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: 10th Nov 2023
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: Saturday 16th December 2023
Where: The Crown Bar in Bellshill
Just a 20-minute drive from Glasgow, The Crown Bar invites you to enjoy breakfast with Santa this festive season. While not a traditional Santa’s Grotto event, this experience allows your littluns to feel the magic of Christmas and create memories of those wonderful moments spent with Santa on a frosty winter’s morning. Following breakfast, each child will receive a special gift from the main man himself to put a big cheesy grin on their faces and warmth in their hearts. Finally, DJ Colin will lock in the memory of an incredible day as he spins your favourite Christmas songs for you to sing and dance to as a family. What a wholesome Christmas day out!
Tickets for Breakfast With Santa
Braehead Santa's Grotto
Photo: Funfair Scotland / Facebook.com
When: Friday 17th December 2023
Where: Braehead Shopping Centre in Glasgow
Santa returns to his Braehead Shopping Centre Grotto for the third year in a row. 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 3rd, Sunday 17th, and Saturday 23rd December 2023
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.
When: Saturday 2nd December 2023
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 its much cooler to meet Santa on the dancefloor than in a Grotto.
Tickets for Christmas Family Fun Day Rave
Meet Santa at St. Enoch Centre 2023
Photo: St. Enoch Centre / Facebook.com
When: Saturdays and Sundays from Saturday 25th November - Saturday 23rd December 2023
Where: St. Enoch Shopping Centre in Glasgow
But if you really do prefer the traditional Santa’s Grottos, that’s totally fine, we’ve got plenty more for you, including this meet and greet at St. Enoch Shopping Centre. Santa’s elves will be on hand to welcome you all and help the wee ones write their letters to Santa. From here, they’ll walk through to his magical Grotto to receive a special gift. There’ll be opportunities to snap some memories, and £10 from each ticket sold goes to Glasgow’s Spirit of Christmas to help local children affected by poverty wake up to a Christmas present.
Santa’s Grotto and Santa’s Quiet Grotto
Photo: www.dobbies.com
When: Santa’s Grotto - multiple dates and times in Nov and Dec 2023 / Quiet Grotto - Friday 8th December 2023
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.
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.
