Where to see Santa in Edinburgh: Santa's Grotto and places to meet Santa near me

Plan your trip to see the jolly man in red today.

With Christmas around the corner, Santa will be making his way to houses all around the world.

Luckily, there are also spots where you and your family can meet him face to face around Edinburgh.

Here are all the places to meet Santa this year.

Take the family on a day trip out to see Santa in Edinburgh. Photo: Gustavo Fring / Pexels / Canva Pro.

Where to see Santa in Edinburgh

Santa’s Daytime Grotto, Edinburgh Zoo

Edinburgh Zoo is opening its gates for families to meet Santa and Mrs Claus, as well as receive a festive surprise.

You’ll need to book a slot in advance, with times from 11.15am to 3.45pm from December 4th to December 24th.

Meet Santa and come away with a festive gift all of your own. Photo: Yuganov Konstantin / Canva Pro.

Tickets to the Grotto do not include admission to the zoo itself.

Santa’s Grotto, Dobbie’s Garden Centre

Dobbie’s Garden Centre will welcome Santa to Grottos across Edinburgh this year.

Visitors will also receive a special gift, plus you can buy a photo of the day if you choose to.

Booking online will save you money on the entry fee, plus you can choose an age-appropriate toy for your child.

Entry starts from £11.99, although many dates in December have already sold out.

Times start at 10am each day and Santa’s Grotto will open from November 25th and run until December 24th.

Santa’s Grotto, New Town

As part of Edinburgh’s Christmas, Santa’s Grotto will return to West Princes Street Gardens.

Admission starts from £8.50 and visits will last 25 minutes each.

Each child can be accompanied by an adult for free, and you can purchase an extra adult ticket if needed for £5.

Plus, if you have an EH postcode, you can get 20% off the admission fee.

Breakfast with Santa, Apex Grassmarket Hotel

Tuck into a continental breakfast and pancakes at the Apex Grassmarket Hotel, while writing a letter to Santa and receiving a present for the Big Red Man himself.

Tickets cost £20 for adults, £15 for children aged 12 an over, and £10 for children under 12, including the food.

Georgian House Santa Experience, 7 Charlotte Square

Visit Santa in a quaint Georgian townhouse in New Town, where you’ll receive a special gift chosen just for you.

You’ll need to book online, with prices starting from £12 per child aged under 12, and £1 for adults to join them.

Each visit is 10 minutes long, with a maximum of four adults and six children.

The Santa Experience, Archerfield Walled Garden

Venture out to Archerfield Walled Garden to visit Santa and his elves, where he will tell a group story before meeting families individually to give them a present.

You can book a slot to meet him and explore the whole wintry experience at the following times:

- 3rd - 5th December, every 30 minutes from 10am to 5pm

- 10th - 12th December, every 30 minutes from 10am to 5pm

- 17th - 23rd December, every 30 minutes from 10am to 6pm

Tickets cost £14 for children, with one adult going in free per child and £6 extra for every other adult following.

Santa’s Secret Storeroom, The Eco Larder, 200 Morrison Street

Zero-waste supermarket, The Eco Larder, is welcoming a special guest to the storeroom this year, with Santa in attendance to give out eco-friendly toys and an festive eco-mission.

Tickets start from £13 for one adult and one child.