A Christmas activity where children can meet Father Christmas at The Santa Experience in York.
City Cruises York are running The Santa Experience this Christmas, with dates from 21 November to 23 December 2026. It's a Christmas special that runs across that whole period, so you've got a fair few weeks to fit it in around the school run and the rest of the December rush.
The whole thing is based at The Boatyard, which is tucked away underneath Lendal Bridge in the centre of York. From there, families head into Santa's Grotto for a meeting with Father Christmas. It's a straightforward setup: you take the kids along, they get their turn with Santa, and that's the main event. Because it runs over so many dates, you can pick a day that works for you rather than having to scramble for a single slot.
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Since it's right under Lendal Bridge, it's easy to get to on foot from the city centre, which is a plus when you're wrangling children in the winter. The dates run from 21 November right through to 23 December, so it's open from late November until just before Christmas Day. If you're planning to go, it's worth getting your date sorted early, as the slots will fill up as we get closer to the 25th.
Date
20 December – 23 December
Location
The Boatyard, City Cruises YorkPrice
Paid
Recommended Age
+6 years
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