The Best Santas Grottos in Glasgow this Christmas
Fancy treating your mini Glaswegians to a meet and greet with the big guy this Christmas? If so, check out our list of the best places to see Santa in Glasgow this year!
Last updated: 25th Nov 2024
Originally published: 14th Dec 2022
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you Glasgow (spent a long time thinking of that one), and it's only a matter of time until the littleuns descend into the annual state of the festive frenzy. The big day is still a little while off but we know how kids are. They've probably already asked a million times to put the tree up and start decorating and we can't blame them, Christmas is just so much fun! And, as we're sure you'll agree, one of the most magical memories you can have as a child around Christmas is going to see Santa in one of his Grottos that he tours all around the country.
The streets of The Dear Green Place are no stranger to the big man and Glasgow is one of the most important Scottish stops when it comes to meet and greets. From sprawling Grottos in transformed, festively lit parks; to traditional Grottos in the city centre where there are some early prezzies on offer; to even enjoying breakfast with the man himself, Santa’s Grottos in Glasgow are looking particularly magical this year.
So scroll down to find out where to see Santa in Glasgow with the weans this year! Plus, if you're after more ways to make your festive season in Glasgow extra special check out some of the brilliant Glasgow Christmas Eve and Boxing Day events!
When: Tuesday 24th December 2024
Where: Barras Art And Design (BAaD) in Glasgow
The big man is heading to BAaD in its very own festive grotto. Bring the whole family along to visit Santa and his elves, capture the magical moments on camera and receive a special gift. Taking place on Christmas Eve, this wonderous experience will be a family filled day featuring arts and crafts and festive food and drink.
Tickets for Santa's Grotto @ BAaD
When: Saturday 14th & 21st December 2024
Where: The Montford in Glasgow
This lovely brunch, taking place in the two weeks preceding Christmas, involves a feel good event with the jolly man himself. Feast on a delicious brunch before an unforgettable meet and greet with Santa, complete with an opportunity to snap a picture, take part in some cracking activities, and create some cherished memories to last a lifetime. Book your spot of choice now!
Tickets for Brunch with Santa
Braehead Santa's Grotto
Photo: Braehead Centre / Facebook.com
When: Saturday 23rd November - Sunday 22nd December 2024
Where: Braehead Shopping Centre in Glasgow
Santa returns to his Braehead Shopping Centre Grotto for the fourth year in a row, and this one is completely free, with any possible donations going to Cash For Kids! Children can walk down the fairy light path to visit Santa in his Grotto with their parents or guardians joining for free. Each child gets to choose their own gift, and parents can either snap a picture themselves or buy one from Santa’s photography team. And if you want the Christmas fun to continue, bring some extra cash to enjoy the Christmas funfair.
Santa's Grotto at Wish Upon A Star Kingdom
Photo: www.wishuponastarkingdom.co.uk
When: Sunday 1st, Saturday 7th, Sunday 15th, Saturday 21st, and Monday 23rd December 2024
Where: Morris Park, 37 Rosyth Road in Glasgow
Another popular choice of Santa’s Grottos in Glasgow, Wish Upon A Star Kingdom welcomes you and your wee ones to enjoy the jolliness of the season with Santa over at Morris Park. This immersive experience offers festive joy in the form of Xmas music, twinkling lights, and a gift from Santa.
Here Comes Santa Claus @1994 Family Fun Rave
When: Saturday 7th December 2024
Where: The Classic Grand in Glasgow
Okay, now, for the parents who used to tear it up at raves back in the day, we’ve definitely got the best Santa’s Grotto in Glasgow here. Well, we’re using “Santa’s Grotto” quite loosely here as this is actually a Christmas family day rave with the man in red!
Packed with fun including a raving Santa (of course), kid's entertainers, party DJs, a bouncy castle (and a separate one for under 5s), a ball swamp, a foam machine, glow sticks, and so, so much more, we’d argue it's much cooler to meet Santa on the dancefloor than in a Grotto.
Tickets for Here Comes Santa Claus @1994 Family Fun Rave
Santa’s Grotto at The Forge
When: Saturday 9th November - Tuesday 24th December 2024
Where: The Forge Shopping Centre in Glasgow
Get this one booked to avoid missing out on one of the best Santa's Grottos in Glasgow. Santa and his elves are hiding out at The Forge Shopping Centre throughout November and will be here until Christmas Eve, so you've got plenty of time to see the main man, supported by his elves scattered throughout the mall and magicians performing jaw-dropping magic tricks.
Santa’s Grotto and Santa’s Quiet Grotto
Photo: www.dobbies.com
When: Thursday 28th November - Tuesday 24th December 2024
Where: Dobbies Garden World Braehead in Glasgow
Dobbies Garden Centre offers loads of opportunities to meet the man in red including a quiet day for children with additional needs.
Here, an elf will help your children find Little Seedlings characters along the way before they arrive at the wildlife forest to meet Santa, share their wishes, and receive a gift.
On the 8th of December, Santa’s Quiet Grotto comes in for children with additional needs. During this meet with Santa, the music is turned off, twinkling lights are turned off, an image of the Grotto will be emailed to you so you can show your children to prepare them, and you can choose whether their gift is wrapped or not.
A word of warning though, tickets for this are selling out rapidly. Check out Dobbies website for more information and tickets.
And that’s where to see Santa in Glasgow this year! If you’re here, you’re most certainly trying to give your family the most magical Christmas memories to last a lifetime. Let us help with that. Click or tap here to find more Glasgow Christmas events including Christmas parties, live classical music, drive-in Xmas films, holiday-themed baby raves, and so much more.
For those looking for quality Santa's Grottos elsewhere in the UK, have look at the best Santa's Grottos in London, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Sheffield, Edinburgh, and Nottingham.
Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.
