Seeing Santa (or Father Christmas, if that’s what you prefer to call him) is high on lots of children’s lists every December, and can be a real highlight of the festive period. But where on earth should you book? Here, we’ve rounded up as many places as possible in the Lake District that we know Santa will be visiting, with all the details you need to know for booking.
If you’re lucky enough to have Santa visiting you at your venue and you’re not on the list, or you know of one that isn’t included, feel free to email me at michelle@lakedistrictwithkids.com with the details.
Keswick
Honister Slate Mine
A slate mine is not exactly a usual place to meet Santa, but every year he makes the journey underground to make a visit to him super exciting! A Christmas visit involves a bus trip, then a journey underground guided by the Chief Elf. After meeting Father Christmas himself, the jourmey finishes with an underground Christmas sledge! Tickets start at £40 for Fridays and weekends in November and December, and can be booked online here.
Keswick Victorian Fayre
Keswick’s lovely Victorian Christmas Fayre is on the Market Square in Keswick, on Sunday 7th December 2025. This is a brilliant traditional festive market, with a Santa’s grotto alongside live music, a raffle and lots of lovely stalls.
Borrowdale Institute
Borrowdale Institute, in Borrowdale Village, will be holding it’s annual Christmas market and cafe on Sunday 14th December 2025, from 10am-4pm. Free entry. There will be a chance to meet Santa in his grotto, with a gift for every child. There will also be lots of lovely stalls to browse for Christmas treats.
Springs Farm
Santa is definitely visiting Springs Farm this Christmas! Details coming soon. Keep up with any updates on the Springs Farm Facebook page here.
Threlkeld Quarry
The Santa train is running in Threlkeld Quarry in 2025. Enjoy a ride on a steam train, find Santa, and receive a present for every child. Running on weekends from Saturday 6th December, then also in the week leading up to Christmas day.
Tickets are priced per compartment, with different sizes to choose from. All the details on times and prices are on the Ticket Tailor website here.
Ambleside
Hayes Garden World
Meeting Santa at Hayes Garden World is VERY popular, and tickets usually sell out early in September. Children can venture through a winter wonderland, greeted by elves along the way, with lovely activities to take part in before finally meeting the big man himself.
Tickets start at £19.99 for children, and include an activity trail, a Grotto experience and a present. Accompanying adults must also buy a ticket, at £5. There are slots through November and December and can be booked online here
Santa Cruises on Windermere Lake Cruises
Windermere Lake Cruises offers special Santa Cruises on Lake Windermere. Tied in with Ambleside Christmas lights switch-on, the two Santa Cruises are on Saturday 15th November 2025, leaving from Waterhead Pier, Ambleside at 11am and 2pm.
The journey around Lake Windermere involves a hunt for Father Christmas with help from the Snow Queen and attendants. Once he is found, Santa will board the cruise and hand out gifts to all the children on the boat.
Tickets for the Santa Cruises cost £19.50 for all ages (except babies under 1 who go free) and can be booked online here.
Hawkshead Christmas Fair
Hawkshead Christmas Fair is in the village centre on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th December 2025, from 10am to 4pm, and entry is free.
This traditional Christmas fair in the picturesque village of Hawkshead features a Santa’s Grotto alongside festive stalls, live music, and a wonderful Christmassy atmosphere. All the details can be found on the website here.
Windermere and Bowness-on-Windermere
World of Beatrix Potter
This year the World of Beatrix Potter is showing Santa’s New Sleigh; a festive show with interaction, sing-a-long songs, and a present for every child from Santa himself! Showing at The Old Laundry theatre from 20th – 24th December, this show is perfect for children under 10. All the information on times and prices and booking is here.
Glebe Markets Christmas Market
The annual Christmas Market run by Glebe Markets is on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th Dec 2025. On The Glebe in Bowness on Windermere by the lake, you’ll find loads of stalls serving gifts and food, as well as entertainment and choir singing. It looks like Father Christmas will be visiting on both days. This is a lovely setting and well worth a visit. All details on the Glebe Markets Facebook Page.
Marina View Bar
Marina View Bar are holding a Breakfast with Santa on Saturday 13th December at 11am. Each ticket includes a breakfast barm, a soft drink, fun and games, and a present from Santa himself!
Tickets and all the details are available on the Marina View website here.
Ulverston
Swan hotel, Newby Bridge
The Santa’s Grotto at the Swan Hotel is known for being a lovely place where children up to the age of 14 can meet Santa and receive a present. The Santa’s Grotto opens every Saturday and Sunday from 11:30am – 4pm from the 15th November to the 21st December. Tickets cost £12.50 per child (adults don’t pay) and can be booked online here.
Millerbeck Light Railway
Millerbeck Light Railway is a private house with a narrow gauge railway in the grounds. Every year the owners open up the railway for public use on various different days, and this year they are holding two Festive Open Days, on December 6th and 7th. Tickets for a 90 minute time slot include unlimited train rides, a festive drink and mince pie, and a visit with Santa.
Tickets will be available to book online on the Millerbeck website.
Kendal
Castle Green Hotel
The Castle Green Hotel in Kendal is holding a ‘Lunch with Santa’ on Sunday 21st December 2025. From 12pm, a children’s meal is served at 12:30pm, then the children have entertainment from 1pm while the adult meal is served. Each child will receive a present, and it finishes at 4pm.
Tickets cost £25 for adults and £15 for children, and can be booked on the website here.
Carus Green Golf Club
Carus Green is holding a festive day on Sunday 7th December, including letters to Santa, bauble decorating, reindeer food making, and Christmas crafts. There will also be that all important visit with Santa and a present.
Tickets cost £15 per child, adults go free. Tickets can be booked via the link on the Carus Green Facebook page.
Kendal Leisure Centre
Kendal Leisure Centre is holding a parent and child Christmas Activity session on Tuesday 23rd December, from 2pm to 5pm. Activities include a pool fun and games session, then (on dry land) party games and face painting, followed by afternoon tea with Santa where every child receives a gift.
Tickets cost £26 per adult + child, then £7 per additional child. All the details for booking is on the Better Leisure website here.
Grange over Sands
Holker’s Christmas Grotto
Santa visit’s Holker Hall in December and sets up his grotto in this beautiful setting. Tickets for Holker’s Christmas Grotto include a gift, a meeting with Santa, a special post box to post Christmas lists, fairy dust making with the elves, Christmas crafts, a free hot chocolate (and mulled wine!) and a treasure hunt around the grounds.
The dates are 13th, 14th, 20th, 21st and 22nd December 2025. Tickets cost £11 for under 1s, £15 for under 12s, and £8 for adults (over 12s) and can be booked online here.
Other
Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway Tinsel Train
The Tinsel Train that runs on the Lakeside to Haverthwaite railway line is always popular. You buy tickets for a compartment on the festive train, where you meet lots of festive characters, and Father Christmas who brings a gift for all the children. Adults are also looked after with a seasonal drink and snack. The train runs to Haverthwaite and then back to Lakeside.
Tickets cost £125 for 4 people in a compartment – extra people can be added on for £25 per person (all ages). Up to 8 people can go in one compartment. Booking opens on Wednesday 5th November at 10am and you can book online here.
Muncaster Castle
Muncaster Castle transforms into a magical setting during the Christmas season with lights and festive decorations, and is well worth a visit. At this time, Santa is not confirmed to be visiting but his elves definitely are, and they will help you write a letter to the man in red. Along with this, a full entry ticket gets you access to the castle, the grounds with a Christmas trail, and the Hawk and Owl Centre.
Tickets cost £14.50 for children aged 3-15 and £19.95 for adults. Under 3s go free. Tickets can be booked online here.
Santa Express Trains at Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway
The festive train ride on the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway is always VERY popular. It starts at Ravenglass, with storytelling with the Christmas elves, and then the festive train travels to Dalegarth where Santa is waiting to give out gifts to all the children. Children also receive refreshments and activity packs, and adults also get refreshments too! The train then makes it’s return journey to Ravenglass.
Tickets can be booked online here.
Be sure to check dates and availability in advance, as tickets for these events can sell out quickly!
If you know of any other events that Santa will be visiting and you think they should be included here, feel free to email me at michelle@lakedistrictwithkids.com
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