Virtual Santa's grottos to book now

Marylebone Village Virtual Santa's Grotto

As part of its ‘Merry Marylebone’ Christmas campaign, Marylebone Village is hosting a virtual, personalised Santa's grotto this festive season, working with The Hidden Network to help those sleeping rough in London this Christmas.

Email santase[email protected] to book in, and once your slot is confirmed, make a donation to The Hidden Network directly (suggested minimum donation is £10) and send proof of donation to confirm your space.

Storystock Father Christmas storytime

Storystock has teamed up with Anderson Press and The Polar Express to give its immersive offerings for children a festive twist. For those missing out on a Santa's grotto experience this December, Father Christmas will be streaming from his cosy study on weekend nights in the lead-up to Christmas. Guests will get a downloadable activity pack that includes festive songs, Christmas cracker jokes and gorgeous recipes (hot chocolate from Thomasina Miers, anyone?). If you opt for a First Class ticket, you also get a copy of The Polar Express to enjoy.

Ticket price: from £12.50; First Class ticket is £22.50

Underbelly's Santa at Home virtual grotto

Underbelly's Santa at Home grotto gives kids an up-close and personal Zoom sesh with the man at the North Pole.

Up to six children and unlimited family members can all attend sessions together, so it's a great way to reunite with friends and family who may be separated geographically this December. Each session is bespoke and personalised, and you'll be able to keep the video as a souvenir afterwards. Sessions start at £42 for up to six children from multiple households (and unlimited grown-ups).

Santa The Experience

This sounds like a fun ride: visit Santa's mailroom, toy factory and reindeer stables, guided by elves and Mrs Claus, ahead of a five-minute chat with the man in red. The experience costs £26.95.

Photo: Samuel Holt/Unsplash

Santa's Calling You

From chats with an elf or Mrs Claus to Santa himself, there are a range of experiences, including a Santa storytelling session, you can book with Santa's Calling You. Experiences start at £19.99.

Photo: Mel Poole

Santa’s Socially Distanced Greenwich Market & Virtual Grotto

If you want the in-person experience, Greenwich Market is offering kids a live, socially distanced Santa's Grotto experience, as well as a virtual one. Tickets start at £7.50.

Photo: Nick Fewings

Santa's Grotto Live

We love the range of options available from Santa's Grotto Live, with experiences starting at £20 for a 10-minute, customised video call with Santa. You can also choose packages on Christmas Eve, or ones where Santa personally replies to your child's Christmas list and sends a small toy.

Photo: Karsten Winegeart

Chill Factore Christmas Santa Claus Calls

Manchester snow slope Chill Factore is bringing some Santa magic into your home, via video-call, for the whole family, whether they're nearby or far away.

With a snowy background, elves at work and a Naughty-Nice'ometer on screen to measure how good the children have been, each call is personalised to each family and recorded for you to keep. Calls cost £20.99.

Photo: Tim Mossholder/Unsplash

Santa HQ

More a virtual advent calendar than a one-day event, Santa HQ offers activities like storytelling and arts and crafts and a digital photo journal (£10) as well as the chance to have a personalised chat with Father Christmas (£30) or get a video recording from him (£20).

Photo: Alicia Slough

The Virtual Santa

Book in for a virtual Santa experience with Father Christmas himself - as well as any grandparents or friends - with The Virtual Santa, working in partnership with Children's Hospice South West. Zoom chats with Santa start at £9.99, or you can also get a video message for £5.99.