SANTA'S GROTTO'S & FATHER CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCES

Info: Mrs Claus is the person who makes sure Santa has everything he needs for his journeys. She packs his travelling supplies, organises his letters, checks on the reindeer and makes sure there is somewhere warm and welcoming for him to rest. This year, however, there is far too much for her to do alone. She needs the help of Discovery Village’s little Christmas helpers! During the live interactive story, the children can work together to complete four important festive activities: write and post a letter, prepare Santa’s travelling kit, decorate the Christmas marker flight trees and sing the reindeer song.

Dates: Wednesday 2nd – Thursday 24th December 2026

Address: Discovery Village Role Play Centre, Merritown Lane, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 6BA

Website: Discovery Village Role Play Centre

Info: Step aboard the Santa Special and be transported to a Winter Wonderland. Enjoy an unforgettable heartwarming experience surrounded by twinkling lights, family laughter, and festive cheer. Tickets include free parking and train ride to Santa’s Railway Grotto. Visit Santa in his cosy grotto for a jolly chat and collect your special present. Families can also enjoy festive refreshments of mince pies, mulled wine, tea, coffee and more before rejoining the train back.

Dates: Saturday 5th – Monday 21st December 2026

Address: Moors Valley Country Park, Horton Road, Ashley Heath, Ringwood, BH24 2ET

Website: Moors Valley Railway

Info: Step into a world of twinkling lights, festive cheer and timeless Christmas traditions. Your festive adventure begins at Swanage Station, lovingly dressed in its Christmas best. Settle into your seat for a one-hour return journey through the stunning Purbeck countryside, be greeted by the Magic Ticket Collector and meet cheerful Christmas Elves who will lead songs, spread joy, and bring smiles to little faces. Then, Father Christmas himself will make his way through the train, meeting each family and delighting every child with a festive gift.

Dates: Saturday 28th November – Thursday 24th December 2026

Location: Swanage Railway Station

Website: Swanage Railway

Info: The Father Christmas Experience will see children meet the big man in red and all his festive friends in the magical Christmas barn. There are 2 different experiences and opportunities to meet Farmer Christmas - Daytime Experience with full use of the park or Twilight Experience. Experience the wonder and excitement of meeting Santa and all his festive friends in the Magical Christmas Barn. Plus, every child with a ‘Farmer Christmas Experience Ticket’ receives a gift from the Elves at Ye Olde Toy Shoppe!

Dates: Friday 11th – Thursday 24th December 2026

Address: Farmer Palmers, Wareham Road, Organford, Poole, Dorset, BH16 6EU

Website: Farmer Palmers

Info: Step into a magical woodland setting and make this Christmas season truly special with a visit to see Santa in his Grotto at The Blue Pool. This enchanting experience includes a festive trail leading to the Grotto to meet Santa himself and receive a special Christmas gift.

Dates: Saturday 5th - Wednesday 23rd December 2026

Address: The Blue Pool, Furzebrook Road, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5AR

Website: The Blue Pool

Info: Santa is stopping at Kingston Lacy this festive season. We all know that Santa makes everyone’s dreams come true every Christmas, but it turns out even he sometimes needs an extra pair of hands. Discover the tale of Santa's most unexpected little helper and take a sneak peek behind the scenes on the most magical night of the year. The story is brought to life by Santa himself, complete with magical surprises and moments for everyone to take part.

Dates: Saturday 28th November – Wednesday 23rd December 2026

Address: Kingston Lacy, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 4EA

Website: National Trust Kingston Lacy

Info: Santa and his Elves have been working hard all year to create a Winter Wonderland village for all to enjoy this Christmas. Santa’s friendly Elves will guide you through the magical snowy walkway to meet him in his Grotto and receive a gift in the secret toy store.

Dates: Saturday 21st November – Thursday 24th December 2026

Address: Stewarts Garden Centre, Lyndhurst Road, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 4SA
Address: Stewarts Garden Centre, God's Blessing Lane, Broomhill, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 7DE

Website: Stewarts Garden Centres

Info: An outdoor winter enchanted lights display will be held within the gardens. Colourful lights transform and illuminate the 18th century gardens and create a wonderful winters trail in the dark.

Dates: Friday 20th November – Thursday 31st December 2026

Address: Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens, Buller's Way, Abbotsbury, Weymouth, Dorset, DT3 4LA

Website: Abbotsbury Gardens

Info: Wander through a dazzling display of light-up trees, hop aboard Santa’s Express, and take on the Christmas Tree Maze before heading to a festive workshop. With the iconic Big Wheel lighting up the skyline, this magical trail is a must-visit part of Christmas in Bournemouth. And that’s not all, families can also enjoy the Christmas Market, Alpine Lodge Bar and Skate Ice Rink in the gardens.

Dates: Thursday 12th November – Thursday 31st December 2026

Location: Bournemouth Town & Gardens

Website: Christmas in Bournemouth

Info: The decorated trees will take pride of place throughout the Castle. Younger visitors can enjoy a festive story trail which will incorporate the trees contributed by local businesses, charities and individuals to create a delightful experience for all.

Dates: Saturday 28th November – Wednesday 23rd December 2026

Address: Highcliffe Castle, Rothesay Drive, Highcliffe, Dorset, BH23 4LE

Website: Highcliffe Castle

Info: Nutley Farm will be bursting with Christmas magic for you all to enjoy. This year’s trail features many new light installations, enhanced magical interactions, and fabulous higher-quality projections with sound and surprises around every corner. Meeting Nutley Farm’s real-life magical reindeer, Rudolph, Prancer, Sprout and Parsnip and head to the barn for some hot food and treats.

Dates: Friday 27th November – Wednesday 30th December 2026

Address: Nutley Farm, Winfrith Newburgh, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 8DT

Website: Nutley Farm

Info: Held within the canopies of Bournemouth's Lower Gardens, glide across the spacious, real, 70m long ice rink surrounded by twinkling lights and music.

Dates: TBC

Address: Lower Gardens, Westover Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH1 2BZ

Website: Ice SKATE Bournemouth

Info: Cool Coast Ice Rink is the largest seasonal indoor ice skating rink on the South Coast. All sessions provide 15 mins to put your skates on, 60 mins on the ice, and 15 mins at the end to take your skates off.

Dates: TBC

Address: Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH2 5BH

Website: Cool Coast Ice Rink

Info: Glide under the twinkling lights, enjoy the sparkle of the Christmas Lights and soak up the atmosphere. Polar Bear support aids are available free of charge to aid stability for younger children.

Dates: TBC

Address: Brewery Square, Copper Street, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1GH

Website: Brewery Square

Info: Expect festive music, laughter galore, magical stories, games, gifts and a sprinkle of North Pole sparkle… all wrapped up in one truly magical visit!

Website: Little Gizmos

Info: Make this Christmas truly magical with a special doorstep visit from your favourite festive character! Choose from The Elf, The Grinch, Stitch, Winnie the Pooh, Minnie Mouse and Mickey Mouse - All dressed in their festive best!

Website: Nikki’s Dance Parties