Places to Meet Father Christmas in Cheltenham - 2024
"Holiday's are comin'!" Perhaps it's the long white beard, or snuggly red velvet suit, or simply because he gives out presents; whatever the reason - we can't get enough of Father Christmas! The evenings are drawing in and we're counting down the days until we see his presents under the tree; with all his gift-giving and time-travel, it's a miracle he's able to make it to town at all!
Cheltenham Rocks has on good authority (from the elves) where 'Santa Claus', 'Saint Nick', or 'Papa Crimbo' will be stopping for 'elfies' and deliveries in town this year. "He's making a list, he's checking it twice" and he's found out that Cheltenham children are on his nice list this year! So, if you still haven’t got your list of present requests in, now you can! You can find some of Santa's pre-Christmas appearances below.
Where is Santa is stopping in the run up to the big day for your Christmas calendar scheduling pleasure? Letters at the ready!
Places to see Santa in Cheltenham 2024
Cheltenham Racecourse Christmas Meet
With the festive season about to enter the home straight, The Christmas Meeting brings joy and excitement for all, this two-day meeting is a highlight of the Christmas racing calendar and kick starts the festive sporting season. Off the track a Christmas Extravaganza-themed raceday including Santa’s Grotto and pony rides on Saturday, and Got2Sing Choir entertaining racegoers with Christmas Carols across the weekend....
SATURDAY CHRISTMAS FAMILY FUN:
With Christmas Extravaganza themed family fun including meeting Santa and his elves in Santa’s Grotto. Santa’s elves will be there to help with your Christmas crafts including - letters to Santa, making a magical Christmas wish to leave on the special night and designing snowflakes. This is free to all Club/Tatts racegoers and don’t forget under 18’s are free! The festivities don’t stop there, as a living snow globe will glide gracefully through best mate plaza, alongside Got2Sing Choir entertaining racegoers with Christmas Carols across the weekend.
When: 14th December 2024
Where: Cheltenham Racecourse, Cheltenham
Cost: Free with a paying adult
Batsford Arboretum - FULLY BOOKED
Set amongst the beautiful backdrop of Batsford Arboretum, children and families can come and meet Father Christmas, where they will meet him in groups of 6, where they can say hello, have a photo and receive a gift. The sessions will be 30minutes each. Why not grab a cosy hot chocolate or coffee after your visit.
When: 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th 21st, 22nd December 2024
Where: Batsford Arboretum and Garden Centre, Batsford, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire GL56 9AT
Cost: £10 per child. Only Children need a ticket.
Click here for more information
Cheltenham Round Table's Santa Sleigh
Time: Santa will set off every day at 6pm!
Cost: Free to attend - donation kindly asked to raise for a good cause.
Winchcombe Christmas Festival
This wonderful event is widely recognised for being the best annual late-night Christmas shopping evening in the Cotswolds. Independent shops, galleries, restaurants and pubs will be throwing open their doors in a warm welcome to all for one night only, and all are welcome to come along and enjoy the festive feeling! As well as over 50 market stalls and child-friendly entertainment, Father Christmas will make a special appearance, guiding his brightly-lit sleigh through the town, before appearing with his Elves in his grotto at the Guide Hall, with all proceeds supporting local charities in Winchcombe.
When: Friday 6th December 5pm to 8pm and Saturday 7th December, 10am to 5pm.
Where: Winchcombe, Gloucestershire
Cost: Free to attend
Charlton Kings Christmas
This wonderful community led extravaganza will see Santa and his reindeer spreading merriment and cheer, as choirs tunefully perform festive carols around the tree. The Fayre, which is organised by the Parish Council, is a very popular local family event which involves a range of gift and food stalls and switching on of the Christmas lights. Last year's entertainment included the Coady Crew, a visit from Chase (Paw Patrol), early Christmas shopping opportunities at the Stanton Room and a chance to visit the grotto! This year, Olaf and Elsa will be greeting the crowds! Scarrotts Funfair will provide lots of fun with 2 Carousels, the Fun House and some game stalls to play too.
When: Friday 6th December 2024, 3pm - 6pm
Where: Church Piece, Charlton Kings
Cost: Free to attend
The whole family will be able to enjoy the usual refreshments including the railway’s famous and highly recommended mincepies; additionally adults also have the option of a free glass of mulled wine. If you are still feeling peckish our griddle will be ont he platform at Winchcombe selling baps filled with bacon, burgers or sausages. There will also be the opportunity to buy take-away beer and additional boxes of delicious mince pies to take back with you before re-joining the trainfor the trip back.. Also keep an eye out for the singing penguins!
- Travel by steam-hauled train from Cheltenham Racecourse to the North Pole (at Winchcombe) to meet Santa and then back to Cheltenham Racecourse.
- Walk through a Christmas fairyland and visit Santa; lots of twinkling lights and great presents.
- Complimentary mince pies, hot and cold drinks, biscuits and fruit in the station coffee shop, seating available in a heated marque.
- Top quality presents for the children.
- Babies under 1 year old travel free and receive a nominal present only.
- We have limited accessible facilities for those with disabilities on the trains. To ensure that there is space on your chosen train or to book a carer’s ticket. Please telephone before booking 01242 621405
- Large free carpark.
- We regret that, due to a number of incidents, dogs are not permitted the Santa Specials. This does not apply to assistance dogs.
You will travel from Cheltenham Race Course to 'The Northpole' where you will spend 80 minutes, before returning to Cheltenham Race Course Station.
When: November 23, 2024 to December 23, 2024 - 9:30 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Cheltenham Racecourse Station to Winchcombe Station
Cost:
Adults: £28.50
Child: £28.50
Child under 12months: free
Click here for more information
Breakfast with Santa at The Redgrove Pub
Treat the kids to the most magical Christmas surprise and what could be more exciting than Breakfast with Santa?! Santa’s taking a break from his workshop again this year to enjoy a delicious breakfast with your little elves. Kids can enjoy a delicious breakfast, Fruit Shoot, chocolate treat, colouring in activities and a Santa goody bag at this festive family event for just £9.99* per child. Pick from the following dates, click the link to book and Santa will see you there!
When: Weekends up to Christmas eve
Where: The Redgrove Pub, Hatherley Lane, Cheltenham
Cost: £9.99 per child
Click here for more information
You can find lots more places to see and meet Father Christmas by browsing Cheltenham Rocks. Browse the website via our home page to find festive fun.
