Lanterns Grotto at Edinburgh Zoo

The Lanterns Grotto is part of the events programme at Edinburgh Zoo. Santa is at the zoo on selected evenings of the Giant Lanterns event in December, in the Christmas grotto inside the Budongo Trail building.

What to expect:

• Evenings of 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 December 2026
• Bookable in 10-minute time slots starting at 5.15pm and ending 8.45pm
• Meet Santa Claus in the grotto inside the Budongo Trail building, on the lantern trail route
• You need a Giant Lanterns ticket too - access is through the main admissions building, where you show it
• The lantern trail can be enjoyed before or after your grotto slot; lanterns entry is from 4.45pm, last entry 8pm, and the event closes at 9pm
• "1 child: £19.50 + £1 booking fee / 2 children: £35 for 2 + £1.25 booking fee"
• "3 children: £51+ £1.50 booking fee / 4 children: £68 + £1.75 booking fee"
• A reminder email and a map showing where the grotto sits on the route arrive before your visit