The Best Santas Grottos in Liverpool this Christmas

Fancy a meet and greet with the big guy this Christmas? Here are the best Santa’s grottos in Liverpool this year.

Skiddle Staff

Last updated: 5th Nov 2025

The most wonderful time of the year is upon us. Christmas is the best for the littluns, and as we head into the festive season, Liverpool’s Santa's grottos are coming in to ensure they have a belter.

With winter wonderlands, adventures, storytelling, elves, and the opportunity to sit down and chat with the big man himself, we’ve gathered the best Santa’s grottos in Liverpool here so you can plan the perfect holiday fun for your family to make Christmas extra special and memorable. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer this year.

Father Christmas Storytelling

When: multiple dates from Saturday 29th November - Sunday 21st December 2025

Where: The Bluecoat in Liverpool

This 60-minute show sees Santa offer a sackful of silly stories and a last-minute chance to check your place on the Nice List. Every family gets to meet, greet, and chat with Father Christmas, and have some photos snapped by a friendly elf.

Story Time With Santa

When: multiple dates from Saturday 6th - Wednesday 24th December 2025

Where: Liverpool Town Hall in Liverpool

Santa comes to Liverpool Town Hall with his friend Buddy the Elf to share magical stories and sing some songs. Cosy, intimate, and engaging, each littlun will have the chance to share Christmas wishes with Santa before receiving their present.

Lapland Liverpool at Otterspool Adventures

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When: multiple dates from Saturday 29th November - Wednesday 24th December 2025

Where: Otterspool Adventure Centre in Liverpool

Boasting up to three hours of magical activities, including winter fun on their ice rink, Otterpool Adventure Centre easily has one of the best Santa’s grottos in Liverpool this year.

You'll arrive at North Pole Town Square and be greeted by the friendly Mayor Ivor and Princess Isadora before heading to the elves' workshop and lend a hand - if you do a good job, you might leave with a teddy bear-shaped reward. Then, there's Mars Claus' kitchen to see (she’s been baking up gingerbread treats!), Santa's grotto, the toy shop, and marshmallow toasting.

Most slots are on Saturdays and Sundays, with slots on weekdays during Christmas week.

Santa's Grotto 2025

When: Sunday 23rd November - Wednesday 24th December 2025

Where: Dobbies Garden Centre in Liverpool

Head to Dobbies to be greeted by elves before heading on a North Pole adventure. Roam through snowy scenes, ice fish with the penguins, play ice hockey with the polar bears, and shoot snowball hoops before sitting down with the big man himself. You'll also make reindeer food, and there'll be a professional photographer to ensure the memory lasts a lifetime.

Each grotto ticket will help support The Dumyat Project, which will help plant 3,000 trees in Scotland. There are multiple slots a day from morning to evening to make meeting Santa as easy as possible.

Santa's Meet & Greet

When: Wednesday 17th, Thursday 18th, and Wednesday 24th December 2025

Where: John Lewis, Liverpool ONE in Liverpool

This meet and greet with Santa at his enchanted grotto in John Lewis sees you take to the skies on an unbelievable adventure to reach Santa's Post Room. After journeying through a magical world, you’ll meet the big, jolly man himself. And everyone will leave with their own exclusive LEGO set. It has to be one of the best Liverpool Santa’s grottos this year if you’re littlun loves LEGO - and who doesn’t?

Christmas Day at The Shankly Hotel

When: Thursday 25th December 2025

Where: The Shankly Hotel in Liverpool

The Shankly in the city centre offers a fancy Christmas Day meal.

The three-course dinner will be served from 2:30pm, with a choice of starters, mains, and desserts including fried camembert, chicken liver parfait, traditional turkey, pan-seared hake, sticky toffee pudding, chocolate fondant with pistachio ice cream, and traditional Christmas pudding in brandy sauce - vegetarian and vegan options are offered for each course.

The best bit? Santa himself will be there all day, and there’ll be live entertainment! And if you're looking for more, check out what else the hotel has on for Christmas.

Tickets for Christmas Day at The Shankly Hotel

Buy tickets:

Santa's Grotto Visit

When: Saturday 22nd November - Wednesday 24th December 2025

Where: Sefton Meadows in Maghull, Liverpool

Sefton Meadows is going big this Christmas, offering three different festive events for you and the family: Santa's Grotto Visit, Breakfast with Santa, and a 4D VR sleigh ride.

One of the best Santa’s grottos in Liverpool, you'll step into a winter wonderland and meet Santa in his traditional grotto. After a chat, they'll receive a gift and take home a 6x4 photo of their precious memory with Father Christmas. The grotto has wheelchair and pram access throughout.

Or, go for breakfast for a tasty meal and a visit from Santa, or the 4D sleigh ride to fully immerse yourself in the Christmas spirit.

Festive feasts at Thornton Hall

When: multiple dates in December 2025

Where: Thornton Hall Hotel & Spa in Wirral

Thornton Hall offers breakfast with Santa and festive family lunches this year. At breakfast, you'll enjoy a full English breakfast, complemented by a visit to Santa and a small present. The family lunches offer a festive three-course lunch for adults and a buffet for the kids. There'll also be a disco, games, a DJ, live entertainment from performers, and finally a visit to Santa and a gift.

The Chester Artisan Santa Meet & Greet

When: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th December 2025

Where: Carriage Shed in Chester

Another one a little outside of Liverpool, this two-day market offers loads of festive entertainment. With kids’ entertainers, a brass band, German sausages, up to 100 artisan stalls, an apres ski bar, and mulled wine, there’s plenty to get stuck into.

And, of course, they’ll see a visit from the man in red. The market itself is free to attend but you’ll need to book your meet and greet with Santa, which includes a Christmas present to take home. Only the little ones need a ticket.

Find tickets for The Chester Artisan Santa Meet & Greet

Christmas FREE Family Funday at Blackstock Market

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When: multiple dates from Sunday 16th November - Sunday 28th December 2025

Where: Blackstock Market in Liverpool

Featuring balloon modelling, face painting, Christmas crafts, soft play, bouncy castles, winter-themed reptile and creepy crawly shows, chances to write letters to Santa, and The Grinch, Olaf, and Elf, this free-to-enter market is a brilliant way to get into the Christmas spirit.

While this event doesn’t include a visit from Santa, it’s a wholesome day out for the family to celebrate the festive season. There’ll also be food, dancing, games, photo opportunities, and comedy for the kids.

Get tickets for Christmas FREE Family Funday at Blackstock Market

Between the lights, the big tree, the feast, the chocolate and sweets, and obviously the presents, Christmas is simply unbeatable for the littluns. So it makes sense to enjoy it while you can before they start to question if Santa really checks his list twice.

Feeling the Christmas spirit? Find loads more Christmas events in Liverpool this year on Skiddle, or have a look at what’s on further afield.

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