The best Santa’s Grotto experiences in and around Greater Manchester

Open from Sun 1 Dec as part of their blockbuster Winter Island programme, Freight Island’s Father Christmas experience invites kids of all ages on a 30-minute interactive journey with Santa’s elves before meeting the man himself as a group.

Tickets start at £28 per child, with pre-walking toddlers allowed in for free. Every ticket includes an exclusive gift from Lindt and Lego.

Check out the rest of Freight Island’s Winter Island schedule HERE.

Join Santa and his elves for an enchanting festive story time and creative craft session at John Lewis in the Trafford Centre – younger visitors can create their own delightful Christmas keepsake to take home, then settle in for a warming winter’s tale at various times throughout the day. Tickets for children are £17.50 (includes a special gift to take away) and £3 for adults.

From Sat 16 Nov – Tue 24 Dec, you can venture through Candy Cane Lane, The Enchanted Forest, The Merry Makers Studio, Santa’s Study and the glittering Grotto as part of the Trafford Centre’s annual immersive wonderland experience.

Step into a mesmerising yuletide realm with Santa’s elves to find the Merry Mailroom, where you can post your letter to Santa directly. Head to Santa’s Grotto to read through your letter with him and receive a Christmas gift.

Child tickets are £25 and adult tickets are £7.50, while babies can go free.

Returning for another year of delightful Lapland-inspired locomotion, East Lancs Railway offers an unforgettable festive experience with a trip aboard its Santa trains, with 80-minute round trips running from Bury to Rawtenstall and back throughout December.

The magic begins at Bury Bolton Street Station with Mrs Clause, a talking tree and carol singing polar bears, before passengers board ELR’s very own Polar Express steam train through the breathtaking Ribble Valley. Expect to hear your favourite festive hits played by a brass band as well as a visit from Santa himself, laden with gifts for the way home. Grown-ups can enjoy mince pies, a festive tipple or soft drink and children are offered a soft drink, chocolate and an activity pack.

Running from Sat 23 Nov and various dates throughout December, adult tickets start from £23 and child tickets are £22.50.

Wrap up warm to wander through the enchanting and wonderfully wonky woods at BeWILDerwood this December. Promising a sparkly light trail, handmade decorations, a mini pantomime and, new for 2024, a Father Christmas meet-and-greet, this festive event guarantees fun for the whole family. Catch it from Sat 2 Dec – Sat 23 Dec for £15.50 per person.

The Santa Experience is back at Church Farm offering a 60-minute journey around the farm and a personalised visit to see Santa and meet his real reindeer. The farm will be decorated with lighting and special effects, with the chance to dance and sing with elves from the North Pole and enjoy a tractor ride while spotting other farm animals on your route. Available to book from Sat 30 Nov, tickets start at £16 per person.

Alongside their fun-filled array of festive activities including wreathmaking and Santa story times, the award-winning dining destination Dunham Barn hosts a wondrous Grotto schedule every Friday through Sunday from 29 Nov, with extra dates in the lead-up to the big day, for a uniquely magical festive experience in the grounds of historic Dunham Massey.

Tickets are £15 for one adult and one child.