Festive Family Fun Days
Families can meet Santa inside his giant Christmas pudding grotto, pose for photos in his sleigh, and see Arthur the sleeping polar bear. Activities across the centre include viewing outdoor nativity animals, pony rides for young children, Christmas crafts, balloon modelling, and face painting. Visitors can also embark on an Elf Hunt around the garden centre and listen to local choirs perform festive cheer.
Dec 5 – Dec 12, 2026 All ages
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Plan Your Visit
Tickets
No general admission price is stated. Nativity animals: donations to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity by cash or card. Pony rides: £8 each for children aged 2-8, payable by cash or card. Festive face painting: £6 per face and £6 per balloon. Christmas crafts: £1-£5. Elf Hunt: included with a Santa ticket or £1. Activities other than Santa do not need advance booking and are paid for on the day.
Hours
Nativity animals: 10.30am-3.30pm, closing for lunch 12.30-1.30pm on Sunday 6 December; Surrey Magic Ponies: 11am-3pm on Saturday 5 and Saturday 12 December only; Christmas crafts: 10am-4pm.
Food & Drink
The Olive Tree will serve festive treats from a reduced menu.
Accessibility
Santa is happy to come outside the grotto to meet visitors if access is problematic.
Pets
Dogs are not allowed within the animal enclosure.
Location
Tips & Advice
- Book Santa tickets in advance, because numbers are limited and you can't see Santa without a pre-booked ticket.
- Bring cash for the pay-on-the-day extras, such as Christmas crafts, the Elf Hunt and face painting, none of which need booking ahead.
- Wrap up warm to see the Nativity Animals outside, and remember they close for a lunch break on Sunday 6 December.
- Come on Saturday 5 or Saturday 12 December if your child aged 2 to 8 wants a pony ride, as the ponies aren't there on Sunday.
- Bring your camera or phone, since you can take your own photos with Santa and in his sleigh, or ask an elf to take them for you.
Special Events & Promotions
- Pony rides with Surrey Magic Ponies for ages 2 to 8, on Saturday 5 and Saturday 12 December only
- Local choirs, including The Downsmen, Natural Voices and Epsom Male Voice Choir, singing in The Olive Tree to raise money for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity
- Santa's Giant Christmas Pudding Grotto: a separate ticket, booked in advance, that includes a gift and the Elf Hunt
Links & Contact
Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide, not the organizer of this event. For tickets, entries, vendor spots or questions, contact the organizer directly through their contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to do besides seeing Santa?
Outside, you can see the Nativity Animals, and donations go to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. There are also Christmas crafts, face painting and balloon modelling with Kim's Merry Balloons, and an Elf Hunt around the garden centre that ends with a small prize. Local choirs sing too, and you can pick out a Christmas tree.
Do we need to book?
You only need to book if you want to see Santa. Every other activity is pay-on-the-day, and you can join in even without a Santa ticket.
Who can ride the ponies?
Surrey Magic Ponies give short rides to children aged 2 to 8. They're there on Saturday 5 and Saturday 12 December only, not on Sunday 6 December.
Is there food?
Yes. The Olive Tree is open for festive treats from a reduced menu.
Is it suitable for children with sensory needs?
The centre is small and doesn't run SEN-specific sessions. The entrance will be busy and noisy, and you'll queue to see Santa. If access is difficult, Santa is happy to come outside the grotto to meet you.
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Always check the official website for the most current information.
We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.