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Two children in festive outfits writing Christmas lists.

Good news, there is no need to take the family all the way to the North Pole to visit Father Christmas.

Find Santa in Cornwall this Christmas at a host of fun Christmas events in St Ives and across the region.

Read on to find out all about where to find Father Christmas in Cornwall…


Father Christmas Arrival on RNLI Lifeboat 2023

As per the St Ives Christmas tradition, Father Christmas will visit Cornwall via lifeboat. With some help from his friends in the RNLI, Santa will ride the high tide between 18:30 and 20:30.

His sleigh will travel through St Ives from the Lifeboat Station to Royal Square and onto the balcony at Café Art.

Father Christmas will be greeted by the Mayor of St Ives for the official Christmas light switch on.

Where: TR26 1LF

When: Wednesday 13th Dec, 18:30 – 20:30

Find out more: Visit the St Ives Bid website.


Santa by Steam at Bodmin & Wenford Railway

Steam train on the Bodmin & Wenford Railway in Cornwall.
Bodmin & Wenford Railway’s Santa by Steam is back for 2023!

Enjoy a scenic journey in a historical Victorian carriage, where Santa and his elves will join the fun.

Your kids will love getting a photo with Father Christmas, and each child will receive an age relevant gift too.

Back at Bodmin General Station, little ones can take part in Christmas themed art and crafts, or snap a photo in Santa’s photobooth.

Where: PL31 1AG

When: Every weekend in December, Thursday 21st & Friday 22nd Dec. Departure times 10:00, 11:30, 13:00, 14:30.

Find out more: Visit the Bodmin Railway – Santa’s Grotto website.


Story Time With Santa at Bodmin & Wenford Railway

Another festive event organised by the lovely elves at Bodmin & Wenford Railway!

Story Time With Santa comprises a lovely evening of hot chocolate, cookies and Santa reading a story. A personalised book addressed to you by Santa will be waiting for you upon your arrival.

Afterwards, Santa will walk through the train to greet little ones and collect their Christmas lists.

The evening begins from 16:30 ready to board the carriages at 17:00. The station is open until 19:00, with the train remaining stationary throughout.

Where: PL31 1AG

When: 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th December.

Find out more: Visit the Bodmin Railway- Story Time with Santa website.


Father Christmas at Lappa Valley

Journey on the magical Lappa Valley steam train this Christmas. Meet Santa in Cornwall along with his team of elves in his grotto.

Every child receives a present and you can write and post your letter to Father Christmas!

There’s even mince pies and hot chocolate available to keep the adults entertained!

Where: St Newlyn East, Newquay TR8 5LX

When: 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 10th, 16th, 17th, 19th-24th December.

Find out more: Visit the Lappa Valley website.


Father Christmas visits The Lost Gardens of Heligan

A robin sat atop a fence at the Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall.
Make your trip to The Lost Gardens of Heligan even more magical and meet Father Christmas.

Returning for 2023, you can look forward to seeing St Nick in the wonderful surroundings of the Heligan Night Garden. Tickets include a meet and greet with the big man in red, as well as a festive evening of Christmas crackers, art and crafts, and toasted marshmallows.

Where: Pentewan, Saint Austell PL26 6EN

When: 1st – 24th December. Relaxed sessions Wednesday 20th 10:00 – 11:00 & 16:30 -19:00

Find out more: Visit the Lost Gardens of Heligan website.


Dine with Santa at Newquay Zoo

A meerkat keeping watch in Newquay Zoo in Cornwall.
Meet Father Christmas in Cornwall at Newquay Zoo this December.

Come along for a delicious breakfast or tea at Café Lemur, before taking part in a fun Christmas craft activity. Afterwards receive a special gift from Santa.

When: Breakfast: 16th, 17th, 23rd December. Tea: 19th, 21st December.

Find out more: Visit the Newquay Zoo – Breakfast with Santa website.


Father Christmas at the Eden Project

Eden Project in winter in Bodelva, Cornwall.
Watch the spectacular biomes at Eden Project come alive with winter and festive magic this December.

Your littles ones will be filled with wonder when they meet Father Christmas in this amazing setting.

Join Santa and his Elves in their enchanting log cabin for a behind-the-scenes look at where the magic of Christmas happens.

Each child will meet Father Christmas and will leave with a gift that they can grow.

Where: Bodelva, Par PL24 2SG

When: 1st-3rd, 8th-10th, 14th-24th December

Find out more: Visit the Eden Project – Father Christmas website.


A Day Before Christmas at Bedruthan

Catch Father Christmas getting some well-earned R&R before the big day.

Arrive at the Bedruthan and be welcomed into a world of magical festivities, where fires are lit, Christmas trees are up, and the smell of cinnamon fills the air.

Children will receive a Christmas toy, and will have the chance to create a beautiful Christmas list before meeting the man himself.

Where: Mawgan Porth, Cornwall, TR8 4BU

When: 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 18th, 19th December

Find out more: Visit the Bethruthan website.


Christmas with the National Trust in Cornwall

The National Trust have a beautiful range of festive events and activities on throughout winter.

Find out more at the National Trust – Christmas Days Out in Cornwall website.

Woodland Christmas at the Lanhydrock Hub

National Trust's Lanhydrock Castle in Cornwall.
Father Christmas will be making a trip to Lanhydrock. Families can explore the winter countryside trail before heading into this Santa’s grotto in Cornwall.

Even your pet pals are welcome to come along and receive a gift from Father Christmas!

The Park Café on site is the perfect place for a post-Santa visit pit-stop.

Where: Lanhydrock, Bodmin, PL30 4AB

When: 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th, 17th, 18th, 24th December

Find out more: Visit the Lanhydrock website.

Father Christmas at Trelissick

National Trust's Trelissick House and Gardens in Cornwall.
Join the team at Trelissick on the weekends to meet Father Christmas in Cornwall.

Throughout December, the garden, shop, café, gallery and second-hand bookshop will all be open.

Listen to Santa tell festive tales and stories before getting the chance to meet him. There’s relaxed sessions available with reduced crowds and noise levels.

Where: Feock, Truro, TR3 6QL

When: 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 10th, 16th – 23rd December. Relaxed sessions: 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 10th, 16th, 17th December 3:30pm.

Find out more: Visit the Trelissick website.

Father Christmas at Trerice

National Trust's Trerice in Cornwall.
Settle down for festive tales and traditions in Trerice’s beautiful drawing room. All children will leave with a present after having met Father Christmas.

Where: Kestle Mill, Newquay, TR8 4PJ

When: 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 10th, 16th – 23rd December.

Find out more: Visit the Trerice website.


Feeling in the mood for a festive break? Take a look at the collection cottages for Christmas breaks in St Ives and Carbis Bay.

Book a winter break, whether a New Year’s showdown or a Christmas get-together.


This post was adapted from original content by Tony Townsend.


(Robert PittmanCC BY-ND 2.0); (Karen RoeCC BY 2.0); (AisforAmy91CC BY-ND 2.0); (Robert PittmanCC BY-ND 2.0); (Robert PittmanCC BY-ND 2.0).