Where to see Santa around Newcastle and the North East

-Credit: (Image: North News & Pictures Ltd)
-Credit: (Image: North News & Pictures Ltd)


He might be facing the busiest time of the year but Santa is managing to fit in plenty festive appearances around the region in the run-up to the big day.

Families looking to treat children to a visit to see Father Christmas might well have some trouble tracking him down - or find that he's already booked up at various locations. So, to help out with planning, we've drawn up a guide to a pick of places around Newcastle and the wider region which still have booking availability.

They include Santa grottos, story-times, afternoon teas and even a train ride in his jolly company. Some offer relaxed sessions too.

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The best advice is to book up quickly if you're interested in buying remaining tickets for a Christmas treat as most of these Santa experiences have only limited numbers left.

Santa's Elf Academy at the MetroCentre in Gateshead
Santa's Elf Academy at the MetroCentre in Gateshead -Credit:Iain Buist/Newcastle Chronicle

The Santa Experience - Life Science Centre, Newcastle

Described as being ideal for children aged three to 10, this includes a gift from Santa, a hot chocolate and sweet treat. Tickets cost £25 and there is low availability left for the run which ends on December 23: book here.

Afternoon Tea with Santa - Fenwick, Newcastle

Elves and Santa will offer plenty photo opportunities at this event, running on dates up to December 23, whose tea treats will include sandwiches, scones and sweet mince pies. For tickets, £32, book here.

Santa Stories - Christmas Village, Newcastle

A new venue this year is a tipi housing Santa in Old Eldon Square where there are other festive attractions for children including an Elf School and fairground carousel. He'll be there with his elves on dates up to Christmas Eve telling stories of the North Pole while young ones can enjoy a hot chocolate for young ones and receive a certificate confirming they are on the 'nice list'.

Find out more here. Tickets cost £8.50 for children and £2 for adults: book here.

Santa's Grotto - Utilita Arena, Newcastle

Children can visit Santa in his grotto in this Winter Wonderland, created by The Big Wish Ltd, where he will be in residence until Christmas Eve. Families are asked not to take photos so that the time slot entries are not delayed.

For tickets, £8, see here although the arena site says tickets will be available to buy on the day: find times here.

Santa's Inclusive Grotto - Disability North, Newcastle

This grotto at The Dene Centre in Gosforth has been designed with accessibility in mind, so that means total access for wheelchairs; a Changing Places toilet and sensory-friendly environment. Whatever your child needs, it says Santa and his elves we do their best to make it happen.

There will be pies and hot chocolate for all, plus messy accessible crafts. Book tickets, £5, here.

Santa's Elf Academy - Metrocentre, Gateshead

A whole grotto adventure is on offer in the lower blue mall of the shopping centre with an invitation to visit the festive academy to enjoy the likes of Northern Lights laser training and an 'elf & fitness' class, before Santa hands out a 'graduation' gift of a book and a personalized elf hat.

Have a sneak peek inside here. It's open until December 24 and prices start at £10 per child: see here.

Santa's Grotto - Dobbies, North East

The garden centre stores, including Ponteland and Birtley, have a Santa’s Grotto where the cheery soul is settled in until Christmas Eve and well up for a few visits. His grotto has a train-theme with elves awaiting guests at Sleighbell Station amid snowy scenes, woodland characters and hidden nutcrackers.

There's a a sensory-friendly Quiet Grotto experience on offer on December 6 too. Find out more information and tickets, £12.99, here.

Elf Express - Stephenson Steam Railway, North Shields

Families can hop on board a train to meet Santa at the railway museum in North Shields whose Christmas treat will see a festive-theme heritage loco in action at weekends until December 21-22, with a pick of time slots and final trips set to take place on December 23.

Santa will be giving out gifts and his elves will be adding to the fun. Read more about the experience here and book here.

Santa's Grotto - Manor Walks, Cramlington, Northumberland

At weekends running up to Christmas, as well on December 23 and 24, the shopping centre will be hosting Santa and his elves and visits to his 'magical grotto' are free. There is no need to book but there may find a bit of a queue when you go.

Two Sensory Santa Sessions, which did have to be pre-booked, are unfortunately now full. Visitors to see Santa at his grotto will receive an all-important 'nice list' certificate.

Father Christmas at Matfen Hall - Matfen, Northumberland

A festive workshop set up on the hotel's estate invites youngsters to meet the big man and enjoy a brownie and hot chocolate during their 15-minute visit, when he will hand them a gift which is included in the price of the tickets which cost from £25, with each additional child costing £15.

Santa will be there between 4pm and 8pm on Fridays and noon to 4pm at weekends up to December 22 - but now only the dates of December 6 and 13 are showing as still available: see here.

Santa's Grotto - The Bridges, Sunderland

Entry to the grotto at the city shopping centre costs £2.50, which includes gift and photo opportunity, and there is a deal available at weekends, as well as on December 23, where families can save £1 if they want to combine - for £5 - the grotto with a VR ride whose usual price is £3.50.

Payments can be made at the centre's customer service desk. The grottos is open Tuesday to Sunday up until Christmas Eve and also Mondays, December 16 and 23: see here. And Sundays from 11am to noon offer a quiet hour opportunity to visit the grotto.

Santa's Express - Weardale Railway, County Durham

This special treat at Weardale Railway in County Durham, available until Christmas Eve, promises a 'magical Christmas adventure' on the special heritage railway with on-board performances; stories; a festive conductor and, of course, Santa and Mrs Claus and their elves.

The journey will begin at Stanhope Station and travel through Weardale. Tickets range from £11,20 for the standard coach to £41.20 for VIP: book here.

Father Christmas Grotto - Beamish Museum, County Durham

There are still some mid-week dates available to see Santa at the museum during day-time openings in the run-up to Christmas. Ticket prices, on top of the admission, cost £8: see here. Dates after December 18 now appear as sold out.