If you’re looking for Family Christmas Events in 2022 please CLICK HERE to be forwarded as this is the old guide for 2021.
If you’re looking for Family Christmas Events in 2022 please CLICK HERE to be forwarded as this is the old guide for 2021.
If you’re looking for Family Christmas Events in 2022 please CLICK HERE to be forwarded as this is the old guide for 2021.
This year it’s looking like many restrictions will be lifted, allowing us to return to a new normal and enjoy Christmas 2021 with our families – that means light shows, spectacular Christmas shows, local crafts markets, party accessories, costumes and Christmas shopping and of course, visiting Santa! This guide covers all the Christmas family events I could find in 2021, including where to see Santa or Father Christmas in Cardiff and South Wales in 2021.
Please remember that I’m compiling a guide but I do not run any of these events, so please double check all details direct with the companies – links provided. I update this guide as often as I have new details, feel free to bookmark it and re-visit! Without further ado, here are the family friendly events for Christmas 2021.
Family Christmas Events, See Santa and Visit Father Christmas in Cardiff and South Wales – Updated 16th September.
Cardiff
Christmas at Bute Park, 25th November to 31st December 2021
Brand new for 2021 is the largest Christmas light trail Wales has ever seen, taking place in Bute Park, Cardiff. Visit their website for tickets and more information.
Believe at St David’s Dewi Sant
Tickets are now available for Believe at St David’s Dewi Sant in Cardiff city centre, running from Friday 26th November until Christmas Eve. This includes meeting elves, Christmas crafts and meeting Santa with a gift included.
Cardiff Santa & Elf Dash 2021, @ Cardiff Bay, December 5th 2021
Walk, run or simply support those raising money for charity in the Cardiff Santa & Elf Dash 2021. Starting at 12pm on Sunday December 5th at Cardiff Bay, you’re bound to see lots of people in festive outfits. If you want to take part all ticket money goes to charity, children, pushchairs and dogs are welcome and you can simply walk the route. Visit the website for more information.
Breakfast with Santa at The Sand Martin, Cardiff, December 11th & 12th 2021
The Sand Martin is hosting breakfast with Santa on December 11th & 12th 2021. More information on their Facebook Page.
Brunch with Santa at The Exchange Hotel, Various Dates in December
The Exchange Hotel are running multiple Christmas events, including brunch with Santa, Frozen Christmas Brunch and Festive Motown Afternoon Tea. Visit their Christmas 2021 Page for more details.
Breakfast with Santa at your Local Harvester, Various Dates in December
The Harvester is offering kids breakfast, a drink, and a visit from Santa from £6.99. Pre-booking is essential and you’ll need to check availability at a Harvester near you.
Sunday Lunch or Afternoon Tea with Santa at Future Inns, Cardiff Bay, Various Dates in December
Future Inns are offering a variety of family friendly Christmas food events, including Sunday Lunch with Santa and Afternoon Tea with Santa. More information here.
Santa’s Tea Party at the Celtic Manor (Virtual Santa), Various Dates in December
The Celtic Manor Resort are offering Afternoon Tea with a virtual meet and greet with Santa direct from the North Pole. Santa’s Elves will be offering entertainment, and there will be a gift for each child. More information.
Cardiff Christmas Market, 11th November – 23rd December.
Whilst this isn’t a specific family event, it is lovely to do a bit of local shopping and go after dark to see the wonderful lights on all the craft stalls and get the whole family in the mood for Christmas. In 2021 the Cardiff Christmas Market is running in the city centre from 11th November to 23rd December. For more information visit their website.
Breakfast with Santa @ Toby Carvery, Various locations across Cardiff and South Wales
Toby Carvery are offering Breakfast with a visit from Santa at their various locations all the way up to Christmas Eve. See their website to book.
South Wales
Luminate at Margam Country Park, 18th November – 24th December
Margam Country Park have confirmed their Luminate light trail with tickets needing to be booked in advance. For more information visit their website.
Christmas Enchanted Adventures @ Fonmon Castle, near Barry, December
Throughout December you’ll find a Santa Show, festive lights, themed walks, rides and a festive market at Fonmon Castle, alongside their existing popular medieval and dinosaur attractions. Book Tickets.
Sunday Lunch, Brunch or Afternoon Tea with Santa @ Miskin Manor Hotel, Pontyclun, Various Dates in December
Miskin Manor Hotel and Health Club, around 20 minutes from Cardiff, is holding a variety of Santa events for Christmas 2021, including Sunday Lunch and Afternoon Tea with Santa. Visit their Facebook Page for more information.
Various Family Christmas Events @ Bryn Meadows Hotel, Ystrad Mynach, Various Dates in December
Bryn Meadows is hosting family friendly breakfast, Sunday lunch and afternoon tea with visits from Santa, as well as Children’s Disco events with Santa too, both daytime and evening! See their events page for more details.
Breakfast with Santa and Santa’s Grotto at Dobbies Garden Center, Swansea
Dobbies Garden Center in Swansea is offering Breakfast with Santa and Santa’s Grotto. Find details on their events page.
Breakfast, Sunday Lunch or Afternoon Tea with Santa @ Heronston Hotel, Bridgend
Heronston Hotel are putting on a variety of events across December, including Breakfast with Santa, Sunday Lunch with Santa, and Festive Afternoon Tea with Santa. More information on their website.
Santa’s Tea Party @ Celtic Manor Resort, Newport
The iconic Celtic Manor Resort are offering a livestreamed virtual visit from Santa – so this includes a video call with Santa and Afternoon Tea. See more on their website.
Christmas Sessions at Tots Play, Rogerstone
Tots Play is a role play centre in Rogerstone, and they’ll be running 2 hour Christmas party sessions on 11th and 18th December. See their website for more information.
Further afield but within easy driving distance of Cardiff and South Wales
Santa Specials at Dean Forest Railway
This steam train experience near Gloucester offers Santa specials where you can meet Santa and his Elves, as well as optional Christmas Afternoon Tea on board! Available to book now.
Christmas Family Fun Day @ The Helicopter Museum, Weston Super Mare, December 12th 2021
Santa will be arriving by helicopter at this Christmas Family Fun Day at The Helicopter Museum in Weston Super Mare, along with Christmas market and Winter Wonderland, so that’s certainly something different! Approximately 1 hour 10 minutes drive from central Cardiff. Find out more information about this event.
Father Christmas at Clearwell Caves, Gloucester, 3rd – 24th December 2021
Christmas is going ahead at Clearwell Caves in Gloucester but tickets are not yet on sale. Pre-booking has been announced for the end of September, when I’ll update here with more details. This is about a 1 hour drive from Cardiff, or 1 hour 30 from Swanesa so very accessible for travel from South Wales.
Christmas at Perrygrove Railway, Gloucester
Twilight Train Trips and a visit with Father Christmas, click here for more information.
Not Yet Announced / To Be Confirmed – Last checked 4th September.
These Family friendly Christmas Events will no doubt have plenty of opportunities to see Santa – but they’re not yet confirmed, so keep an eye on their websites and Facebook pages and I’ll update these as soon as I have more information.
Cardiff Castle
Cardiff Castle usually has Christmas events. Last year they had an outdoor Winter Wonderland, but in previous years we’ve seen Victorian Christmas and Visit Santa. No details yet announced for 2021. Keep an eye on their website.
Santa at Cottrell Park Golf Resort
Cottrell Park Golf Resort have previously run Santa events, but there’s no news about 2021 yet. Stay up to date by following their Facebook page.
Santa’s Grotto, Elf Workshops and Reindeer Grotto at Playworks The Meadows, Caerphilly
Playworks the Meadows have run Christmas events in the past, but no news yet for 2021. For more information click here.
Caerphilly Mountain Ranch
Will almost certainly run something, but no specific details yet. Check their website.
Gower Fresh Christmas Trees Santa Grotto and Reindeer
Gower Fresh Christmas Trees usually offer a Santa’s Grotto along with their Reindeer Visits and of course, amazing fresh cut Christmas trees. They are currently focusing on upcoming Pumpkin Picking and Halloween events, but I’ll be sure to update this when their Christmas events are announced.
Gilestone Manor Winter Wonderland and Santa’s Grotto
Nothing Announced Yet. Check their website.
Blaenavon Heritage Railway have confirmed they will be running a 2021 Santa Special but no specific details yet.
Santa’s Toy Mine at Rhondda Heritage Park
They have confirmed on social media they WILL be running in 2021! Yes! Watch this space.
Brecon Mountain Railway
There’s a Santa Specials page online on the website, but no dates in December available to book yet so it’s unclear what the schedule is for 2021 at the moment.
Gwili Railway in Carmarthenshire
Gwili Railway usually offers Christmas events, but hasn’t announced anything concrete for 2021 yet. Keep an eye on their page for more details.
Caerphilly Christmas Market
The details for 2021 are still waiting to be confirmed, so watch this space.
Christmas at Swansea Bay
Details yet to be confirmed, so watch this space.
Cancelled / Not going ahead in 2021
Pugh’s Garden Center
Sadly Pugh’s have confirmed on Facebook that they will not be running their Santa experiences in 2021.
1 Comment
This is so helpful! Thank you so much 😊