Grab your most festive Christmas PJs and get set for a seasonal sleepover – it really is the most wonderful time of the year! Combine a family night away with a memorable Santa visit when you book a trip to one of these wonderful places to visit Santa and stay over in Ireland!
Get ready for hot chocolates, candy canes, Christmas carols and a few surprises along the way when you visit Santa and stay over!
Places to Visit Santa and Stay Over in Ireland
Elf Town Family Packages at The Connacht Hotel, Galway
Enjoy a festive family break in Galway this November or December with a stay at the award-winning Connacht Hotel and a visit to Elf Town.
Meet Mrs Claus in her kitchen and Santa in this grotto – where Santa gives each child a special Elf Town toy coin to exchange for their own present in Santa’s toy shop.
Magical Christmas at The Connacht for all the family includes:
- Overnight stay in a choice of family room options
- Full Irish breakfast each day
- Complimentary Wi-Fi and parking
- Use of the hotel leisure centre
- Free access to the friendly fellows kids club when you book direct
Santa’s Magical Trail at The Clanard Court, Kildare
Dates for 2023: December 1-3, 8-10, 15-17 and 20-22
Booking opens September 5th at 10am
Join Santa’s elves on a wonderful journey through Santa’s Magical Trail – a fun filled and action-packed experience for children young and old held at the Clanard Court Hotel, Kildare!
The Sleep Over and it’s Magical Trail will include a Santa’s Magical show & Elf Entertainment this year and delivers guaranteed fun and oodles of Christmas Cheer, whilst encountering all sorts of characters including Lazybones, Holly Berry and her team of elves, Cringle Cook , Noelle Twinkle, Willy Wonka, Mrs. Claus and Santa of course!
Santa Sleep Over 2023 package includes:
- Santa’s Magical Trail passes for each adult and child booked on the sleep over (60 mins in duration);
- Festive Family Banquet served by the Elves
- Elf Entertainment + Santa’s Magical Show during and after dinner
- Overnight Bed and Breakfast accommodation for at least one child and one adult to a maximum of a family of 6.
Magical Winter Wonderland at Shandon Hotel & Spa, Donegal
Dates: November 3rd to December 22nd
A magical family Christmas experience that you will treasure forever! Imagine the look on their little faces when Santa knocks on their door and knows them by name!
The excitement will peak when you wrap up nice and warm and take a wintry walk to Mrs Claus’ Cabin where you take the journey through the Shandon Forest (indoors), Narnia and Candy Cane Lane!
At 8pm, after your festive Christmas journey, join in a drive-in movie experience on the big screen. Each night a feel-good Christmas family classic movie will be shown and each family will be provided with a Christmas snack box.
The Santa package includes overnight B&B in a seaview room, personalised visit from Santa, entry to the Magical Winter Walkthrough and a drive-in Christmas movie experience.
Amber Springs Hotel Christmas Experiences, Wexford
Dates for 2023: November 17th to 23rd
With a little Ho Ho Ho and more than a sprinkling of Christmas magic, the Amber Springs Santa Train Experience is back!
Travelling aboard The Amber Express, following the glimmering lights and sparkling trees to the Amber Christmas Village. Once at the village, you will disembark the Amber Express to explore the village.
Walking around the village you will be able to enjoy a little festive treat and see all the busy little elves working away before going to have your own personal visit with Santa!
The Santa Train Experience package includes:
- One or two nights’ accommodation in a choice of room to suit your needs
- Full Irish breakfast
- €50 dining credit to use in any of the three dining outlets
- Games room with Sony PlayStation
- Amber Park with petting farm, outdoor playground, Mini-Golf, Go-Karts, Archery and more (additional charges may apply)
- Club Amber Leisure facilities include swimming pool, kids pool, hydrotherapy pool, sauna, gymnasium
- Movies screened daily in the 80-seater Showtime Cinema
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Santa’s Enchanted Castle at The Riverside Hotel, Wexford
Dates for 2023: Santa Sleepover Packages on sale from Tuesday, September 19th
Arrive at the Riverside Park Hotel, where the hotel will be transformed into a festive wonderland! From the children being dazzled by the twinkling tree lights on arrival to a Christmas bag of treats awaiting each child on arrival in their room, you are guaranteed a festive and fun family break.
The Santa Sleepover experience includes:
- Overnight luxury accommodation with full Irish breakfast
- Tickets to Santa’s Enchanted Castle Experience
- Kids playground beside the Hotel
- Treats on arrival for the kids
- Complimentary use of the leisure club with indoor heated swimming pool and a children’s pool for junior guests
Christmas with Wild Ireland at the Inishowen Gateway Hotel, Donegal
Dates for 2023: December 1st to 23rd
Visit the famous Wild Ireland animal sanctuary with the rescue bears, wolves, lynx cats and other wild arctic animals such as reindeers and arctic foxes before making your way to visit Santa in his Grotto. Each child will receive a gift from the man himself and his many helpers.
Afterwards make your way back to the cosy interior of the Inishowen Gateway Hotel (20 mins from the sanctuary) with hot chocolate and cookies served on arrival, take in a swim at the Leisure Centre with kids pool, and enjoy a full Irish breakfast the following morning before departing (and maybe another splash in the pool!).
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Visit Santa on Christmas Island at Hidden Valley Holiday Park, Wicklow
Dates for 2023: November 24-26th and every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday in December
Santa will be on Christmas Island at Hidden Valley Holiday Park for festive fun and an unforgettable and unique Christmas experience.
Your experience will include an exciting journey on The North Pole Express, a trip to Christmas Island where you’ll meet the Elves who will try to bring out your creative side before moving on to Santa’s head elves for some more festive elf entertainment. Families will depart Christmas Island on Santa’s House Boat to make their way to Santa’s Grotto where each family will have a private visit with Santa.
You can also book an overnight stay in one of the glamping lodges for 2 adults and up to 4 children, or boutique lodges for 2 adults and up to 4 children.
Christmas Island tickets and Overnight Lodging are booked together at the same time through the booking system. Families must have Christmas Island tickets to stay overnight.
Winter Wonderland at Center Parcs, Longford
Dates for 2023: November 6th to January 2nd 2024
Centre Parcs’ Winter Wonderland sees the village transformed with lights, decorations and snow, with plenty of seasonal activities to keep everyone busy and really get you in the festive spirit.
Take a stroll through Santa’s Woodland Village and see the elves enjoying some of their favourite festive activities in the new Toadstool Cabins. Enjoy a sneak peek of where the elves make last-minute toys and gifts and explore their games as you soak up the atmosphere with a sprinkle of elf magic. Have a special souvenir photograph taken with Santa as a memento of your meeting. Remember to be good and you’ll leave with an early Christmas present!
A Winter Wonderland break includes:
- Soak up the festive atmosphere at Santa’s Woodland Village
- Visit Santa and his elves at his Woodland Workshop before Christmas Day. Pre-book your visit where all children will receive a gift from Santa and a special souvenir photograph
- A range of seasonal activities for the whole family to enjoy, from Design a Christmas Stocking to Festive Wreath Making
Santa’s Hotel Stay at Jackson’s Hotel Ballybofey, Donegal
Dates for 2023: Select dates from December 1st
A magical family experience brimming with Christmas cheer. Book a Santa’s Hotel package and enjoy a one or two night stay and get tickets to Santa’s Express Train at Oakfield Park.
Santa by the Sea Experience at Shoreline Hotel, Dublin
Dates for 2023: December 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 10th, 16th & 17th
The Santa by the Sea Experience at Donabate’s Shoreline Hotel in North County Dublin includes:
- Stay the night before your Santa visit for 2 adults and 2 children under 12 in a family room with two double beds with breakfast at leisure
- A visit and a gift with Santa the following day in Santa’s Grotto
- A delicious 2 course lunch for the family after your visit with Santa in the festive Brasserie overlooking the sea
Santa’s Grotto at Castle Oaks House Hotel, Limerick
Dates for 2023: Select dates from December 2nd
Santa and Mrs Claus will be coming to stay at the Castle Oaks House Hotel and meet all the boys and girls before for his big day!
The Santa’s Grotto experience includes:
- Full Irish breakfast
- Main course evening meal per person
- Visit to Santa and cookie decorating with Mrs Claus
- Hot chocolate and a gift for the kids
- Keepsake family photo
- Complimentary leisure centre with swimming pool
About the Author: Michelle
