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Festive Event - Meet Santa 2025

What better way to bring the magic of Christmas to life than a meeting with Santa himself! 

From 23 Nov - 24 Dec* | £11 per child 

Santa is back and bringing the festive joy right to the heart of our stores! Your experience will include time with Santa where children are encouraged to share their excitement, wishes and stories before receiving a gift. 

Please note this experience differs from our Grotto experience, in that it is open for all to see in the middle of our stores. 

Event highlights: 

  • Meet Santa: bring your children to meet Santa and share their Christmas wishes. 
  • Photo opportunities: capture the moment with a professional digital photo with Santa. 
  • Gift from Santa: Every child will receive a wrapped gift from Santa. 

Ho Ho hope to see you there!   

Photography 

Our elves are ready to capture your memories with Santa. We offer digital photos only, taken on professional equipment so all the family can be included and no-ones left holding the camera! You can also choose to pre-book one of our special photo options and save 20% compared to on-the-day prices. 

A visit to Santa at Dobbies = a greener future 

This year your Meet Santa ticket will help support a very special project, The Dumyat Project. Dobbies was founded in Scotland in 1865, and as we wrap up celebrations of our 160th year, we’re turning to the future. With your grotto ticket purchase, you’re helping to support the planting of up to 3,000 trees in this beautiful region of Scotland that needs our help. You can find out more about the project here

Please note: 

  • This event will only take place at Andover, Boston, Cadnam, Derby, Galton, Moreton Park and Swindon. 
  • *Not all stores offer an experience on all dates. Please select your local store below to see their availability. 
  • If you are looking for our Grotto experieince please click here. Our Grotto experience is available at Aberdeen, Antrim, Ashford, Atherstone, Ayr, Beaconsfield, Birtley, Braehead, Brighton, Bury St Edmunds, Carlisle, Chesterfield, Cirencester, Dundee, Dunfermline, Edinburgh, Gailey, Gillingham, Lisburn, Liverpool, Livingston, Milngavie, Milton Keynes, Perth, Peterborough, Ponteland, Preston, Royston, Sandyholm, Shenstone, Shepton Mallet, Shrewsbury, Southport, Stirling, Stockton, Swansea, Telford, Tewkesbury, Thornbury, Woodbridge, Woodcote Green and York.
  • Santa has selected a range of toys, suitable for different ages. Please let us know your child’s age and interests so we can prepare the most suitable toy for them on the day. 
  • Please refer to our event FAQs which provide lots more detail on common questions.  

To give you peace of mind when booking, we have a Book with Confidence policy. Find out more here

Attendance Instructions

Further detail:

  • Please refer to our event FAQs which provide lots more detail on common questions 
  • On arrival please follow the signs to our Meet Santa experience and quote your booking reference to Santa's elves. You can have this printed or electronically. 
  • Please arrive no more than 5 minutes before the start of your booking. 
  • Entrance will not be possible if you arrive before your allotted time. 
  • Please be aware that your time slot will allow you into the queue to see Santa.  There may be other children booked within each 10-minute slot - the timings simply allow us to manage the queue. 
  • We aim to ensure that you see Santa within your time slot but on busy days, you may need to wait a little longer. 
  • If timing on the day becomes an issue, please speak to one of our elves and they will be happy to assist. 
  • Children should be accompanied by a maximum of 2 adults due to space restrictions in and around the grotto. 
  • Children must remain under the care and supervision of an adult for the duration of the event.
  • Gifts are only suitable for the age you select due to small parts. 
  • Should you wish any additional assistance, please speak to a store colleague or contact our customer service team here