Christmas Events 2025 – Where to see Santa / Father Christmas and the Best Christmas Events in Cardiff and South Wales

It’s time for Christmas 2025 and I’ve compiled all the best places you can meet Santa / Father Christmas in Cardiff and South Wales this year and included some of the best all round family-friendly events. Updated 29th October 2025.

Chat to others planning Christmas in the Christmas in Cardiff Facebook Group!

This page will be updated frequently and I post updates on Facebook. Follow me on Facebook for updates whenever something new is added to this page. Remember to always check with the venue before traveling to events for the most up to date information and to ensure no one is disappointed in Christmas 2025.

If you need to contact me to add an event or discuss anything else about Christmas in South Wales then email or direct messaging my page on Facebook is the best way.

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Christmas Events in Cardiff 2025

Cardiff’s famous light trail is back for another year, their fifth year at this location – promising more space on the trails and to have all new light shows for 2025! Visit Christmas at Bute Park for more information.

The Royal Mint Christmas Experience at The Royal Mint, Llantrisant – 22nd November 2025 to 23rd December 2025

Back for 2025 you can meet Santa and his Elves, enjoy a festive show in the cafe and get entry to the Royal Mint Experience exhibition. There are optional extras such as striking a coin and buying a photo gift. If you’d like to book, visit The Royal Mint Christmas Experience page. The first tour each day is their Autism Friendly Christmas Experience, with a smaller group, toned down sensory triggers and lower wait times.

Santa’s Grotto at Ikea Cardiff is back for 2025 and it’s great to see. This is a flexible, budget friendly Santa experience run by Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital Charity. There’s no need to book, a visit, gift and photo is £14 and adults are free. Quiet sessions on 10th and 17th December. For full opening times or more information visit Santa’s Grotto.

Sit down with Santa in the beautifully decorated Cardiff Castle. This ticket includes access to a selection of the Castle rooms, a themed treasure hunt, meeting Santa and choosing a gift. For more information, check out Santa at the Castle.

Cefn Mably Farm Park is a firm favourite of ours for many years ! This farm park not only has lots of animals to see and feed, it has an absolutely massive indoor soft play with loads of seating and a great cafe. There is a train that goes around the park and for Christmas this will turn into the magical Santa Express. The train station will be decorated and you’ll meet Santa and get a gift. There’ll also be Christmas crafts. Note that you need to book admission to the park and tickets for the Santa Express separately. Book tickets here.

Cardiff Christmas Festival 2025 – 5th December to 31st December 2025

There’s no Santa here but some amazing family productions so well worth a mention. Cardiff Christmas Festival 2025 is bigger than ever before and includes a variety of shows that are family friendly, including Jack Forst, A Magical Family Musical and A Christmas Carol – A Ghost Story for Christmas. There’s even a Taylor Swift Christmas Celebration event, as well as lots of Christmas themed musical shows such as Abba, Queen, Fleetwood Mac and more.

Cardiff Christmas Festival 2025 will take plate in a Spiegal Theatre tent in Sophia Gardens. For more information or to book tickets visit Cardiff Christmas Festival.

Sunday Lunch with Santa at Future Inns, Cardiff Bay – Sunday 7th, 14th, 21st December 2025

3 course festive Sunday lunch, children’s disco and a meet and greet with Santa in his Grotto. £35 adults, £21 under 12s, Under 2s are complimentary. For more information visit Future Inns Sunday Lunch with Santa.

You can have a kids breakfast, festive activity pack and the opportunity to meet Santa at Harvester restaurants.

Barry, Penarth, Cowbridge & Vale of Glamorgan

Christmas 2025 at Fonmon Castle including Meet Father Christmas, Rhoose – Various dates from 22nd November to 23rd December 2025

Christmas at Fonmon Castle includes Silver and Gold tiered options. There will be opportunities to have a private meet & greet with Santa, opportunities for afternoon tea, their Festive Garden light trail, a Christmas Story Trail and Live character shows. There are additional fun activities this year such as archery and axe throwing. For more information and to book tickets, visit the Fonmon Christmas booking page.

Christmas Experience and Meet Santa at Forage Farm Shop, Cowbridge – Various dates from 29th Nov – 23rd Dec 2025

Forage Farm Shop’s (Cowbridge) Christmas Experience returns for 2025 for another magical experience. It includes an Elf show and a visit to Santa, with opportunities to write letters, roast marshmallows, Christmas crafts and more. For more information or to buy tickets visit Forage Farm Shop Christmas Experience.

Swansea, Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire Area

Santa’s Grotto at Folly Farm – Weekends and selected dates from 8th November to 21st December 2025

Folly Farm offers a wonderful day out with its farm animals, exotic animals, indoor and outdoor play areas. Christmas events for 2025 include meeting Santa in his Grotto, meeting a Snow Princess and the Ice Queen in the Folly Farm Snow Globe and more. Prebooking not required, but double check the dates and more information can be found on Santa’s Grotto.

Luminate Wales at Margam Country Park, Bridgend/Port Talbot – 17th November to 31st December 2025

Luminate Wales is back for 2024 at Margam Country Park and Castle, an amazing venue which is well worth a visit any day, but when lit up with thousands of illuminations, is absolutely unbelievable. Visit Luminate at Margam Country Park for more information.

Winter Wonderland and Santa’s Grotto at Gower Fresh Christmas Trees – 22nd November to 24th December 2025

An extensive themed Santa’s Grotto complete with Elves, Reindeer and a visit to Santa. See the reindeer! Visit Swansea Winter Wonderland to book tickets. At the same location you can also visit the Gower Fresh Christmas Tree Light Trail, which is a spectacular illuminated trail (1km). Visit Gower Fresh Christmas Trees Light Trail for more information on that.

Dobbies Swansea is hosting several events for 2025 including Santa’s Arrival (Free event on 23rd November – More info), Santa’s Grotto from 23rd November to 24th December (More info) with a special quiet grotto on 5th December (More info), and the opportunity to meet Santa whilst enjoying breakfast at Santa’s Breakfast events from 29th Nov – 24th December (More info).

Santa Specials on board Gwili Railway Steam Trains, Carmarthen – Various dates from 26th November to 23rd December 2025

A scenic steam train trip with a present from Santa, Christmas storybook, photographs and special memories. Individual seats or compartments available. Visit Santa Specials.

The British Bird of Prey Centre, located in Idole, Carmarthen, is a fantastic day out for the family. You can meet over 20 native species, visit the indoor activity centre, play in the outdoor play area and enjoy the café. For 2025 The British Bird of Prey Centre is offering a 1.5 hour immersive experience during which you’ll take part in various craft activities, Visit Santa, enjoy a special Christmas flying show and have the opportunity to hold an owl. The entire event is indoors so if there’s bad weather, no problem. You can then enjoy the centre before or after your experience. Buy tickets.

Elsewhere in South Wales – Bridgend, Caerphilly, Rhondda, Newport, etc.

A traditional grotto returns to Zip World Tower near Aberdare, where you can meet santa and the elves, decorate a Welsh slate bauble, write a letter, enjoy a complimentary mince pie and hot chocolate. You can even upgrade to a Christmas Climber ticket. More information and booking.

Santa’s Toy Mine returns to Rhondda Heritage Park Museum, which is about 30-40 minutes drive from Cardiff. You’ll get a magical illuminated adventure through the Toy Mine, a visit to Santa’s Grotto and Story Time. There are quieter ALN sessions available on 8th and 9th December between 4-6pm. Book tickets.

Christmas Afternoon Tea with Santa Claus at Llanerch Vineyard Hotel – 19th December 2025

Llanerch Vineyard is an independent Welsh vineyard located just outside Cardiff. We had an amazing time here celebrating our anniversary! This magical event includes a festive afternoon tea in a festive woodland marquee, party games and children’s disco, and a visit to Santa. You can buy tickets here.

Not South Wales but still an Easy Drive away and Christmas events that are worth travelling for!

Santa Specials at Dean Forest Railway – Various dates from 29th November to 24th December 2025

Experience a magical Christmas train ride through the forest and meet Santa and his elves, with extra special Christmas Afternoon Tea or Christmas Picnic Box available as an additional purchase. Dean Forest Railway is about an hours drive from Cardiff. Check out the Santa Specials page on Dean Forest Railway.

Santa Special at Brecon Mountain Railway – Various dates from 29th November to 23rd December 2025

“Come see Santa at our beautiful Heritage Railway! Travel by a Steam Train from Pant Station to Pontistcill to meet Santa in his Grotto where every Child and Baby will receive a lovely present.” This very popular trip often books up quickly so book as soon as possible at Brecon Mountain Railway.

Cantref Adventure Farm is a fun day out for the whole family with farm attractions, farm animals, indoor soft play and outdoor fun too. For Christmas they have their Magical Winter Wonderland and Santa’s Grotto. There are crafts, games, shows and lots of Christmas fun to be had, followed by a visit to Santa and choosing a gift from the present room. Visit Santa Experience.

Cantref Adventure Farm is also dog friendly (on leads) and is one of the only Santa experience’s I’ve seen that’s good for the whole family including your furry best friend.

ASD / Sensory Friendly Christmas Events 2024

The Autism Friendly Royal Mint Christmas Experience at The Royal Mint, Llantrisant – 22nd November 2025 to 23rd December 2025

Back for 2024 the Royal Mint Christmas Experience offers an interactive experience with Santa’s Chief helpers. It includes exploring Santa’s Workshop and then meeting him in his cosy grotto. You can Strike your own festive coin and there are loads of photo opportunities. If you’d like to book, visit The Royal Mint Christmas Experience page.

This year The Royal Mint Christmas Experience are also offering an Autism friendly experience, with group capacity capped at 10 and sensory triggers reduced. The Autism Friendly experience is the first booking of each day.

Dobbies Swansea is hosting several events for 2025 including Santa’s Arrival (Free event on 23rd November – More info), Santa’s Grotto from 23rd November to 24th December (More info) with a special quiet grotto on 5th December (More info), and the opportunity to meet Santa whilst enjoying breakfast at Santa’s Breakfast events from 29th Nov – 24th December (More info).

Santa’s Toy Mine returns to Rhondda Heritage Park Museum, which is about 30-40 minutes drive from Cardiff. You’ll get a magical illuminated adventure through the Toy Mine, a visit to Santa’s Grotto and Story Time. There are quieter ALN sessions available on 8th and 9th December between 4-6pm. Book tickets.

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