- Santa's Grottos
- All Ages
Santa's Stories at Edinburgh's Christmas
Edinburgh's Christmas · Edinburgh, Edinburgh and Lothian · 20th November to 24th December 2026
About this event
Santa's Stories is part of Edinburgh's Christmas in West Princes Street Gardens, near the Ross Fountain, and runs from 20 November to 24 December 2026. Each performance lasts about 20 minutes, with session times that vary by date and sit in the booking calendar.
Families settle into Santa's cabin with hot chocolate and blankets for a festive story session, then meet Santa and his helpers. Each child's ticket includes a special gift and a photo opportunity with Santa.
Tickets are sold as a Child plus Included Adult ticket, which covers one child and one adult. Up to four Additional Adult tickets can be added per child ticket, and one adult can accompany up to four children. Every child needs a ticket whatever their age, and the show is rated for age 0 and above.
Relaxed performances run on 17 dates, with smaller groups, music lowered or off, no flashing lights or loud noises, a fully wheelchair accessible grotto and staff trained in disability awareness. BSL interpreted performances run on 2 December at 16:30 and 17:00 and on 17 December at 17:30 and 18:00. There is no room inside for prams or buggies, but a buggy park is provided.
Stories in Santa's cabin
Rather than a quick grotto queue, this is a 20 minute story session in Santa's cabin, with hot chocolate and blankets, before children meet Santa and his helpers and leave with a special gift and a photo.
Relaxed and BSL performances
Relaxed performances run on 17 dates with smaller groups, lower or no music and no flashing lights, in a fully wheelchair accessible grotto, and four BSL interpreted performances run on 2 and 17 December.
In the middle of Edinburgh's Christmas
The cabin sits in West Princes Street Gardens near the Ross Fountain, at the centre of Edinburgh's Christmas, and EH postcode residents get 20 per cent off with the EH Resident Child plus Adult ticket.
Plan your visit
Dates and times
20th November to 24th December 2026
20 November to 24 December 2026
Performances last about 20 minutes
Session times vary by date
Arrive 10 minutes before your booked time
Relaxed performances 12:30 on 22, 29, 30 November and 1, 6, 13 December; 16:30 on 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23 December; 15:00 on 24 December
BSL performances 2 December 16:30 and 17:00, 17 December 17:30 and 18:00Ages
All Ages
Getting there
VIP Pass
Members save at selected Christmas days out
Frequently Asked Questions
Most asked questions relating to Christmas.
From Santa's grottos and magical light trails to winter farm parks, theme park celebrations and immersive festive experiences, the UK has plenty of Christmas days out for all ages. Our Christmas Events hub highlights the most popular and top-rated options to help you choose the perfect adventure.
