Where to meet Santa in Devon 2026
If Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without a trip to see the man in red grotto, you’ve come to the right place to find Santa in Devon in 2025. Read on for grottos, wonderlands and events across the county featuring Father Christmas.
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Grottos and Santa appearances in South Devon
Here’s where to see the man in red as he tours South Devon:
Lanterns, Lights and Luminations in Brixham – 20 – 21 November 2026
This popular event in South Devon returns in 2026 with a magical lantern parade, a firework display, live music, street entertainment, and a market.
This event is free to attend.
Lanterns, Lights and Luminations, Brixham Harbour.
Christmas Nativity and Santa at Pennywell Farm – selected dates from 22 November to 24 December 2026
Pennywell Farm’s magical Christmas event begins with a welcome from the elves before you are transported back 2,000 years to a nativity scene starring animals from the farm, plus there is an extra addition, new to 2026!
There will be plenty of treats for young and old as well as a visit to meet Father Christmas in an enchanted forest. Every child will receive a special present.
If you are interested in going this year, read our review of Christmas at Pennywell Farm.
Find out more about Christmas at Pennywell Farm.
Plymouth Winter Wonderland grotto – Dates yet to be released for 2026 – watch this space!
This year’s Winter Wonderland promises to be even more enchanting, with a host of festive delights for all ages. Step into a Winter Wonderland of twinkling lights, festive music, and Christmas cheer complete with ice rink, Santa’s grotto, fairground rides, a ski lodge bar and plenty of stalls selling food and drinks.
2Find out more about Plymouth Winter Wonderland.
Candlelit Dartmouth – 27 to 28 November 2026
Expect a spectacular procession with hundreds of beautiful, hand-made paper lanterns and Father Christmas’ arriving by fire engine at 6pm on the Friday night. He’ll have treats to hand out to the children.
2pm is the best dressed Christmas dog competition!
More details are still to be released about this year’s event.
Christmas at Woodlands near Dartmouth – Dates yet to be announced, watch this space!
Woodlands’ Christmas grotto returns this winter with a 10 room walk-through experience featuring snowy forests, cozy cabins and the amazing Elf Toy Factory.
As well as combined theme park and grotto tickets there are magical Christmas nights when you can visit the park after hours to meet Santa.
For further information visit the Woodlands website.
Santa’s Grotto at Boringdon Hall – Seceted dates from 29 November 2026.
This event sold out fast in 2025!
Santa will be visiting Boringdon Hall on three dates in the run up to Christmas. As well as the grotto this experience includes a festive afternoon tea and Christmas activities for the whole family.
Book in advance to meet Santa at Boringdon Hall.
Santa’s Grotto at Boringdon Hall, Plymouth
Powderham Castle Christmas Lights and Grotto – Dates are yet to be released, watch this space.
Christmas at the Castle is back this winter, offering dazzling lights and festive displays, Christmas music, and indulge in delicious seasonal treats.
The brand-new for 2025 is the Winter Garden which offers an immersive festive experience filled with lights, family entertainment and games. Guests will be greeted at the elf-guarded gates before stepping inside to discover a magical space where Father Christmas will also be ready to hear children’s Christmas wishes.
Inside the castle, steeped in centuries of history and adorned with seasonal décor, more festive surprises await. Whether exploring the grounds with a hot chocolate in hand or discovering hidden details within the castle itself, every moment promises to be filled with Christmas cheer.
An accessible ‘Be You Hour’ is available on Tuesday evenings. Check the Powderham Castle website for details of what to expect.
For more information see the Powerham Castle website.
Winter Wonderland at Cofton Holidays in Dawlish – 5 to 21 December 2026
Cofton Holidays opens the gates to its first-ever Christmas Wonderland this year. This immersive festive experience promises to bring a touch of North Pole magic, right in the heart of the Devon countryside.
Visit Santa in a Mongolian yurt for a personal audience and photo with the big man and his cheerful elves. There’s a gift and chance to sign Santa’s Good List before heading to a range of festive activity stations. Write and post a postcard to the North Pole, make magical reindeer food to take home, and finish your adventure with a delicious hot chocolate and cookie.
Find out more and book your Christmas visit to Cofton.
Santa at Paignton Zoo – Dates are yet to be released, watch this space.
Santa will be visiting the zoo on dates throughout the festive season, so book your visit to see him in his grotto. You can book child tickets with and without a gift but all include zoo entry for the day of your grotto visit.
Find out more about what’s on at Paignton Zoo this Christmas.
Zooluminate at Dartmoor Zoo – Dates are yet to be released, watch this space.
Dartmoor Zoo’s illuminated light trail around the enclosures returns this winter with the added bonus of a free hot drink and a mince pie to enjoy while you wander around the wintery walk.
The light installations from JHAV, the incredible team that brought you The Atlantic Project and Illuminate Festival of Light include a whole host of new and exciting displays. the zoo can’t guarantee the animals will be outside, but the lights have been specifically researched and chosen to illuminate without causing any harm or disruption.
There’s also a Santa’s Grotto, from 12 to 23 December, which is ticketed separately to Zooluminate.
Find out more about Zooluminate 2025.
Where to meet Santa in East Devon
Find Father Christmas making an appearance at these Devon businesses:
Grotto at Exeter Winter Wonderland – Dates are yet to be released, watch this space.
Exeter’s winter wonderland returns this winter with an ice rink, Santa’s Grotto, Christmas Market, fairground rides and live entertainment.
This year’s wonderland will also include a naughty elves workshop as part of the grotto experience. You can also meet The Grinch on the ice every Sunday at 3pm.
The Winter Wonderland is free entry with tickets available to pre-book online for Santa’s Grotto and the ice rink now.
Find out more and book tickets on the Exeter Winter Wonderland website.
Sail with Santa and Stuart Line Cruises in East Devon – selected dates from 5 December and 22 December 2026
Meet Santa on the River Exe this Christmas by hopping onboard a Stuart Line Cruises.
There will be a Punch and Judy Show, as well as all the usual festive fun on this very special ride including a visit to Santas grotto. For adults there will be commentary about the river, mulled wine and mince pies.
Sail with Santa, Exmouth.
Christmas at Crealy near Exeter – Dates are yet to be released, watch this space.
Crealy’s Christmas celebrations are set to return this winter. Expect a glittering pantomime, Christmas activities, a meet and greet in Santa’s grotto and a toy from his shop.
Here’s a taster of what this great Devon Christmas day out has involved in previous years.
Take a look at our full guide to days out at Crealy Adventure Park.
Christmas at Crealy, Exeter.
Santa’s Grotto at Wildwood Devon in Ottery St Mary – Dates are yet to be released, watch this space.
Meet Santa in his enchanting world surrounded by elves busily preparing for the big day. Each child will have five minutes with Santa (book consecutive slots for each child in your family) and receive a luxury soft toy and mounted photo.
Grotto tickets must be booked in addition to park entry or membership.
Find out more and book Santa\’s Grotto at Wildwood.
Santa’s grottos in West Devon
Here’s where to find Father Christmas and his elves in West Devon:
Christmas Farm Trail at Strawberry Fields at Lifton Farm – Dates are yet to be released, watch this space.
Father Christmas and his merry elves will be spreading festive cheer throughout the farm this year with magic shows, tractor rides, photo opportunities and a chance to meet the big man himself.
Find out more and book the Christmas experience at Strawberry Fields.
Santa at Made-well CIC in Hatherleigh, West Devon – Dates are yet to be released, watch this space.
Made-well’s Santa’s Grotto offers the ideal setting for families and friends to make lasting memories.
For only £5 per person participating, enjoy a meeting with Santa Claus and receive a gift from the big man himself! This grotto is accessible and welcoming for all ages.
Find out more and book online.
Santa’s experiences in North Devon
Get these North Devon grottos and Santa experiences in your festive calendar:
Frosted Festivities at The Mole Resort in Chittlehamholt – Dates are yet to be released, watch this space.
The Mole Resort is transforming into a sparkling winter wonderland for its annual Frosted Festivities, a magical experience for resort guests and local families alike.
Enjoy a festive day out filled with snow-dusted trails, hot chocolate and cookies by the fire, and enchanting encounters with the man himself, Father Christmas. Little ones can decorate ornaments and gingerbread, craft reindeer food, send letters to the North Pole via the on-site post box, and listen to Christmas stories from the Chief Elf.
Find out more and book tickets online.
Santa’s Mistletoe Lodge Grotto at Green Lanes shopping centre in Barnstaple – Dates are yet to be released, watch this space.
Step inside Santa’s Mistletoe Lodge at Green Lanes and discover a brand-new illuminated Tunnel of Lights leading to the jolliest grotto in North Devon.
Find out more about this grotto.
Clovelly Christmas Lights and Santa in North Devon – 6 December 2026
Head to Clovelly to see the Christmas Lights switched on. The local brass band will procession down to the harbour where there will be carols, a hog roast and other festive refreshments.
Don’t miss a visit from Father Christmas himself and seeing the entire village and harbour lit up.
Entrance fee: £5 per adult at the Visitor Centre after 2pm. All proceeds to RNLI.
Find out more about Clovelly Christmas Lights at Clovelly Village.
The Magic of Christmas at Milky Way Adventure Park – Dates are yet to be released, watch this space.
Santa’s Christmas Cottage returns to the Milky Way this festive season. Walk through an enchanted wood, get creative in the Elf Emporium and ride the festive train. The park’s all-weather attractions will also be open making this a full winter day out.
Your timed visit to the cottage grotto is booked at the same time as your park tickets.
For more information and to book visit the The Milky Way website.
Santa’s Grotto and Ice Skating rink at St John’s Garden Centre in Barnstaple – Selected dates starting early November and into December 2026 – Dates yet to be released.
Children will embark on an enchanting journey through Winter JungleLand, transformed into a sparkling wonderland of festive animals, lush greenery, and twinkling lights, all leading to a log-cabin style grotto.
When their moment arrives, little ones will step inside to meet Santa himself, share their Christmas wishes, and take home a very special gift picked by the man himself. After your hot chocolate, why not try your skills at Ice skating at the new rink for 2026!
Find out more on the garden centre’s website.
Santa’s Gingerbread Grotto Experience at Woolley Animals, North Devon – Dates are yet to be released, watch this space.
Visit Santa’s grotto at the farm to receive a special gift. Tickets include entry to the farm, the festive Winter Wonderland animal barn and market.
For more information visit the Woolley Farm website.
Santas on a Bike in South Molton – Dates are yet to be released, watch this space.
The Annual Santa Ride from Taunton to Little Bridge House Children’s Hospice will be visiting South Molton Town Square for the Mayor’s fundraiser for the hospice.
Alongside the Santa ride, which last year included more than 250 bikes, trikes and quads, there will be snow, photo opportunities, carols and Christmas gifts in the Pannier Market.
This event is free to attend.
Find out more about this year’s ride.
Even more Christmas events in Devon
