It’s that time of year again where the kids are bringing the Christmas lunch booking letters home from school and you are booking your tickets for their nativity performance. You’re keeping an eye out for the best Christmas jumpers in preparation for the Christmas Jumper Day, and stockpiling stocking fillers ready for Santa to deliver in just a month’s time.
If you haven’t booked one already, I’m here to share some great places to go and see Santa this year in and around Birmingham and the West Midlands. I have some traditional grottos, and some festive days out, on my list, and will be linking to our previous reviews for you to check out.
Write to Santa!
If you post a letter by 6th December to Santa’s postal address, you can get a free reply from Santa courtesy of Royal Mail! I’ve got a set of free printables for kids to download and complete to write their own letter – and all the postal info is on there too.
Where to see Santa
There are loads of different options to see Santa this season around the West Midlands! Sometimes you get to meet Santa one-to-one, and some of these you see him as part of a group, during a show or similar.
Meet Santa at Sea Life Birmingham
23rd November – 23rd December, included within the standard admission price.
The girls love visiting Sea Life during the festive period and going to see Santa in his grotto by the penguins’ tank. They show a shortened version of Polar Express in the 4D cinema complete with the smells of hot chocolate and pine needles, which really helps us get in the festive mood, and every child gets a free gift from Santa.
Christmas at the Castle – Warwick Castle
30th November – 24th December, some activities at an extra cost, including £4 in addition to entrance ticket for Stories with Santa (prebooking essential)
Warwick Castle has a lot going on this festive season, including breakfast with Mr & Mrs Claus at Santa’s Stately Breakfast, Santa Sleepovers. Carols at the Castle, Winter Birds of Prey show, ice rink, a festive twist on the Princess Tower, and Stories with Santa. Last year we were invited along to Stories with Santa and the girls adored it – and declared that Warwick’s Santa is the real one, so they were definitely impressed!
Christmas Celebration Weekends at Cadbury World
Every Saturday and Sunday from 16th November till 15th December… PLUS 20th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd December
Santa’s Grotto at Dudley Zoo
Saturday 30th November – Monday 23rd November
Visit Santa in his grotto, set within the walls of 11th century Dudley Castle, and get a special gift from Santa. Afterwards, visit Santa’s reindeer as they prepare for their busiest night of the year.
Santa’s Winter Wonderland at Snowdome, Tamworth
Every day from now until 31st December, apart from 25th December
Explore Santa’s Winter Wonderland at Snowdome; play in real snow and go sledging, watch a Santa show, and then meet Santa’s animals and ride on the children’s carousel. This is a 90 minute experience, and each visitor gets a chocolate treat at the end.
Victorian Christmas at Blists Hill, Ironbridge
7th, 8th, 14th, 15th December. £5 per child for the Santa & the Elves Workshop.
Enjoy a traditional Victorian Christmas at Blists Hill, with Christmas card making, themed children’s workshops, and a Santa & Elves Workshop grotto, which includes a gift for children.
Magical Christmas at Drayton Manor
16th November – 31st December
The girls love the Drayton’s Manor Magical Christmas event, which we have been to a few times. Thomas Land is all Christmassy, and you go into the Castle of Dreams to visit Santa. At the end of the day there is a parade and fireworks show
Santa at the Valley at Sandwell Park Farm
Weekends from 7th December to Monday 23rd December
Visit Santa in his grotto and take part in other activities like circus skills workshops, craft activities with Santa’s elves, and magic shows. You can meet Santa’s reindeer and the other animals in the park. All ticket holders 12 years and over will receive a token for a free hot drink & mince pies, while under 12s will receive a token to visit Santa and receive a gift. Prices depend on age and under 2s can get in free if they aren’t visiting Santa.
The Polar Express train ride from Moor Street Station
Selected dates throughout November & December
Take a ride on The Polar Express with Vintage Trains, leaving from Moor Street station in Birmingham. The magic of the 2004 film is theatrically recreated on board the train, complete with hot chocolate. Santa boards the train and gifts each guest with their very own silver bell, and the chefs onboard lead the passengers in singing Christmas Carols. Pyjamas are encouraged!
Enchanted Christmas Kingdom at Hatton Adventure World
Every weekend from 30th November – 22nd December, plus 19th, 20th, 23rd & 24th December.
We have been going to Hatton Adventure World since the girls were little, and have been to a few of their Enchanted Christmas events. They aren’t super duper polished like some, but the Santa is always lovely with the kids, and you get to let your kids loose in Santa’s workshop to choose their own gift. As well as the Santa grotto, they have fun festive shows, a big soft play centre, and lots of things to do outdoors if the weather is good enough.
Santa Safari at West Midlands Safari Park
Selected dates in November & December, pre-booked slots
At WMSP, children can visit Santa in his grotto, transported there by his sleigh. Once they have had a chat and photo with Santa, children can then pick their own present from the Elves’ Workshop. The Discovery Trail is decked with festive splendour and of course, there is the four-mile safari drive through to enjoy as well.
Christmas at Twycross Zoo
30th Nov & 1st, 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th Dec
Although they don’t have a grotto, Twycross has a lot going on including Stories with Santa in the cafe, a Santa & Elves Christmas Show, Christmas Crafts, and bookable events for Breakfast or Supper with Santa.
Christmas at Webbs, Wychbold & West Hagley
16th November – 24th December
Webbs have all sorts of Christmas events on at their centres at Wychbold & West Hagley, including an ice rink, fair rides, reindeer, Christmas grottos, and special Christmas shopping events.
Santa’s Grotto at Dobbies, Atherstone
24th November – 24th December
At the Atherstone Dobbies, you can visit Santa in his Grotto and receive a toy of your choice. They also have breakfast or tea with Santa events you can book to enjoy a sit down meal and fun activities.
Christmas Events at Notcutts, Solihull
From 17th November
Nottcutts at Solihill also have a Santa’s grotto that children can visit, as well as breakfast or tea with Santa events. One nice touch is that they have a questionnaire for parents to fill out so that Santa has some inside info in advance!
Christmas Bricktacular! at LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, Birmingham
23rd November – 23rd December, included within the standard admission price.
Meet LEGO Santa, enjoy seasonal build activities, and explore the festively decorated Miniland this winter at LEGOLAND Discovery Centre.
Elf Hunt at Thinktank
1st December – 23rd December, included within the standard admission price.
The elves are back at the Thinktank, which has recently opened it’s kid-friendly MiniBrum area for children to enjoy. Visitors to the attraction are invited to pick up a finders sheet and hunt down the Elves hidden throughout the attraction. Bring the completed sheet to the shop to receive a special prize!
