Where to see Father Christmas Manchester 2024

It’s still early days but several of these Santa experiences are available to book already so if you are wondering where to see Father Christmas Manchester 2024 then you’ve come to the right place. This post is part of a series of posts on Where to see Santa North West England.

If you have an event you want to be added, drop me an email at – info@northwestforkids.co.uk I add all events for free and this year I’m offering low cost “Featured events” where your event will be pinned to the top of the guide, you can include a photo and you’ll also get a dedicated Facebook post to promote just your event to my page of 18k. Email me to find out costs and potential reach of your chosen guide.

I’ve done my best to add the details of all these events accurately and keep them up to date but I strongly advise you to click through and check on the organiser’s website to ensure the dates, locations, times are correct. Events maybe changed or cancelled and I will not necessarily be aware of this. Links are providers so you can confirm all details for yourself before travelling or booking. Some of these events require pre-booking so I’d recommend you do that as soon as you decide you want to in order to avoid disappointment.

Breakfast with Santa Manchester

Find all the places to book Breakfast with Santa Manchester here.

Christmas at Cockfields – 2024 tickets on sale now

When – Selected dates from 24th November – 24th December 2024.

Step into the enchanting world of Cockfield’s Farm Park this Christmas and embark on a magical journey like no other.

Visit Santa in his grotto and choose a gift from the magical Christmas woodland toy shop. Then there is a teddy building workshop, marshmallow toasting and so much more in this popular Christmas event

Book here – Cockfields

Adults £17.50-£34.99, Children £29-£57.99, under 1s £10-£19.99

When – selected dates from 30th November – 24th December 2024

This event includes a full tour of the North Pole Christmas Headquarters. You’ll join the elf academy, build your own Christmas Friend (Build A teddy Bear) and meet the Pole Office Elves.

Head to Elf Ville, don’t forget to stop at Holly Jolly Gumdrop Sweet Shop and receive a special treat. Visit Mrs Claus to decorate gingerbread with a festive treat for the grown ups. Visit Santa’s stables with his farmyard friends. Meet Father Christmas.

1.5 hour experience.

Book here – Farmer Christmas Experience – Reddish Vale Farm

Adults £16.50, Child £45, under 1s £10

Christmas on the farm, Lancaster Park & animal farm – 2024 tickets on sale

When – Selected dates from 30th November – 24th December 2024

Journey through the magical grotto and meet the Grinch, write your letter to Santa, meet the big man and even have your photo taken in his sleigh. Join Mrs Claus for a story and so much more. There’ll also be animal petting and all the usual fun on the farm.

Book here – Christmas on the Farm! | Lancaster Park and Animal Farm

Adults £12, children £15, under 1 £6.50 Includes farm and grotto.

Totally Christmas, Walkden – book now for 2024

When – 30th November, 1st, 7th, 8th, 14th -24th December 2024

Totally Christmas is suitable for all ages. Enjoy an hour of themed rooms, find the answer to the puzzle and move on to the next. 2 trails to choose from. Includes Santa visit and gift.

Best suited to pre-school and primary school children.

£12.95 per adult, £18.95 per child

Find out more here – Totally Christmas

Dunham Barns Christmas grotto – book now for 2024

When – Selected dates from 29th November – 24th December 2024

As the Christmas lights twinkle, step into a world of wonder and enchantment at The Dunham Barns Santa’s Grotto. Immerse yourself in the festive spirit and embark on a memorable journey that will leave you filled with joy and excitement.

Tickets are based on 1 Adult and 1 Child for £15. Additional children £8 and extra adults £5 

Book here – Events | The Dunham Barn

Storytime with Santa – Dunham Barns – book now for 2024

When – 19th December 2024

Join Santa and his elf for an hour group session.

This will include:

• Meet and greet Santa and his elf
• Christmas themed story read by one of the elves
• And a gift from Santa to start the Christmas countdown

This group session is suitable for the under 3s and preschoolers who aren’t yet ready for individual meet and greets.

Photo opportunities.

£5 per person

Book here – The Dunham Barn

Trafford Centre, Santa’s Grotto – Book now for 2024

When – Selected dates from 16 November – 24 December 2024

Step into the immersive wonderland of The Grotto this Christmas, a land filled with wonder and enchantment where dreams come true and letters to Santa require a very special delivery.

Families will journey through the Candy Cane Land and Enchanted Forest in search of Santa’s Merry Mailroom. Assisted by Santa’s Elves, challenges and tasks await them on this journey, whilst they embark on a magical adventure to deliver their very own letter to Santa in his cosy cabin. Once you’ve met Santa, enjoy a sweet treat or hot drink from the magical markets.

Book here – The Grotto Trafford Centre

Child £25, Adults £7.50

Heaton park garden centre – no Santa experience in 2024

Santa’s Grotto at Dunham Massey Farm Ice Cream – Details for 2024

When – Santa will be here between 12pm and 3pm from the 1st December and then every Saturday and Sunday in December as well as the 23rd and Christmas Eve 2024

Introducing Santa visit with BYOG! (Bring your own gift)

This allows us to keep costs down allowing for an affordable experience, means that you don’t go away with unwanted gifts and the children receive something that they have asked Santa for!

The visits will cost £5 per child (Adults are free as usual) with opportunities for a chat with Santa and plenty of time to take photographs.

To keep costs down for everyone we will only be releasing a limited amount of pre-booked tickets. After this it will be only available to book on the day.

As always there will be lots going on including:

• Festive ice cream flavours
• Festive food (including our pigs in blankets with dipping gravy)
• Mulled wine and Baileys hot chocolate
• Lots of photo opportunities
• Christmas Tree sales
• Naughty Elf Scavenger Hunt
• Exciting Christmas activities (TBA)

Full details here – Dunham Massey Ice Cream Farm

Sail with Santa – book now for 2024

Where – The Community Spirit 2 is moored behind Portland Basin Museum, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL7 0QA.

When – Selected dates from 30th November – 21st December 2024

Join Santa on a festive 35 minute cruise along the canals of Tameside with songs, stories and presents from Santa. Tickets include light refreshments for adults and children.

Tickets cost £10 + £1 booking fee.

Book here – Sail with Santa

Santa’s story time, John Lewis, Trafford centre & Cheadle – book now for 2024

When – 5th – 24th December 2024

Join Santa for a special Christmas craft and story time session. Create a beautiful keepsake to take home. Then sit down for a story read by Santa. Children receive a special gift too.

£17.50 per child plus a £1.75 booking fee. £3 per adult plus a 30p booking fee.

Book here – Meet Santa In Store

Father Christmas at the grotto – Freight Island – Book now for 2024

When – selected dates from 1st – 23rd December 2024

Your session will include a trip to our huge new Grotto, a special visit to meet Father Christmas, plus your child will also receive a small Lego gift, a Lindt chocolate and the chance to take a photo with the magical man himself!

The cheeky elves will take you on a musical sing-along journey to meet Father Christmas! You will have an opportunity to write and post your letter to Lapland and you will receive a sprinkle of reindeer dust for the reindeers to find you on Christmas Eve.

Children’s tickets are £28 (£2.80 booking fee), accompanying adults and pre-walkers are free. Pre-Walker tickets include a visit to Father Christmas however they do not include a gift. Maximum 2 adults per child ticket.

Book here – Father Christmas Experience at The Grotto

Santa’s Grotto at Moss Bank Park cafe – book now for 2024

When – 23rd, 24th, 30th November, 1st, 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th, 20th, 21st & 22nd December 2024

Santa’s Grotto is a magical holiday experience where children and families can meet Santa Claus in a festive, beautifully decorated setting. It offers a magical experience with photo opportunities, holiday decorations, and a special gift for children, making it a memorable part of the holiday season. Each little one will have five whole minutes to chat with Santa himself and will receive a special gift or toy straight from his enchanting workshop.

£9.95 per child.

Book here (14th December, click through to book alternative dates) – Santa at the Hive

Supper with Santa at the cafe at Moss Bank Park – book now for 2024

When – 7th, 14th & 20th December 2024

Supper with Santa is a magical event designed to bring joy and festive cheer to families. Join us for a delightful supper where you’ll savor a delicious traditional Christmas dinner including Turkey, Gammon and Nut roast, in a warm and welcoming atmosphere with free flowing squash, tea and filter coffee.

No Christmas dinner is complete without traditional favourites like Christmas Pudding or ice cream for children!  Throughout the event, children and adults alike will have the chance to meet Santa Claus, share their holiday wishes, and take memorable photos with him. Each child will also receive a gift from Santa himself! 

All children require a ticket regardless of their age. We class anyone over the age of 12 as an adult so please purchase an adult ticket for anyone age 12 or over.

Infants under the age of 12 months will not be charged but won’t receive a meal or a gift. Should you wish for your infant (under 12 months) to have a meal, see Santa and receive a gift then you should purchase a child’s ticket for them.

Book here – (7th December, click through to book alternative dates) – Supper with Santa

Afternoon tea with Santa at Bolton Garden centre – book now for 2024

When – selected dates from 14th -23rd December 2024

Tuck into a tower of tasty treats with your little one as they witness a visit from a very special someone…

This magical experience is bursting with festive fun, and will have children squealing with delight.

To make your day extra memorable, take the opportunity for a photo with Santa before receiving a special gift and handing over those all important letters!

Book here – Afternoon Tea with Santa at Bolton Garden Centre

Meet Father Christmas at Portland Basin Museum – sold out for 2024

When – Sold out for 2024

Where – Portland Basin Museum, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL7 0QA

Father Christmas will be meeting and greeting children in our cosy old fashioned parlour on our 1920s street, which has been specially decorated for the festive season. Each child will receive a gift and you will have the opportunity to take a photo with Father Christmas.
We are releasing tickets within 30 minute time slots, with 15 tickets available within that time slot. Your time with Father Christmas will last around 5 minutes and you can arrive any time within your 30 minute time slot. 

£9 per ticket

Book here – Meet Father Christmas at Portland Basin Museum at Portland Basin Museum

Sail with Santa – Hollingworth Lake – book now for 2024

When –

Take a magical boat trip with Santa this Christmas aboard Hollingworth Lake’s Lady Katherine!

Hop aboard Santa’s floating grotto, take a trip across beautiful Hollingworth Lake and post your Christmas list in the elf post box!

All children will get to meet Santa and receive a gift. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Please wrap up warm and dress appropriately for the weather.

Duration – 10 minutes

Tickets from £5

Book here – Sail with Santa

More Christmas events North West 2024

There’s so much more going on in Manchester this Christmas, find it all here – Christmas events Manchester

Find all the best Christmas shows Manchester here.

Find all the Christmas Events North West here.

Find all the Free Christmas events Manchester here.

There are more Santa’s Grotto Cheshire for you to consider.

Find loads of ideas for Christmas light trails North West here.

Find all the New year’s eve family events Manchester here.

Find out Where to buy a real Christmas tree Manchester here.

Find more great family days out North West England all year round here.

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