It’s almost that time of the year again when we tell our children that the elves are watching to see if they have been naughty or nice. Make sure you book early to take your children to see Santa Claus this year – there are several venues to choose from so we’ve found the top picks for this year.
Pollok House
Behind every great man is a great woman! This experience is a little bit different as this is where you can take your children to meet Mrs Claus and hear her tales in one of the beautiful rooms of Pollok House.
Holmwood House
Santa Claus will be making some special visits to Holmwood this Christmas. Go along to meet the man himself and to hear some stories and get involved in some arts and crafts. And of course your child will receive a gift.
Avenue Shopping Centre
Christmas is coming to The Avenue Shopping Centre in Newton Mearns. Santa will arrive on Sunday 18th November and will be in centre every Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon to 4pm right up until Christmas Eve.
Calderglen Country Park in East Kilbride
Another traditional Santa’s Grotto at Calderglen. Children can meet Father Christmas in his grotto during a visit to this great family park, and you can also enjoy seeing some of the animals, birds and insects whilst you’re there.
St Enochs Centre, Glasgow
St Enoch’s shopping centre in Glasgow has gone all out for the festive season with not one, but two places to meet Santa. Santa will be in his magical grotto outside Debenhams on the first floor (the entry fee is £5 including a gift).
Over in the famous toy shop, Hamleys, the festivities continue with Meet Father Christmas, an interactive event where little ones can meet Santa during a full day experience which includes snacks, Christmas list writing, singing, dancing and more (£26 per person).
Snow Factor, Braehead
The odds may be stacked against a white Christmas, but at Braehead’s Snow Factor you can enjoy the next best thing – a meeting with Santa and half an hour of sledging on real snow. So, if your little elves are particularly demanding, take them here for a magical experience, where (for £26 per person) they can enjoy breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner and a story from Santa, followed by sledging.
Dobbies
Dobbies is always an exciting place at Christmas, with the wonderful decorations, sparkling lights and huge variety of trees on offer. Take the wee ones along this month, where they’ll be welcomed by Father Christmas and be given a gift of their choice from a selection of toy brands including Lego and Playmobil. You can also book a breakfast with Santa and a Santa’s Doggy Grotto! Open from 18 Nov–24 Dec, entry fee is £9.95.
Greenbank Garden, Elf Hunt & Santa’s Challenge
The elves have all gone missing! Santa needs your help to find them hiding in the woodland. Some naughty elves have even tricked the nice elves and they need your help getting a message to Santa. Note – Santa won’t be at this event.