Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
Where's Santa in Edinburgh
11th November-24th December 2017
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Venue: Various venues across Edinburgh and the Lothians
Website: https://www.primarytimes.net/edinburgh/news/2017/11/where-39-s-santa-in-edinburgh-
Where's Santa in Edinburgh?
2017
Thankfully the elves from the North Pole have kept us reliably informed of Father Christmas’s whereabouts in and around Edinburgh this November and December.
Gosh, he really is an incredibly busy man, but he will always find time to listen to your wish lists and learn how good you’ve been this year!
Santa is super magic, and he can whizz from here to there, all over the county, often at the same time!
You’ll find him in cosy cabins, on trains, in sparkly grottos, on horse-drawn sleighs in town centres, in shopping centres, garden centres and sometimes, he even turns up for breakfast and lunch at some places!
So, along with his many helpers, look out for Santa at the following locations in and around Edinburgh this festive season…
PS. Don’t forget to leave out a carrot for Rudolf and a mince-pie for Santa on Christmas Eve!
Where’s Santa in Edinburgh?
18 November – 6 January
Santa Train
10am
Santa Land, Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh, EH2 2HG
Board the train for an exciting ride round Santa Land. Look at the Castle, the tree on the Mound, the Big Wheel and wave to the crowds as Santa sounds the bell. Cost £4.
18 November – 24 December
Audience with Santa
10:30 – 7:30pm
Santa’s Grotto, George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2PF
Enjoy a Christmas Story in this audience style grotto then meet Santa and his helpers and receive a wee gift! Sessions every 30 minutes and lasts 25 mins. Cost £8.
25-26 November, 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 23 December
Santa Steam Train Trips
10:30 – 3pm
Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway, Bo'ness Station, Union Street, Bo’ness, EH51 0AQ
Join Santa aboard decorated carriages on a 7 mile journey to Birkenhead. Santa will meet all the children and give them a gift. Adults can enjoy the festive atmosphere with seasonal songs and complimentary refreshments. Advance booking essential. Call 01506 824356.
25 November – 23 December.png)
Meet Santa
Cameron Toll Shopping Centre, 6 Lady Road, Edinburgh, EH16 5PB
The centre’s new decorations will illuminate Santa’s plush new chair situated outside Sainsbury’s. Visits are free but voluntary donations to the Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity are welcome. Call 0131 666 2777.
25-26 November
Free Christmas Opening
10:30 – 4pm
Traquair House, Innerleithen, EH44 6PW
Enjoy free opening to Traquair House decorated in a Victorian Christmas style. Find Santa in his luxurious grotto, craft stalls, puppet shows, performances from local choirs and The Silver Band, mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, and home cooked lunches and teas. Call 01896 830323.
2 December
Edinburgh Christmas Santa Parade
10am
Raeburn Place, Stockbridge, Edinburgh, EH4 1HX
www.christmascharityfestival.com
Edinburgh Christmas Charity Festival will open with a Santa Parade through the heart of Stockbridge. Come and see pipe bands, Santa, reindeer and an escort of elves with Santa's little helpers. Call 0131 336 3620.
2-3 December
Forrest Craft Santa’s Grotto
10:30 – 5pm
Inverleith Park, Edinburgh, EH3 6NZ
www.christmascharityfestival.com
A star attraction at the festival! All children have time to chat to Santa, see his real reindeer, receive a wonderful gift bag and have their photo taken. Early booking advisable. Cost £6 per child. Call 0131 336 3620.
2–3 December
Jupiter Artland Christmas Fair
11 – 4pm
Jupiter Artland, Bonnington House Steadings, Wilkieston, EH27 8BB
A wintry spectacle with craft stalls, seasonal food and drink, activities, a Santa's Grotto and carol singing. Call 01506 889900.
2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 21-24 December
Santa’s Farmyard Cottage
10 – 5pm
Almond Valley Heritage Trust, Millfield, Livingston, EH54 7AR
Jolly old Santa will be in his farmyard cottage handing out early Christmas presents. Meet the animals in a special nativity scene, take a sleigh ride on the tractor and join in Christmas crafts. Call 01506 414957.
2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 23-24 December
Breakfast with Santa
9:30 and 10:45am
Bridge Inn, 27 Baird Road, Ratho, EH28 8RA
Enjoy a fun filled morning with the big man himself with music, fun and games. Have breakfast in this award winning restaurant and Santa will spend time at each table giving out gifts. Call 0131 333 1320.
2–3, 16–17 December
Santa Cruises
12 – 3pm
The Bridge 19-40 Canal Society, Port Buchan, Broxburn, EH52 6HN
Climb aboard The Bluebell Barge for a magical cruise with a voluntary organisation. Sing festive songs and receive a personalised age related goodie bag from Santa. Places limited - booking essential. Call 07809 761561.
3, 10, 17 December
Lunch with Santa
12pm
Village Hotel, 140 Crewe Road South, Edinburgh, EH4 2NY
www.villagehotels.com/Christmas
Surprise your kids this year with a fun festive 2 course lunch and a special meeting with Santa himself. Dress code is smart casual with fancy dress encouraged. Call 0131 297 7111.
3 December
Santa Todddle and Parade
Inverleith Park, Edinburgh, EH3 6NZ
www.christmascharityfestival.com
Join Santa at 1pm as he parades his reindeer behind The George Watson’s Pipes & Drums then join in The Santa Toddle at 1.30pm and receive a Santa Toddle medal, certificate and goody bag. Call 0131 336 3620.
3 December
Bloodwise Reindeer Fun Run
9am
Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, EH8 8DX
Get your antlers on and join Rudolph, Dasher, Prancer and hundreds of fellow fundraisers for the Reindeer Run and help beat blood cancer. Run or walk 1.5k, 5k or 10k in Holyrood Park. Fancy dress encouraged. Call 0131 652 8150.
8 December
All That Sparkles Santa’s Grotto
1 – 4pm
National Mining Museum Scotland, Lady Victoria Colliery, Newtongrange, EH22 4QN
Meet Santa in his Grotto where all things glimmer, shimmer and ho ho ho! Have a photo taken with Santa, receive a gift, do wee crafts and follow the clues on the Christmas trail. Call 0131 663 7519.
9-24 December
Santa at East Links
10 – 5pm
East Links Family Park, Dunbar, EH42 1XF
Be on the platform to meet Santa on his sleigh train before visiting him in his Grotto. Afterwards visit the Winter Wonderland Barn, live nativity scene and ride on the sleigh train. £5 charge for present. Call 01368 863607.
10 December
Great Scottish Santa Run and Walk
Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh, EH2 2HG
Join hundreds of others dressed in Santa outfits and help raise money for When You Wish Upon a Star charity. Walk, toddle or run around West Princes Street Gardens over a 2.5K circuit. Call 01357 529950.
10 and 17 December
Christmas Chocolate Making With Santa
12pm, 1pm or 2pm
Getting Gooey Events, Livingston Business Centre, Charlesfield Lane, Livingston, EH54 7FA
Take the kids along to make some special seasonal goodies and also meet and chat to the one and only Santa. All children make some tasty treats as well as getting a 10-minute chat with Santa. Call 01506 411978.
17 December
Boogie with Santa
3 – 5pm
Tumbles, 20 Westbank Street, Portobello, EH15 1DR
Burn off some Christmas excitement in the soft play and Boogie on down at the Christmas disco. Enjoy the festive food and meet Santa and get a present. £10. Call 0131 669 0878.