From Lowestoft to Southwold and Bury St Edmunds to Ipswich, where you can meet Santa Claus in Suffolk this festive season

Father Christmas will be in Suffolk this festive season – but fret not if you have not yet booked your visit, as SuffolkNews has found plenty of Santas still with availability this year.

From Lowestoft to Southwold and Bury St Edmunds to Ipswich, read on for some of the best Santa experiences and grottos to inspire you this festive season.

And if you don’t mind travelling a little further afield, we have also tagged a few events in Norfolk and Essex on to the end of our list.

Santa Fun at Hollow Trees Farm, Semer, December 12-22

The Hollow Trees Farm Fun with Santa experience includes a festive meal, visit to Santa and plenty of holiday joy.

Children will receive a Christmas activity goody bag; the chance to visit Santa in his grotto and receive a gift from Santa, as well as meet Santa’s elves.

Ticket prices start at £24 for children and £9 for adults.

Dobbies, Bury St Edmunds and Woodbridge, November 28-December 24

The year’s Dobbie’s festive experience includes a train-themed journey for children and families, complete with interactive elements and a meeting with Santa himself.

Children are encouraged to share their excitement, wishes and stories before receiving their gift. Professional photos will also be available.

Tickets cost £12.99 per child.

Santa’s Christmas Show, Lowestoft on December 14 and 15, Thetford on December 21 and Southwold on December 23 and 24

Make Christmas special with a visit to the North Pole to meet Santa and all of his friends at this fun family ‘Santamime’ full of festive songs, chaotic comedy, audience participation and the big man himself.

After the show there will be the opportunity to grab a photo with Santa during the meet and greet to collect a limited edition gift.

Santa’s Christmas Show is at Lowestoft Players Theatre, The Carnegie in Thetford and Southwold Arts Centre.

Christmas grotto at Lackford Lakes, December 14 and 15

Children can visit Father Christmas in his grotto at Lackford Lakes this December. All children will have a chance to talk to Father Christmas, have their photo taken and receive a wildlife-themed gift

Tickets cost £10 per child, including a gift.

Christmas in the Park, Henham Park, December 14 and 15

A new event is taking place in the grounds of Henham Barns, with a sleigh full of Christmas magic including a shopping marquee filled with crafts and gifts, a festive food hall complete with cookery theatre, a heated dining hall, funfair and… the chance to pay a magical visit to a Father Christmas Experience.

Online advance tickets cost £8 adults, £7 concessions, £5 children (Father Christmas Experience add-on costs £23.50).

Santa’s Grotto, Stonham Barns, November 23, 24, 30, December 1, 8, 14, 15, 21-24

Visit Stonham Barns to see Santa in his enchanted walk-through grotto and meet the elves Snowball, Sparkle, Holly, and Tinsel, before children can talk to Father Christmas about their hopes for the coming year and receive a gift.

Tickets cost £10 per child.

Santa’s Workshop, Kersey, November 30-December 22

Best suited to children aged three to nine, the Kersey Mill Santa’s Workshop experience includes an enchanted journey through magical gardens into Santa’s Workshop to meet the man himself, Mrs Claus, the Christmas Fairy, the sweetie elves and other surprise characters.

The price – £40 – includes a Santa’s helper apron; bracelet; backpack; book; jingle bells; reindeer food; sweets, clementine; candy cane; face paint; a train ride; swing boat ride, crafts and other surprises.

Meet Father Christmas and Christmas Show, Easton Farm Park, November 30, December 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 23, 24

Go to Easton Farm Park this festive season, where you can meet Father Christmas, choose a gift, enjoy a family-friendly Christmas show, make tasty treats in Mother Christmas’ kitchen, join in with extra free craft activities around the farm, meet the animals and join in with the daily activities and rides.

Tickets cost £23.95 children, adults £12.95.

Elveden Grotto, Elveden, weekends December 7-22

Children can visit Santa in his magical little house every weekend from December 7-December 22, 10.30am-3.30pm, at The Elveden Courtyard.

Each ticket will receive a present (suitable from birth up until 11 years) and chocolate coins, while there is the opportunity to have a photograph taken which can be transformed into a printed photo. Tickets cost £10 per child.

Breakfast with Santa, Jimmy’s Farm, near Ipswich, November 30-December 24

Santa’s helpers will be on hand to serve a delicious breakfast before the appearance of the Big Man himself at Jimmy’s Farm.

Santa will greet everyone in a fully immersive, magical experience which includes: breakfast; a gift for every child and a bauble to colour in; a magic show and photo opportunity with Santa.

Tickets cost £25 per child, £20 for adults. Park entry is not included, however tickets can be purchased at a reduced rate of £12.50pp.

Dickensian Christmas, Kentwell Hall, Long Melford, December 7, 8, 14, 15

Experience the magic of a traditional Victorian Christmas at Kentwell Hall, where you can immerse yourself in the world of Charles Dickens, where costumed characters bring the 19th century to life.

Meet Father Christmas, sample seasonal treats and explore the grounds. Adults £37, child aged four-seven £25, child aged eight-15 £30 (children three and under free).

Santa’s Red Nose Rescue, Theatre Royal Christmas Cabin, arc Shopping Centre, Bury, November 29-December 24

Theatre Royal’s Christmas Cabin is back for its third year with a festive, interactive mini-performance for children aged two to seven and their families.

Step inside Santa’s living room as he prepares for the biggest night of the year. But just as Santa is wrapping the final presents and packing the sleigh, there’s a problem: One of his reindeer is poorly and without them, the magical sleigh cannot deliver the presents.

Help Santa and the reindeer take to the skies and complete their Christmas quest. Tickets £5-£7 per person.

Santa’s Christmas Grotto, Foxburrow Nature Reserve, December 7

This Christmas enjoy an eco-friendly magical visit to Santa's grotto, with a quieter experience that is still magical and welcoming. The miller's barn is transformed into a beautiful grotto for the Christmas season, where Santa is making a special trip to greet children for a chat, photos and gifts.

Youngsters can also make a lantern, potato print eco-friendly wrapping paper and make wildlife-friendly reindeer food. Tickets cost £10.

Meet Santa and Christmas gift fair at Beach Street, Felixstowe, December 7, 14

Get ready for a magical holiday experience at Beach Street, for its traditional Christmas-themed grotto, where Santa and his cheerful elf will be waiting to hear holiday wishes, with each child receiving a festive goody bag.

Grotto tickets cost £10 per child (plus booking fee).

Further afield:

The Enchanted Midwynter Festival and Secret Festive Grotto, Wyvernwood, Essex, November 30-December 24

Jingle in the Jungle, Banham Zoo, Norfolk, December 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22

Colne Valley Railway Santa train rides, Colne Valley Railway, Essex, November 30-December 24

Santa’s Grotto, Thetford Garden Centre, Norfolk, December 30-November 24

Christmas at Bressingham, Norfolk, November 24-December 24

Magic of Christmas, Colchester Zoo, Essex, November 23, 24, 30, December 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 19-24

Dippy’s Christmas Celebration, ROARR!, Lanwade, Norfolk, November 30-December 24

Visit Father Christmas at Church Farm, Stow Bardolph, Norfolk, November 30-December 23

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