Santa Claus is looking incredibly busy over the next few weeks with lots of opportunities to meet the man himself in and around Bristol. He'll be listening to the children of Bristol to hear what gifts they're asking for this year.
There are plenty of weird and whacky places offering a memorable experience this year - including Sail with Santa and a marmalade-inspired grotto. Places are booking up fast this year with some already sold out - so you better act quickly to reserve your spot for your family.
Here are some of the Santa's grotto events to take your little one to this year:
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Zion Bristol Santa's Grotto
The community cafe and venue in South Bristol is hosting Santa's Grotto on December 17, with various times available to book at a cost of £5.44. Organisers say: "C ome and see Santa in his grotto this Christmas at Zion! Time slot needs to be booked in advance and a ll children will receive a present from Santa.
"The Zion Christmas Market will be taking place with many wonderful stalls inside, an external hot food vendor and hot drinks and yummy cake inside."
Zion Bristol, December 17
Santa Meet and Greet in Yate
The grotto at Yate Shopping Centre is open from 10am until 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays until Christmas week, when it will be open more often, closing on Christmas Eve at 1pm. There will be free stickers and certificates for each child on their visit to Santa who will be located outside the grotto, with a suggested contribution of £1 per visit to go towards Jessie May Children’s Hospice.
Yate Shopping Centre, various dates
Born in Bristol Santa's Grotto
Independent shop Born in Bristol, in St George, will welcome Santa for a traditional meet and greet experience, giving each child a gift chosen by the elves. Adults go free and dogs are welcome.
Tickets cost £5.50 and the dates are December 11, December 18 and December 19.
Born in Bristol, various dates
Christmas Experience at Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park
Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park has an incredible Christmas line-up this year for both children and adults to enjoy. There is a specially created theatre performance Santa's Sleigh Surprise Show along with lots of interactive fun including reindeer food making, Mrs Claus' kitchen, Santa's post room and a visit to Santa's toy shop to receive a special gift.
Tickets are £20 per adult and £25 per child, which includes a gift. The ticket also gives you access to all the activities from 9am. Booking online is recommended as tickets purchased at the gate will include a £5 surcharge.
Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park. December 3-4, 10-11, 17-24, 2022
Santa Steam Special at Avon Valley Railway
The annual Santa Steam Specials allows families and kids to ride the festive train for 50 minutes, where they can enjoy a mince pie or festive biscuit as Santa himself will pass through the train to greet everyone. Once train goers return to Bitton Station, each lucky group will meet Santa again and even receive a present from him.
Tickets have sold out for this event since this list was first compiled.
Sail with Santa
Are you looking for something a bit different this year? Bristol Ferry Boats is offering a 45-minute experience to remember this year as you join Santa's elves on board to hunt for Father Christmas himself.
Once you've found him, Santa will climb aboard with gifts for all the little ones and sail and join you for a sail around Bristol Harbour. Tickets are £20 per person and include a personalised gift for each child, a photo opportunity with Santa, festive snacks and sherry for the grown-ups.
The Cascade Steps. December 3-5, 10-11, 17-23, 2022 (varied times)
Cribbs Causeway's Winter Wonderland with Paddington
Children of all ages are invited to Santa’s Marvellous Marmalade Adventure Grotto at the Mall in Cribbs Causeway where they'll have the opportunity to meet Santa and his elves to learn all about their world. Grotto tickets are priced at £12.50 for children and £2/£5 for adults. The experience lasts around 20 minutes, including your time with Santa.
The shopping centre will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland once again this year with a magical ice skating rink and a meet-and-greet opportunity with Paddington bear. This session with Paddington is free and bookable online.
The Mall at Cribbs Causeway. November 16, 2022, to January 2, 2023 (excluding bank holidays)
Father Christmas Experience at Ashton Court
Ashton Court Mansion is offering a fun interactive experience with professional actors inside the historic building. Starting in the Great Hall, Father Christmas will make an entrance that will surprise and delight the children in a 20-minute experience.
Children will have the chance to meet Father Christmas, receive a special gift and have a photo opportunity. Tickets available online here have sold out since this list was first compiled.
The Flight Before Christmas
From November 25 to December 24 the world's first 747 Christmas grotto experience will get underway at the private airport. The British Airways’ G-CIVB Boeing 747 ‘Negus’ has been based at Cotswold Airport near Kemble since October 2020 after it was decommissioned from service in early 2020.
Guests will come armed with their very own boarding passes and customised North Pole passports, passing through the 'naughty or nice' security check-in before they're seated in Premium Economy for an in-flight 'elf-and-safety' briefing hosted by Peppermint, the mischievous Head Elf. Tickets are priced at £20 per adult and £35 per child and are extremely limited. Read more about it here.
Cotswold Airport, various dates
Breakfast with Santa
Cadbury Garden Centre is offering a different type of festive experience, with the chance to enjoy a breakfast with Santa. For £13.95 children can meet Santa, enjoy breakfast and receive a gift - there is also breakfast available for adults at the same price.
The magical morning experience is available from December 4 to December 24 and can be booked at the Blue Diamond website. There is also a Santa's Grott from December 1 until Christmas Eve - priced at £10 per child.
Cadbury Garden Centre. Various dates
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