This Christmas there are tons of activities and events in Milton Keynes for you to visit with your family.

From visiting Santa’s Grotto, having breakfast with the man himself, Christmas lights being turned on, kids parties - the list goes on! Lots of these sell out really quickly but there are always options if you’ve missed out on the most popular events.

Where to see Santa

There are SO many places to see Santa around MK. The most popular ones sell out far in advance so don’t hang around!

Centre MK - Santa’s Grotto with Norbert the reindeer.
Price - Child £15.50 Adults & Babies £6.
’Families are welcomed into Santa’s wondrous reindeer stable, where they can experience the story of Santa’s newest reindeer, Norbert, in a heartwarming, immersive adventure.’

Dobbies Garden Centre - Belvedere Lane.
Price - £12.99
’Take in the atmosphere as you arrive at our enchanting forest, and after a warm welcome from the elves at Sleighbell Station, children will get to experience snowy scenes, spot woodland characters, find hidden nutcrackers, all culminating in the chance to meet Santa.’

Cherry Lane Garden Centre - Roman Way.
Price - £10.99.
Wander through a Christmas world to arrive at Santa’s Grotto! Meet Father Christmas for a charming chat and receive a special gift. A magical experience for the whole family to enjoy, sure to get you in the Christmas spirit.

Frosts Garden Centre - Woburn Sands.
Prices - 1 Child & 1 Adult = £32, 2 Children & 2 Adults = £58, 3 Children & 2 Adults = £78, 4 Children &  2 Adults = £98.
A VERY popular Santa experience in MK so make sure you book early to avoid disappointment! They also have three exclusive SEN sessions on the 17th & 24th November and 1st December.

Gulliver’s
Price - From £25pp
Gulliver’s have a few different packages including the Smasher and Cracker packages, which include different things.
Selected Christmas rides and attractions 10:30am - 4.30pm. Explore the winter wonderland and see Santa to receive a free gift.

Mead Open Farm - The Magic Of Christmas.
Prices start from £40 per child (£30 for adults)
This is more than just a Santa visit! Make it through the Naughty and Nice detector, The Pudding Club show (new for 2024), decorate gingerbread, visit Christmas HQ and much more!

Milton Keynes Museum
Price - £15 per child (plus a museum ticket from £10)
Father Christmas and his elves are busy setting up the grotto at the Museum so that he can meet as many of Milton Keynes’ good boys and girls as possible! 
He will meet families in his temporary workshop for three weekends in (Nov 29th- 1st Dec & 6th-15th Dec). 
You can enjoy all the Victorian Christmas festivities, participate in some Christmas craft and help Mrs Claus make some snacks for the reindeer, while you wait to meet the man in red!

Bletchley Park
Price - £14 per child (plus price of admission)
In the run-up to Christmas, Father Christmas will make time in his very busy schedule to visit us at Bletchley Park, and we will be decorating the Ballroom in the Mansion with toys and Christmas trees to make him feel more at home.
Individual families will have time in the Grotto, where children will meet with Father Christmas, have a chat and receive a special Christmas gift. Photos are welcome and one of Father Christmas’ helpful elves will be on hand to help take the perfect shot for you.
The Relaxed Vintage Christmas Grotto, for families with additional needs, will be from 10:00 on 30th November.

Thrift Farm (FYI - the website plays loud music when you open it)
Price - from £20 per child. £15 per adult. Includes access to the farm park.
With a sprinkle of festive magic, discover a truly festive family Christmas experience, with forever lasting memories! Your visit includes a story with Father Christmas, a toy, tree decoration making, mixing reindeer food and much more.

Age Uk Craft Fayre & Grotto
Last year Age UK didn’t announce information about their Winter Wonderland with Santa visit until the 27th November so please keep an eye on their Facebook Page for more info.

Christmas at Curly Tails
Price - £16pp
See Santa in his Grotto and everyone (including adults) receive a gift. Visit the pigs, feed and pet them over the fences.

Great Gelato
I’ve been informed that Great Gelato in Stony Stratford are having a Santa visit this year but the date is TBC. Keep an eye on their Facebook Page for any updates.

Breakfast With Santa

KiKis Cafe - No information as of yet. Their website is currently down and they are under new management so it’s worth keeping an eye out in case they update.

Dobbies Garden Centre - Belvedere Lane.
Prices (start from) Over 3years- £16.99, Under 3years - £13.99 Adults- £8.60
’Each child will get to build their very own festive soft toy to take home, meet Santa Claus and take part in storytelling and family-friendly activities . You'll start with a tasty breakfast before your little ones are gifted their special toy from Santa and then encouraged by him to fluff, stuff and name their toy to take home’

Cherry Lane Garden Centre - Roman Way.
Price - £13.99
’Join us for a freshly prepared breakfast, with Santa and his elves! Expect a fun-filled morning including balloon modelling and magic, a meeting with Santa, and a special present.’

Frosts Garden Centre - Woburn Sands.
Price - £26 per child, £28 per adult
A Christmas Afternoon Tea with Princess Beauty. Book early as this will be popular!

Frosts Garden Centre - Woburn Sands.
Price - £26 per child, £28 per adult
Christmas Afternoon Tea with the Ice Queen & Ice Princess. Join the ice princesses as they invite you to their very own afternoon tea. Full of magical games and the chance for a singalong this afternoon tea is as magical as it gets. Your little princesses and princes will enjoy a delicious afternoon tea fit for royalty.

Gulliver’s
Price - From £31
Enjoy the morning breakfast show with breakfast bap and a drink. Includes Christmas rides and attractions 10:30am - 4:30pm. Meet Santa and explore the Winter Wonderland, each child recieves a free gift.

The Three Trees
No information as of yet. Click above to visit their Facebook Page for any updates.

Christmas Lights Switch On

16th November 2024

MyMiltonKeynes Christmas Light Switch On - Central Milton Keynes
There will be lots of festive fun, dance and singing performances, a visit from Santa plus lasers, fireworks and more!

30th November 2024

Stony Stratford - A whole programme of events from 12:15pm to the lights turn on at 5pm. The lantern procession leaves York House Centre at 4:15.

Newport Pagnell - Stalls open at 10am with the lights turning on at 5pm.

Christmas/Winter Events & Family Parties

Panto

Peter Pan - MK Theatre. 6th Dec - 5th Jan.
This Christmas, soar high with Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, Wendy, and all your favorite characters in a swashbuckling adventure.

Aladin - Stantonbury Theatre. 17th - 18th, 20th - 24th & 27th-29th Dec
This classic tale tells the story of Aladdin, the poor street urchin who falls in love with a beautiful Princess but is thwarted at every opportunity by the evil scheming Abanazar, advisor to the Queen.

Beauty & The Beast - The Venue MK. 20thDec - 4th Jan
A handsome but vain prince is transformed into a beast and hides himself away in his castle. The spell can only be broken if he can learn to love, and be loved in return, by his 21st birthday.

Christmas Photo Shoots

Whether you’re expecting a Christmas newborn (congrats!) or want to capture the magic of this time of year as your little one grows, a Christmas Photo Shoot is the perfect way to do that.

Christmas Mini Photo Shoots take place in early/mid November to make sure you get your images back in time to share with family and friends. They’re open to all ages and are A LOT of fun!

If you’re expecting a baby in December, make sure you book early as December is a busy month for photographers! You don’t have to have Christmas themed photos but it’s always a lovely way to celebrate the time of year so have a chat with your photographer about the type of things you like.

Christmas with your dog!

Santa Paws At Divine Dog Groomers
A 15 minute visit with Santa for your dog for £10 (£5 for additional dogs) on 8th December.

Frosts Garden Centre - Woburn Sands. A Santa experience for your pup!
Price - £12.99 per one dog and owner. Extra Adults £3

Dobbies Garden Centre - Milton Keynes. 5th - 24th December 2024
For £9.99 your furry friend can enjoy a visit to see Santa and get a special dog toy to take away. Plus, if you want the complete family experience you can include a children’s ticket and they can meet Santa along with your pup 

Parties, Carols, Fayres and more!

Alpaca Evolution Christmas Fayre - I cant currently see anything about a 2024 Christmas Fayre but please check their Facebook Page in case they announce anything.

Carols at the Cathedral - 8th December - Tree Cathedral MK.
Price - Free.
Get into the spirit of Christmas and join us on Sunday 8th December from 2pm – 5pm at The Tree Cathedral for a festive afternoon enjoying live performances, storytelling, hot drinks, and sweet treats
We went to this in 2022 and it snowed! It was very magical.

Taking your family to Christmas events is one of the best parts of the festive season.  It’s where memories are made and there are always lots of photo opportunities for your family albums (yes you should be printing your phone pictures!).

If you think I’ve missed anything off this list, just drop me a message and I’ll add it in.

Hi, I’m Becki - a newborn & baby photographer based in Emerson Valley, Milton Keynes.

I specialise in photographing babies under 1 years old and create a relaxed, fun environment for you and your family to have a great photo shoot with images you’ll treasure forever.