Santa’s Grotto Experience
At Starry Nights we have an all new Santa’s Grotto Experience, which is set within the Santa Land part of our Starry Nights event. Have your’elf a merry little Christmas and watch your children beam from ear to ear as they meet Santa in our beautifully dressed Grotto Experience.
Note: The Santa’s Grotto Experience requires a ticket for each child in addition to the Starry Nights event ticket. You can buy your grotto tickets at the same time you are buying your Starry Nights tickets.
Before going into the Grotto to meet Santa, join our helpful Elves in our North Pole pre-grotto tent where your children can make up a package of special reindeer food (for sprinkling on your doorstep on Christmas Eve), write a letter to Santa and decorate a special Starry Night’s bauble for your Christmas tree at home. Then find a spot for a quick family ‘elfie, then head into Santa’s Grotto to meet the man himself – for an exclusive session with Santa.
During your visit with Santa, you are welcome to take as many pictures of you and your Children with Santa as you would like. Before you leave the Grotto, Santa’s little helper will give each child a special Santa Coin, which can be exchanged in our Santa’s Workshop in return for a gift from Santa’s Elves before you leave to go back into the Starry Nights event.
There really is simply no better way to get you and your children into the Christmas spirit than a visit to Starry Night’s special Santa’s Grotto Experience.
Starry Night’s Santa Grotto – FAQS
Is the time with Santa exclusive, or are we part of a large group?
We have changed the Starry Night’s Santa Grotto Experience this year to enable everyone to have exclusive time with Santa. This means that everyone will be able to meet Santa within their own family group, and not as part of a larger group. All we ask is that you consider the time you take, and others who are also waiting to get a bit of special time with Santa, so that they too can create those special memories and have that special photograph with Santa.
Where is Santa's Grotto Experience?
Santa’s Grotto’s Experience can be found within the grounds of Starry Nights, as part of the Starry Nights illumination trail. Once through ticketing, you will see signage for Santa Land, where you will find our Santa’s Grotto Experience. You will spot our Elves ready to admit you, so please have your QR code tickets at the ready. Please arrive 5 minutes early for your Grotto time slot. Do not worry if you are late. We will fit you in.
What if i am early or late for my slot?
We will be filtering guests into our Santa Grotto Experience within the time slots allocated. Please aim to arrive 5 minutes early for your Grotto time slot, but please do not worry if you are late. We will fit you in. No one will miss out. If you arrive early, and there is space, we will do what we can to put you into an earlier slot. This is entirely at the discretion of our Elf team, and decisions will be made solely in the interests of ‘elf & safety.
Please be prepared to queue outside whilst our guests in the time slot before you enjoy the Santa Grotto Experience. If it is raining, or very cold, please ensure you dress appropriately. On occasion, there might be queues due to circumstances out with our control. If that is the case, please can we ask that you are patient. We want everyone to enjoy this special experience. Thank you.
What can I expect at the Grotto?
At our Santa’s Grotto Experience, children can expect to enjoy a welcome by Santa’s elves, make a packet of reindeer food to take away, write Santa a letter and decorate a Christmas bauble for taking away, then visit Santa himself, before receiving a gift from Santa’s elves on the way out from our Santa’s Toy Workshop
Can I take a photo of my child with Santa?
Once into the grotto, you and your children will have exclusive time with Santa, so you will be free to take an unofficial individual photo of your children with Santa (using your phone) if you would like that and whilst you are in with Santa. All we ask is that you are mindful of time, and other people who are also wanting to visit Santa.
We are working on a ‘fair play’ policy, to ensure that that everyone is able to get what they want and enjoy the Santa Grotto Experience within the time slot allocated. Thank you.
Who needs a ticket?
All children, including children under 3, require a ticket to access Santa’s Grotto Experience. The accompanying adult does not require a ticket.
How many adults can accompany children within Santa's Grotto?
Children can only be accompanied by 1 adult due to space restrictions. This is to ensure there is adequate space for the children.
Can I buy Grotto Tickets separately to the Starry Nights Experience?
Tickets for Santa’s Grotto Experience can only be purchased when buying your Starry Nights Experience tickets. Tickets to Santa’s Grotto cannot be sold seperately. You must attend Santa’s Grotto Experience on the same date as your Starry Night Experience tickets.
Should I attend Santa's Grotto before or after the Starry Nights trail experience?
You decide! On arrival and once admitted into Starry Nights, you will either attend the Grotto first and then walk the Starry Nights magical illuminated Christmas experience or vice versa.
If you decide to attend Starry Nights first, we would recommend allowing 1 hour to 1.5 hours to enjoy the illuminations and festive food and drink before heading to Santa’s Grotto Experience. Otherwise, if attending the Grotto first we would recommend booking into the same time slot as your Starry Nights tickets. We encourage you to buy tickets early to secure your preferred time slots.
If I didn't pre-book my Santa's Grotto Experience, can I book on the night?
Subject to availability, we will hold any remaining tickets available for those at our Grotto entrance.
My question isn't listed on this page? What do I do?
Please head over to our main Support Centre