Festive Fridays: SEN-friendly Santas

Meeting Santa

For many children with special educational needs, meeting Santa can be an overwhelming experience. With queues and crowds, and flashing lights and overzealous elves, what you hoped would be a magical experience can quickly become more than they can cope with.

The good news is that many venues are now holding SEN-friendly meet Santa sessions especially designed for autistic children, children with ADHD or sensory differences and other additional needs.

We have rounded up some from across the country, but you can search online to find ones nearest to you:

Dobbies Garden Centres – Quiet Grottos in 50 of their garden centres across the UK. There will be no queuing, music or twinkling lights and children even get sent a photo ahead of their visit to help them visualise the day and prepare to meet Santa. Presents can be wrapped or unwrapped.

Snowdome, Tamworth – Santa’s Winter Wonderland relaxed sessions with adjustments to light and sounds, fewer people and a more supportive environment.

Auckland Palace, County Durham – sensory-friendly light trail and visits to a quieter Santa’s Village.

Trafford Centre, Manchester – Whispering Winter sessions with fewer guests, muted sounds and a calm setting to meet Santa.

London Zoo – Relaxed and quiet meet Santa sessions especially catered for additional sensory needs.

Natural History Museum, London – relaxed storytime sessions with Santa designed for neurodivergent children.

Rhondda Heritage Park, Pontypridd, South Wales – Awarded an Autism-Friendly Award, it offers quiet tours through ‘Santa’s Toy Mine’ to meet Father Christmas. It features fewer guests, reduced music, brighter lights in the mines and a more relaxed ambience. Sensory kits available free of charge.

Groves Garden Centre, Dorset – SEN Santa sessions with no queues, no loud noises and no flashing lights. Let Santa know the child’s interests beforehand and Santa can communicate with them, even if they are non-verbal

Arlington Court, Devon – Sensory-friendly Father Christmas experience with no music, soft lighting and no crowds. Sensory kits available for free.

 * All featured events had availability at the time of writing.