(For Christmas 2017 – Heigh-Ho Ho Ho, it’s off to the grotto we go – please click here)

Halloween is another year away and Bonfire Night 2016 has seen its last explosion so… it must be time for the countdown to Christmas!

Such an attitude is definitely new to a previous rather Bah Humbug me but having children does tend to change you in many ways.  No one wants their mini ones to miss out on any fun if they can help it but that often means planning and booking ahead – also new skills I need to acquire!

If your children are hoping to meet Father Christmas ahead of the big day then take a look at the list of where he and his helpers will be appearing in and near Lincolnshire this year and follow the link to see if you need to book.  Be sure to be checking it more than twice as we’ll be adding to it if we find somewhere new and, if you know we’ve missed one, then please email hello@theminimalpi.co.uk 

arkwildlifeArk Wildlife Park, Stickney – Santa’s Grotto
Various December dates
Visit Facebook page

baytreeBaytree Garden Centre, Weston, Spalding
Everyday until Christmas Eve
Winter Wonderland, Grotto and reindeer
Visit www.baytree-gardencentre.com

Belton House, near Grantham
Various December dates
Winter Grotto, breakfasts and suppers with Father Christmas
Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/belton-house/

Bracebridge Heath Village Christmas Party
December 4
Tickets can be purchased from the Little Pottery Studio.
Visit Bracebridge Heath Events Facebook

santabriggBrigg Garden Centre
Daily until Christmas Eve
Grotto experience includes a train ride, bouncy castles, photo booth, elves toyshop and more.  Breakfasts and teas with Santa also available.
Visit www.britishgardencentres.com

Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway – Santa Specials
December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17-24
Visit www.cclr.co.uk

The Deep, Hull – Santa Specials
Various December dates
Visit www.thedeep.co.uk

fb_img_1479500424776Digby Memorial Hall – Digby Christmas Market
November 19, 11am-4pm
Visit Facebook event

Doddington Hall – Father Christmas
December 4th, 7th, 17th & 18th
Meet the Christmas Elves, share your Christmas wishes with Father Christmas and receive a small present per child.
Visit www.doddingtonhall.com

Downtown Garden Centre, Grantham – Meet Santa
Various dates from November 19th to December 24th
Breakfast and supper with Santa events also available.
Visit www.oldrids.co.uk

Downtown, Lincoln – Visit Santa and Tea with Santa
December 10 and 11
Visit www.oldrids.co.uk

Eleanor Cafe and Tearoom, St Katherine’s Heritage Centre, Lincoln – Join Santa for lunch
December 17th
Santa is taking a break from his workshop and is calling into The Eleanor Cafe and Tearoom for his lunch. He will be having a nice hot bowl of soup and some crusty bread, would you like to join him?
Visit Facebook event

Fillingham Christmas Trees, Castle Farm – Woodland Grotto
December 3rd, 4th, 10th & 11th
Visit www.fillingham-trees.co.uk

fb_img_1479836335204Great Fen Day Nursery, Boston – Christmas Party
December 15
Visit Facebook event

Hildreds Centre, Skegness – Pirate Castle Grotto
Visit www.hildredsshoppingcentre.co.uk

fb_img_1479231582812Holly Tree, Washingborough – Christmas Extravaganza
December 17th, 4pm-7pm
Soft play, mini disco, party games, face painting and visit from Santa.
Visit Holly Tree Facebook

Hykeham Lions – Christmas Sleigh Run
From December 3
Visiting areas of North Hykeham, South Hykeham, Lincoln, Waddington, Witham St Hughs and Skellingthorpe
Visit www.hykeham-lions.co.uk

Johnsons Garden Centre, Boston – Visit Santa
Various November and December dates
Breakfast with Santa also available.
Visit www.johnsonsofboston.co.uk

Kelham Hall, near Newark – Christmas Fayre
November 26th and 27th
Visit Kelham Hall Facebook

castlesantaLincoln Castle – An Audience with Father Christmas
December 10th, 11th, 17th, 18th, 21st, 22nd & 23rd
Join Father Christmas as he tells stories of Victorian Christmases of the past. Every child will receive a Victorian style gift and get an opportunity to meet the man himself and tell him their Christmas wishes.
Visit www.lincolncastle.com

santafunrunLincoln Santa Fun Run & Walk 2016
December 11th, 11.30am
Not your traditional visit to a grotto but a very fun experience to take part in or spectacle to watch where you’re certain to see many men (and women and children and dogs!) in red.
Visit www.lincolnsantafunrun.co.uk

firefighterssantaLincolnshire Fire & Rescue – Santa’s Sleigh 2016
From December 12
Every year, Santa joins forces with firefighters and goes on a tour around the county to help raise money for charity.
Visit here for the routes he will be taking

Lincolnshire Food and Gift Fair, Lincolnshire Showground – Santa’s Workshop
November 26th and 27th
Christmas storytelling, festive baking and hands-on craft activities for children – and even a visit from Father Christmas himself!
Visit www.lincolnshireshowground.co.uk

Lincolnshire Wildlife Park, Friskney – Santa’s Grotto 
December 10 and 11
Visit www.lincswildlife.com

Lincolnshire Wolds Railway, Ludborough – Santa Specials 2016
December 10th, 11th, 17th and 18th
Visit https://lincolnshirewoldsrailway.co.uk

LMS Country Store, Wellingore – Christmas Market
November 26th
In aid of Cancer Research.  Lots of stalls, raffle prizes and a visit from Father Christmas.
Visit LMS Facebook

Metheringham Swimming Pool – Breakfast with Santa
December 10th
Visit Metheringham Swimming Pool Facebook

The Natural World Centre, Whisby – A Crackin’ Christmas Celebration!
December 11th
Includes Santa’s Grotto.
Visit Natural World Centre Facebook

fb_img_1479325099250Nocton Community Primary School – Christmas Fayre
December 13th, 3pm-6pm
Visit Facebook event

Normanby Hall Country Park, near Scunthorpe – Father Christmas in his Grotto
December 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th, 17th and 18th
This includes meeting Father Christmas, a special gift, a ride on the miniature railway and a Christmas activity sheet.
Visit www.nlcdev4.co.uk/christmas-at-normanby/

funfarmlunchNorth Hykeham Fun Farm – Out for Lunch with Santa
December 7th
Toddler Christmas lunch. Come and lunch with Santa, have a private chat and present from Santa and eat an amazing hot traditional Christmas lunch.
Visit Fun Farm Facebook Event

North Scarle Miniature Railway, North Scarle Playing Field – Santa Specials
December 11th and 18th
Visit http://www.lincolnmes.co.uk/events/

Oldrids, Gainsborough – Visit Santa and Tea with Santa
December 3 and 4
Visit www.oldrids.co.uk

Oliver Boat Trips, Brayford, Lincoln – Santa’s Grotto
November 12th to Christmas Eve
Visit Oliver Boat Trips Facebook

The Pink Pig Farm, near Scunthorpe – Santa Woodland Adventure
December 10th to 23rd
Walk through the enchanted elf woodland, write a letter to Santa, make reindeer food with Mrs. Claus and meet the man himself in his grotto.
Visit www.pinkpigfarm.co.uk

Rand Farm Park, near Wragby – Real Christmas Experience
Various November and December dates
Breakfast with Santa also available
Visit http://randfarmpark.com

Reepham School – Christmas Fayre
December 10, 11.30am-2pm
Stalls, games, chilli dogs, raffles, special guest Santa, join Elsa and Anna for a sing-along.
Visit Facebook event

Ritz Cinema, Lincoln – Film screenings with Father Christmas Visits
Various December dates
Films include Elf, The Polar Express, Santa Claus The Movie, The Grinch and The Nightmare Before Christmas
Visit http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/

The Ritz, Lincoln – Breakfast with Santa
December 10 and 11
Visit Facebook event

Rushmoor Country Park, North Cockerington, Louth – Breakfast and Lunch with Santa
Christmas Eve
Visit www.rushmoorpark.co.uk

santashideawaySanta’s Hideaway, near Horncastle
November 26th and 27th, December 3rd, 4th and 10th-24th
Visit Santa’s Hideaway Facebook

The Showroom, Lincoln – YMCA Community Christmas Cracker
December 23rd, 11am-3pm
Meet Father Christmas, step in to Santa’s Grotto, Rodeo-Raindeer, Christmas crafts, face painting, games and more.
Visit The Showroom Facebook

sk8zwithsantaSK8Z, Gainsborough – Skate with Santa
December 10th, 2pm and 4pm.
Call 01427 760 150.
Visit http://play.sk8z.co.uk/

Springfields, Spalding
December 1st
Father Christmas arrives in the Springfield Grotto via the land train at 7pm.
Visit http://springfieldsshopping.co.uk/events/

St Mark’s Church, Grimsby – Christmas Disco
December 11
Visit www.kingofthepartycastlehire.co.uk

fb_img_1479828800630Suncastle Skegness – Santa’s Family Christmas Party
December 18
Visit Facebook event

Sundown Adventureland – Night Before Christmas
From November 19th
This includes park entry for the day, use of all the rides and attractions, the Night before Christmas ride and a visit to Santa.
Visit https://tickets.sundownadventureland.co.uk

Tension Exit Games – Saving Santa
Visit www.tensionexitgames.co.uk

Wacky Warehouse, Lincoln 
December 4th: Breakfast with Santa
December 10th: Santa’s Supper

santasgrottowelton

Waterside, Lincoln – Santa’s Grotto
December 1 to Christmas Eve
Visit www.waterside.com

Welton Pre-School – Santa’s Grotto
December 17th, 3pm
Visit Welton Pre-School

White Post Farm, Farnsfield – Christmas 2016
From November 26th
Breakfast with Santa and Christmas evenings also available
Visit http://whitepostfarm.co.uk/

Wragby Town Hall – Christmas Craft & Gift Fair
November 27
Visit Facebook post