Are you wondering where to meet Santa in Dorset this year? With all the festive family activities happening across Dorset including the Christmas markets, Pantomimes and Christmas shows, there’s also plenty of chances to find a Santa’s grotto in Dorset.
You may also be interested in the list of SEN Santa sessions in Dorset as well.
Breakfast With Santa In Dorset
Breakfast With Santa At Harvester Restaurants
Why not enjoy breakfast with Santa at your local Harvester.
Dates: December 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd and 24th 2025
- The Spyglass Inn, Bowleaze Coveway, Weymouth, DT3 6PN
- Harvester Poole, Alder Road Parkstone Poole Dorset UK BH12 4AY
- The Durley Inn, West Undercliffe Promenade Durley Chine Road Bournemouth Dorset UK BH2 5JF
- The Neptune, Undercliff Drive Boscombe Pier Bournemouth Dorset UK BH5 1BN
- The Cooper Dean, 700 Castle Lane West Bournemouth Dorset UK BH8 9UQ
Breakfast With Santa At Toby Carvery
Dates: 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th, 20th – 24th December 2025
Toby Carvery restaurants in Dorset include:-
- Poole, Wimborne Road Poole Dorset UK BH15 3EH
- Northbourne, Wimborne Road Northbourne Bournemouth Dorset UK BH10 7BJ
- Cooper Dean, Castle Lane East Bournemouth Dorset UK BH7 7DP
- Hinton, Lyndhurst Road Christchurch Dorset UK BH23 4SD
Breakfast With Santa Key West Bournemouth
Bournemouth Pier
Dates: 14th December 2025
You can enjoy breakfast with Santa on Bournemouth Pier. Santa will be journeying down from the North Pole to visit all the good girls and boys and share a festive breakfast at Key West Bar & Grill.
Keep an eye out of our panoramic windows and maybe you’ll see him flying across the Dorset coastline!
You will be greeted by Santa’s merry elves who love holiday fun and children will be handed some special notepaper where they can write a letter to Father Christmas and post it in the magical post box before meeting the big man himself!
The Cliffhanger Restaurant Breakfast With Santa
Waterford Road, Highcliffe, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 5JA
Date: 7th, 13th, 14th, 20th, 21st December 2025
Your breakfast experience beings at 9am and includes a singalong, Christmas stories, photo opportunity with Santa and a present from him. Not forgetting your delicious breakfast as well.
Tuckton Tea Gardens Breakfast With Santa
Dates: 22nd, 23rd, 29th, 30th November, 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th, 20th, 21st December 2025
Breakfast with Santa at Tuckton Tea Gardens includes a choice of kids breakfast plus a gift from Santa. Advance bookings are necessary for this event.
Where To See Santa In Dorset
Santa At The Blue Pool
Dates: 6th, 7th, 13th – 23rd December 2025
The Blue Pool will be home to an enchanted winter wonderland setting this Christmas. Why not book your tickets for a perfect Christmas experience in Dorset. We hear Santa will also be making an appearance.
Lyme Regis Santa’s Grotto
Date: 2025 TBC
Santa will be visiting Lyme Regis and you can book a 5 minute slot to meet him in his grotto in the foyer of Pine Hall, Lyme Regis Baptist Church. The cost will be £5 per child which includes a small gift and certificate.
Meet Santa At Brewery Square
Dates: 2025 TBC
Santa’s Grotto will be at Brewery Square in Dorchester. Meet Santa and his friendly elf in his grotto and receive a gift.
Storytelling With Santa At Kingston Lacy
Dates: 28th November – 23rd December 2026 (selected dates)
Santa is stopping at Kingston Lacy this festive season! Make memories, start traditions and come on a fantastical journey with his musical helpers to find his storybook nook, before settling in for a festive tale, an early Christmas gift and a chance to take a picture together with Santa!
Santa At The Tank Museum
Dates: 15th – 16th November 2025
A Christmassy day out for all ages. While adults can watch live entertainment and buy unique presents from local crafters, children can explore our Christmas trail and see Santa arrive in a tank.
On 15th- 16th November between 9am – 5pm. You will receive a free annual pass with every ticket purchased.
Santa At Farmer Palmers
Dates: 6th – 23rd December 2025
The ‘Meet Farmer Christmas Experience’ in the enchanted barn will be running in December. There are also the twilight Christmas experience on selected dates in December.
Swanage Railway Christmas Yuletide Express
Dates: 28th November – 24th December 2026
Step into a world of twinkling lights, festive cheer and timeless Christmas traditions. The Yuletide Express is more than a train ride- it’s a heart-warming journey into the magic of the season.
What to expect
Your festive adventure begins at Swanage Station. As the scent of mince pies fills the air and carols drift from the platform, you’re welcomed into a cosy, nostalgic celebration.
- All aboard! Settle into your seat for a one-hour return journey through the stunning Purbeck countryside, where wintry views and festive spirit go hand-in-hand.
- Be greeted by the Magic Ticket Collector, who’ll make sure your family is ready for the enchantment ahead.
- The cheerful Christmas Elves will lead songs, spread joy, and bring smiles to little faces.
- Then, a moment to remember – Father Christmas himself will make his way through the train, meeting each family and delighting every child with a festive gift:
- A quality Christmas present
- A traditional candy cane
- And of course – a satsuma, just like the ones tucked into stockings long ago
- Children can also visit the Christmas Wishing Tree to write and hang up their wishes.
Related Post – A trip on the Swanage steam railway
Santa Special At Moors Valley Railway
Dates: 29th, 30th November, 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th, 20th, 21st December 2025
On selected dates in November and December, you can meet Santa at Moors Valley Railway. Enjoy your own carriage on your journey to see Santa with mince pies and refreshments.
Museum Of East Dorset Santa’s Grotto
Dates: 2025 TBC
When you arrive, you’ll be given a ‘Golden Ticket’ to see Santa. Firstly, the family can enjoy 45 minutes exploring the museum, where there will be a festive trail and the opportunity to make Christmas crafts and write a letter to Santa.
After 45 minutes, the elves will lead you from the museum kitchen down the garden to our Garden Room, where Santa will tell an interactive story to the group and give each child a wrapped, age-appropriate gift to take home with them.
Santa’s Winter Wonderland Stewarts Garden Centre
Dates: 29th November – 24th December 2025
Santa will be in the Garden Centres from 29th November until 24th December, when he has some rather important other work to do! Join him in his grotto with his elves for some festive cheer!
Stewarts Garden Centres can be found at Broomhill near Wimborne at also Christchurch.
Wareham Christmas Parade Santa
Date: 7th December 2025
See Father Christmas at the Wareham Christmas parade from 4pm. The grotto will be located in the museum in the Town Hall.
Avon Heath Country Park Santa’s Grotto
Dates: 2025 TBC
Join Santa and his elves in his magical Avon Heath grotto. Every child will get the chance to meet Santa and receive a special gift. Adults are free for this event and pictures are welcome!
Santa’s Sleigh In Westbourne
The Rotary Club of Westbourne have organised Santa’s Sleigh to travel the streets around Bournemouth again this year. Route details and dates include-
2025 TBC
- 5th December starting from Linwood Road and Fitzharris Avenue
- 8th December starting from Beaufort Road Community Centre
- 12th December starting from Vitality Stadium car park
- 15th December starting from Fiveways Pub, Charminster Road
- 16th December starting from Redhill Avenue
- 19th December starting from Cranleigh pub car park