Santa's Grotto and Quiet Grotto at Dobbies Garden Centres

Photo credit Stewart Attwood

Step into the magic at Dobbies’ Grotto.

Dobbies’ Santa’s Grotto and Quiet Grotto experiences have an exciting North Pole adventure inspired theme, and four-legged friends are also invited to join the fun with Santa Paws.

At Santa’s Grotto, children will experience a North Pole inspired Grotto, before meeting Santa Claus. The 2025 Santa’s Grotto has adventure as its core with activities along the way as children journey through an ice-inspired world, take part in polar games such as snowball basketball and make some reindeer food. Children will then meet Santa to share their Christmas lists and wishes, before receiving a special gift.

This year’s Santa’s Grotto is set to be the best yet and is running from 23rd November to 24th December at selected Dobbies stores. The event is priced at £14-£16 per child (date dependent). Photographs with Santa are also available during visits, with reduced rates at the time of booking.

Dobbies’ Quiet Grotto takes place on Friday 5th December and will offer a more relaxed and inclusive experience for children with additional needs. These sessions ensure no queuing on the day, a reduced number of people in the grotto area, twinkling lights are removed and grotto music is turned off. Prior to visiting, Quiet Grotto customers will also be emailed a photo of the specific grotto they will be visiting to help prepare the children for their experience.

Dobbies was founded in Scotland in 1865, and as the 160th year celebrations wrap up, Dobbies are turning to the future, with every Santa’s Grotto and Quiet Grotto ticket purchased helping to support The Dumyat Project planting of up to 3,000 native trees in this beautiful region of Scotland.

This year, families are encouraged to include their four-legged friends in the Christmas fun. Santa Paws, an experience specifically designed for dogs, is back and bigger than ever with increased capacity to meet demand. At Santa Paws, dogs will get the chance to meet Santa and his elves, take part in a sniff-ari activity and capture a special memory with Santa Claus, before receiving a special gift. Santa Paws is running from 29th November to 24th December, with tickets from £10.50.

Tickets for all events and experiences are on sale now with an option to make a donation during your purchase to Dobbies’ National Charity Partner, Alzheimer’s Research UK.

Please click here to learn more about Christmas events and make a booking.