Santa’s Grotto

Your child’s ticket includes:

• An hour of fun festive craft activities with our delightful elves, which children take home afterwards
• A 1:1 or family visit to Father Christmas in his Grotto, including photo opportunity
• A carefully curated gift from Father Christmas

Each session is one hour long, including a family visit to Father Christmas. Sessions take place at selected times on weekends between 9:00am and 4:30pm.

The Santa’s Grotto at Islington Christmas is most suitable for children aged 0-8 years but open to everyone.

A family visit can include up to 3 children and 2 (non paying) adults. Each child needs a separate ticket.

Saturday 30 November, Sunday 1 December
Saturday 7 December, Sunday 8 December
Saturday 14 December, Sunday 15 December

9:15am-10:15am
10:30-11:30am
11:40am-12:40pm
1pm-2pm
2:15pm-3:15pm
3:30-4:30pm

We are located in a very child friendly space at 28 North Road, Islington, London N7 9GG. You will find us next to the Clocktower in Caledonian Park, on North Road.

On street car parking is allowed on weekends without restrictions. We are an 8-minute walk from Caledonian Road tube station, and buses 390, 274, 29, 253, 17, 91 and 259 are close by, the 393 stops on North Road. MAP? Showing Granary Squ, Highbury, Tufnell Park, Camden etc?

Please arrive no earlier than 5 minutes before your booked session to avoid overcrowding. There is a children’s play park very close by at Caledonian Park if you are very early. Please be sure to arrive on time, as latecomers cannot be accommodated outside the reserved slot.

Two adults may attend per purchase of a child’s ticket within a family group. A family group can have up to 3 children (each with own ticket) and two adults. At least one adult must attend to supervise their child.

Of course! Parents and guardians are welcome to the Grotto, and to take and be in photographs.

We do. We have slots which will be quieter, no background music and smaller numbers will be booked onto them. The slots are at 9:15am on each of the days we operate. Please select this slot when booking.  

If you are booking with babies, they only need to be included in your total booking number/group size if you want them to be part of the story activities, Christmas grotto photos and receive a gift. Newborns in arms do not need a ticket.

Please book using our online ticketing system.

Your tickets will be emailed to you. Please bring the confirmation with you. No need to print your tickets.

All tickets need to be purchased online in advance. If you need assistance please email elves@islingtonplayvillage.com

Christmas stories, child friendly environment and first photos with Father Christmas!

We will offer craft activities and resources the children will love. On booking you will be asked for the ages and interests of the children being booked for, so that we can curate their gift accordingly. Our friendly elves will be on hand to ensure that the experience is a festive fun one.

Of course! You are welcome to bring your own camera to take photos of your own children to make special memories. There will also be an opportunity to purchase a commemorative photo in a festive frame.

Yes. Pushchairs cannot be taken into the Grotto however there is buggy storage provided outside. Please bring two bike locks to secure your pushchair.

Yes, we have toilet facilities for both children and adults, and baby changing.

Our building is designed to be accessible for wheelchairs. There are ramps in place internally and externally, and we have a disabled loo on site.

No, food is not available for purchase at Islington Christmas, and for hygiene and allergy reasons may not be consumed on site.

No, unfortunately Islington Christmas cannot allow dogs into the building unless they are service dogs.

We will be offering hassle-free refunds for Santa’s Grotto bookings. At least 2 days written notice must be given. For refunds please email elves@islingtonplayvillage.com. There is a refund cost of 5% charge, which will amount to £1 per ticket refunded. This will be deducted from the refund total amount.