Visit Santa 2016
Our annual visit to see Santa in Dublin is one of my most treasured childhood memories. We were always mesmerized by all the twinkling street lights, the buzz around Dublin city centre and visiting Switzers and Clerys windows. That was our Christmas day out and it’s still something I enjoy doing now with my own children but today there are even more places to visit the big man himself and we have compiled a list of our top picks around Ireland to help you make more special memories, we’ve even included some seasonal Pantomimes to finish off your day out 🙂
Santa Experience Dublin, Limerick & Cork
The award winning and original Santa Experience returns to Limerick, Cork & Dublin City for Christmas.
Over the past 7 years The Santa Experience in association with Dunnes Stores has provided children and adults alike with a magical journey to Santa’s House.
Travelling through 4 fun filled festive rooms meeting elves, reindeer, polar bears and maybe even getting to ride in Santa’s Sleigh on your way to meet the big man himself.
The Santa Experience has proved to be very popular with over 16,000 children visiting us in 2015!
Killarney Sleigh Rides Kerry
Take a Sleigh Ride through the streets of Killarney with sleigh bells jingling. As you travel along see the town with its glittering lights and festive displays.
Why not make your Santa visit at Christmas Island extra special with a sleigh ride from his office!!! A fun and exciting way for all to enjoy the sights, sounds and magic of Christmas in Killarney.
Enjoy a Sleigh ride through Killarney National Park, departing from Christmas Island, where Santa & his elves take up residence this year.
What a wonderful festive way to see the snow-capped mountains and picturesque parklands. Ramble through the deer parks onto Ross Castle.
The Forest Train Wicklow
Take a magical trip on The Forest Train Wicklow to visit Santa and his hardworking (and some not so hardworking) elves in his workshop, deep in the forest. Santa and his Elves are delighted to be back in Avondale Forest Park this Christmas.
Experience the winter wonderland as The Forest Train rambles through the breath-taking mature forest park. Keep an eye out for Noodle the lazy Elf who is running late for work! Stop off at his house and see if you can help the other elves wake him up. But, please don’t let Santa know.
When the train reaches its secret destination deep in the forest, Noodle will lead all the families into the workshop. The elves are waiting to meet all the children and there will be plenty of fun, songs and dancing while you wait to see Santa.
Ladyrath Lane Meath
Enter our enchanted walkway and guided by the fairy queen make your way through the trees, looking out for fairies along the way.
* Find your very own Santa hat made for you, hanging from the trees and a candy cane to enjoy.
* Then you will enter ‘Mission Control’ and see Santa’s computer database of all the houses and addresses from all over the planet, here our silly Professor Doc will tell you lots of fun facts about Santas Epic journey around the world every year.
* Next is the Elves workshop where you will see lots of toys ready to be sent to sleepy boys and girls. Play with a few and maybe help with some wrapping and stacking. Keep an eye out for any lazy elves sleeping on the job!
Ardgillan Castle Dublin
Visit Santa Claus and his Elves at Ardgillan Castle in Balbriggan, North Dublin for 11 dates this December.
The beautiful Ardgillan Castle will host this fantastic event and this year there will be a VICTORIAN THEME. Visitors will be greeted by the Castle’s very own Butler who will explain to them what Christmas was like many years ago. There will also be a display showing the types of gifts the children would have had at Christmas back then. And outside the entrance to the Castle you will be able to view a Period Carriage – Santa is travelling in style this year!
Inside the Castle there will be plenty to entertain the children while they wait to enter the Grotto. Apart from the friendly Elves there will also be a MAGICIAN and rumour has it that Rudolf the Reindeer will be around to say hello.
Brigit’s Garden Galway
Santa and Elfie are coming back this December – with lots of extra fun activities! Conjure up the real magic and wonder of Christmas with Santa’s Christmas Magic at Brigit’s Garden galway! This year Elfie and Santa will be joined by Mrs Claus, Donny the donkey and lots more, to make a full Santa experience with the professional show as the delightful highlight of the day.
Santa’s Christmas Magic at Brigit’s Garden Galway is a wonderful family show with Santa and Elfie, his musical elf. There’s lots of music, fun, candlelight and Christmas magic!
Your visit will last approx 2 ½ hours, with Mrs Claus and other activities for the first 1½ hours, followed by Santa’s Christmas Magic Show with Elfie and Santa.
Visit Santa at Castlecomer Discovery Park Kilkenny
Santa’s enchanting woodland estate is hidden away in the small town of Castlecomer, county Kilkenny. Share an experience you and your family will never forget in our unique 17th century estate yard.
On arrival, adults can enjoy a complimentary mulled wine/beverage while children can enjoy a warm hot chocolate in our charming oak-beamed visitor centre.
Then make your way to visit our jolly Santa in his charming old stone Bell House where Santa has a special gift for each and every child. Guided by Santa’s merry helpers, visit Mrs. Claus in her beautiful rustic Mill House while hearing about the enchanting Elf Village and what the elves get up to on their visit here.
For some extra special magic and Christmas wonder, take the magical ‘Jingle Bell Bus’ into our woodland to discover the elves and their fantastic hand crafted village. Sing along as the ‘Jingle Bell Bus’ makes its way across our 17th century stone bridge, lakes and streams and past our giant Christmas Tree where you can make a wish before returning back to the centre. You and your family will be sure to enjoy a magical, fun-filled journey passing by Elf and Fairy land at Castlecomer Discovery Park this Christmas. Booking opens 1st September
Causey Christmas Experience Meath
Causey Farm comes alive with a festive atmosphere – as we celebrate Christmas with all the traditional charm and magic you’d expect. There’s a chill in the air. The farm animals are in for the winter and the baby lambs will soon be born. We hear laughter and “Wows” across the old farmyard – the time has come to celebrate and we do it in style here at Causey Farm.
- Visiting Santa’s house and help Mrs Claus pack his bag for the big journey.
- Slide down into the toy workshop and play with the toys Santa has ready for packing.
- Make your way through the Elves’ door to Santa’s Parlour.
- Listen carefully, is that a noise on the roof? You’d never know who might arrive down the chimney – and of course he has a gift for all the children – Hope your name is on one of his parcels!
- Follow the Bethlehem Trail to the stable where Mary and Joseph take care of their new arrival, watched over by the cows, donkeys, sheep and lambs.
- Visit Christmas Cottage to experience an old Irish Christmas; Make a wish as you stir the pudding!
- And of course don’t forget to Visit the reindeer as they relax before their big night.
- Causey Christmas Experience lasts one and a half hours!
Aladdin at The Helix Dublin
No festive season is complete without a trip to The Helix Panto!
TheatreworX Productions return to The Helix this Christmas for yet another panto success with their hilarious adaptation of Aladdin.
A mystical genie, a flying carpet and an old lamp, a beautiful princess, irresistible baddies and an exotic trip to the Far East. It could only be the magical and much loved pantomime, Aladdin!
Join the heroic but hopelessly romantic Aladdin and all the gang for the adventure of a lifetime in the Far East in this year’s fun-filled panto- guaranteed to enthrall the whole family.
Glendeer Pet Farm Roscommon
Christmas time is a special time on Glendeer Pet Farm. The team at Glendeer Pet Farm transform the whole place into Ireland’s Lapland.
When you arrive at our farm be mesmerised by the thousands of twinkling lights and festive décor. Make sure to get there on time to get a chance to see Santa arrive by horse drawn sleigh on the first day. See his real live deer Dancer & Prancer and some of his elves busy in the workshop! There is an animated snow scene & a crib with a live cow & donkey. On your way to visit Santa you will get to see all the animals including the llama, ostrich, deer, goats, emu, donkeys, sheep, monkeys and lots more animals & birds, while enjoying yuletide music which sets a magical Christmas atmosphere. You will also get the chance to meet our smaller animals that love to be cuddled and petted, like our rabbits, puppies and kittens. These are a favourite amongst our little visitors & keep them busy while they queue up to see Santa. There is also an indoor Skywalk play area to keep the children entertained, an indoor sand area with diggers & the NEW Soft Play Toddler Barn.
Children will get a little bag of food to feed the animals as they make their way over to visit Santa, have a chat with him & receive a gift.
Chocolate Garden of Ireland Carlow
Get hands-on working with the Chocolate Elves to get ready for Christmas!
This Christmas, you can join in with the elves in a magical, fun-filled chocolate-making workshop at The Chocolate Garden of Ireland Elf Workshop Carlow. It is an interactive workshop with a live link with the North Pole, in contact with both the Elf Workshop there and a live link with Santa himself who will address the boys and girls personally – but only if they are on the good list!
Roll up your sleeves and make and decorate a chocolate moulded Christmas figure to take home; decorate a large chocolate bar, maybe for Santa… And there’ll be lots of tastings and chocolate fun in between. To finish off, enjoy a warm drink of spiced apple. Trainee Elves will receive a Certificate.
Kia Ora Mini Farm Wexford
Santa is delighted to announce his return to the Winter Wonderland that is Kia Ora Mini Farm. Come warm yourself with a glass of mulled wine and the little ones can pick from our vast choice of excellent presents. Come visit the animals, see Santa’s holiday home and see our Magical Musical Light Show.
The farm will be covered in thousands of lights and decorations, ride the fire engine and dig on our REAL DIGGERS – fun for all the family, no booking required and no time limit on your stay within our opening hours.
We have a live stable of Bethlehem and also an illuminated crib. Santa gives a very generous gift to each child (children can choose their own gift fro Santa’s huge selection) who comes to visit him during his stay while the adults warm up with complimentary tea/coffee/mulled wine and cake in our cosy coffee shop.
Take a ride on the Kia Ora Mini Farm Fire Engine with fun Christmas sing along songs. Milk the milking cow and play the Giant Buzz Off Game. Go crazy in our fun new maze or test your coordination on our real diggers.
Christmas is a time of peace and joy and best spent with loved ones, where better to get back to nature and enjoy the simple pleasures in life than at Kia Ora Mini farm . Our aviary has a fantastic selection of birds and during the winter the majority of our animals are indoors so no matter what the weather is like you can come and have fun and see all the cute little animals in the barn such as rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, mice and rats!!
Lullymore Heritage and Discovery Park Kildare
Opening on the 26th of November every day until the 23rd of December. A magical experience for both young and old is guaranteed as the park is transformed into a Winter Wonderland of family fun with some very special guests to entertain you along the way! Your 2016 Christmas visit will include:
Visit to Santa and gift from Elves in workshop Festive Train trip – Our Road Train will take you on a magical trip through ancient woodlands, glassy lakes and a beautiful peatland landscape. Elf Hologram in New Stone Age House in woodland. Christmas Fairy Hologram in old style thatched cottage. Illuminated walkway through woodland. Visit the Crib scene in the old style thatched cottage. Animals such as donkeys, goats and miniature horses will be in paddocks beside centre. Illuminated Fairy Bower visit Arrival of Santa and his friends by Road Train – Welcome Santa and the gang and meet and greet them all on their arrival!
Funky Forest becomes a Winter Wonderland. Fun with the elves in Funky Forest Post your Letter to Santa
Santa’s Cottage Newry
Come and visit Santa’s Cottage and experience for yourself the wonders of the old time Christmas. Every child deserves something special at Christmas, so book now to avoid disappointment. All ages from 1 to 101 are welcome at Santa’s Cottage in the Mournes.
As Christmas approaches Santa, with the help of his elves and Mrs. Claus of course, decorate the cottage and the land around it with a spectacular array of lights that can be seen from miles away. This truly provides a magical setting for Santa Claus to greet his visitors in the heart of the Mourne Mountains.
Guests will also be invited into the comfort of Santa’s Underground Cottage. This is a beautiful building unlike any other in Ireland that will provide a warm place for visitors to sit down and relax in a unique Christmas environment. The centre piece of the hall is the large stone fire-place and visitors will get the chance to see Mr. Claus himself arrive down through the chimney.
Each family will then get their own individual time with Santa beside the glowing fire inside the old cottage.
You can also visit the Elves Workshop, Santa’s Bedroom, Santa’s Igloo and Post Office and lots more!
Stonehall Visitor Farm Limerick
You will arrive at Stonehall Farm and see the array of magical lights, check in with your reference number at the check in desk.
Adults will receive Tea/Coffee/Mulled Wine and a mince pie.
You will proceed to the play area and the Children will play in the play area, while you wait your turn to meet Santa in his Grotto.
You will meet the small animals and array of Birds on your way into the Grotto all decorated for the festive season.
You will wait in the magical waiting room for the big man to tell him all your news and wishes before entering
After seeing Santa you can go to see his larger animals in the stables.
Then you can pick up the Fully Framed Photo of the special time that you spent with Santa.
Back to Play time again and when you have enough of that on your way out you can visit RUDOLPH out in his paddock where he is resting with all of the other Reindeers waiting for their big adventure on Christmas Eve.
An adventure and experience not to be missed.
Tayto Park Meath
It may seem early, but it’s about this time of year that Santa Claus starts making his list . A little bit of the North Pole will be coming to Tayto Park, and Santa is hoping to see all of you there in plenty of time to tell him what you would like for Christmas.
What’s included in the price:
Tayto Park Entry
Each family will meet Santa individually and each child will get a special gift
Christmas Story Telling
Ride on The Grand Carousel
Experience the 5D Polar Express movie
Hop on board the train to visit Santa’s Grotto
Enjoy Christmas themed arts/crafts and face painting
Pre-booking is essential as there is limited availability.
This holiday season, Tayto Park will be a fantastic winter wonderland where you can experience the true magic of Christmas. So put on your favourite winter scarf, and come on down for a festive experience like no other, all served with a great, big dollop of Christmas cheer!
There really will be magic in the air in Tayto Park this Christmas. To see it is to believe.
North Pole Experience Dublin
Ireland’s longest running Santa Experience is back this year at The Royal Liver Retail Park, Naas Road (Next door to Eurogiant)
And the great news is that all customers that visit Santa this year at the North Pole Experience will be entered into a draw to win a family trip to Disneyland Paris.
Visit Santa at his grotto
Check out the Elf’s workshop.
Sing & Dance with Mrs Claus.
Bring your letter and send it by Elf express to Santa at our post box.
Help light the Christmas tree
Take a Spin on The Coca Cola Trucks (Kiddie Ride)
Have a snowball fight with Frosty
Bounceland Playzone.
Visit Baby Jesus in the Crib
The North Pole Candy Store
New Scenes with surprise characters!! Plus much more.
Festive Workshops at Festina Lente Wicklow
There are a few days before Christmas where parents may still need to do shopping, do their big food shop or check in with Santa that he is ready for Christmas Eve so why not drop your kids to Festina Lente!
We are running Festive Themed Workshops for Children on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th December 2016 where kids will do festive arts and crafts.
The festive workshops will run from 11am-3pm on these days under the supervision of our Garda vetted staff. We cater for aged 5 years old and up, children who are younger will need to have a parent or guardian stay with them.
Athenry Heritage Centre Galway
Experience the magic of Christmas in the award winning Athenry Heritage Centre and discover a place full of exciting activities that sparkles with the joys of Christmas.
Unwrap a world of treats and delights in a magical place for all the family to enjoy. Enter the woods and get creative with traditional Viking longhouse craft’s, visit the Christmas bakery and plant you colourful spring bulbs. Make your reindeer treats for Rudolph or fill a sweet herb basket for your tree plus there’s face painting too. The centre is a place that is nautical and nice, with a Neverland experience which will thrill the young and the young at heart.
So come along and meet Santa, Mrs. Clause and the friendly Elves for a Christmas to remember in a place for the young and young at heart.
This year, the centre provides a unique babies and toddler time of 10:30am-12:00pm. The Christmas Winter Wonderland commences on the 3rd & 4th December and every weekend until Sunday 18th December. No booking required.
Slieve Aughty Galway
Every year, Santa plans a stop at Slieve Aughty Centre, where he enjoys a soft chair next to a cosy fire in his cabin while he visits with children from around the country. Each family gets scheduled personal time with Santa and a small gift.
Before and/or after your Santa visit there are lots of other things to do. Pet Santa’s “pony” reindeer and the donkeys at the live nativity, browse the Christmas Shop, chat with other families over a cup of hot chocolate and home-made pancakes, and enjoy the festive music. The kids can make some crafts, get their faces painted, and meet a friendly polar bear while waiting for storytelling (all included in your entry cost!).
Rancho Reilly Carlow
Christmas at Rancho Reilly Carlow sees the farm transformed into a sparkling Santa village. The farm comes alive with a wonderful festive atmosphere and the scent of pine and log burning stoves fill the air. When you arrive you are taken into the Elves Workshop where the bubbly Elves will help you make a special decoration for your tree, paint your face like Rudolph and then make sure you have fun letting Santa know you are on the way to see him!
Then it’s time to jump on board the Rancho Reilly Magical Musical Christmas Carriage! Grab an instrument, play and sing along to your hearts content as you enjoy your trip over to Santa’s Log Cabins where Santa and some of his Elves and Reindeer will be waiting for you!
More Visit Santa info coming soon..
Belvedere House Westmeath