It’s nearly here people, my very favourite time of year but also the time I feel busiest. And probably most stressed! I hate spending hours researching all the best family friendly Christmas events in the area so hopefully this round up of the best Christmas Events in Stoke on Trent will save you having to do the same.
This post was updated for Christmas events in Stoke on Trent 2023.
This post on Christmas Events 2023 Stoke on Trent may contain affiliate links which means I receive a small commission if you book via one of these links at no extra cost to you.
List of Contents
Where to see Santa, Stoke on Trent
If you’re looking for Christmas things to do, Stoke on Trent has it all. I imagine a visit to Father Christmas will be high on your list so these are all my favourite places to see Santa Stoke on Trent eddition.
The Churnet Valley Railway Polar Express
Weekends from 18th November until 23rd December
Churnet Valley are bringing Santa to the Staffordshire Moorlands again for 2019. The Polar Express train departs from Froghall Station and your journey will last around 1 hour 20 minutes. Children can enjoy hot chocolate and a cookie as they excitedly await the arrival of Father Christmas delivering each and child a gift. Children are encouraged to attend in their pajamas and a cosy dressing gown. It makes the experience even more magical. Tickets start at £22.95 for going up to £49.95.
We had an absolutely magical visit to Father Christmas a few years ago, take a look at our review of the Churnet Valley Santa Train here.
Winter Wonderland Stoke
24th November – 7th January
Winter Wonderland in Stoke on Trent is a full on Christmas wonderland with rides, Christmas Market and even an ice rink. Winter Wonderland in Stoke is free to enter but you’ll need to purchase tokens for the rides and game stalls. Santas delightful wooden grotto is only a small extra fee to visit which includes a small gift. They have optional photo extras to purchase. You can’t book a visit, it’s on a first come, first served basis so arrive early to avoid disappointment.
Winter Wonderland is located in Hanley.
Trentham Shopping Centre
18th November – 24th December (weekends only)
Visit Santa in his rustic wooden hut at Trentham Shopping Centre. Kids will receive a magical key on arrival, a bell from Santa’s sleigh and a gift. Tickets are £17 and meetings last ten minutes. Book your tickets here or you can purchase them from the visitors centre on the day.
For a really special treat you can book a festive afternoon tea with Santa at the totally delicious pods inside Trentham Gardens. Kids can write their letter to Santa and hand to to the big man himself. This Santa visit in Stoke on Trent is available during weekends in December and is £25 per person. You’ll get a delicious afternoon tea and gift for the kids.
And if that’s not enough, you can also visit Santa at Trentham’s Garden Centre. They have an onsite grotto which costs £9.50 per child and includes a gift. The grotto is open from 25th December until the 24th December. You can also take afternoon tea with Santa in the Garden Centre’s restaurant. You can enjoy a delicious afternoon tea and kids will leave with a gift. Tickets are £14.95 per person.
Biddulph Grange Garden
Weekends in December
Kids will love visiting Santa in his Christmas cottage at Biddulph Grange. They can follow his trail of presents around the garden before meeting father Christmas to discuss their list. Each child will leave with a gift and tickets cost £12 per child. Make sure to reserve your slot online. It sells out fast.
Foxfield North Pole Express
25th November – 24th December
Take a 5 ½ mile steam train ride through Staffordshire with onboard mince pies, sherry, chocolate, Santa and pressies! Foxfield Railway have decorated their carriages and will have onboard entertainment during your journey. Tables for up to 4 people start at £55.
World of Wedgwood Stories with Santa
Selected dates in November and December
For a really magical and unique Santa experience in Stoke, head to the World of Wedgwood. They are running story time sessions with Santa for little kids between the ages of 3 and 6. Kids will receive a delicious hot chocolate, cookie and gift to take home. The whole session takes around 45 minutes. This experience costs £15 per child.
Older kids (6-12) can help Santa and his elves in his workshop, making their very own wooden reindeer to take home. The workshop takes about an hour and costs £25 per child. Book your space here.
And finally everyone will love a festive afternoon tea with Santa where you can enjoy some luxurious treat, get to meet the big guy in red and all kids will leave with a gift.
Brampton Park
Saturday 16th December
Santa will be visiting the Brampton Museum between 2pm and 4pm on Saturday 16th. It’s £5 per child to visit. They’ll also be craft activities on the day.
Other amazing Christmas Events Stoke on Trent
The Trentham Estate
Starting Wednesday 27th November
There is heaps going on at Trentham this Christmas. The Christmas launch night at the Trentham shopping village is a fantastic place to start your festivities on the 16th November. They have a Christmas parade and Santa himself switching on the Christmas lights. This year Trentham have an excellent ice sculpture trail, a makers market and even an elf school for little ones. It’s such a family friendly place for Christmas activities, Stoke on Trent is very lucky!
Read about all the other fantastic things to do at Trentham from when we visited in Summer.
World of Wedgwood
From 28th November
There is so much festive fun to be had at the wonderful World of Wedgwood this year. You can get hands on and crafty with some help from the experts designing your own bauble or Christmas wreath making.
Of course Wedgwood is the perfect place to shop for beautiful Christmas presents, from their gorgeous ceramics in the outlet shop to the festive artisan market on the 25th – 26th November, 9th – 10th December and the 16th – 17th December.
Throughout the whole of December they’re also serving festive afternoon tea in the beautiful Wedgwood tea room. What better way to start celebrating with friends! Discover more things to do at the World of Wedgwood with kids here.
We spent an afternoon at Wedgwood this year during their Artisan markets, check out what we thought about the Wedgwood Christmas Markets here.
Emma Bridgewater Christmas Lights switch on
Saturday 25th November from 1pm
Emma Bridgewater’s huge Christmas tree lights will be lit at 4.30pm with accompanying Christmas Carols, lantern decorating, mulled wine and mince pies.
Christmas Theatre Stoke on Trent
Regent Theatre Stoke
The pantomine is one of the most loved Christmas activities Stoke on Trent has to offer. The ever popular Jonny Wilkes panto returns for 2023 and promises to be as hilarious and heartwarming as ever! This year it’s Jack and the Beanstalk and runs between 15th December and Sunday 7th January. Oh yes it does!
Book your tickets for the Regent Theatre here
As you can see, you’ll be totally spoilt for choice for Christmas events in Stoke on Trent, my biggest problem will be working out how to fit them all in!
Make sure to pin for later for planning your Christmas activities in Stoke on Trent.
