12 places you can meet Santa in Liverpool this Christmas

Father Christmas is a Scouser and we can prove it with these top Merseyside grottos and festive experiences

Santa Claus is coming to town, and during his whirlwind sleigh ride of gorgeous grottos, there’s an absolute snowball to be had for families enjoying the festive spirit in Liverpool. 

It’s a wonder we’ve got time to make a list, let alone check it twice, when we could be meeting elves, feeding reindeer, building bears, going skating, and even having breakfast with the man himself!

Liverpool’s Famous Grotto – St. Johns Shopping Centre (Now – Christmas Eve)

Checking Merseyside’s naughty and nice lists for its 139th year, the world’s first and oldest Christmas grotto returns with a magical Christmas fairyland. Initially based in Lewis’s department store, this was the grotto your grandparents visited, so keep it in the family at St Johns. 

Find out more about Liverpool’s famous grotto here.

Autism Together’s Santa’s Grotto – Port Sunlight (Sat 7 – Sun 8 Dec)

Based at the Garden Centre at Bromborough Pool Village, this Autism-aware grotto ensures a calmer grotto experience. Santa’s elves and the big guy himself are trained to be Autism-aware, with pre-booking essential for each 15-minute visit, to ensure every child has a magic memory of bringing Santa their Christmas lists! 

Prebook Autism Together’s grotto here.

Dobbies Garden Centre – Speke (24 Nov – Christmas Eve)

After Santa arrives in spectacular style with a heart-warming Christmas parade, families are invited to visit Dobbies magical grotto, or book a festive family table to enjoy breakfast or dinner with Santa, baby! 

Book your Dobbies Christmas experience here.

Enchanted: Christmas at Knowsley Safari – (23 Nov – Christmas Eve)

Knowsley Safari is where Christmas takes a walk on the wild side with this after-dark experience, set to music and lights. So if your little Christmas-list makers love nothing more than visiting four-legged friends, why not wish their favourite animals, including giraffes, tigers, and meerkats, a Merry Christmas?

Explore Christmas at Knowsley Safari here.

Farmer Christmas at Farmer Ted’s (24 Nov – 23 Dec)

It’s a countryside countdown to Christmas as Farmer Ted becomes Farmer Ted! This interactive experience starts with festive fun at Candy Cane Lane, with a three-piece elf band, and lots for children to do, including gingerbread decorating. Visit the reindeer food factory, build a snowman, and take photos onboard the Christmas carriage, before visiting Farmer Ted’s reindeers!

Book your Farmer Ted experience here.

Christmas Past at Speke Hall – (30 Nov – 15 Dec)

Older children who’ve outgrown Santa’s grotto can enjoy festive Fridays at Speke Hall. Enjoy a traditional family Christmas inside this country house full seasonal festivities. Discover fascinating secrets behind traditions and enjoy the holiday spirit in the atmospheric Great Hall. Step back in time with Victorian decorations, carol singers, and enjoy a seasonal menu at Home Farm.

Explore Speke Hall Festive Fridays here.

Mersey Dog Grotto – Baltic Market (8 Dec)

Get ready for Santa Paws at Liverpool’s Street food market, with doggie treats, cakes, and photo opportunities galore! Everyone is welcome, so whether you have your own pampered pooch or not, children will love seeing some of the cutest Christmas costumes on Merseyside.

Book Mersey Dog Grotto here.

Santa’s Grotto – Otterspool Adventure (30 Nov – selected dates until Christmas Eve)

A whole winter wonderland of cute, holiday activities is set to arrive at Otterspool Adventure.

Along with visiting Santa in his grotto, what would Christmas be without pantomime? Catch Cinderella live, as well as spending some family time in the make a bear workshop, enjoying storytelling with Mrs Claus, and taking a spin on the ice rink!

Choose your Otterspool Adventure tickets here.

Sunday Lunch with Santa – The Venue, Royal Liver Building (Sunday 15 Nov)

This Christmas the Royal Liver Building will transform into a magical Winter Wonderland on Sunday 15th December 2019. You’re invited to enjoy a festive three course lunch complete with children’s entertainment, activities and a visit from Santa Claus himself.

Get more info and book your tickets here.

The Church Farm Santa Experience – Thurstaston, Wirral (Weekends from 30 Nov – 22 Dec)

Meet Santa, along with Frosty the snowman, Rudolph, and of course, the elves, in this beautiful, lit-up forest setting! Leading celebrations, there’ll be songs and dancing from a few of Santa’s friends from all the way back home in the North Pole!

Book The Church Farm Santa Experience here.

Tropical Christmas Grotto – Sefton Park Palm House (7, 8 – 15 Dec)

We could all use a rest before making it a merry Christmas, and the Santa Claus family is no exception! Meet Mother or Father Christmas, and find out how people from all around the world celebrate Christmas, with this not-so traditional family alternative!

Book Tropical Christmas Grotto here.

The Polar Adventure – Liverpool ONE ( Now – 24 Dec)

Departing from a specially built station on Chavasse Park, the Christmas Express land train is taking passengers on an enchanted journey to the North Pole on a Polar Adventure right here in Liverpool, complete with festive music, dancing and even a hot chocolate pit stop.

Get more info and book your seat on the Christmas Express here.