Where to meet Santa in the Peak District 2024

We’re very lucky that the big man himself, Father Christmas, makes a special effort to visit children in the Peak District on the run up to Christmas Day. There are lots of fantastic Peak District Christmas events taking place this year, but if you specifically want to book at time slot to check in with the Big FC then read on, as here we have compiled all the places in the Peak District to meet Father Christmas this year.

For all other festive events in and around the Peak District National Park, check out our comprehensive Peak District Christmas guide 2024.

1. Storytime with Father Christmas at Chatsworth

Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 6th to 22nd December, plus Monday 24th December
Session times: 10.15am, 11am, 11.45am, 12.30pm, 2pm, 2.45pm, 3.30pm and 4.15pm
Autism friendly sessions: 6th, 14th, 15th December (4:45pm)
£17.50 per child | £12 per adult
Click here to book (pre-booking essential)
Click here to book autism friendly session

Father Christmas will captivate little ears with the story of the first Christmas. Children will then be able to help our elves make some reindeer food and receive a small gift to take home. 

There are also a limited number of autism-friendly sessions this year. These are quieter sessions that offer the same magical experience in a more relaxed environment. Fewer tickets are available so staff are able to offer more support to individual children, and background music and lighting levels will be reduced.

Includes entrance to the farmyard and playground, Father Christmas storytime, a craft activity with our elves, a gift to take home for children and a hot drink for adults. Gifts are suitable for ages up to 11.

2. Santa’s Grotto and Breakfast with Santa at Matlock Farm Park

Santa’s Arrival Day – 23rd November
Santa’s Grotto – 1st, 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th, 21st, 22nd & 23rd December
Breakfast with Santa – 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th, 21st & 22nd December
Autism Friendly Santa – 24th and 30th November
Click here for more information and to buy tickets

Christmas is coming to Matlock Farm Park and there is a special event new for 2024! Santa’s arrival day will be Saturday 23rd November and you can join in to welcome Santa to the farm park and enjoy a day filled with magical memories.

The stunning Grotto is returning where you can write a letter to Santa, try out the naughty or nice o’meter and meet the big man in red himself.

Fancy starting the day a little different? Breakfast with Santa is back and the perfect way to start your day! Enjoy a delicious cooked breakfast whilst Santa makes his way round each table and then finish off with a story from Santa’s sister Mary Christmas.

Last but certainly not least is our fantastic Autism Friendly Santa Sessions. Building on the success of previous years, these tailor-made sessions give you and your loved one the time to see Santa at a pace that suits you. These also include a private one to one small animal petting and a transition room after seeing Santa in his Grotto.

3. Peak Rail Santa and Steam Special

Every Saturday and Sunday from 30th November to 22nd December, as well as Monday 23rd and Tuesday 24th December
Click here to book online

Santa and his Railway Helpers invite you to get Christmas off to a magical start by riding Santa’s festive steam train, through the delightful Derbyshire countryside. Join them on their special train at Peak Rail from Rowsley South Station.

As you sit back and enjoy the journey, a variety of professional entertainers will perform for you, Santa and his helpers will make their way through the train and meet everyone at their seat. Santa will have with him a wonderful age suitable gift for all the children.

Children will receive a drink and a snack each, whilst adults can sit back and enjoy a glass of wine and a mince pie. Dietary requirements can be catered for and bottle of water available upon pre-booked request.

4. Santa at Thornbridge Estate

Santa will once again be stopping by Thornbridge Estate this Christmas for both breakfast and his grotto!

5. Santa’s Grotto at Peak Wildlife Park

23rd, 24th, 30th November
1st, 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th, 19th, 24th December
Prices from £14.95 per child (20% OFF if you book before 21st October).
Click here for more information and to book

This Christmas bring the whole family to Peak Wildlife Park to meet Santa in his magical grotto! The elves have some Christmas crafts planned for all to enjoy and are on hand to help you write your letter to Santa before visiting the man himself for an early festive treat.

Please note, all bookings for Santa’s Grotto must also include park entry tickets. 

6. Santa’s Grotto at Poole’s Cavern

Santa will visit every Saturday and Sunday from 1st December to 22nd December, as well as Monday 23rd and Tuesday 24th December
£20 per entry. Maximum of 6 people per booking, maximum 3 children per booking.
Under 12 months are free. 
Click here to book

Bring your Christmas wishes to Poole’s Cavern this festive season. Meet Santa in his favourite real grotto, and explore the beautifully illuminated natural cavern deep beneath the hills of Buxton. All young people will receive an age appropriate present from Santa during their private audience with lots of opportunities to take photos in his magnificent grotto.

There is also a SEN Santa’s Grotto Visit on Saturday 30th November (10am to 12pm) so that SEN visitors can enjoy their visit to Santa without the crowds. Music in the cave will be low and Santa will consider any additional needs. As with our regular Santa’s Grotto experience, you will get a private audience with Santa, a photo opportunity and all children will receive a present from Santa and his elf. 

And over the Christmas season, the 2 million year old limestone caverns will be illuminated with festive lights and projections, which you’ll be able to combine with your visit to Santa.  

7. Breakfast with Santa at Ilam Park

Every Saturday and Sunday from 7th December to 22nd December, as well as Monday 23rd December
9am to 10:30am
Click here to book

Enjoy a traditional English breakfast in the Manifold Tea Room with your family and meet a special guest, Father Christmas!

A morning of festive joy with food, craft activities and special gifts given to the children by Santa. After breakfast there is a delightful Storytime and crafts with none other than Father Christmas himself! Sit back, relax, and listen, or join in for some fun audience participation.

Breakfast starts at 9am, so please make sure to allow 5 minutes to walk from the car park to the Manifold tearoom.

Adults £20 Includes tea and coffee and full English breakfast. Children aged 3 and over £15 Includes full English breakfast, juice and a present from Santa. Children aged 2 and under £5 includes present from Santa and beans or egg on toast.

All the money raised from Ilam Park Christmas events goes towards conservation in the Peak District and helping us look after the places you love. 

Perhaps combine your breakfast date with our pram friendly Ilam Park walk.

9. Santa Sleepover at Alton Towers

Last weekend in November, first three weekends in December, then 18th to 23rd December
From £90pp
Click here to book

Book into the Alton Towers Santa Sleepover to meet Santa in his Grotto and experience an overnight stay at one of Alton Tower’s fabulously themed hotels with dinner and breakfast included. Plus for this year, there is a panto too!

But as this is Alton Towers… there is so much more on offer and it really is a magical Christmas experience!

Enjoy a whole host of family rides and attractions across three fantastical themed Lands including the UK’s only CBeebies Land, The World of David Walliams with Gangsta Granny: The Ride, as well as Mutiny Bay, plus more including HEX and Spinball Whizzer (check out our guide to visiting Alton Towers with kids age 6-10). Then jump into the Alton Towers Waterpark where splashtastic giggles are guaranteed!

11. Afternoon Tea with Santa at The George, Hathersage

14th December 2024 (1pm and 2:30pm)
Children £12.50, adults £25
Booking in advance essential
Click here for more information and to book

Afternoon Tea with Santa is a great way to treat the whole family to a festive Afternoon Tea and make memories together. Everything at The George is made from scratch with ingredients sourced locally from Peak District farmers, butchers and suppliers. Expect festive favourites on our finger sandwiches and indulge in the cranberry scones, brownies and homemade Christmas puddings.

For the children, there’s plenty of child-friendly finger food to enjoy their first Afternoon Tea experience.

After enjoying your Afternoon Tea, Santa will arrive to greet the children, and chat about their Christmas wishes while the grown-ups take photos and hand out gifts. Each child will receive a selection box gift from Santa.

12. Breakfast with Santa or Afternoon Tea with Santa at The Maynard, Grindleford

Breakfast with Santa: 14th & 21st December (8am and 10am)
Children £12.50, adults £25
Click here for more information and to book Breakfast with Santa

Afternoon Tea with Santa: 21st December (2:30pm)
Children £12.50, adults £25
Click here for more information and to book Afternoon Tea with Santa

Enjoy a delicious breakfast or Afternoon Tea with Santa at The Maynard.

With a selection of our most loved breakfast dishes featuring locally reared and nurtured meats from The Ginger Butchers in Bakewell plus kiddie favourites like pancakes, this is one of the hottest dates in the diary for great food and festive fun!

With three tiers of our most loved Afternoon Tea, which includes savoury and sweet treats, a great way to treat the whole family to a festive Afternoon Tea and make memories together.

Everything is made from scratch with ingredients sourced locally from Peak District farmers, butchers and suppliers. Expect festive favourites on our finger sandwiches and indulge in the cranberry scones, brownies and homemade Christmas puddings. For the children, there’s plenty of child-friendly finger food to enjoy their first Afternoon Tea experience.

Each child will be able to visit Santa, chat to him about their Christmas wishes, have a photo and get a selection box gift from Father Christmas himself. This is a truly magical event and booking is essential.

13. The Secret Workshop of Torr Vale Mill

1st, 6th, 7th, 8th, 14th and 15th December
Torr Vale Mill, New Mills
Tickets from £17
Click here for more information and to book

Children and families can discover magical secrets and the true spirit of Christmas. All children will take home a special gift from Father Christmas and adults can enjoy a free hot drink at the onsite bar – Torr Vale Tap!