Where to see Santa in Cornwall 2024

Here’s where to meet the man in red himself as he appears across Cornwall – sometimes by sleigh, sometimes by boat, even by steam!

The hottest tickets in town sold out as soon as bookings open across the Duchy, but new dates and details have been released, so here’s a late November update to our earlier feature. If you’re thinking where can I see Santa in Cornwall in 2024, and haven’t already sorted out your tickets yet, don’t worry, there are still some tickets left.

Father Christmas at Eden, The Eden Project, St Austell, 29 Nov – 1 Dec, 5–8 Dec and 12–24 Dec

Father Christmas with a boy at the Eden Project Cornwall

Famed for its biomes and awesome gardens, Christmas at Eden is always magical. Families will join Father Christmas in his cosy “log cabin” in the heart of the Eden site. There, they will be regaled with a festive story and children can post their letters to the North Pole. As part of the 40-minute experience, each child will be given the chance to meet Father Christmas and leave with a gift they can grow for many years to come. £12-16.

(Don’t forget you need admission too, which means buying a ticket or having a locals pass / membership)

Santa by Steam, Bodmin & Wenford Railway, Bodmin, all December weekends

Santa by Steam, Bodmin & Wenford Railway, Bodmin, 2 - 24 December

When he’s not driving the sleigh with Rudolph and the rest of the reindeer, Father Christmas travels by steam train – in fact, not content with his usual takeover of the guard’s carriage, this year Santa and his elves will board the train at Bodmin General station amongst you and your family and ride all the way to Bodmin Parkway and back with you.

New for 2024 – Ride in the exclusive Victorian Saloon up and down the line with your family and Santa only! To top it off start and finish your evening making and decorating gingerbread cookies. As the cookies bake, board the Victorian Saloon with Santa and head off for your short train ride (approximately 20 mins). Finish your evening back in the stationary coaches, decorating your gingerbread cookies to take home.

From 2023 prices of £15.95 per child and £19.95 per adult for first two weeks in Sept, then prices increase for 2024

Santa at Lappa Valley, Newquay, 30 Nov, 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 December

Santa at Lappa Valley, Newquay, 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 19-24 Dec

When Santa isn’t on the Bodmin railway, he’s magically over near Newquay where you can meet him in his grotto and take a nostalgic ride on the steam railway, through the wooded valley into Lappa, where you’ll find lots of festive fun and all children will receive a specially chosen gift. Adults and Children receive a complimentary seasonal refreshment and every child receives a present, plus you can write and post your letter to Father Christmas.

Adults £17, children £19, plus booking fee.

Father Christmas at Trerice, Nr Newquay, 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22 and Monday 23 December

Father Christmas calls again at this lovely National Trust house near Newquay. Booking essential, tickets are £4 per adult and £5 per child.

St Ives harbour, St Ives, Mon 2 Dec

The high tide on2 Dec marks the start of the festive season in a uniquely Cornish way with the arrival of Father Christmas by boat at St Ives, thanks to the RNLI, followed by the lights switch on. 

A Night Before Christmas at Bedruthan Hotel, Mawgan Porth, 4 – 5 & 11 – 12 December

Father Christmas checks in to Bedruthan for some R&R before the big day so meet the jolly man himself during a one-night stay at the cosy, coastal hotel this Christmas. With the fire lit, the tree’s up and cinnamon in the air, you no doubt feel the festive magic. From £215. New dates released due to popular demand.

Newlyn harbour, Fri 6 Dec

The high tide on 6 Dec marks the start of the festive season in a uniquely Cornish way with the arrival of Father Christmas by boat at Newlyn, followed by the lights switch on. 

Father Christmas at Heligan, Lost Gardens of Heligan, Pentewen, Nr St Austell, until 24 Dec

Father Christmas at Heligan, Lost Gardens of Heligan, Pentewen, Nr St Austell, 1 - 24 Dec

Once lost to the brambles of time since the outbreak of WW1, the gardens at Heligan are magical at Christmas. Cosy fires inside, twinkly lights outside. Be escorted to the Head Gardner’s Office to meet the man himself after toasting marshmallows on the fire outside, and each child will receive a small traditional present. From £15 for locals pass holders and members.

Santa at the Shipwreck Museum, Charlestown

Santa at Charlestown Shipwreck Museum

The Shipwreck Museum is for the last year, home to a tunnel of winter lights (the UK’s longest indoor lit tunnel of Christmas lights, extending to more than 220 metres and using more than 4.5 miles of sparkling lights) and while there’s no opportunity to meet the man himself individually this year, he will be visiting the tunnels on 6 – 8 December, 13 – 15 December and 20 – 23 December.

Stories with Santa, Trebah Garden, Mawnan Smith, 7 – 8, 14 – 15, 21 – 22 Dec

Nestled in the garden, Santa needs help tracking down his mischievous team of elves. There will be a chance to write a letter to Santa and post it straight to the North Pole, before stepping into the magical log cabin for a 45 minute storytelling experience.

Once the storytelling is complete, there will be a photo opportunity, and a small gift for each child. Tickets include trail, a gift from Santa, and garden entry for the day. Booking essential, £21 adult, £15 child (members £5 adult. £7 child).

Santa’s Grotto at Lostwithiel Dickinson Evening, Lostwithiel, Thurs 12 Dec

On a cold, dark Thursday evening in mid December, Lostwithiel lights up with its Dickensian Evening. The ever-popular festive event has been running for many years. The streets are filled with crowds who come to enjoy the old fashioned traditional Christmas experience.

Santa at Enys Gardens, Penryn, 14 – 23 Dec

Enys House is once again transformed into a magical enchanted wonderland filled with festive cheer. For £11pp, take a 45 minute enchanted journey through Enys house for family crafts and activities, festive photo opportunities and a very special magical storytelling, told by Father Christmas himself where each child will be gifted a very special memento present. Suitable for all ages , a traditional heartfelt Christmas experience for all to enjoy.  Also on offer is a more sparkly evening event on 21 Dec for older children, also from £11. Every person requires a ticket, even adults, as there is plenty for everyone to enjoy.

Tea with the elves at Newquay Zoo, 15 & 22 Dec

A festive buffet, enchanted story telling and a present for the little ones. 3.30-4.30pm at the Lemur Café, booking essential.

NOT THIS YEAR

Father Christmas at Lanhydrock, Bodmin

Lanhydrock (a Cornish Downton Abbey?) has in years past set up as a Victorian Christmas (with FC in authentic green robes, not red) and Father Christmas has also be known to pay a visit to the Lanhydrock parkland this year in his very own woodland cottage, but nothing is planned for 2024.

And of course, he’s usually at village halls, garden centres and many more throughout December but I’ll be here til January listing all those out, so best to check Facebook to see which are going ahead this year.

M
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