SANTA SAFARI
Selected dates: 21st November - 24th December 2026
Join us for a magical festive day out the whole family will love - combining a four-mile winter Safari with an unforgettable visit to Santa in his beautifully decorated Grotto.
The experience - With your pre-booked time slot, you’ll begin your journey at the Discovery Trail, where one of Santa’s cheerful Elves will greet you and guide you through a magical North Pole adventure.
Along the way you can spot some elves making some gifts ready for the workshop! You'll also encounter some delightful characters and be dazzled by the northern lights…
Relaxed Mornings - We will also be hosting a couple of Relaxed Santa Safari Sessions. Scroll to the bottom of the page for more details and how to book.
Selected rides will also be open during the winter period, giving families even more festive fun to enjoy during their visit.
ENCHANTED ELEVATOR
Back for its third year! Step inside Santa’s enchanted lift and take a fantastical flight across snowy scenes and sparkling skies.
Once you arrive, ring the magical doorbell to meet the big man himself.
SANTA'S GROTTO
Santa’s cosy log cabin features a festive fireplace, twinkling tree and - of course - Santa!
Share your Christmas wish list, and enjoy a photo moment captured by one of Santa’s helpful Elves.
ELVES' WORKSHOP
After meeting Santa, you will make your way to the Elves’ Workshop where you can collect your photo and children can pick their own present.
With a wide selection of gifts to choose from, they will be spoiled for choice!
STORYTIME WITH MRS CLAUS
Gather round for a magical Storytime with Mrs Claus! Children can snuggle up and enjoy a heart-warming, festive safari tale, told by Mrs Claus herself.
With twinkling lights, festive cheer and a sprinkle of Christmas magic, it’s the perfect chance for little ones to relax and let their imaginations run wild before continuing their festive adventure.
CHRISTMAS PANTO
Back by popular demand, we’re bringing the magic of panto to the Safari Park this festive season!
Join us in the Treetops Pavilion for a dazzling performance of Sleeping Beauty, showing on selected exclusive dates between 18th - 31st December 2026, with a mix of afternoon and brand-new evening performances.
Enjoy shows at 2pm & 4pm on selected dates, plus NEW evening performances at 6:30pm from 18th - 23rd December, giving you even more chances to experience the festive magic.
Daytime shows are 30 minutes long, while evening performances run for 1 hour with a 15-minute interval in the middle.
Prices: Afternoon shows: £8 per person (aged 3+) & £5 per 1-2 year old
Evening shows: £12 per person (aged 3+) & £8 per 1-2 year old
Children under the age of 1 year are free, but will need to sit on an adult's lap for the performance.
WINTER RIDES
Selected rides will be open on selected dates throughout the winter period, adding even more excitement to your festive day out.
Guests can enjoy Snake Slide, Flying Lions, Serengeti Gallopers, Convoy, Apple Coaster (weather permitting – this ride will not operate in icy conditions), and Rescue Fire Rangers (please note this ride will operate without water throughout the event period).
Ride opening dates and times:
3pm - 6pm
18th December
21st - 24th December
3pm - 7pm
5th - 6th December
12th - 13th December
19th - 20th December
Ride tickets can be purchased from the ticket machines opposite the Wristband Office or from Safari Souvenirs.
Prices are:
1 ticket – £2.00
4 tickets – £7.00
6 tickets – £9.00
Plus all this...
Festive Treats
Don't forget to head over to one of the festive food outlets to pick up your complimentary cookie and drink!
Mrs Claus' Crafts
Pop to Mrs Claus’ Craft Club to make some reindeer food and write your letter to Santa!
Safari Drive
Go on a four-mile winter Safari Drive to see some amazing animals from across the globe, from the comfort and warmth of your car!
Safari Walk
There's still lots to see on the Safari Walk including penguins, red pandas, meerkats, reptiles, lions, tigers and more!
Winter Wonderland
The Discovery Trail will be transformed into a magical winter wonderland with layers of ‘snow’ forecast every day!
Daily Talks
Stop by one of our fascinating daily talks to listen to our dedicated keepers share some fascinating facts about our animals.
Explorers' Play Park
Bring your little ones to Explorers’ Play Park, where kids can delve into the interactive zones, designed specifically for younger visitors!
VR Sleigh Ride
Be transported across the globe in Santa's sleigh, exploring wintery wonderlands in our Virtual Reality (VR) Santa Sleigh Ride experience!
Tickets charged extra: £4.00 per person. The full experience lasts five minutes.
PRICES
Standard Prices:
Adults (16+yrs) - From £23.95 - £37.95 (includes a visit to Santa in his Grotto, a drink and a cookie).
Children (3-15yrs) - From £23.95 - £37.95 (includes a visit to Santa in his Grotto, a photo with Santa to take home, own choice of present from the Elves’ Workshop, a drink and a cookie).
Under 3’s - £15.50 (includes a visit to Santa in his Grotto, a photo with Santa to take home, own choice of present from the Elves’ Workshop, a drink and a cookie).
Plus, entrance includes a Free Return Visit! (Valid for six months. T&Cs apply.)
Upgrade Prices:
For those with Annual Passes, Valid Free Return Codes*, or Winter Tickets.
Adults (16+yrs) – £15.50 (includes a visit to Santa in his Grotto, a drink and a cookie).
Children (0-15yrs) – £15.50 (includes a visit to Santa in his Grotto, a photo with Santa to take home, own choice of present from the Elves’ Workshop, a drink and a cookie).
Free Return Codes cannot be used on 12th & 13th December 2026, or 19th - 24th December 2026.
SCHOOL PRICES
Special discounted prices are available to groups of 10 or more people arriving in one vehicle.
- Adults (16+) - £15.50 (includes a visit to Santa in his Grotto)
- Children (0-15yrs) - £15.50 (includes a visit to Santa in his Grotto, a photo with Santa to take home, and own choice of present from the Elves’ Workshop)
How To Book: email groups@wmsp.co.uk
School Groups will receive 1 free supervisor per 5 pupils and have the option to add-on Festive Treats for £2.50pp (drink and cookie).
GROUP PRICES
Special discounted prices are available to groups of 10 or more people arriving in one vehicle.
- Adult (16+) - £20.00 (includes a visit to Santa in his Grotto, a drink and a cookie)
- Child (3-15yrs) - £20.00 (includes a visit to Santa in his Grotto, a photo with Santa to take home, own choice of present from the Elves’ Workshop, a drink and a cookie)
- Under 3 - £15.50 (includes a visit to Santa in his Grotto, a photo with Santa to take home, own choice of present from the Elves’ Workshop, a drink and a cookie).
Email to book: groups@wmsp.co.uk
Please note: all groups must confirm their final numbers at least 14 days in advance. Full payment is then due 7 days in advance. Groups and Excursions bookings will be able to exchange their vouchers for drinks and snacks at the Festive Food outlets. Groups and Excursions bookings will be automatically assigned to a 9am – 10am Santa’s Grotto time slot on weekends and during school holidays.
RELAXED SANTA SAFARI SESSIONS
We will be holding Relaxed Santa Safari Sessions on selected dates, for those who might find the full experience a little overwhelming.
Dates & Santa Timeslots:
Saturday 28th November - 09:00, 09:30 & 10:00
Wednesday 9th December - 14:00, 14:30, 15:00 & 15:30
The day will still provide guests with the same magical experience as you would expect at our Santa Safari event, with a slightly altered atmosphere to make all guests feel safe and comfortable. We understand everyone’s needs are different, and whilst we are unable to cater to each individual need, we hope that our amendments to this day help guests who enjoy a more relaxed setting.
What’s Different:
- No Animatronics – Moving and singing figures will be switched off so guests can enjoy a quieter experience without surprises from animated displays both in the Park and the Grotto.
- Static Lighting (Minimal Twinkling) – Lights in the Relaxed Santa Safari area will remain either static or have very minimal twinkling.
- Soft Background Music – The music volume will be significantly reduced throughout the Grotto experience. Santa is softly spoken in his tone, and is ready to meet all our guests, interacting as much as you’d like. Or you can just pass through and give him a wave!
- Optional Elevator Experience – Our immersive 360° elevator experience which transports guests to see Santa will be entirely optional for guests and staff will be on hand to guide you through alternative routes if desired.
- Low level Park Music – Areas around the rest of the Park will have low-level background music on Relaxed Santa Safari days, so guests can enjoy a quieter environment while moving between locations.
How to Book: Please email groups@wmsp.co.uk with your selected date and number of guests.
We look forward to celebrating Christmas with you in a safe, sensory-friendly way!
Selected dates
- 21st November - 24th December 2026
Exceptions
- Grotto closed on 23rd, 24th and 25th November 2026.
- Free Return not valid on 12th, 13th, and 19th–24th December
Ticket information
- Santa Grotto & Admission (Guest 3+): starts from £23.95 (midweek) / starts from £34.95 (peak)
- Winter Admission (Guest 3+): starts from £18 midweek / starts from
- £24 weekends (gate price £29.90)
- Santa Grotto Upgrade (all ages): £15.50
- Tesco vouchers can be redeemed on the day against admission (Tesco customers must still pay the Santa Grotto upgrade fee)
- Ticket partners: TBC
What’s included in Santa Safari tickets
Santa Safari tickets include access to:
- Safari Drive and Safari Walk areas (opening times vary by date)
- Snow-covered Winter Wonderland in the Discovery Trail
- Enchanted elevator experience
- North Pole and Elves’ Workshop walkthrough
- Santa’s log cabin grotto with Santa
- Mrs Claus’ Craft Room
- Storytime with Mrs Claus shows
Ticket inclusions
Adults (16+)
- Hot drink
- Cookie
Children (1–15)
- Photo with Santa to take home
- Choice of present from the Elves’ Workshop
- Hot or cold drink
- Cookie
Babies (0–12 months)
- Free entry to Santa’s Grotto
- No gift, photo, drink, or cookie included
- If you'd like to include the above, you can purchase a child aged 1-2 ticket instead.
Additional information
- Pushchairs are not permitted inside the grotto and must be left at the pushchair park at the owner’s risk
- Grotto time slots must be selected at booking and are strictly 30-minute arrival windows
- Late arrivals may not be admitted
- Santa Safari tickets include a Free Return ticket valid for 6 months (subject to T&Cs)
- VR Sleigh Ride experience available as an extra: £4 per person
- Panto available as an extra: prices start from £8 per person aged 3+ and £4 for children aged 1-2 years.
- Accessibility support is managed via Nimbus Disability (advance application required, minimum 7 working days)
Christmas Panto 2026
- The panto is available as an extra and can be booked as an add-on to Santa tickets, or a standalone ticket.
- Performances will be on selected exclusive dates between 18 – 31 December 2026.
Show times
- 12pm, 2pm, and 4pm on selected dates
- NEW evening performances at 6:30pm (18–23 December only)
- Daytime shows are 30 minutes long
- Evening shows are 60 minutes long (2 x 30min halves, with a 15 minute interval)
- Unallocated seating, first come first served
- Doors open 30 minutes before showtime; last entry 10 minutes before start
Panto tickets
- Add-on to Santa Safari or Winter Ticket: from £8.00 per person (under 1s free, must sit on a lap)
- Standalone panto ticket available (does not include park or Santa Safari access)