.
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Santa’s Grotto – SOLD OUT
The Alex, Faversham
21st and 22nd December 2024
Santa’s Grottos in Faversham include this enchanting event, where little ones can meet Father Christmas, and there will be gift stalls and children’s crafts. Price:£8.
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See Kent, Know Kent This Christmas
Picture Credit: © Christmas Events in Kent Main picture Santa at Royal Victoria Place in Tunbridge Wells
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