Santa visits, Christmas trains, twinkly trails and festive days out with the wee ones. Find your next Christmas adventure by category, then county.

Meet Santa & his elves

County Armagh

• 🚀 Mission Santa
  📍 Armagh Observatory and Planetarium
  Christmas with a space adventure thrown in! Join the E.L.F. crew for a dome show and mission-control adventure before meeting Santa, with a gift and family photograph included.
  🗓️ Selected dates in November and December.
• 🎿 Ski Lift to Santa’s Mountain
  📍 Rushmere, Craigavon
  Take a themed ski-lift journey into a snowy Christmas world, with twinkly disco lights and a visit to Santa’s grotto. Children receive a selection box. Quiet Silent Sunday sessions available.
  🗓️ 5 November–24 December, selected sessions.
• 🎺 Santa on Tour
  📍 Market Street, Armagh
  Santa, Mrs Claus and the elves are stopping outside the Market Place Theatre for an afternoon of festive fun.
  🗓️ 29 November, 1–4pm. FREE; no booking required.

Belfast

• 🚂 The Victoria Square Express
  📍 Victoria Square
  A themed train journey and walk-through experience on the way to Santa’s village, handy to combine with a festive day in the city.
  🗓️ Selected sessions, 7 November–23 December.
• 🎅 Santa’s Grotto
  📍 CastleCourt
  A city-centre Santa stop to combine with a wander around Belfast’s lights and Christmas shopping.
  🗓️ Christmas 2026 — dates to be announced.
• 🎅 Santa’s Grotto
  📍 Hillmount, Gilnahirk
  Follow festive scenes, meet the elves and Mrs Claus, then visit Santa and receive a Hillmount gift. Bring warm layers as part of the visit is under an outdoor canopy.
  🗓️ Christmas 2026 — dates to be announced.

County Down

• 🎅 Santa’s Cottage
  📍 Hilltown
  Explore Santa’s cottage, meet his elves and feed the reindeer before your family visit with Santa. Plenty for little believers to look out for along the way. ·.
  🗓️ 21 November–24 December, selected sessions.

County Derry/Londonderry

• 🎅 Polar Expedition
  📍 Foyleside, Derry
  Write your letter in the mail room, take the magical elevator and explore the reindeer stables and snowy woodland before reaching Santa. Look out for the talking Story Tree! Sensory sessions available. ·.
  🗓️ Selected sessions, 13 November–24 December.
• 🎅 Santa’s Grotto
  📍 The Bridewell, Magherafelt
  A smaller local grotto outing if you’d like to see Santa without booking a full evening experience.
  🗓️ 21 and 28 November; 5, 12 and 19 December.

County Tyrone

• 🎅 Santa’s Christmas Grotto
  📍 Hill of The O’Neill & Ranfurly House, Dungannon
  Meet the elves and visit Santa, with a small gift for each child. A local option for a shorter Christmas outing.
  🗓️ Selected sessions, 12–20 December.

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Full festive events

County Antrim

• 🎄 Christmas at Glenarm Castle
  📍 Glenarm
  Stories with Mrs Claus, gingerbread decorating, letter writing and a visit to Father Christmas’s workshop, plus the Evergreen Express festive train, carousel and swing boats.
  🗓️ 2–20 December.
• 🎄 Magic & Mistletoe
  📍 Magheramorne Estate, near Larne
  Follow the lights, solve clues and meet Christmas characters around the estate. A lovely one to look at for wee ones who enjoy getting involved in a story.
  🗓️ 2–6, 9–13 and 16–20 December.

Belfast

• 🎄 A Magical Christmas Experience
  📍 Titanic Belfast
  An elf guides you through the enchanted forest and North Pole, with Mrs Claus, letter writing and crafts before your family Santa visit. A photograph and Christmas bear are included in the child ticket. Quiet sessions available.
  🗓️ 27 November–23 December.
• 🎅 Santa’s Workshop
  📍 W5
  Help the elves, make reindeer food and meet Santa before creating a cuddly friend to take home. Children aged two and over stuff their bear; younger children receive a prepared companion. Book the Santa’s Workshop ticket: it includes general W5 admission, while standard admission alone does not include Santa.
  🗓️ Selected dates, 28 November–23 December.

County Down

• 🎅 Santa’s Grotto
  📍 Montalto Estate, Ballynahinch
  Meet Santa, enjoy the elves’ entertainment and Christmas activities in the stable yard. There’s an optional Lost Gingerbread Character Trail through the gardens too.
  🗓️ Selected dates in December.

County Derry/Londonderry

• 🎄 Christmas Wonderland
  📍 The Jungle NI, Moneymore
  Travel through illuminated woodland on the Jungle Express to meet Santa, then enjoy Mrs Claus’ stories, the stage show, marshmallow toasting and included adventure activity tokens.
  🗓️ Selected dates, 28 November–23 December.
• 🎅 Christmas by the Coast: Santa’s Winter Wonderland
  📍 Portstewart
  Explore the North Coast Post Office, stop at Mrs Claus’ kitchen and join games with the elves before browsing the festive stalls.
  🗓️ 4–6 December 2026.

County Fermanagh

• 🎅 Santa’s Island Hideaway
  📍 Lusty Beg Island
  Santa, cookie and bauble decorating, hot chocolate and s’mores, with a present for the children too.
  🗓️ 19–20 December, noon–4pm.

County Tyrone

• 🎄 Journey to the North Pole
  📍 Gameland, Cookstown
  Write to Santa, enjoy traditional games and board his sleigh for a VR journey, which can also be enjoyed without a headset. There’s marshmallow toasting, reindeer food making, stories with Mrs Claus and a Santa visit, with a gift and magic key to take home.
  🗓️ 12–13 and 19–20 December.
• 🎄 Winter Wonderland
  📍 Todds Leap, Ballygawley
  Hop aboard Santa’s off-road sleigh, enjoy treats in Mrs Claus’ cabin and visit Santa’s grotto to choose a present.
  🗓️ 5–6, 11–13 and 18–22 December.
• 🚂 Santa Trail
  📍 Glenpark Estate, near Omagh
  Hop aboard a festive tractor and trailer, meet the reindeer and farm animals, join in crafts and storytelling, then visit Santa for a gift. There’s marshmallow toasting and a warm drink along the way too.
  🗓️ Christmas 2026 — dates to be announced.

Ireland

• 🧝 Elf Town
  📍 RDS, Dublin
  Pick up your elf hat and head into a Christmas adventure with real reindeer, letter writing, cookie decorating with Mrs Claus and the new Toy Factory. Finish with a private family visit to Santa and a golden coin to choose a present. Choose the full Immersive Experience or the separately bookable shorter Santa visit.
  🗓️ Selected dates, 14 November–23 December 2026.
• 🎄 Christmas at Luggwoods
  📍 Saggart, County Dublin
  Follow the woodland trail, meet Christmas characters and hop aboard the Luggwoods Express to Santa Claus Village. There’s Mrs Claus’ cabin and a private family Santa visit too — a lovely one for wee ones who enjoy a story unfolding as they explore.
  🗓️ 29 November–23 December.
• 🚂 Santa’s House Express
  📍 Palmerstown House Estate, County Kildare
  Take a festive train to Santa’s Manor, meet Mrs Claus and explore the new Merrymyst Hollow theatre experience before your family Santa visit. Children receive a cuddly gift and two funfair ride tokens.
  🗓️ Selected dates in November and December 2026.
• 🎄 Jingle Fest
  📍 Emerald Park, Ashbourne, County Meath
  A bigger festive day out with a light tunnel, Candy Lane Train, live Christmas show, zoo, playground and selected family rides. A Santa visit needs the appropriate Santa ticket; it is not included in standard Jingle Fest entry. The main Thrill Zone and Tír na nÓg are closed for this event.
  🗓️ 20–22 and 27–29 November; 4–6, 11–13 and 15–23 December 2026.

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Magical Christmas Train Rides

County Antrim

• 🚂 All Aboard for Christmas
  📍 Whitehead Railway Museum
  Begin with a short steam train ride within the museum grounds, then meet Mrs Claus and Santa. There’s gingerbread decorating, letter writing and reindeer food making too.
  🗓️ 5, 12, 13, 19, 20 and 21 December.

County Down

• 🚂 Lapland Express
  📍 Downpatrick & County Down Railway
  A heritage diesel train journey with Santa, Mrs Claus and the elves. Santa visits children at their seats, with a present, festive drinks and treats included. Quiet train on 28 November.
  🗓️ 28–29 November; 5–6, 12–13 and 19–20 December.
• 🎅 Santa at Slieve
  📍 Slieve Donard, Newcastle
  Make an afternoon of it with a two-course lunch, storytelling, Santa and a gift, a festive train ride and a Christmas film in the cinema.
  🗓️ 4–6, 10–12 and 18–23 December.

County Tyrone

• 🚂 Santa Express & Santa’s Enchanted Magical Tour
  📍 Benburb Priory
  Two Christmas options are available, with a fuller enchanted adventure or a shorter Santa outing. Check which experience you’re choosing when booking.
  🗓️ 5–6, 12–13 and 18–20 December.
• 🌲 Santa’s Magical Forest
  📍 Pomeroy
  Begin in Santa’s clubhouse before taking the Pomeroy Express into the forest village. Post a letter, meet the elves and visit Santa and Mrs Claus in their cosy woodland home.
  🗓️ 5–6, 11–13 and 18–20 December. Sensory-friendly event on 15 December.

Ireland

County Carlow

• 🚂 Rathwood Christmas Experience
  📍 Tullow
  Climb aboard the Rathwood Express through the twinkling forest, enjoy a Big Top Christmas show, visit the reindeer and meet Santa. A festive outing for little train fans, with optional funfair extras if you fancy making more of the day.
  🗓️ Christmas 2026 — dates to be announced.

County Donegal

• 🚂 Santa Express
  📍 Oakfield Park, Raphoe
  A real train journey through illuminated woodland, Candy Land and Toy Town to Santa’s grotto, with Mrs Claus, gingerbread decorating and activities around the Christmas village. ·.
  🗓️ Selected dates, 27 November–23 December.

County Waterford

• 🚂 Santa Express
  📍 Waterford Suir Valley Railway, Kilmeadan
  Travel on a real train beside the River Suir to meet Mrs Claus and friends in the Magic Wood. A shorter train outing for families who would prefer something smaller than an all-day experience.
  🗓️ 28–29 November; 5–6, 9, 12–13, 16, 19–20 and 22–23 December 2026.

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Smaller venues & play cafes

County Antrim

• 🎅 Magical Santa Experience
  📍 The Wee Village, Doagh/Ballyclare area
  A festive outing for wee ones who love imaginative play.
  🗓️ Christmas 2026 — dates to be announced.
• 🎈 Christmas activities
  📍 Little Izzies, Randalstown
  Christmas card making, Mrs Claus’ bakery and a Christmas slime bar are among the activities.
  🗓️ Christmas 2026 — dates to be announced.

County Armagh

• 🎈 Christmas-themed play
  📍 Play Away, Portadown
  A cosy imaginative-play outing for younger children, with Christmas listed as the December theme. This is themed play, with no Santa visit assumed.
  🗓️ Selected dates in December.
• 🎈 Christmas at The Treehouse
  📍 Lurgan
  A smaller festive outing with Santa Supper and Breakfast with Santa sessions available, including a quieter breakfast option.
  🗓️ Christmas 2026 — dates to be announced.

County Down

• 🎅 Christmas Cuddle Night with Santa’s Elves
  📍 Tiddly Town, Newry
  Pop on Christmas PJs, make a gingerbread or reindeer plush, write to Santa and settle down for a story with hot chocolate and festive treats.
  🗓️ 12 December, 5–6.30pm.
• 🎬 Christmas Drive-In Cinema
  📍 Let’s Go Hydro, Carryduff
  Get cosy in the car for a Christmas film on the big screen — blankets and a seat ready for everyone!
  🗓️ Christmas 2026 — dates to be announced.

County Tyrone

• 🎈 Magical Christmas
  📍 Wee Adventurers Play Hub, Cookstown
  Join us for a festive play session in our beautifully decorated Play Hub, with a winter-themed balloon arch for those lovely wee Christmas photos. Let the children play and explore while you settle in with a coffee and soak up the Christmas atmosphere. Festive play session; no Santa visit included.
  🗓️ From 14 December 2026.
  View the Play Hub

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Christmas at Family Farm Parks

County Antrim

• 🐄 Toddler Christmas Special
  📍 Rosepark Farm, Ballymoney
  A Christmas outing designed with the younger wee ones in mind.
  🗓️ Christmas 2026 — dates to be announced.

County Down

• 🐄 Magical Christmas Experience
  📍 Streamvale Farm, Dundonald
  Gingerbread decorating with Mrs Claus, a singalong tractor ride, deer feeding, lights and animal encounters, followed by Santa and a present from his workshop.
  🗓️ 27 November–24 December.
• 🎅 Santa Christmas Experience
  📍 The Ark Open Farm, Newtownards
  Meet the reindeer, take a tractor ride and visit Santa before exploring the elf village and making a cuddly bear. Daytime and after-dark options have different access to the wider farm. ·.
  🗓️ Christmas 2026 — dates to be announced.
• 🐄 Christmas Experience
  📍 Mountpanther Farm Park, near Dundrum
  Santa, the Christmas tree trail, marshmallow toasting, the petting barn and time to play, with Santa’s toy shop to visit too.
  🗓️ 5–6, 11–13 and 18–23 December; 11 and 18 December are evening-only dates.

County Fermanagh

• 🐄 Christmas Experience
  📍 Fermanagh Fun Farm, Lisbellaw
  Enjoy Christmas crafts, meet and feed the animals and Santa’s reindeer, then visit the grotto and choose a toy. Finish with a hot chocolate together. ·.
  🗓️ Christmas 2026 — dates to be announced.

Ireland

County Meath

• 🐄 Causey Christmas Experience
  📍 Causey Farm, near Navan
  Explore Christmas-themed spaces around the old farmyard, with festive activities and a visit to Santa along the way. Almost all of the experience is indoors, handy when the December weather has other ideas! Several families meet Santa together, with an individual chat for each family.
  🗓️ Christmas 2026 — dates to be announced.

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Winter Light Trails

County Antrim

• 🌲 Enchanted Winter Garden
  📍 Antrim Castle Gardens
  An evening of twinkling lights, fairground fun and festive food, with a grotto and a Grinch takeover on 27–28 December. Inclusive evenings: 3 and 9 December.
  🗓️ 2–28 December.
• 🚂 Lisburn Light Trail
  📍 Castle Gardens
  Wander through illuminated gardens, take some festive photos and stop for a hot chocolate if you fancy one. Santa and music on selected evenings.
  🗓️ 20 November–22 December. FREE entry; food and drinks extra.

County Armagh

• 🎭 Georgian Light Show
  📍 Armagh
  Watch the Market House become part of a Christmas show with festive images and special effects.
  🗓️ 27–28 November, selected showtimes. £3.50 per person, including babies.

County Cork

• ✨ Wonderlights
  📍 Fota House, Arboretum and Gardens
  A second Wonderlights location if you’re planning a festive trip further south, with a new light show around the gardens and seasonal food and drinks.
  🗓️ Selected dates, 5 November–29 December 2026.

County Dublin

• 🦁 Wild Lights: Passport to Wonder
  📍 Dublin Zoo
  Explore nine zones of handcrafted lanterns, music and colour, with displays inspired by celebrations around the world. Expect everything from Irish folklore to Carnival and Christmas along the route. This is an evening lights event; check separate ticket arrangements for daytime zoo entry or a Santa bundle.
  🗓️ 12 November 2026–5 January 2027, closed 24–26 December.
• ✨ Wonderlights
  📍 Malahide Castle and Gardens
  Wrap up for a night walk through the illuminated castle gardens, with colourful displays and an Alpine food village for something warm afterwards.
  🗓️ Selected dates, 12 November–29 December 2026.

County Louth

• ✨ Adventure Lights: The Lost Kingdom
  📍 Skypark, Carlingford
  Wrap everyone up for an illuminated outdoor evening trail. A handy one if you fancy a winter outing that continues after Christmas.
  🗓️ Selected dates, 24 October–3 January 2027. Closed 31 October, 24–26 December and 1 January.

County Wicklow

• ✨ ILUMINA Forest Lights Spectacular
  📍 Beyond the Trees Avondale, Rathdrum
  Take to the illuminated Treetop Walk and viewing tower, then explore light installations, projections and glowing woodland scenes. Lights begin at 4pm on operating days. The slide is closed during ILUMINA; the added natural woodland section has different accessibility from the main route.
  🗓️ Selected dates, 14 November 2026–1 February 2027.
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Overnight Santa stays

County Antrim

• 🛏️ Santa Sleepover
  📍 Dunadry Hotel & Gardens
  Dinner, a grotto visit and a personalised Santa letter, followed by milk, cookies and a gift from an elf in your room. Breakfast is included the next morning.
  🗓️ 4–5, 11–12, 18–19 and 21–23 December.
• 🛏️ Christmas Escapes
  📍 Blair’s Castlewood Holiday Park, Antrim
  A cosy festive break with Santa visits and elf workshops available for Castlewood weekend stays. Santa activities are specifically at Castlewood, not automatically included at Blair’s Portrush parks.
  🗓️ Weekends from 27 November.
• 🛏️ Christmas at Galgorm
  📍 Ballymena
  Festive accommodation and Christmas dining are available, with separate Santa lunch options. Check your chosen package: a Christmas stay should not be assumed to include every Santa event.
  🗓️ 24–26 December.

County Down

• 🛏️ Santa Stayover
  📍 La Mon, Castlereagh
  Arrive to a welcome bag, explore Candy Cane Lane and the elf workshop, then meet Santa for a cuddly gift and family photograph. Breakfast included; check meal arrangements for your package.
  🗓️ Selected dates, 28 November–23 December.

County Derry/Londonderry

• 🛏️ Festive Family Sleepover
  📍 Roe Valley Resort, Limavady
  A family room, breakfast, leisure facilities and children’s activities for a festive break together. Santa lunches are listed separately, so check whether your chosen package includes one.
  🗓️ Available from 19 November.

County Fermanagh

• 🛏️ Family Santa Sleepover
  📍 Lough Erne Resort, Enniskillen
  Stay overnight, enjoy festive family dining and meet Santa in the library, with a professional family photograph and breakfast included.
  🗓️ 28 November; 4–5, 11–12 and 18–19 December.

Ireland

County Donegal

• 🛏️ Christmas at Redcastle Hotel
  📍 Redcastle Hotel
  A longer Christmas break with a Santa meeting and festive film on Christmas Eve, plus seasonal dining and entertainment during the stay. This is a Christmas holiday package rather than an assumed one-night Santa sleepover.
  🗓️ Four-night package arriving 23 December.

County Kildare

• 🛏️ Santa’s Magical Sleep Over
  📍 Clanard Court Hotel, Athy
  Follow the elves along the Magical Trail, make a teddy and visit Santa in his log cabin before a festive banquet and evening show. Then it’s off to bed, with breakfast the next morning — plenty packed into one wee Christmas break.
  🗓️ 4–5, 11–13 and 18–21 December 2026.

County Longford

• 🛏️ Winter Wonderland
  📍 Center Parcs, Longford Forest
  Cosy lodge evenings and festive forest outings, with Santa’s Woodland Workshop available to book at an additional cost. ·.
  🗓️ 6 November–4 January 2027.

County Wexford

• 🚂 Santa Train Sleepover
  📍 Amber Springs Hotel, Gorey
  Make a festive break of it with an overnight stay and the Amber Express journey through the lights to the Christmas village. Meet the elves and Santa before returning by train to the Christmas dome. ·.
  🗓️ Christmas 2026 — dates to be announced.
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Christmas Markets & Historic Festive Days Out

County Antrim

• 🎪 Ballycastle Christmas Markets
  📍 Marine Hotel
  An indoor browse around local makers, bakers and small businesses.
  🗓️ 29 November and 13 December, 11am–4pm. FREE entry.
• 🎪 Whitehead Victorian Street Fair
  📍 Whitehead
  Christmas stalls, street entertainment and music for a festive afternoon in Whitehead.
  🗓️ 28 November, noon–6pm. No tickets required for the street fair; individual attractions may charge.

County Armagh

• 🎪 Georgian Festival Festive Artisan Market
  📍 Armagh
  Christmas stalls, seasonal food and street entertainment. Saturday has the biggest market, with smaller selections on Friday evening and Sunday.
  🗓️ 27–29 November. FREE entry; purchases extra.
• ✨ Festive Family Fun
  📍 The Mall, Armagh
  Traditional fairground games, swing boats, a Ferris wheel, Santa’s reindeer and fire performers as it gets dark.
  🗓️ 28 November, noon–6pm. FREE event.
• 🎪 The Argory Christmas Fair
  📍 near Moy
  Browse local crafts and food, listen to festive music and see the house dressed for Christmas, with a chance to meet Santa.
  🗓️ 5–6 December, 11am–5pm. Normal admission applies; National Trust members free.

Belfast

• 🎪 Belfast Christmas Market
  📍 City Hall
  A wander around the stalls, something tasty and a look at the lights, with a carousel and helter-skelter if you fancy them.
  🗓️ 14 November–22 December. FREE entry; food, shopping and rides extra.
• ✨ Christmas Twilight Market
  📍 St George’s Market
  Browse local gifts and seasonal food with music and entertainment in the historic market hall.
  🗓️ 24–25 November, 4–10pm. Families should visit before 9pm; adults only from 9pm.

County Down

• ✨ Montalto Twilight Market
  📍 Ballynahinch
  Local gifts, artisan stalls and festive food around The Carriage Rooms.
  🗓️ 13–14 November.
• 🎪 Castle Ward Christmas Artisan Market
  📍 Strangford
  Handmade gifts and seasonal treats around the theatre space and Stable Yard.
  🗓️ 5–6 December.
• 🎪 Royal Hillsborough Christmas Market
  📍 The Dark Walk
  Browse artisan stalls against the backdrop of Hillsborough Fort, with festive choirs and visits from Santa and Mrs Claus.
  🗓️ 11 December, 3–9pm; 12 December, 11am–6pm. FREE admission.
• 🎪 Dundonald Christmas Market
  📍 Moat Park
  A local Christmas market for a festive browse and some seasonal shopping.
  🗓️ 2 December. FREE admission.
• 🎪 Carryduff Christmas Market
  📍 Lidl car park
  Pick up local gifts and festive treats at the evening market.
  🗓️ 16 December, 4–8pm. FREE admission.
• 🎪 Newry Christmas Markets
  📍 Variety Market Hall
  Festive food, local traders, gifts and entertainment in the historic market hall. A separate Santa’s Workshop experience is available too.
  🗓️ Thursdays–Sundays, 19 November–20 December.
• 🎪 La Mon Christmas Fayre
  📍 Castlereagh
  Local gifts, festive music and a visit from Santa for an afternoon out together.
  🗓️ 29 November, 2–5pm. FREE entry.
• 🚂 The Gruffalo’s Child Christmas Trail
  📍 Hillsborough Castle and Gardens
  Follow scenes from the story around the gardens, join in games and watch the film. Trail included with admission; selected Santa and post-Christmas Gruffalo meetings require separately booked add-on tickets.
  🗓️ 28 November–3 January 2027, excluding 24–26 December.
• ✨ Christmas at Ulster Folk Museum
  📍 Cultra
  Wander the old streets dressed for Christmas, enjoy crafts, storytelling and seasonal treats. Santa sessions from 11 December require the appropriate ticket.
  🗓️ Christmas programme from 12 December; Christmas evenings on 11 and 18 December.
• 🎪 Rowallane Garden Yuletide Market
  📍 Saintfield
  Local crafts, choir performances and a festive garden wander, with Santa strolling through too.
  🗓️ 12–13 December.

County Derry/Londonderry

• 🎪 Flowerfield Christmas Craft Market
  📍 Portstewart
  Browse handmade gifts from local artists and makers. There’s also a family decoration session and a special evening market.
  🗓️ 14 November–23 December.
• 🎪 Roe Valley Speciality Christmas Market
  📍 Limavady
  Artisan food and handmade gifts in Drumceatt Square.
  🗓️ 5 December, 11am–4pm. FREE entry.
• 🎪 Guildhall Craft Fair
  📍 Derry
  Handmade gifts, artisan food and seasonal choral performances in the Guildhall.
  🗓️ 13–15 November.
• 🎪 Causeway Speciality Christmas Market
  📍 Coleraine
  Browse local food, handmade gifts and festive treats for a relaxed Christmas shopping outing.
  🗓️ Christmas 2026 — dates to be announced.

County Fermanagh

• 🧺 Christmas Willow Weaving
  📍 Marble Arch Caves
  Make a willow tree or reindeer to take home. Younger children may need a helping hand from their grown-up.
  🗓️ 29 November, 11am–12.30pm. Booking required.

County Tyrone

• 🎪 Strabane Festive Street Market
  📍 Strabane
  Browse the town-centre stalls with festive music and street entertainment.
  🗓️ 21 November.
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• ✨ Christmas at Ulster American Folk Park
  📍 Omagh
  Enjoy the festive atmosphere, traditional crafts, decorated buildings and a bauble trail without booking the separate Santa experience.
  🗓️ Selected dates, 5–23 December.
• 🎅 Father Christmas and his Elves
  📍 Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh
  Follow an elf through the wintry streets to meet Father Christmas and Mrs Claus, with storytelling, crafts, bakery treats and a horse-and-carriage ride, subject to conditions. Santa tickets must be booked separately from general museum admission.
  🗓️ 5–6, 11–13 and 18–23 December.

Christmas Shows & Pantomimes

County Antrim

• 🎭 Jack and the Beanstalk
  📍 Theatre at The Mill, Newtownabbey
  A giant adventure with an outrageous Dame, Dazey Cow and plenty of chances to boo and cheer.
  🗓️ 5 December–2 January 2027, selected performances.

County Armagh

• 🎭 Robin Hood
  📍 Market Place Theatre, Armagh
  Robin, Maid Marian and their merry band take on the Sheriff with songs, sword fights and plenty of panto mischief. — choose a public performance via the box office.
  🗓️ 28 November–20 December.

Belfast

• 🎭 The Little Mermaid
  📍 Grand Opera House
  Songs, sparkle and audience participation, with May McFettridge returning for this year’s underwater panto adventure.
  🗓️ 28 November–10 January 2027. Recommended ages 3+.
• 🎭 Sleeping Beauty
  📍 Waterfront Studio
  Colourful characters, familiar songs and silly jokes, with plenty of chances for the wee ones to join in.
  🗓️ 20 November–10 January 2027.
• 🎭 Goldilocks and the Three Bears
  📍 The MAC
  A different take on the familiar story, following Baby Bear as he settles into his new family, with catchy songs and funny mishaps along the way.
  🗓️ 25 November–1 January 2027. Particularly suited to ages 5+.
• 🎭 Little Women
  📍 Lyric Theatre
  Follow the March sisters through a story of family, growing up and looking after one another. One to consider for a festive theatre outing with older children rather than a traditional little-ones panto.
  🗓️ Selected performances, 28 November–9 January 2027.

County Down

• 🎭 Sleeping Beauty
  📍 Lagan Valley Island, Lisburn
  Big tunes, dance numbers and plenty of panto laughs from Lisnagarvey Operatic and Dramatic Society. Lagan Valley Island is on the County Down side of Lisburn.
  🗓️ 5–12 December.

County Derry/Londonderry

• 🎭 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
  📍 Millennium Forum, Derry
  Local humour, singalongs, sparkling sets and lots of audience participation.
  🗓️ 27 November–31 December.

County Fermanagh

• 🎭 Little Red Riding Hood’s Christmas Adventure
  📍 Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen
  A daytime Christmas theatre outing for children.
  🗓️ 14–15 December, 11am.

County Tyrone

• 🎭 Mr Hullabaloo’s Winter Wonderland
  📍 Burnavon, Cookstown
  Festive storytelling, puppets, songs and movement, with Santa, snowmen, reindeer and elves in the stories.
  🗓️ 6 December, 1pm.
• 🎭 Tom Sweeney’s Family Christmas Cracker
  📍 Strule Arts Centre, Omagh
  A family Christmas show for an afternoon at the theatre.
  🗓️ 12 December, 2pm.

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Festive Meals, Lunches, Brunches & Dinners

County Antrim

• 🍽️ Breakfast with Santa
  📍 Creative Gardens Galgorm Castle, Ballymena
  Enjoy breakfast before Santa and his elf stop at your table, with a gift choice, reindeer food making and a Rudolph hunt afterwards. This is separate from Galgorm Castle Fairy Trail.
  🗓️ 13 December, from 10.30am.
• 🎅 Weekends with Santa
  📍 Galgorm, Ballymena
  A festive family lunch with a visit from Santa and a gift for the children.
  🗓️ Saturdays and Sundays throughout December.
• 🎅 Santa Sundays
  📍 The Rabbit, Templepatrick
  Settle in for a festive family meal, with face painting and a trip to Santa’s grotto for a gift. A lovely way to get everyone together over Christmas.
  🗓️ Christmas 2026 — dates to be announced.
• 🍽️ Festive Afternoon Tea
  📍 Rosspark Hotel, near Ballymena
  Mince pies, little Christmas cakes and fruit trifles with a pot of tea or coffee. A quieter festive treat if you fancy an afternoon around the table together. Santa visits are available separately on 6, 13 and 20 December; a Santa meeting is not assumed with afternoon tea.
  🗓️ Christmas 2026 — dates to be announced.

Belfast

• 🍽️ Breakfast with Elves
  📍 The Ivy Belfast Brasserie
  Pastries, pancakes or a cooked breakfast, with mischievous elves bringing the festive tricks and treats. There’s a gift for the children and a chance for a lovely Christmas photo. This is an elf breakfast rather than a Santa visit. ·.
  🗓️ Selected mornings, 5–23 December 2026.
• 🎅 Santa Sundays
  📍 Crowne Plaza Belfast, Shaw’s Bridge
  Enjoy a festive family meal before the wee ones meet Santa and receive a gift. A handy option if you’d like lunch and your Santa visit in one outing.
  🗓️ 6, 13 and 20 December.

County Down

• 🍽️ Brunch with Santa
  📍 La Mon, Castlereagh
  A festive brunch with face painting, colouring, dancing and a chocolate treat from Santa.
  🗓️ 23–24 December, 10am–noon.
• 🎅 Santa Sunday
  📍 Millbrook Lodge, Ballynahinch
  Gather everyone for Sunday lunch, with a meet and greet with Santa in the hotel lobby for the children.
  🗓️ 13 December 2026.

County Derry/Londonderry

• 🎅 Weekends with Santa
  📍 Roe Valley Resort, Limavady
  Enjoy a festive meal together with a Santa visit and gift for the children.
  🗓️ 21–22 and 28–29 November; 5–6, 12–13 and 19–20 December.

County Fermanagh

• 🎅 Santa Sundays
  📍 Killyhevlin, Enniskillen
  A family carvery overlooking Lough Erne, followed by Santa with gifts and a children’s disco.
  🗓️ 6, 13 and 20 December.

County Tyrone

• 🍽️ Breakfast with Santa or Santa’s Tea Party
  📍 An Creagán
  Choose breakfast or afternoon tea, with Christmas crafts, cookie decorating, letter writing, Mrs Claus’ stories and a Santa visit with a gift.
  🗓️ 12 and 19 December. Breakfast 10am–noon; tea party 1.30–3.30pm.
• 🍽️ Breakfast with Santa
  📍 The Royal Hotel, Cookstown
  The wee ones can choose a mini fry or build their own pancake stack before meeting Santa for a gift and photo opportunity. Adults have a full Irish breakfast with tea or coffee too.
  🗓️ 5 December 2026, 9.30–11.30am.

Ireland

County Cork

• 🍽️ Breakfast with Santa
  📍 Carewswood Garden Centre & Café, Castlemartyr
  Start with breakfast together, then use your Santa ticket when you’re ready to visit. There’s a festive workshop to keep little hands busy and a gift for every child.
  🗓️ Christmas 2026 — dates to be announced.

County Donegal

• 🍽️ Festive Teddy Bear Afternoon Tea Party
  📍 Lough Eske Castle
  Bring a favourite teddy for afternoon tea in the castle ballroom, followed by a Christmas disco and a visit from Santa. A lovely excuse for the wee ones to dress up and make an afternoon of it.
  🗓️ 13 and 20 December 2026, from 1.30pm.

County Dublin

• 🎅 Santa by the Sea
  📍 Shoreline Hotel, Donabate
  A family lunch, children’s festive disco and face painting, followed by a visit to Santa’s cosy snug with a gift. If the weather plays along, finish with a wee beach wander.
  🗓️ 28–29 November; 6, 12–13 and 19–20 December 2026.

County Galway

• 🍽️ Lunch with Santa
  📍 Lough Rea Hotel & Spa, Loughrea
  A festive lunch and dessert buffet, with children’s entertainment while everyone waits for Santa. The wee ones can have a chat, take a photo and receive a gift.
  🗓️ 6 December 2026; arrival 1pm, lunch 1.30pm and Santa from 2pm.

County Mayo

• 🍽️ Christmas Family Lunch & Santa Experience
  📍 TF Royal Hotel & Theatre, Castlebar
  A festive meal, an allocated Santa visit with a gift and a children’s disco with games and dancing. Plenty to keep the wee ones entertained while everyone enjoys lunch.
  🗓️ 29 November 2026, noon–4pm.

County Monaghan

• 🍽️ Festive Sunday Lunch
  📍 Four Seasons Hotel, Monaghan
  A relaxed Sunday lunch with Santa visiting the hotel on selected December afternoons. Festive afternoon tea is also available to reserve separately. Check your table time against Santa’s visiting hours.
  🗓️ Santa visits: 6, 13 and 20 December, 1–5pm; Sunday lunch served noon–4pm.

County Wexford

• 🍽️ Santa Lunch Experience
  📍 Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy
  Make a festive afternoon of lunch together and a Santa experience at the hotel. A daytime option if you’re visiting Wexford and don’t need an overnight package.
  🗓️ 6 and 13 December 2026, 1pm.

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A wee reminder before booking

Check the total for your whole family, including adult tickets and booking fees, and have a look at what’s included. A Santa visit sometimes needs a different ticket from general admission. If your child would enjoy a quieter outing, check for sensory or relaxed sessions before choosing a time.

Save this for your Christmas planning and share it with someone you’d love a festive day out with!

Dates are for 2026 unless January 2027 is stated. Many events run on selected dates within the window shown. Check the organiser’s calendar, ticket inclusions and availability before booking.