For 2024 Christmas markets, events, lights switch-on's and late night shopping times click here.
Where to see Father Christmas in Devon 2024
We have compiled a list of places that Santa will be appearing in Devon this festive season. These events are always popular and often sell-out quickly so be sure to book well in advance.
House of Marbles, Pottery Rd, Bovey Tracey, Devon, TQ13 9DS
https://visit.houseofmarbles.com/christmas/
Santa and his Elves will be returning to House of Marbles this Christmas. He will be at House of Marbles every Saturday and Sunday from the 23rd November until 22nd December. Share all your Christmas wishes and receive a lovely gift and goody bag, filled with seasonal treats and a festive Christmas balloon to enjoy. Tickets cost £12.99 per child. Tickets are available to purchase on their website, and it's advisable to book early as this is very popular.
This year, the House of Marbles are also holding a 'Santa Paws' version of their Grotto! This takes place on 16th and 17th November. Tickets are £12.99. This is the opportunity for you to take your pet to meet Santa and take a photo.
Bow Garden Centre, Crediton, EX17 6LA
https://www.bowgardencentre.co.uk/pages/visit-santa-in-his-grotto
Visit Santa at Bow Garden Centre, Crediton in his magical winder wonderland grotto. From 23rd & 24th November 2024 and every weekend in December up until Christmas. Only pre-booked tickets are permitted. Tickets are £11.99 per child including a gift, craft activity and Santa's treasure trail.
Pennywell Farm, Buckfastleigh, Devon, TQ11 0LT
https://www.pennywellfarm.co.uk/buy-christmas-nativity-tickets
Arrive at the magical North Pole where you will be greeted by Pennywell’s friendly Elves to check-in. Collect your Christmas passport and get the stamps as you journey through the Christmas experience. Experience the story of the nativity with a real manger and all the Pennywell animals looking on. Afterwards, head to Noah’s Barn for delicious mince pies and warming drinks for the adults and homemade Christmas biscuits and cold drinks for the children.Visit the Elves Sweetshop with a bag of yummy sweets for every child and then jump onto the festive tractor & trailer ride. There is also the opportunity to have Christmas cuddles with some of the Pennywell animals. Finally, enter the sparkly enchanted forest where Father Christmas will be waiting in his grotto with a special gift for every child.
Greendale Farm Shop, Sidmouth Road, Exeter, EX5 2JU
https://www.greendale.com/events
The big man himself will be in residence here at Greendale Farm Shop this Christmas! From 12-5pm on December 6th-8th, 13th-15th and again on the 20th-23rd, children can pay a special visit to Santa in his grotto, and receive a gift to take home. They'll be able to let Father Christmas know all about what they'd like for Christmas this year, and take special photos to remember the visit by.
Woolley Animals, Winkleigh, EX19 8AN
https://www.woolleyanimals.co.uk/christmas-2024
Woolley Animals Farm Park will be celebrating Christmas in style again this year with a chance to visit Santa in his Grotto in a decorated festive barn, festive animals, Winter wonderland snow themes, photo opportunities, animal handling & feeding, a festive market with stallholders selling crafts, refreshments and festive food. Everything festive under one roof! Hot food, speciality drinks, yummy cakes and festive treats for sale in our café. Entry to the farm is just £4.75 per person. Visit to Santa’s grotto to be booked online for an additional fee.
Kents Cavern, Ilsham Rd, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 2JF.
https://www.kents-cavern.co.uk/events/detail/santa-in-the-caves
Santa in the Caves is back for 2024 with an interactive pantomime performance throughout the caves finishing in Santa's Grotto. Children will receive a beautifully wrapped gift and adults will be able to indulge in mulled wine & mince pies. Adult tickets include a complementary return to the caves for 2025.
Children - £17.50, Adults - £15.00 with discounts for annual members.
Seaton Tramway, Harbour Rd, Seaton, Devon, EX12 2NQ.
https://www.tram.co.uk/events/view/the-polar-express-tram-ride
Starting from 23rd November 2024. Prices vary so please visit the website for details and to book.
Join Seaton Tramway for THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Tram Ride. Families will enjoy a magical tram ride to Santa’s home at the North Pole in one of the specially decorated single deck tramcars, enjoy a cup of hot chocolate, a delicious treat, speak to Santa and admire the awesome lights whilst you walk around the North Pole. Children will also receive the first gift of Christmas from Santa himself. Upon the return journey, enjoy singing along to Christmas carols.
Westpoint, Clyst St Mary, Exeter, EX5 1DJ.
https://www.christmasshoppingfayre.com/the-fayre/about-the-fayre
Friday 6th, Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th December 2024.
The Christmas Shopping Fayre at Westpoint boasts 3 days of festive shopping, all under one roof. Admission costs £5 for adults (16 and under are free) and includes the free Santa’s grotto.
Endsleigh Garden Centre, Ivybridge, Devon, PL21 9JL.
https://bluediamond.smart-tickets.co.uk/
This Christmas, Endsleigh (part of the Blue Diamond group) are offering the chance to see Santa in his Grotto, or to have Breakfast or Tea with Santa.
The Grotto is £12 per child, including a Christmas gift.
The Breakfast or Tea with Santa options are £15.95 per child and £14.95 per adult with a choice of food options and a gift for children.
South Devon Railway, Buckfastleigh, Devon, TQ11 0DZ.
https://southdevonrailwaythepolarexpressride.com/2023-dates-and-times/
Dates throughout November & December, price varies by date.
The Polar Express in returning to South Devon Railway for 2024. Trains leave Buckfastleigh Station after which they theatrically recreate the film for passengers. Throughout your train ride you’ll be entertained, meeting the Conductor and his crew. At the North Pole you’ll meet Santa and one of his friendly elves who will climb aboard the train. The Conductor will even clip your Polar Express tickets just like in the film. After the show, there’ll be a magical photo opportunity where the whole family can pose with the Polar Express train. Booking essential. See website for prices and availability.
Crealy Adventure Park, Sidmouth Rd, Exeter, Devon, EX5 1DR.
https://www.crealy.co.uk/events/crealy-christmas-spectacular
Selected dates throughout December. Crealy has loads going on during their Christmas spectacular event including: The Elves and the Toymaker Ice Show, Santa’s Meet & Greet Experience, Toy Shop, Sounds of the Wilderness Immersive Adventure, Mary's Christmas Bakery, Sooty's Christmas Show & Santa's Post Office. See the website for full details. Tickets must be booked in advance and are very popular so be sure to book early.
Arlington Court, Arlington, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 4LP.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/arlington-court-and-the-national-trust-carriage-museum/christmas-at-arlington-court
Father Christmas will return for 3 days this year on the 21,22 and 23 of December in the lead up to Christmas Day. Time slot are available from 11:30am am 3:00pm, £6 per child inlcuding a present.
Stuart Line Cruises, Marina, Pier Head, Exmouth EX8 1FE
https://www.stuartlinecruises.co.uk/sail-with-santa/
Sail with Santa throughout December 2024.. Tickets must be purchased online, and this is always very popular and does sell out.
Set sail on the calm waters of the River Exe taking some well-deserved time out to enjoy Christmas together. Meet Santa in his enchanting on-board grotto where the children will receive an amazing handpicked gift whilst the grown ups can enjoy a glass of secret recipe mulled wine and a locally baked mince pie.
Boringdon Hall, Plymouth, PL7 4DP
https://boringdonhall.co.uk/the-hotel/the-journal/event/santas-grotto/
Arrive and be dazzled by a dance performance, enjoy a divine Festive Afternoon Tea, get creative with Christmas activities including gingerbread decorating and meet Santa Claus himself to receive a Christmas present; it’s a delightful day out for the whole family. £39 for adults, £23.95 for children. Sunday 1st December, Sunday 8th December and Sunday 15th December. Book in advance.
Plymouth Boat Trips, Barbican Landing Stage
https://www.plymouthboattrips.co.uk/cruising/special-themed-cruises/special-themed-cruises/
Kids Santa Christmas Disco
A fun packed festive children’s party and cruise for the whole family to enjoy. Ticket prices include a tea/coffee and a mince pie for adults, plus a soft drink and a seasonal selection box for each child.
With festive music, face painting and a visit from Santa all on-board, it’s the best Christmas party in town!
Saunton Sands Hotel, Saunton, Near Braunton EX33 1LQ
https://sauntonsands.co.uk/events/festive-family-day-2023
Saunton Sands Hotel have a full days worth of festive activities for all the family to enjoy. 1st-22nd December. Families can arrive from 11am to use the facilities followed by a 3-course festive lunch. For the afternoon there is a children's entertainer before the visit to Santa's Grotto where children will receive a small gift.
Tickets are £40 per adult & £20 per child. Booking essential.
The Milky Way Adventure Park, Bideford, EX39 5RY.
https://www.themilkyway.co.uk/events/view/magical-christmas-fun
From 7th December 2024.
Journey through the magical snowy forest to Buzzlewicks Elf Emporium in The Old Barn, where all children will get to meet Buzzlewick the Elf and friends, have a go a gingerbread decorating, write a letter to Santa and make reindeer food. Then there’ll be the chance to be invited into Santa’s cosy Christmas Cottage to chat to the jolly fella himself and then collect your special festive gift.
Ullacombe Farm, Haytor Rd, Bovey Tracey, Newton Abbot TQ13 9LL
https://www.ullacombefarm.co.uk/events
From 30th November until 22nd December 2024.
Father Christmas is back at Ullacombe looking forward to meeting everyone again this Christmas. Meet Bubbles the elf, who will lead you up to the big man himself, in his secret grotto in the loft. The elves have been busy in their workshop making special gifts for all the children that visit, including an exclusive Ullacombe Christmas decoration that they can choose themselves from Father Christmas' very own Christmas tree when leaving the grotto. Father Christmas will also give all the children that visit an age appropriate gift. Make sure to bring your letters for Father Christmas with you so they can be posted in our magical letterbox which gets flown back to the North pole workshop by reindeer!! A truly memorable family experience at Ullacombe.
Bear Town, Cullompton, EX15 1RZ.
https://www.beartown.co.uk/christmas-at-bear-town/
From Saturday 30th November 2024.
Upon arrival, you will receive a magical Christmas buzzer, a special device that Father Christmas will activate when he’s ready to welcome you. This means you can spend more time exploring our festive role-play town, without the hassle of waiting in line.
When your buzzer twinkles, you’ll embark on a journey through our elf workshop. Guided by a cheerful elf in the bustling workshop, children will be invited to help build a magical Christmas toy.
Then it’s time to meet Father Christmas in his magnificent grotto, where every child will receive a wonderful wrapped present.
Woodlands Theme Park, Totnes, TQ9 7DQ.
https://www.woodlandspark.com/events/
The highly anticipated Woodlands Christmas Grotto is back for another year of festive fun! The festivities begin on Saturday 23rd November 2024, running every weekend up until Sunday 22nd December, then for one final time on Monday 23rd December. Wander through 10 unique rooms within the grotto, and receive a gift from Santa.
Paignton Zoo, Totnes Rd, Paignton, Devon, TQ4 7EU.
https://www.paigntonzoo.org.uk/
Santa will be visiting us at the zoo on dates throughout the festive season, so book your visit to see him in his grotto. Each child ticket booked includes a gift from Santa and zoo entry (at a reduced price) for the day of their grotto visit.
Mrs Claus will be spreading further festive joy hosting storytelling sessions at various times throughout the day.
With live music every weekend, adults can enjoy a mulled wine and mince pie from our restaurant whilst soaking up the festive atmosphere.
Knightshayes National Trust, Tiverton, EX16 7RG.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/knightshayes/christmas-at-knightshayes
Father Christmas will be returning to Knightshayes this December. Dressed in traditional green, he'll be telling stories and giving gifts to all good children.
Father Christmas will be visiting Knightshayes on 30 November, 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22 & 23 December.
Lynton & Barnstaple Railway, Woody Bay Station, Martinhoe Cross, Parracombe, Barnstaple, EX31 4RA.
Lynton & Barnstaple Railway have confirmed that they will be running some Christmas Specials again this year. All trains are steam-hauled using Victorian carriages. Santa and friends will be at Woody Bay Station each day from 14th - 24th December 2024, where Woody Bay Station will be festively decorated.
Morwellham Quay, Nr Tavistock, Devon, PL19 8JL.
Meet Santa in his workshop during selected dates in December and receive a personalised present.
Drakes Circus, Plymouth, Devon, PL1 2AA.
From 19th November dance with the Nutcracker, help train a rookie reindeer, marvel at Inka the Polar Bear, have your portrait painted by a princess, say cheese with the Merry Christmas Mice and get caught in a festive flurry!
Otter Nurseries, Ottery St Mary, Devon, EX11 1LZ
Otter Nurseries have confirmed that here will not be a Santa's Grotto for 2024.
For Christmas gifts by post this year see our Christmas Food Hampers.