Christmas is a magical time for kids and meeting Father Christmas is a highlight of the year for little ones.    Prices and activities vary greatly so we’ve rounded up a good selection of what’s on and where to visit Santa in Buckinghamshire in 2023.  For more great ideas, check out our guides for Oxfordshire and Berkshire too.

If you’re after other Christmas experiences, check out the Red Kite Days guide to Christmas light trails.

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Father Christmas returns to Hogshaw Farm & Wildlife Park.  Take a wander through the festive forest, past the magical Wishing Tree and through the snow pits, to find Father Christmas on the big red tractor.  Get up close with real reindeer, enjoy festive crafts too.  A magical Christmas experience for the whole family, with full farm entry included!

Where to Visit Santa in Buckinghamshire 2023

Aylesbury

There will be a Santa’s Grotto at Dobbie’s Garden Centre near Aylesbury and breakfast with Santa events as well as quiet grotto sessions for children with additional needs.

Father Christmas and other special guests will be attending the  Christmas on the Cobbles event in Aylesbury which includes the Aylesbury Santa Parade, switching on of the Christmas lights and fireworks on 26th November.

You can see Father Christmas every weekend from 2nd to 23rd December at Hartwell Nurseries and all net proceeds will go to Rotary charities

Beaconsfield

Beaconsfield Festival of Light will include an appearance from Father Christmas on 6th December.

Billington

The Magic of Christmas at Mead Open Farm is packed full of festive activities including meeting Father Christmas.  Full day entry to the farm is also included.

Buckingham

Visit Mother Christmas in her cosy Grotto where she will take you on a truly festive adventure at Lillingstone PYO.  They will also have a Christmas shop and Christmas trees for sale too.

Chalfont St Giles

A free Santa’s grotto will be at the Chalfont St Giles Christmas lights switch on event on 2nd December 2023.

Chesham

An appearance from Father Christmas  hasn’t been confirmed yet at Chesham Christmas lights switch on event on Friday 17th November 2023

Dunstable

This was a recommendation from a Buckinghamshire parent who said ‘Whipsnade Zoo. A-ma-zing! AND you get to feed the reindeer AND sit in Santas sleigh when it’s your turn next. AND nobody is pushing & shoving. And you’re the only ones in his log cabin.’

Gerrards Cross

Breakfast with Santa at Ethorpe Hotel – On the Saturdays before Christmas, Santa Claus treats himself to a leisurely breakfast before he returns to the serious work of toy-making. And wherever Santa goes, his brimming bag of gifts goes too.

There will be a Santa’s grotto at the Gerrards Cross Christmas lights switch on event on Friday 24th November.

Haddenham

Rotary Haddenham & District return to Hartwell Nurseries in Stone with their festive Santa’s grotto running on weekends.

High Wycombe

Santa’s Grotto returns to The Little Gym Handy Cross  on Sunday 17th December – Mrs Claus & the Elves will burn your child’s energy with fun games & gymnastics before heading into Mrs Claus’s kitchen to create your own special gingerbread decorating kit. It’s then time to join Santa & his Chief Elf for Christmas songs, precious photos and collect your child’s special Christmas present.

Enchanted Wonderland is an interactive and theatrical Christmas experience, offering a magical and fun-filled 30 minute journey through an enchanted forest to meet Santa in his workshop.

Santa’s Grotto at The Hellfire Caves  – Follow a magical trail led by elves as you walk through the underground caverns deep into the Chiltern Hills and the story unfolds.

Father Christmas will be making an appearance at the High Wycombe Christmas Festival. An afternoon full of entertainment and the Christmas lights switch on on Saturday 25th November

Hogshaw (within easy reach of Milton Keynes, Ayesbury, Buckingham & Bicester)

Father Christmas makes a popular return to Hogshaw Farm & Wildlife Park (formerly called Green Dragon Eco Farm). Wander through the festive forest, past the magical Wishing Tree and through the snow pits, to find Father Christmas on the big red tractor. Share your wish-list, before stopping for a tasty treat and collecting a special present.

Milton Keynes

One of the more expensive Santa’s grotto experiences, Frosts Garden Centre Woburn Sands tickets go on sale in the summer and sell out quickly!  The 45 minute festive experience Santa’s Grotto is back with some exciting new changes for 2023!

Visit Father Christmas and his elves in Bletchley Park Mansion’s Ballroom, a beautiful, spacious wood-panelled room used by Codebreakers in World War Two.

Father Christmas is coming to Milton Keynes Museum for three select weekends in December.

This years Father Christmas grotto at the Centre MK will have The Snowman^TM  as a theme.

Santa’s Grotto at Milton Keynes Dobbies Garden Centre – weekend dates always sell out really quickly.

Father Christmas will be making an appearance at the Milton Keynes Christmas lights switch on on 18th December 2023

Not quite a grotto but the Milton Keynes Santa Dash is a great event taking place at Willen Lakes on 17th December 2023

With a sprinkle of festive magic, discover Thrift Farm’s BIGGEST family Christmas experience! Every weekend in December (until 24th)

Princes Risborough

Try a festive train ride at the Princes Risborough & Chinnor Railway and meet Santa on one of the Steam Train Specials.

Santa’s Grotto will be at the Princes Risborough Christmas lights switch on,  Saturday 25th November 2023. Wicked Queen Grimelda from the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre’s pantomime performance of Snow White will be there too to switch on the Christmas lights.

Quainton

 The Buck Railway Centre Christmas panto express is back for 2023.  See Father Christmas whilst enjoying a steam train ride and watch a pantomime – all in one amazing Christmas experience!

Wooburn Common

Father Christmas returns to Odds Farm Park for a Christmas spectular.

Worminghall

Thomley Christmas Market on 18th November will also have a Santa’s Grotto.

As an alternative to buying Christmas crafts at attractions, we can also create some special gifts ourselves. For example, custom Christmas pin badges. You can send your favorite pictures with Christmas elements to the designers at Pinbadges.co，and they will design unique Christmas pin badges for you. Wear these custom pin badges with your kids at Christmas, which could create a more festive atmosphere. Customize now!