Our Top 5 Places to Visit Santa!
For the ultimate Santa experience…
1. The Santa Experience – Ilac Centre
The Santa Experience is located at the Ilac Centre in Dublin so it’s the perfect destination for Christmas shoppers. The event, which is run in association with Dunnes Stores, has proved very popular over the past seven years and has won awards including ‘Best Santa in Ireland’ and ‘Best Santa’s Grotto’.
The experience starts with a magical journey to Santa’s House, which brings visitors through five fun filled festive rooms spread over 2000ft. The first stop will be the Elves Post Office where children can see the elves sorting all of the letters to Santa.
After this it’s on to Santa’s stable to meet the reindeer and some very special visitors from the North Pole – the penguins and the polar bear. The final stop is the new and exciting Santa Sleigh Station where you will be transported to Santa’s house!
After their journey, families can then purchase a professional 8×10 photograph as a memento of this magical family experience and have a browse in Santa’s Shop to pick up some magical reindeer food for Christmas Eve!
Booking and Event Information
Venue: Dunnes Stores, Ilac Centre in Dublin City
Parking: The centre benefits from a multi-storey carpark with over 1,000 spaces.
Recommended age group: All ages
Time: 12.00pm – 18.00pm daily
Admission fee: Children €10 (incl. gift)
Adult €3 (no gift)
Photos: €12 for first
€6 for any additional copies
Book online at http://www.santaexperience.ie/
Spreading Christmas Cheer!
As an added bonus, The Santa Experience Dublin has chosen Temple St. Children’s Hospital as their charity partner for 2016 and they will benefit from some of the proceeds the tickets. Santa and his Elves will then visit their chosen charity to make the donations on your behalf, so that more children can have a happy Christmas this year.
For an outdoor extravaganza…
2. Christmas Island Rathdrum Co. Wicklow
Move over Santa’s Grotto, the man in red has taken over a whole island in Co. Wicklow!
A popular holiday park in summer, Hidden Valley transforms into a twinkling wonderland from November, with lots of exiting festive additions to enjoy.
Ride the magic ‘North Pole Express’ train to Santa’s largest igloo where you can make a special Christmas decoration with Mrs. Claus.
In Igloo no.2 you will get to mingle with the elves and dance around the Christmas tree…surrounded by a magic cloud of bubbles.
You can even take a family photo taken in Santa’s giant red sleigh – just don’t forget your camera!
After that, it’s into the giant sleigh boat and across the water to Christmas Island…to visit the man himself! This trip is made even more enjoyable with festive singing and music and the sight of thousands of twinkly lights. The boat is also fully enclosed – perfect for days when the weather will not be quite so cheery!
On arrival at Santa’s Dock, there will be more elves there to greet you and to guide you to Santa’s cosy grotto. Here, each visitor will have an individual meeting with Santa and a chance to deliver their Christmas wish list. For those on the ‘nice’ list there will also be a nice gift for them to bring home.
For the energetic, there is also extra activities to avail of such as the giant snowman jumper, children’s adventure park and mini golf. Hot food and drink will be available all day to keep everyone toasty and warm.
Booking and Event Information
Venue: Hidden Valley Holiday Park, Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow
Parking: Free parking on site
Recommended age group: All ages
Time: Contact for more details
Admission fee: Child €17.50
Adult €13.50
Photos: Photos free of charge for those with their own camera!
Book online at www.christmasisland.ie
Spreading Christmas Cheer!
For every €1 donated by their visitors, Christmas Island will donate another €1to Crumlin Hospital’s Christmas present fund!
For a festive family day out…
3. Santa’s Grotto At Dublin Zoo
Phoenix Park is famous for its deer and this year there will also be some reindeer in residence!
Santa’s Grotto will appear at Dublin Zoo from Saturday 28th of November so that families can enjoy a special festive themed visit this winter. Following a trip through the enchanting grotto, visitors will be greeted by Santa and his elves and will receive a lovely Christmas gift. Each child will also take home a photo key ring as a memento of their special visit.
After meeting Santa, children can then explore the wonders of Dublin Zoo and visit the arctic fox, penguins and other animals from the North Pole.
There will also be festive arts and crafts from 12:00 – 3:00pm.
A fun festive day out for all the family!
Booking and Event Information
Venue: Dublin Zoo, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8
Dates: Every Saturday and Sunday from November 26th. Weekdays also from December 22nd – 24th.
Parking: Parking available at Dublin Zoo
Recommended age group: All ages
Time: 10:00am – 16:00pm (last Santa visit at 15:00pm)
Admission fee: Normal admission rates apply (€9 per child & €8 for pass holders).
No pre-booking necessary
Photos: Photos free of charge for those with their own camera!
Book online at www.christmasisland.ie
For a good cause…
4. Christmas with The Dublin SPCA
What could be better than a visit to Santa? How about a visit surrounded by his favourite furry friends?!
Santa Claus will be coming to The Dublin SPCA centre on the weekend of December 17th for two days only. Set in the picturesque setting of the Dublin Mountains, this is unique Santa experience and the perfect day out for animal lovers.
All children will receive special gift as well as a personalised letter from Mr C himself. For the adults there will be hot beverages and biscuits and also the option to enjoy a family lunch at the Central Bark café. There will even be free goodies for your treasured pets!
After meeting Santa, children can stay for a special Christmas storytime and there is a post-box in reception for those all-important letters to the North Pole. There is also a gift shop for a spot of last minute Christmas shopping!
All proceeds will go directly towards the great work of the DSPCA, helping them to care for and rehome vulnerable animals. So not only will you be creating precious memories for your family…but you will also be contributing to a great cause!
What better way to teach your children the true meaning of Christmas?!
Booking and Event Information
Venue: DSPCA centre, Mount Venus Road, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16.
Dates: Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th of December
Recommended age group: All ages
Time: 11:00am – 16:30pm
Admission fee: Child €12.00
Adult €5.00
Book online at http://www.dspca.ie/
Santa’s Top Tip:
Space for storytime is limited so book in advance!
For any queries contact Natasha.eames@dspca.ie
For a taste of the North Pole…
5. The North Pole Experience 2016
Enjoy the full North Pole experience at The Royal Liver Retail Park Naas Road which will open on November 26th. With so much to see and do, this promises to be a fun filled festive adventure for children of all ages.
The magic begins with the arrival of Jack Frost, who will greet you and take you through the magic Kingdom on the Coca Cola Trucks Kiddie Ride. But you better watch out for a snowball fight with Frosty the Snowman!!
You will then arrive at the Elves Workshop, where the toys are being made for Christmas and help Tinkerbell to light the Magical Christmas Tree…don’t forget to make a wish! Then it’s on to visit Baby Jesus in the crib and Rudolf in his reindeer pen, where he will be resting up for the big journey ahead.
Have fun in Santa’s garden on the bouncy castle and slide, and then it’s time to meet Santa and Mrs Claus in their special Christmas grotto. They will have a gift for good boys and girls and will make sure that every child gets a photo to bring home.
Oh and make sure to bring your letter! There’s a magic post box outside for all letters addressed to the North Pole.
But the fun doesn’t even stop there! Afterwards it’s off to the Bounceland Playzone to burn off all that excited energy and maybe even make some new friends. Here you will meet characters from the North Pole who will maintain the Christmas cheer with Christmas songs and stories.
Although indoor, the North Pole is authentically chilly so wrap up warm before you arrive! A visit to the North Pole Café will also warm you up nicely with its heated seats and hot food and refreshments.
Booking and Event Information
Venue: The Royal Liver Retail Park, (Next door to Eurogiant) Naas Road, Dublin 22
(Take the Luas Red line to Kylemore stop, across from Mc Donalds)
Parking: Free
Dates: Saturday 26th November to 23rd December
Recommended age group: All ages
Time: Wednesday – Friday: 3pm – 7pm
Saturday – Sunday: 11am – 6pm
Admission fee: Children €20.00
(This includes visit to Santa, gift, photo, balloon and 30 minutes play in the Bounceland Playzone)
Adults free
Booking: No need to book in advance. Just pay at the door on arrival.
For more info: 0858226055
We hope that this has given you some inspiration for your Santa visits this year! Wherever you choose to go we hope you have a great day out and make some precious family memories!