SANTA VISITS

Enjoy a vintage Christmas with Santa at Bletchley Park from November 26

Where to see Santa

You’ll see hundreds of Santas at the Willen Hospice Santa Dash

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and the most famous VIP of all is ready to set up his grotto to greet you all.

Father Christmas will be keeping an eye on his reindeer and helping the elves with the present making before heading out on his most special journey on Christmas Eve.

He’s very clever and will be showing up at several locations around and about. Here’s where to see the man with the red suit.

Milton Keynes Museum

Milton Keynes Museum is pleased to announce that it has secured another visit from the biggest star of the season!

He is currently very busy in Lapland, but Father Christmas will be taking time out to meet boys and girls in the new city of MK.

The man in red will be in situ at the Museum for the first three weekends in December.

When: December 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17 & 18 Cost: £10.50 per child (Usual admission charges also apply) and all children will receive a present from Santa. Book: miltonkeynesmuseum.org.uk

Delapré Abbey

The house will be dressed for Christmas, and Santa will move in temporarily, setting up his grotto on site – and he’ll bring his team of elves with him.

Little ‘uns will get to meet him, will receive a present lovingly wrapped by his team of helpers, and can be transported to a magical space with an original Christmas story.

When: December 11, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23, with timed entries daily between 9.30am and 3.30pm. Cost: £8 (£5 for those with an annual pass) Book: delapreabbey.org

Willen Hospice

For five-days only, Santa will be setting up his grotto in the gardens of the Milton Keynes Hospice, ably assisted by his ever so nice elves. Open to all ages and absolutely everyone who wants to meet the man with the best beard in show business...

When: December 16-20 Cost: £15 Book: willen-hospice.org.uk

Delapré Abbey will be hosting Santa from December 11

centre:mk

The city’s shopping centre has a new themed Santa’s Grotto for 2022. centre:mk has teamed up with Penguin books to deliver an immersive, wonderful adventure with The Snowman. Visitors will experience the story of how The Snowman comes to life and embarks on that magical adventure, which is an integral part of the perfect family Christmas for so many of us.

The experience will last for up to half an hour (and includes decorating a Christmas Elf biscuit) including that meeting with Santa – and he will have a quality gift for each child he meets.

When: November 18 – December 24 Cost: From £13.75 for children and £5.50 for adults. Book: centre:mk.com

The centre:mk has The Snowman as the theme for its Christmas display this year

Northampton’s Grosvenor Centre

Santa’s Grotto will be open to little visitors and their families and when you splash the cash to meet him, you’ll be doing a good thing to help others – all proceeds will be given to swell the coffers of the Mayor’s charity.

When: From November 26 with the chance to meet the man every Saturday and Sunday, 10.30am-4.30pm in the run-up to the festive season. There will be additional openings too; from Monday, December 19 to Thursday, December 22, again between 10.30am-4.30pm. Cost: £1 Book: northamptonbid.co.uk

Father Christmas will be settled in his Grotto at Whilton Locks from November 26

Bletchley Park

Step back in time and enjoy a vintage Christmas at the home of the Codebreakers. The mansion and Codebreaking Huts will be dressed in decorations and we have been advised there may be some cheeky elves about the place too!

Visitors will meet Father Christmas in his Vintage Christmas Grotto, and will return home with a special gift from him.

When: November 26, December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22 & 23 (Relaxed Grotto being held on November 27 and December 21). Cost: £10.50 per child Book: bletchleypark.org.uk

Stanwick Lakes

Father Christmas will be in his grotto over the weekend of November 19 & 20, meeting fans (and maybe using his spot in the tranquil place to do a little bird watching if time allows).

He will be busy in the week planning his annual trip, but will be back at the grotto every weekend until Christmas.

More details to be announced at stanwicklakes.org.uk

Santa Dash

Granted, this is slightly different from the aforementioned Santa appearances – you won’t be going to a Grotto, but the gift of seeing 100s of people dressed as Father Christmas is priceless. The annual fundraising event helps swell the coffers of Willen Hospice, and they need to raise a whopping £9 a minute (or £4.7 million a year) to deliver free care to the city.

Every participant in the Santa Dash is therefore asked to raise £50 to help support their remarkable efforts. Though it is called a dash, if you’d rather walk your way around, that’s cool too, and delightful doggies are welcome to attend with their owners.

The event – taking place at Willen Lake North – is the only place you’ll get to see a ‘sea of santas’ and fingers crossed the new extension will be complete and serving refreshments.

When: Sunday, December 18, 10am Cost: A minimum of £50 donation Register: willen-hospice.org.uk

Meet the jolly man in red at MK Museum from December 2

Whilton Locks Garden Village

Father Christmas will be settled in his grotto and ready to meet children of all ages in the lead up to the big day.

The meetings with Santa last for 10 minutes and children will be given a premium gift...so long as they are on the nice list!

When: The man in red will be resident from November 26 and through to Christmas Eve. Cost: £14.99 Book: whiltonlocksgardenvillage.com