Meeting Santa this Christmas in Newcastle: Grottos and places to visit Father Chistmas in 2023

Children across the North East will soon be sending letters to Father Christmas, but nothing compares to meeting the man in the red and white suit himself, and there are plenty of opportunities for kids to tell Santa what they want for Christmas in person this year.

Where can I meet Santa in Newcastle this year?

This year Santa returns to Newcastle with a series of meet and greets across the region.

No Christmas in Newcastle is complete without a from to Fenwicks and this year the shop is welcoming Santa and his elves in a series of events across from Monday, November 6 to Christmas Eve.

Their ‘santa on the rooftop experience is already on sale and allows families to enjoy time with Santa and his helpers right up until Sunday, December 24. More information is available through the Fenwick website.

Moving south of the Tyne, Dobbies in Birtley is opening its grotto for Santa from Saturday, November 25. Also running until Christmas Eve, the grotto can be pre booked for 15% off or paid for on the day and will see families taken through the site’s forest by an elf before meeting Santa, who will be giving kids a momento from the day.

Tickets can be booked online through the Dobbies website.

Read Newcastle’s news on the go with our free email newsletters - bringing the headlines to your inbox. Catch up on the day’s news and sport and enjoy even more from the NewcastleWorld team. Visit our website here to find out more and sign up.

Elsewhere, some sites are offering sit down meals as part of their Christmas experiences with Seven Stories centre for children’s books hosting a breakfast with Mrs Claus. Happening across four mornings in December, tickets cost £12.50 per child and £9.50 per adult and Mrc Claus will be telling kids stories with a festive twist.

These sessions will be taking place at 9am on Saturday, December 2, 9, 16 and 23.

Dobbies Birtley is also hosting a kids breakfast, this time with Santa himself. Costing £13.99 for kids, the experience will include festive games and activities as well as a meeting with the main man himself. This can be booked online ahead of the event on Saturday, December 2.

Alternatively, for those who have a four legged friend, the Bitley site is also offering pet owners the chance to visit Santa Paw’s Grotto. For £6.99 pets can enjoy a trip to the grotto and come home with dog-friendly special gifts. The site says booking is essential and can be done through the Dobbies website.

More sessions are expected to be announced as Christmas continues to creep closer.