Santa’s Grotto
CastleCourt Shopping Centre – Making Christmas memories since 1990
Add a little magic to the festive season with a visit to see Santa Claus, at CastleCourt Shopping Centre. Located on our first floor (opposite the food court), you can find Santa and his busy elves in the Winter Wonderland grotto, ready to meet and greet the children with joy! We are working around the clock to check who’s on the nice list, welcoming children from the 18th November to the 24th December.
Launch Date – 18th November (Santa’s arrival parade at 12pm)
Closing Date – 24th December (Christmas Eve Santa goes back to the North Pole)
Santa will pop out at intervals for a rest break. This will vary depending on day of the week.
November Opening Hours
- Saturday 18th - 2pm- 5.30pm
- Sunday 19th - 12pm – 5.30pm
- Mon 20th – Wed 22nd - 11am – 5.30pm
- Thurs 23rd - Fri 24th - 11am - 7.30pm
- Saturday 25th - 10.30 - 5.30pm
- Sunday 26th - 12pm - 5.30pm
- Mon 27th - Wed 29th - 11am - 5.30pm
December Opening Hours
- Thurs 30th - Fri 1st - 11am - 7.30pm
- Saturday 2nd - 10.30am - 5.30pm
- Sunday 3rd - 12pm - 5.30pm
- Mon 4th - Wed 6th - 11am - 5.30pm
- Thurs 7th - Fri 8th - 11am - 7.30pm
- Saturday 9th - 10.30 - 5.30pm
- Sunday 10th - 12pm - 5.30pm
- Mon 11th - Fri 15th - 11am - 7.30pm
- Saturday 16th - 10.30am - 5.30pm
- Sunday 17th - 12pm - 5.30pm
- Mon 18th - Fri 22nd - 11am - 7.30pm
- Saturday 23rd - 10.30am - 5.30pm
- Sunday 24th - 11am - 3pm
Cost
Santa visit & gift: £7.50
Framed photo: £6.50
Luxe Christmas bauble: £6.50
Key ring: £4
Glitterbox: £12
Packages
Visit x 1 child + framed photo + bauble = £20
Visit x 1 child + framed photo + keyring = £17
Visit x 1 child + photo + bauble + keyring = £23
Visit x 1 child + 3 framed photos = £25
Families With Additional Needs
Quiet hour will be scheduled every Sunday from 12pm – 1pm at the Grotto. Mall entrance doors will open from 11.45am to allow access for those attending quiet hour only.
Grotto Accessibility
Lifts are located at the Royal Avenue entrance and the Smithfield Market entrance. Escalators and stairs are also available throughout the mall.
Can my child or children go into the grotto on their own?
All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Is there access for wheelchairs and buggies?
Yes, we have lifts located around at the Royal Avenue entrance and the Smithfield Market entrance for wheelchair users and prams.
Can I take photographs on my mobile phone?
Due to child safety reasons, we do not allow photography in the Grotto other than the camera operated by our elves.
Is booking required?
Families are invited to queue on the 1st floor for the Grotto. Please take note of signage which will indicate wait times at the queue.