It is that time of year again where families start booking the all important Christmas trips to see Santa. This year Chester have a brilliant selection of events on offer form brunch to boat rides and everything in between.

Here are our top 5 suggestions for places you can visit Santa in Chester this Christmas. Just remember to book early as some of these will sell out quickly.

Thanks to Terri from www.thestrawberryfountain.com for putting this together.

Santa at Chester Cathedral 2023

Sunday Brunch with Santa

For you, a special invitation from Santa to join him for a wonderful Sunday Brunch in the Cathedral Refectory – the beautiful thirteenth century monks dining hall.  

Sittings take place with staggered entry between 8:45am and 11.30am.  Brunch is recommended for ages 1-10.  Children under 1 are welcome but are not served brunch or a gift. There are limited highchairs, so do please request one with your booking.

All paying children will meet Santa and receive a selection box. 

Bookings are essential and all members of your party are required to purchase a ticket. 

Please provide any known allergies or dietary requirements at the time of booking.

Santa at Grosvenor Shopping Centre 2023

In the middle of the city you will find the Grosvenor shopping centre who are likely to be creating an enchanted grotto again where your child can meet Santa and his elves, as well as receiving a gift. No dates are out for 2023 as yet.

Santa at Chester Boat Cruise 2023

On this family-friendly cruise children will have chance to meet Santa, who will bring them each a festive book to read over the holidays. The Lady Diana will be spruced up with lights and tinsel, and the Chester Boat elves will be on hand with refreshments and fun activities.

Your ticket includes…

– A fun one-hour cruise with festive music on a decorated boat
– Tea or coffee and a mince pie for the adults
– A gingerbread man and drink for children
– An age-appropriate book as a gift from Santa for children
– Colouring and activity sheets to enjoy onboard or take away
– Time to meet Santa, have photos taken, and show him your letters

3PM on Sunday 3rd December

12PM and 3PM on Saturday 9th December

12PM and 3PM on Saturday 16th December

12PM and 3PM on Sunday 17th December

Boarding begins 15 minutes before the sailing time, and the duration of the cruise is one hour.

Ticket Prices

Adults over 18 – £15.00

Child with gift from Santa – £15.00

Child without a gift from Santa (eg. big brothers and sisters) – £9.00

Baby with no gift or refreshments – FREE (but please note that there are no baby change facilities onboard, and we are unable to accommodate pushchairs)

Advance booking is essential and cruises do sell out well before December – click here to book

Santa at Chester Zoo in 2023

Chester Zoo is the perfect location to visit Santa in 2023 like never before. You can take part in the lantern walk after dark whilst looking for any nocturnal animals that may also be enjoying the light display and then finish the walk off with a trip to see Santa in his grotto.

Explore new captivating light installations and be transported into enchanting lands filled with colour and festivity, where you can meet orangutans, lions, dolphins and woolly mammoths as you make your way along the trail! Wonder at the colour changing displays stretching as far as the eye can see, while birds and stars adorn the zoo’s winding paths and trees. Take a walk through the spectacular Winter Cathedral tunnel of lights and even catch a glimpse of Father Christmas in his sleigh.

Join us this winter for a festive light trail like no other and take an unforgettable journey into the land of Lanterns and Light. Every ticket purchased helps us create a better future for wildlife.

TICKETS FROM JUST £12

Santa at Hayracks Farm in 2023

Hayracks Farm is a lovely little farm ten minutes away from the city centre. This year they are holding Christmas events where your child can not only meet Santa and the elves but also stay and have fun in the grotto, make some Christmas crafts and then feed the animals on the farm. Each session last 3 hours and they run weekends throughout December and then weekdays from the 19th.