Christmas in Cardiff, South Wales, is always magical. With frosty evenings in the Winter Wonderland or on the ice adventure, there’s nothing better than indulging with a festive mince pie surrounded by fresh Christmas trees with the family. So, you want to meet Father Christmas in Cardiff? To make it easy to meet Santa in Cardiff, I’ve put together all the information you need.
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Cardiff Christmas 2022
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! It’s always odd putting this guide together, as I start in August. But then, booking tickets for a Santa experience 2022 does need some forward planning. I have trawled through news, updates and the website so you know everywhere you can see Santa in Cardiff in November and December 2022.
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Father Christmas Cardiff Bay
Future Inn Cardiff
Fancy a Cardiff Bay Christmas? Father Christmas will be at two different events. There’s a homemade 3-course Sunday Lunch with Santa, including a children’s disco and meet and greet in Santa’s Grotto. This is £24.95 per person or £12.50 per child. Under 2’s are free.
There’s also Breakfast with Santa, where children can meet and greet the big man in his Grotto, enjoy a hot and cold brunch, Christmas stories and games. It’s £19 for adults, £9.50 for children, under 2’s free of charge.
Why not stay the night?
The family rooms at Future Inns are spacious and under 12’s stay for free. As well as two large queen-sized beds, there’s free parking, free WiFi and lots of other indulgences. Staying here will let you enjoy the different Christmas events Wales 2022.
Coal Exchange
The Exchange Hotel has plenty of opportunities to meet the big man. There are various dates for the Brunch with Santa, where you get breakfast and a gift from Santa. Plus, a Frozen Christmas brunch.
Lo Lounge
Last year you could enjoy an afternoon with Santa and his friends at Lo Lounge in Cardiff Bay (which used to be World of Boats). Christmas films on the big screen, live ice carving, games, plus arts and crafts. Food included s’mores in the fire pit, hot chocolate with marshmallows or mulled wine and mince pies. Dogs are welcome, too, with doggy treats available and a prize for the best-dressed pooch. As of yet, dates for 2022 haven’t been confirmed.
🐾 Dog friendly
Harvester
There are various dates where you can visit Santa in December. You will be served breakfast before St Nick stops by. In Cardiff, you can book The Harvester in Llanederyn or Cardiff Bay. They’re also opportunities in Newport, Talbot Green and Bridgend.
Getting around Cardiff has never been easier
Transport for Wales now offers Multiflex, which gives you 12 journeys for the same price as 5 returns. With stops in Taffs Well, Radyr, Whitchurch, Llandaff North, Cathays, two in the city centre – Queen Street and Cardiff Central – plus Cardiff Bay. And, who doesn’t want to save money at Christmas?
Santa in Cardiff City Centre
The Corner House
In the city centre is The Corner House. The premium pub, bar and restaurant are serving Brunch with Santa in December. The Christmas meal will be a cracker, with excellent service to boot. I’m a massive fan of the establishment as they serve homemade food using local products.
Principality Stadium
Santa Claus Tours take place at the Principality Stadium, the home of Welsh rugby. Old St Nick has a special room in a forgotten corner of the great arena, which he uses to stash presents for the children of Wales. Even the reindeer graze on the hallowed turf. As of yet, dates for 2022 haven’t been confirmed.
Get 50% off food
So, did you know you can get 2 for 1 on meals or 50% off food with a Tastecard? There are independent and chain restaurants to choose from and a variety of cuisines. Get a 2-month free trial here:
Cardiff Castle Santa
You can enjoy a Victorian Christmas in Cardiff Castle. Santa’s Wish will be performed in a round, intimate 570-seat Spiegeltent. The tent is built from wood, cut mirrors, canvas, leaded glass, and detailed in velvet brocade.
🐾 Dogs are welcome in Public Square and the castle’s outer green
Believe at St David’s
The dates for 2022 St David’s Shopping Centre haven’t been confirmed. Last year you could visit Santa’s Magical Reindeer Grotto, where children will be entertained by a special reindeer, Norbert. Make reindeer food ready for Christmas Eve, and enjoy a one-to-one with Santa. All children received a wrapped gift of an age-appropriate book to take home.
Santa’s Grotto on Queen Street
No booking is required for Santa’s Grotto on Queen Street. The wooden hut can be found outside the Queen’s Arcade. The big man can be seen from 10 November 2022 until Christmas Eve, from 10.30am until 6pm daily. It is £8.50 per child with 2 adults and includes a present.
John Lewis
Have tea with Father Christmas at John Lewis Cardiff. Tickets can be purchased from the Customer Support desk on the first floor. There’s also storytime, and each child will get a special gift. Dates and prices for 2022 have not been released as yet.
Stay the night
The easyHotel Cardiff has double rooms (with or without a window), accessible bedrooms and twin rooms. Found a short walk behind Cardiff Queen Street train station, the budget hotel has en-suite bathrooms, heated rooms in the winter and air conditioning in the summer. WiFi is free; pay and display and multi-storey car parks are nearby.
Elsewhere in Cardiff
The Sand Martin
Last year, Santa confirmed he was going to be in The Sand Martin in December. Breakfast was included if the children were not too excited to eat before a meet and greet. The pub is next to Cardiff City Football Club and the Capitol Shopping Park, so you could do some Christmas shopping afterwards. The 2022 haven’t been confirmed.
Dyffryn Gardens
It is lovely to visit Dyffryn Gardens Winter Lights illuminate the gardens at Christmas. There are spectacular views of the house and grounds, which are all lit up. It is very festive and romantic. The lights at Dyffryn Gardens usually run from 4pm-7pm between Christmas and New Year. However, the dates have not been released yet.
🐾 Dog friendly excluding the house
National Trust Vs English Heritage
Dyffryn Gardens, Tredegar House and so many beach car parks are owned by the National Trust in South Wales. If you are considering a National Trust Membership or English Heritage Membership, I’ve weighed up the pros and cons of each. Here’s all you need to know.
St Fagans
The home of Welsh history is the perfect place to meet Siôn Corn. Previously, each weekend in December, Father Christmas and his friends visit St Fagans. There’s everything from meeting the big man himself, cooking with Mother Christmas, Christmas crafts, and you can even write him your Christmas letter from the Victorian schoolhouse. The dates for 2022 are to be announced.
🐾 Dog friendly excluding the buildings and galleries
Stay the night
Close to St Fagans and Dyffryn Gardens is The Copthorne. Part of Millennium Hotels and Resorts, it is a traditional 4-star hotel in Cardiff that is ideally located between the city centre and the coast of Barry Island. Ideal for families, you can expect free Wi-Fi, an indoor pool and modern in-room amenities. Book early and save up to 20% off:
Toby Carvery
Enjoy Breakfast with Santa at your local Toby Carvery. Children can meet Father Christmas and enjoy a cooked breakfast with juice. In Cardiff, you can make a booking in Whitchurch or Cardiff Gate. Nearby events are in Rhoose, Caerphilly, Coldra Newport and Bridgend.
Stay the night
Another top place to stay is The Village Hotel in Whitchurch, close to Thornhill, Rhiwbina and Radyr. The stylish family rooms have everything you need for a night away. In addition, there’s free WiFi and a large car park which costs £5 per day. There’s also access to the state-of-the-art gym, swimming pool, jacuzzi and sauna. Check availability at The Village Hotel Cardiff here:
New House Hotel
The New House Hotel in Thornhill, Cardiff, has plenty of Santa fun at Christmas, including Afternoon Tea with Santa. The 2022 dates and prices are to be confirmed.
The Old Cottage
The beautiful country pub, The Old Cottage, is in Thornhill. The Brunch with Santa event will serve breakfast to all attendees, and there will be a special gift from Santa for the children. I would have difficulty choosing between the traditional breakfast, smoked salmon, and smashed avocado on toast.
Sizzling Pubs
There will be Breakfast with Santa at your favourite Sizzling local. In Cardiff, The Nine Giants in Thornhill, The Village Inn in Pontprennau and The Pottery in Treforest. Nearby there’s the Colcot Arms Hotel in Barry, The Stone House in Newport.
Ember Inns
Enjoy Breakfast with Santa at the Deri Inn in Rhiwbina. Children will sit down in front of the fireplace with the VIP himself. They even get a gift.
🐾 Dog friendly
Pugh’s Garden Centre
The Santa event at Pugh’s Garden Village usually floods my social media feed as I live nearby. Christmas isn’t the same without a festive visit to Pugh’s. Santa hasn’t announced his visit date yet, but you can still choose your Christmas tree, enjoy the breathtaking displays and choose glorious festive food.
🐾 Dog friendly
Other Christmas Events in Cardiff
Cardiff Santa & Elf Dash 2022
Want to see lots of Santa’s? The Santa Run Cardiff or Santa Dash Cardiff, as some call it, is an annual running event. This year it is taking place on Sunday 4 December 2022, starting at 10am. Walk, run or simply support those raising money for charity. Children, pushchairs and dogs are welcome.
🐾 Dog friedly
New Theatre
Panto is back! This year’s magical family pantomime is Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It has an all-star cast headed up by Ian H Watkins, Sian Reeves, Mike Doyle and the legendary Gareth Thomas. You can see it in Cardiff’s New Theatre from 10 December to 8 January 2023.
Christmas at Bute Park
Ok, I can’t guarantee Santa will be at this one. Christmas in Bute Park is the most extensive light trail Wales has ever seen. The park will be taken over by dazzling light displays, interactive installations, a flickering fire and an enchanting fairy tree forest.
🐾 Dog friendly
Christmas at Bute Park Promo Code
Ad | Book by 13 October 2022 using Promo Code 22BUTE10 to get 10% off
Cardiff Christmas Market
Whilst this isn’t a specific family event, it is lovely to do a bit of local shopping. Go after dark to see the beautiful lights on all the craft stalls and get the whole family in the mood for Christmas. In 2022 the Cardiff Christmas Market is running in the city centre from 10 November to 23 December.
🐾 Dog friendly
Dog friendly hotels in Cardiff
Your perfect dog-friendly escape in Cardiff awaits! Before I had my rescue dog, Ivan, I didn’t think Cardiff was very dog friendly. How wrong was I? The dog friendly hotels in Cardiff include national chain hotels, budget brands, pubs and country houses.
A little further afield
Santa will also be stopping by in the areas surrounding Cardiff. They are further afield but are all within an easy driving distance. This isn’t a definitive list, but some of the more exciting events I have been told about.
Newport
Celtic Manor Santa
At Celtic Manor Santa’s Tea Party, find out if you are on the nice or naughty list. As well as their own delicious afternoon tea, children will enjoy a very special chance to meet the man himself. There is a minimum of 4 guests and a maximum of 12 guests per table.
Vale of Glamorgan
The Vale Hotel
The Family Buffet Sunday Lunch is held on Sundays in December. Enjoy a lazy afternoon with your family and friends with a Christmas carvery buffet with all the trimmings. Plus, a visit from Father Christmas, a children’s disco and other entertainment.
Barry
Fonmon Castle
At Fonmon Castle this year, there’s a festive atmospheric walk. The Tea with Santa event includes a private meet and greet with Father Christmas and his elves. You also have full access to the rest of the site, including the Festive Lights, Santa Shows, Mrs Claus, The Magician, The owls and all the festive elves.
Stay the night
The award-winning business, Sykes Cottages, has properties across the UK, and the ones in South Wales are beautiful. From cosy lodges with traditional woodburning stoves to contemporary accommodation with a hot tub. With all the amenities you could need, including parking, WiFi and many dog-friendly places, check out Sykes Holiday Cottages.
Rhondda Cynon Taff
Rhondda Heritage Park
Santa’s Toy Mine is a popular event every year. The Rhondda Heritage Park is transformed into a Winter Wonderland. Santa and his helpers set up his toy production in the former colliery. Book tickets from 19 November to 24 December 2022.
Royal Mint
Take a tour of the Royal Mint’s festive factory, where the coins you might find in your stockings and Christmas puddings are made. They are also sharing the story behind some of our favourite Christmas traditions. All children will meet Santa and have the opportunity to have their photo taken before leaving with a shiny gift to take home.
Miskin Manor
There are plenty of opportunities to meet Santa at Miskin Manor. The old hotel in Pontyclun, near Talbot Green, looks like Santa would go on a staycation somewhere. From afternoon tea with Santa, brunch with Santa and Sunday lunch with Santa.
Merthyr Tydfil
Brecon Mountain Railway
There’s nothing better than riding the railway to Santa’s Grotto. The event has been running annually for over 30 years. The Brecon Railway Christmas starts at Pant station to Pontsticill. Everyone receives a present, and there’s mulled wine and mince pies for the adults.
Stay the night
Don’t be afraid of staying out of central Cardiff either. Penarth, Barry, Caerphilly, Pontypridd, and Merthyr Tydfil are the surrounding areas connected by regular buses and trains. You can also plan with LastMinute.com. Stay at great hotels at a fraction of the price.
Caerphilly
Bryn Meadows
Bryn Meadows have a jam-packed Christmas calendar. Family-friendly events include Breakfast with Santa, Children’s Disco with Santa, Afternoon Tea with Santa and Sunday Lunch with Santa. If you love eating out, it’s just one of the places you can get afternoon tea in Caerphilly.
Bridgend
Pyle Garden Village
You can see Santa in his Grotto at Pyle Garden Centre. His fabulously festive grotto is open from the end of November until Christmas Eve, so children can spend some quality time with Father Christmas.
Luminate
Margam Country Park has confirmed their Luminate light trail is back. The Winter Light Trail is an enchanting journey weaving through the historic gardens, country park and castle. In 2022 it is open nightly from 17 November to 2 January 2023.
Have I missed anything out?
I try to keep this list up to date. Please let me know if anything is out of date or if any new offerings are out there.
Are you one of the establishments listed and want me to review your services? Feel free to get in contact; work with me.
FREE Visit Cardiff Checklist & Guide
Get your FREE Visting Cardiff Checklist and Guide with over 25 pages full of travel tips, how to get around, places to visit, food and drink, shopping, parks and green spaces, some Welsh phrases and a travel itinerary.
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