Oxford Events
Where to meet Santa in Oxfordshire
Our pick of where to meet Santa in Oxford and across Oxfordshire this Christmas
Have they been naughty, or have they been nice?
For children, one of the highlights of the festive season has to be a visit to see Father Christmas himself, a.k.a. Santa Claus, in his grotto IRL, ho-ho-hoing and dishing out gifts.
And, as all the little ones have been extra nice this year, we’re putting together this growing list of where to meet Santa in Oxford and across Oxfordshire this Christmas.
Make sure you’re not caught short. There’s only so much Santa to go around, so it’s more important than ever to book your kids a slot with ol’ Saint Nick in advance to avoid tears and tantrums.
Kick off the festive season with Breakfast with Santa at Oxford Covered Market by enjoying breakfast from any of the Market’s cafés or food stalls, offering everything from cosy pastries to hearty breakfasts in the morning. From 10.00am, Father Christmas will be on hand to meet children, help them write their Christmas letters, and collect them in his special North Pole post box.
Enjoy the most wonderful time of the year, Christmas at Cogges, and meet Father Christmas and his elves in Santa’s Grotto for a special audience with the man himself and a gift for every child. Kids will be able to burn off energy and boogie away to festive tunes at the Christmas Disco and take part in a whole host of exciting Christmas Craft Activities in the Party and Craft Barn.
06, 07, 13 &14, 20, 21, 22 and 23 December
Steam Into Christmas and help Santa find his missing reindeer! Explore the 21-acre site to find each of Santa’s lost reindeer, culminating in a visit to the grotto to meet Santa. Grab your tickets, make tracks to Didcot Railway Centre and Steam Into Christmas!
In Victorian times, Santa travelled by a sleigh pulled by reindeer. More recently, he’s also well known to have travelled by steam train, but now he’s hopping onboard a vintage Oxford bus. Visit Father Christmas in his bus grotto while enjoying a complimentary vintage bus ride on Sunday 14 and Sunday 21 December.
Looking for more Christmas inspiration? Take a look at our comprehensive guide to Christmas in Oxford and across Oxfordshire.