Santa’s Grotto is the perfect must do event during Christmas with the kids. There’s nothing more enchanting for any kid than a visit to meet Santa, something that will become lasting and cherished memories to look back on.
Get your family together, throw yourselves into the spirit of Christmas and go and meet Santa at a Grotto near you!
Brunel Shopping Centre
Plenty is happening at The Brunel this festive period. Come along and join us for music, entertainment and fun throughout November and December.
Meet Santa in his new Grotto, 18th November – 24th December
Open weekends only from 18th November then every day from the 7th December right up until the big day! Children will have the opportunity to meet Santa and have their photos taken, each child will receive a gift from Santa. Entry is only £4.00 per child.
Free magical Letters to Santa!
Santa will be replying to any letter with a return address posted at the Grotto over the festive period, completely free of charge! Post your letters in the centre near the Grotto.
Hunt the Naughty Brunel Elves
Our elves Elwyn and Ruby, will be causing chaos across the centre at various times during the festive period. Can you spot them?
National Elf Day 2023 for The Alzheimer’s Society, Saturday 2nd December
A jam-packed day of fun in The Plaza with The Alzheimer’s Society and local bakers Glamorose. Not only will Santa be here in his Grotto, but we will also be hosting an interactive Elf workshop on the 1st floor of The Plaza with stories and Elf crafting activities throughout the day suitable for all the family, completely free of charge. Local charity UKCG Helpdesk will be on the ground floor of The Plaza offering face painting for a donation towards their wonderful charity as well as getting us all in the festive spirit with carol singing near the Grotto.
Wilts and Glos Young People Enterprise, Saturday 2nd December
We are very lucky again to be hosting Wilts and Glos Young People Enterprise – a fantastic opportunity for young people from local schools to learn ‘the tricks of the trade’ by creating products and then selling them to members of the public.
PSG Gospel Choir, Sunday 3rd December
We are very excited to be joined by PSG Gospel Choir who will be raising festive cheer in The Plaza from 11am.
Ellendune Entertainers, Saturday 9th December
We will be welcoming Ellendune Entertainers to the centre to surprise us with an impromptu show of singing and performance. We will also be welcoming back local bakers Glamorose and UKCG Helpdesk who will be fundraising by face painting in The Plaza.
Robert Le Kyng Primary School, Wednesday 13th December
Pupils from Robert Le Kyng Primary School will be coming in to sing festive tunes in the centre.
The Ridgeway Secondary School, Thursday 14th December
Students from The Ridgeway Secondary School will be coming in to entertain the shoppers and raise some Christmas spirit.
UKCG Helpdesk, Saturday 16th December
Local charity UKCG Helpdesk with be fundraising in The Plaza offering face painting and a fabulous gift-wrapping service.
The Grinch Returns, Friday 22nd December
Look out, the Grinch is back! He will be visiting the Brunel from 11am until 4pm to spread Christmas misery and cheer everyone up!! Local bakers Glamorose will be in the centre.
UKCG Helpdesk, Saturday 23rd December
UKCG Helpdesk returns with their gift wrapping service in the plaza and offering festive face painting. You can also pick up a festive treat from local bakers Glamorose.
Santa’s Story Time at Steam
Saturday 7th – Sunday 8th December 2024,
10am – 5pm
We are delighted to announce that our Christmas extravaganza will be returning this winter!
Enjoy plenty of sparkles as you step into a wonderland of over 50 Christmas market stalls
set amidst STEAM’s award-winning museum displays and iconic GWR locomotives.
Find that unique gift at one of our specially selected market stalls…
From hand crafted silver jewellery, photographic prints, glass artworks and home furnishings…
…to Christmas tree decorations, wooden toys, traditional games, Christmas tree decorations, chutneys and luxury confectionery.
Santa’s Storytime
To complete the Christmas magic, Santa will be here on both days with his Storytime sessions.
Santa’s Storytime sessions cost £10.00 per child, in addition to Christmas at STEAM admission.
Children will enjoy a festive story, plus a wrapped gift in the Museum’s specially staged, Hawksworth Hall.
Santa’s Storytime lasts approximately 20 minutes.
Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times (to help us to manage numbers in the space, we respectfully request a maximum of two adults per child).
To book a place, please visit our Christmas at STEAM online ticketing page and select your admission tickets. You will be prompted to select Santa’s Story-time on the next page.
Roves Farm Christmas Experience
Your Christmas Experience ticket gives you entry to Roves Farm for the whole day, 9am-5pm. Please check the Activities Board on arrival for the full programme of all the day’s activities for you to enjoy.
Where: Roves Farm & Visitor Centre, Sevenhampton, Swindon, SN6 7QG
When: Select days from 30th November – 23rd December 2024
The Roves Farm Christmas Experience is back for 2024 as Father Christmas and his elves bring festive fun to the farm.
Walk through twinkling lights to visit Father Christmas in his grotto. Take a seat in his cosy log cabin and be sure to let Father Christmas know your Christmas wish. All children will be given a Golden Coin to spend in the Toy Shop, with shelves full of great quality toys for all ages. You can even try your hand at making some delicious treats for Rudolph and his Reindeer friends. And don’t miss the amazing Live Elf Show, featuring some much- loved Christmas characters at this very special festive family experience.
Pre-book your tickets now. Book online by clicking HERE or the button below.
Price: Various
Don’t miss the Elf Show at 12:30pm! Snowballs at the ready…
Swindon Designer Outlet Magical Enchanted Wardrobe Experience
Where: Swindon Designer Outlet Village
When: 30th November to 22nd December 2024
About: Swindon Designer Outlet’s Magical Enchanted Wardrobe Experience is open from 30th November 2024 until 22nd December.
Families are invited to journey through the Enchanted Wardrobe and enter a glistening, snow-frosted, winter woodland. Pull aside the winter coats hanging in the wardrobe and get ready to meet a warm and friendly Santa amongst a cast of storybook characters.
With wishes on wands to be made together in the craft area, and a magical talking wishing-well hidden among the trees, this is a Christmas Grotto with a very big heart.
Price: FREE
Swindon & Cricklade Railway Santa’s Specials
Bring the Children to meet Santa in his Grotto (Presents selected to suit ages of children). We have a great reputation for super Santa events.
Our Santa Specials are an opportunity to travel by train to visit Santa in his decorated Grotto at the North Pole. The train is hauled by GWR steam locomotive 6695 AND a BR Class 73 Electro-Diesel locomotive!
Your visit starts at Blunsdon station where you have the opportunity to visit the decorated station and café, or spend a few minutes in the gift shop. There’s usually a traditional coal fire in the waiting room to warm any frozen fingers. But don’t miss your reserved train!
Click HERE for more details and to book tickets.
Wrag Barn Golf Club Santa’s Grotto
Where: Wrag Barn
When: Dates TBA
About: Santa Claus is coming to Wrag Barn! Enjoy a festive Christmas lunch with a disco and gift from Santa for all the kids.
Includes:
- A two-course carvery (Children’s meals available)
- Crackers & noveilties
- Disco
- Gift for every child
Price:
- Adults: £33
- Children: £20
Time: From 12pm – 4pm
How to book: Call 01793 861327
Dobbies Garden Centre (Cirencester) Festive Event – Meet Santa 2024
What better way to bring the magic of Christmas to life than a meeting with Santa himself!
From 28th Nov – 24th Dec | £8.99 per child
Santa will be bringing the festive joy right to the heart of our stores! Your experience will include time with Santa Claus where children are encouraged to share their excitement, wishes and stories before receiving a gift
Please note this experience differs from our Grotto experience in that it is open for all to see in the middle of our stores
Event highlights:
- Meet Santa: bring your children to meet Santa Claus and share their Christmas wishes
- Photo opportunities: capture the moment with a professional photo with Santa
- Gift from Santa: Every child will receive a wrapped gift from Santa
Ho Ho hope to see you there!
Please note:
- To capture the memory of your little ones meeting Santa you can choose to pre-book one of our special photo options and save on average 15% compared to on-the-day prices
- Please select your preferred time and date below. Santa has selected a range of toys, suitable for different ages. You can pre-select an age-appropriate gift for your child however the exact toy may vary on the day
- Please refer to our event FAQs which provide lots more detail on common questions
To give you peace of mind when booking, we have a Book with Confidence policy. Find out more here
Cotswold Reindeer Herd Christmas Event
Where: Henley Cottage, Ampney Crucis, Cirencester, GL7 5RS
When: 16th November up until 31st December 2024
- Reindeer Only: 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th and 27th-31st December
- All other dates will also include the Santa’s Grotto
It wouldn’t be Christmas without reindeer and the team at Cotswold Reindeer Herd certainly knows a thing about celebrating the festive period with their Santa experience bringing Father Christmas to the Cotswolds in 2024.
Just a short drive from Swindon you can join Santa in his grotto, interact with the wonderful real reindeer and even pick up your Christmas tree. This Santa’s grotto experience is certainly a family-festive day out not to miss.
Price: From £21.50 per child. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Adults will be charged the standard £12.00 reindeer visit fee.
How to book: Book online HERE.
Entertainment Swindon 
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