20 Nov – 3 Jan
AGLOW 2026 Christmas Light Trail at Auckland Palace
- Auckland Palace, Bishop Auckland
- Ages 0–10
- Outdoor
Find the right Santa's grotto
Age
Showing all 18 Santa's grottos
18 Santa's grottos in Durham
18 Santa's grottos across 15 venues within reach of Durham & Darlington. The first opens on Friday 20 November — the December weekend slots go first, so book rather than turning up.
21 Nov – 24 Dec
Christmas Daytimes
- Beamish - The Living Museum of the North, Stanley
- Ages 0–10
- Indoor & outdoor
21 Nov – 24 Dec
Father Christmas at Raby Castle
- The Plotters’ Forest at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens, Darlington
- Ages 0–10
- Indoor
28 Nov – 24 Dec
North Pole Express 2026
- Tanfield Railway (East Tanfield Station), Stanley
- Ages 0–10
- Outdoor
28 Nov – 24 Dec
Winter Wonderland 2026 at Adventure Valley
- Adventure Valley, Durham
- Ages 0–10
- Indoor & outdoor
5–20 Dec
Breakfast with Father Christmas
- Beamish - The Living Museum of the North, Stanley
- Ages 0–10
- Indoor
5–24 Dec
Holmside Park's Christmas Adventure
- Holmside Park, Chester-le-Street
- Ages 0–10
- Indoor & outdoor
15 Dec · 10:15am
Father Christmas at Ushaw
- Ushaw Historic House, Chapels & Gardens, Durham
- Ages 0–10
- Indoor
Booking quickly across Durham & DarlingtonSanta's grottos sell out early — book soon to avoid disappointment.
More festive family days out
Planning a visit to Santa near Durham
Where can we meet Santa in Durham?
18 Santa's grottos are listed in Durham this season.
- AGLOW 2026 Christmas Light Trail at Auckland PalaceAuckland Palace, Bishop Auckland · 20 Nov – 3 Jan · Ages 0–10
- Christmas DaytimesBeamish - The Living Museum of the North, Stanley · 21 Nov – 24 Dec · Ages 0–10
- Father Christmas at Raby CastleThe Plotters’ Forest at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens, Darlington · 21 Nov – 24 Dec · Ages 0–10
- The Santa ExpressStanhope Station, Bishop Auckland · 27 Nov – 24 Dec · Ages 0–10
- North Pole Express 2026Tanfield Railway (East Tanfield Station), Stanley · 28 Nov – 24 Dec · Ages 0–10
Which Santa's grottos in Durham are good for toddlers?
17 Santa's grottos in Durham suit toddlers aged 1 to 4.
- AGLOW 2026 Christmas Light Trail at Auckland PalaceAuckland Palace, Bishop Auckland · 20 Nov – 3 Jan · Ages 0–10
- Christmas DaytimesBeamish - The Living Museum of the North, Stanley · 21 Nov – 24 Dec · Ages 0–10
- Father Christmas at Raby CastleThe Plotters’ Forest at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens, Darlington · 21 Nov – 24 Dec · Ages 0–10
- The Santa ExpressStanhope Station, Bishop Auckland · 27 Nov – 24 Dec · Ages 0–10
- North Pole Express 2026Tanfield Railway (East Tanfield Station), Stanley · 28 Nov – 24 Dec · Ages 0–10
Where can we have breakfast with Santa in Durham?
2 grottos offer breakfast, lunch or tea with Santa in Durham.
- Breakfast with Father ChristmasBeamish - The Living Museum of the North, Stanley · 5–20 Dec · Ages 0–10
- Breakfast with SantaEmpire Theatre & Cinema, Consett · 20–24 Dec · Age not given
Which Santa's grottos in Durham welcome babies?
17 Santa's grottos in Durham welcome babies under one.
- AGLOW 2026 Christmas Light Trail at Auckland PalaceAuckland Palace, Bishop Auckland · 20 Nov – 3 Jan · Ages 0–10
- Christmas DaytimesBeamish - The Living Museum of the North, Stanley · 21 Nov – 24 Dec · Ages 0–10
- Father Christmas at Raby CastleThe Plotters’ Forest at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens, Darlington · 21 Nov – 24 Dec · Ages 0–10
- The Santa ExpressStanhope Station, Bishop Auckland · 27 Nov – 24 Dec · Ages 0–10
- North Pole Express 2026Tanfield Railway (East Tanfield Station), Stanley · 28 Nov – 24 Dec · Ages 0–10
Are there ASN or relaxed Santa's grottos in Durham?
One grotto runs additional support needs or relaxed visits in Durham — quieter times with more space.
- Quiet Santa SessionsBeamish - The Living Museum of the North, Stanley · 19–23 Dec
Where can we see Santa on Christmas Eve in Durham?
Christmas Eve falls on Thursday 24 December this year, and 9 Santa's grottos in Durham are open that day.
- AGLOW 2026 Christmas Light Trail at Auckland PalaceAuckland Palace, Bishop Auckland · Thu 24 Dec · 4:30pm
- Christmas DaytimesBeamish - The Living Museum of the North, Stanley · Thu 24 Dec · 10am
- Father Christmas at Raby CastleThe Plotters’ Forest at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens, Darlington · Thu 24 Dec
- The Santa ExpressStanhope Station, Bishop Auckland · Thu 24 Dec
- North Pole Express 2026Tanfield Railway (East Tanfield Station), Stanley · Thu 24 Dec · 10:25am
