Santa’s grotto experiences and the places you can see Father Christmas around Hull and East Yorkshire

Who doesn’t love a chance to see Santa Claus in the run-up to the big day?

Lots of children and, let’s be honest, plenty of adults too, will thrill at the opportunity to give the Christmas visitor a wave or even meet him in person. Thanks to his magical powers, Father Christmas will be popping up in all kinds of places across the Hull and East Yorkshire area before his busiest night of the year.

The excitement of meeting the big man in red can be all the more special when the experience is extended with a chance to sit down to breakfast or supper with this most special of visitors. The seasonal encounters will also bring bands of cheery elves and possibly even a reindeer or two into the mix.

READ MORE: Shoppers want 'every colour' of these Pavers boots now in Black Friday sale

READ MORE: Lives of Gogglebox pair Jenny and Lee away from Channel 4 show from partners to real jobs

Meeting Father Christmas is a fun occasion for all the family. It is the perfect opportunity for a photo that will capture the magic of a special moment forever.

Here is a selection of the best locations where you can see Santa for the 2024 Christmas season. Please note some events will need to be paid for in advance and even free activities may require pre-booked tickets – check before attending.

Hull

A free family Christmas show is returning to Hull’s Trinity Market, with performances of Santa Claus Showtime every Saturday from November 23 until December 21. The show, presented by Redland Events in collaboration with Hull City Council and Trinity Market, will be “a stocking full of songs, games and yuletide cheer”.

Starring Santa, Mrs Claus and their team of playful elves, each performance will feature a mix of original songs, holiday classics and interactive games. Families can join a treasure hunt around the market, where there will also be a festive photo booth and roaming Christmas characters.

Show times at 11am, noon, 2pm and 3pm.

Father Christmas will make a balcony appearance with the Lord Mayor of Hull and Mikey Lewis from Hull KR to switch on Hull’s Christmas lights, at Queen Victoria Square, Thursday, November 21, from 5pm.

Princes Quay is bringing Santa back to Hull on Sunday, November 24, as the annual Santa Arrival Parade, sponsored by Hull BID, is confirmed. The big man in red will depart from Hull New Theatre at 11.15am in a magical float with friends and partners from the city of Hull, and you can watch him wend his way through the centre of Hull.

The shopping centre’s grotto will also be up and running this festive season, with dates and times available to see Santa starting from November right up until Christmas Eve.

Beverley

Santa and not forgetting his reindeer will be appearing at Beverley Festival of Christmas, on Sunday, December 8. The event, running from 10am to 4pm, will include over 120 stalls and family entertainment, including traditional fairground rides, birds of prey on display, and the sounds of traditional brass bands.

Breakfast with the jolly man himself as he takes time out from his busy schedule to pop by Beverley Hills Diner, Flemingate, for some festive breakfast with Santa experiences. December 22 to 24, 9am or 10.45am.

You can also breakfast with Santa at Cherry Lane Garden Centre, Tickton, near Beverley. Expect a fun-filled morning, including balloon modelling and magic, a meeting with Santa, and a special present.

Hedon

Hedon’s biggest night of the year, its Christmas lights switch-on, wouldn’t be the same without Santa present. There will also be seasonal stalls, food, music and singers, on Friday, November 29, from 5pm.

South Cave

Make your child’s Christmas extra special with a visit to Santa’s cosy hideaway in The Courtyard Bistro, at Cave Castle, South Cave, on Saturday, November 30. Capture the moment at the festive photo mirror and create some reindeer food to take home.

Santa will be available for meet-and-greets from 3.30pm, but please note that slots are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Bridlington

Santa will be greeting visitors in Bridlington Round Table’s grotto over the special Christmas weekend of November 16 and 17, when the lights will be switched on by BBC Look North presenter Peter Levy, a festive food festival takes place and Brid’s first ever Ice Trail gets under way.

The Santa Express landtrain experience is also scheduled to make a return to the town this Christmas after a successful debut in 2023. Last year, the Coastal Services team at East Riding Council made sure that festive driver “Noel” checked that all passengers were on the “Nice List”, ready for a magical journey to the North Pole and a special mission to help Santa, as well as writing and decorating Christmas wishes and making some magical reindeer food.

Rise

Father Christmas will be visiting Rise Hall this year for a very special series of events. He will be bringing his elves and lots of Christmas jollity for all the family to enjoy. There will be a short show of songs, jokes and stories from Santa Claus and his elf, a delicious festive party tea, followed by an audience with the big man himself where children will receive a gift.

Saturday and Sunday, November 30 and December 1, with sittings at 11am, 1pm, 3pm and 5pm at Rise Hall, Withernwick Lane, Rise.

Sledmere

Join in Sledmere House’s Magical Santa Experience 2024, with December weekend dates and certain weekdays during the month. There’s an immersive experience, The First Snowflake, to enjoy before meeting the big man himself in the grotto; a Christmas Village to explore; games and activities and a festive tractor and trailer ride to see the beautiful herd of red deer on the Sledmere estate.

Sigglesthorne

Hornsea Garden Centre, at Hornsea Road, Sigglesthorne, is offering a baby and toddler group grotto experience for tots up to the age of two. Santa’s band of elves will be there to welcome you into their magical world before meeting Father Christmas himself, from December 10 to 17.

There will be grotto experiences for older ones running from November 30 to December 24.

North Cave

William’s Christmas Experience makes a return to adventure play centre William’s Den, North Cave, for 2024. Meet Father and Mrs Christmas, see a brand-new Christmas play and decorate an edible bauble, among the festive activities on offer, over the weekends of November 30 to December 1; December 7 to 8, 14 to 15 and then 21 to 24.

Driffield

Driffield’s Dickensian Christmas 2024, on Friday, November 29, includes a host of entertainment including dancing, live music, a festive market, a funfair and free face painting. Father Christmas will also be arriving in his grotto at 4pm, with plenty of time to meet young visitors until he departs for Lapland again at 7pm.

Fimber

Yorkshire Wolds Railway welcomes Father Christmas back to Fimber Halt on Saturday, November 30, and Saturdays, December 7 and 14, from 10am to 3pm. Children can meet him in his grotto on Platform 1; locally grown Nordmann fir trees will also be on sale, and rides on the rails in the brake van will be on offer.

Hessle

Hessle Christmas Market will be an evening of festive fun, including staged performances, a Christmas market, rides and entertainment, with something for the whole family to enjoy. Look out for Father Christmas as he joins Hessle Town Mayor to switch on the Christmas lights, on Friday, November 29, from 5pm.

Gilberdyke

Breakfast with Santa at Gilberdyke Garden Centre, Scalby Lane, from December 1 to 24. Enjoy a magical morning and create wonderful memories with the whole family.

Ellerker

Not only the kids get to breakfast with Santa at Ellerker Lodge Garden Centre. Accompanying adults can tuck in too at the centre’s Olive Tree coffee shop and restaurant, on Saturdays, December 14 and 21, and also Monday 23.

Santa will also be in his grotto on weekends beginning Saturday, November 30, through to Sunday, December 22.

Anlaby

Santa is paying a special visit to The Secret Village indoor adventure play centre, Pryme Street, Anlaby, on Monday, December 23, with slots to see him from 9.30am. The Secret Village will also be transformed to The Santa Village for the duration of the festive season, so youngsters will be decorating a Christmas biscuit, making reindeer food and a magic key for Christmas Eve boxes, in some very special surroundings.

The big man in red will also be welcomed by Anlaby with Anlaby Common Parish Council to a special event on Friday, December 6. A Christmas Celebration is being held, from 5pm, at St Mark's Church and adjacent church hall and will include local craft stalls and food, live reindeer and performances from local schools and groups, as well as a chance to meet Santa.

Woodmansey

It's time to take tea with Santa! Coletta & Tyson garden centre is hosting the big man in red for some special tea-time treats in The Old Glasshouse. Indulge in a delicious meal (with kids' and adults' menus to choose from) while enjoying classic Christmas songs, fun activities, and balloon modelling by Mrs Claus herself.

Every child will receive a gift from Santa, along with a memorable photo with the jolly man in red. Dates currently available between December 16 and 20.