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Where's Santa in Norfolk 2023
Read on for more on Santa's grottos, Santa by Steam and Santa's workshops in Norfolk in 2023
Updated 12/10/2023
At this time of year Father Christmas becomes an incredibly busy man, but as he’s so friendly and thoughtful he will always find time to listen to your wish lists.
There’s nothing that Father Christmas loves more than talking to children, so he uses his super magical powers to whizz all over the county and can be in many places often at the same time!
You’ll find him in cosy cabins, in sparkly grottos, on festive trains and on horse-drawn sleighs in town centres, shopping centres, garden centres and family attractions. As he gets exceedingly hungry on his travels he even turns up for breakfast and lunch at some places!
So, along with his many helpers, do look out for Santa at the following locations this festive season…
PS. Don’t forget to leave out a treat or two for Santa and his reindeer on Christmas Eve. The cheeky elves have told us he likes smelly socks, but we think he would rather tuck into a tasty mince pie!
An updated list of Where to See Santa in Norfolk 2023
Find Santa in Norfolk right here...
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Contents Highway Garden and Leisure - multiple activities Santa's Magical Journey at Thursford Diss Christmas Lights Switch-on Christmas Lights Switch On at Wisbech Christmas Lights Switch On at Great Yarmouth The Christmas Experience Banham Zoo Santa Cruise River Trip Switch-on Saturday at Cromer Hunstanton Oxburgh Hall Fairhaven Holkham Hall - SOLD OUT FOR 2023
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Dates from 18th November 2023
Santa’s Grotto at Highway Garden and Leisure
Highway Garden & Leisure, Framingham Pigot, NR14 7PW
Some of Santa's gifts have fallen from his sleigh across the magical worlds he's passed through to deliver presents to children across the globe. Your visit will take you through the night sky, rabbit tunnels, enchanted woodlands, icy caves and mystical lands, ending with a trip to Santa's grotto where each child will be given a gift and have a chat with the big guy himself. Quiet sessions are available on selected dates
Dates from 25th November
Breakfast with Santa at Highway Garden and Leisure
Highway Garden & Leisure, Framingham Pigot, NR14 7PW.
Children can fill their tummies with a yummy cooked breakfast, cereal and juice while the adults enjoy a hot drink and cooked breakfast, cereal and juice while the adults enjoy a hot drink and cooked breakfast. Santa will visit your table to have a chat and a giggle with each family, your special breakfast will be topped off with your child's gift delivered to your table.
Dates from 30th November
Afternoon Tea with Santa at Highway Garden and Leisure
Highway Garden & Leisure, Framingham Pigot, NR14 7PW.
Children can fill their rumbling tummies with delicious sandwiches, sausage roll, seasonal cakes and biscuit, a milkshake and more while the adults enjoy their very own Christmas Afternoon Tea. Santa will visit your table to have a chat and a giggle with each family and the afternoon will be topped off with a child's gift delivered to your table.
Dates from 26th November to 23rd December 2023
Santa's Magical Journey at Thursford 2023
Thursford Collection, Thursford, Fakenham, Norfolk, NR21 0AS.
www.thursford.com/santas-magical-journey/
Christmas experience including the Enchanted Journey of Light with a meeting with Father Christmas. Relaxed day on 4th December.
Selected dates from 19th November
Santa’s Magical Journey Into Christmas
Thursford Collection, NR21 0AS
Now includes the Enchanted Journey of Light. Visit Father Christmas and get taken on a journey on the way with penguins, polar bears, giant sized teddy bears and fantasy characters before venturing outside to the Lantern Light Extravaganza. Relaxed session available for 8th December – see website for details
2nd December 2023
Diss Christmas Lights Switch-On
Diss Town Centre, IP22
www.facebook.com/disschristmaslightswitchon/
Afternoon of entertainment, live music, performers, comedy, stalls, Santa's Grotto, a small funfair and the Christmas Lights switch-on
Selected dates from 30th November to 23rd December 2023
Father Christmas is coming to Church Farm Stow Bardolph
Church Farm Rare Breeds Centre, Stow Bardolph, PE34 3HT
www.churchfarmstowbardolph.co.uk
All Father Christmas tickets include entrance to the Farm as well as visiting Father Christmas. Visitors can enjoy the indoor and outdoor play areas, animal encounters, animal nativity scenes, take your photos on Father Christmas's sleigh, Christmas gift shop and mini festive market and more.
2nd December 2023
Market Place, Gt Yarmouth, NR30
https://www.gytcp.co.uk/events/christmas-light-switch-on-2023-great-yarmouth/
Celebrate the arrival of Santa to assist with the switch on of the festive illuminations at 7pm followed by a rooftop firework display.
Every weekend in December plus 21st to 23th December 2023
Wroxham Barns, Hoveton, NR12 8QU
Hop aboard the enchanting train ride to meet Santa Claus himself. Each family will get a personal experience with Santa and children will be given a special gold coin to spend in Santa's Toy Factory.
- The North Pole Express- take a very special journey to visit Santa himself
- Santa's Grotto - each family will get a personal experience with Santa
- The Mrs Claus Show - an all singing, all dancing show on the hour, every hour
- Reindeer HQ - mix your own magical reindeer food ready to sprinkle on Christmas Eve
- The North Pole Post Office - with the help of Santa's elves, write and post a special letter
- The Elves Workshop - get crafty and and make a wonderful keepsake to take home
- Santa's Toy Factory - full to the brim of toys for all ages. Children can pick a gift of their choice
- Teddy Workshop - For an extra special treat, children can build their own cuddly toy - additional charges apply
Dates to be confirmed for 2023
Christmas at Africa Alive!
Africa Alive!, Kessingland, NR33 7TF
www.zsea.org/reserve/tickets/africa-alive-christmas-grotto
Embark on a magical journey aboard the winter train, hosted by expert animal rangers, meet Father Christmas in his wild workshop. The Christmas Experience ticket includes all-day entry to the Zoo, and the chance to receive an Animal Adoption following their visit with Father Christmas.
Dates to be confirmed for 2023
Banham Zoo, NR16 2HE
Embark on a magical journey aboard the winter train, hosted by expert animal rangers, meet Father Christmas in his wild workshop. The Christmas Experience ticket includes all-day entry to the Zoo, and the chance to receive an Animal Adoption following their visit with Father Christmas.
3rd to 24th December 2023
Bure Valley Railway, Wroxham Station, NR12 8UR
www.bvrw.co.uk/events/festive-express---3rd-to-24th-december-
Enjoy a 1 hour experience from Aylsham Station including festive treats, a 30 minute steam train ride and a visit to see Santa in his grotto
Dates from 2nd December 2023
Bressingham Steam & Gardens, IP22 2AA
Under twinkling fairy lights, your Christmas visit to Bressingham includes a ride on a Steam Train on the Fen Railway for everyone both young and old, a festive spin on the Gallopers and a visit to Father Christmas, including a present, for children up to the age of 12 years.
Every weekend from 3rd to 18th December 2023
Elveden Grotto, Elveden, IP24 3TJ
https://www.elvedencourtyard.com/grotto
Go and visit Santa and the mischievous elves hard at work, regaling you with stories of their adventures from the North Pole as well as having a photo opportunity at this outdoor event.
2nd to 23rd December 2023
The Norfolk North Pole at Pensthorpe
Pensthorpe Road, Fakenham, NR21 0LN.
https://pensthorpe.com/events/the-north-norfolk-pole/
Meet Santa and his elves, listen to stories about Christmas, make a festive craft creation along with making your own reindeer food.
Dates from 25th November to 23rd December 2023
Santa Specials at North Norfolk Railway
North Norfolk Railway, Sheringham Station, NR26 8RA
Enjoy a magical Christmas journey along the whole length of the line, meet Santa and receive a special wrapped present, festive activity packs, balloon modellers and entertainers
Dates from 25th November 2023
Dippy's Christmas Celebration 2023/Sparkle at Roarr!
ROARR! Dinosaur Adventure, Lenwade, NR9 5JE
www.roarrdinosauradventure.co.uk
See ROARR! Dinosaur Adventure transformed into a winter wonderland with Dippy's Christmas Celebration, full of seasonal surprises and amazing activities
Also, enjoy other festive events at Roarr! Dinosaur Adventure on selected dates this Christmas with a candy cane trail, Dippy and Friends Christmas Show, ice skating rink, gingerbread decorating with Mother Christmas as well as an hour of magical moments with Father Christmas, and the Christmas Present House.
Sparkle at Roarr! is an all new event where visitors can enjoy the festivities after hours - see the website for details.
25th November 2023
Santa at Wells ChristmasTide Festival 2023
Wells-next-the-Sea, NR23
https://www.facebook.com/xmastide
Father Christmas and a firework display - more details nearer the time
Dates to be confirmed for 2023
Broads Tours, Wroxham Bridge, NR12 8RX
www.broadstours.co.uk
Leaving from the boatyard in Wroxham, Santa's Elves will have a gift bag for all children aboard over 3 years old including a juice box, activity book and crayons and a festive treat - plus all children can visit Santa in his grotto and receive a present from Santa himself.
SELECTED DATES FROM 2nd DECEMBER 2023
SANTA’S GROTTO AT NORWICH PUPPET THEATRE
Norwich Puppet Theatre, St James Court, Whitefriars, Norwich, NR3 1TN.
https://puppettheatre.co.uk/event/santas-grotto/
Join Father Christmas in his festive toy workshop and choose your own puppet gift from his magical tree to take home with you.
2nd December
Santa's Grotto at Cromer Christmas Festival
Cromer Community Centre
www.facebook.com/cromerchristmas
More details to follow
Selected dates from 2nd December 2023
Meet Father Christmas at Oxburgh
Oxburgh Hall, King’s Lynn, PE33 9PS
Join Father Christmas and settle in for a yuletide tale in Oxburgh’s festive second-hand bookshop. After the story, Father Christmas will have a small gift for you to take home.Maximum of 1 free accompanying adult per child. Each child requires a ticket.This event doesn’t include general admission to site. Standard admissions charges apply to the property to non-members on arrival.
Dates TBC for 2023
Father Christmas at Thetford Garden Centre
Thetford Garden Centre, Kilverstone, IP24 2RL
www.thetfordgardencentre.co.uk
Details to be confirmed
SOLD OUT FOR 2023
An Audience with Father Christmas 2023
Holkham Hall, Wells-next-the-Sea, NR23 1RH
Details to be confirmed
17th November to 3rd January 2024
WINTER WONDERLAND NORWICH
Norfolk Showground, Dereham Road, Norwich, NR5 0TT.
www.winterwonderlandnorwich.com
Outdoor Christmas event with ice rink, rollercoasters, children’s rides, funhouses, Santa, food, drink and more.
2023 dates and event details to be confirmed
SANTA’S GROTTO AND TRAIN RIDE at Whitwell Station
Whitwell Station, Whitwell, Reepham, Norwich, NR10 4GA. www.whitwellstation.com
2nd December 2023
33 Woodcock Road, Norwich, NR3 3TT.
Raffle, tombola, games, craft stalls, food and drink and Santa’s grotto.
Dates from 25th November
Santa’s Grotto Experience at Wells Maltings
Wells Maltings. www.wellsmaltings.org.uk
Meet Santa in a specially created grotto where Santa will spend approximately 30 minutes with a group telling stories and tales of his adventures before opportunities for photos with individual children.
2nd to 23rd December
Father Christmas Experience 2023 at Cromer Pier Pavilion Theatre
Cromer Pier Pavilion Theatre. www.cromer.ticketsolve.com
Santa’s Grotto experience with lots of opportunities to take your own keepsake photographs and videos.