Where can I meet Santa this Christmas in Sunderland? Here are some grottos and places to visit where you can meet Father Chistmas in 2022

Children across Wearside will soon be sending letters to Father Christmas, but nothing compares to meeting the man in the red and white suit himself, and there are plenty of opportunities for kids to tell Santa what they want for Christmas in person this year.

Where can I meet Santa?

There are plenty of places offering a sit down meal with Santa this year and the Roker Hotel are bringing back their popular lunch sessions with Father Christmas. This is available over three days in December, beginning on Sunday, December 4, followed by Sunday, December 11, and Sunday, December 18.

The events will be held at the hotel’s Six Soldiers Suite with tickets costing £12.95 per child and £14.95 per adult. The price includes a gift and meal and bookings can be made through the hotel’s website.

Santa will also be making appearances at the George Washington Hotel in Washington. In addition to Santa Sunday Lunches on Sunday, December 11, and Sunday, December 18, he will also be at the hotel on Wednesday, December 21, to host a story time session for kids. All children who visit the big man will receive a gift as a reminder of their day for £15 per child and £20 per adult.

The George Washington hotel will also be hosting a disco with Santa’s elves on Saturday, December 3, and Friday, December 23. Tickets for all events can be booked through the hotel’s website.

Early risers can also meet Santa for breakfast at The Bridges this winter. The shopping centre is putting their Christmas plans together with Santa and his elves sitting down with families between 9am and 10:30am every Sunday in December. Tickets can be bought from the building’s customer service desk.

The Bridges are also hosting a grotto in the city centre site this year. Kids from across the region can tell Santa what they want for Christmas from Thursday, November 17, which coincides with when Sunderland’s Christmas lights are switched on.

Every child who visits Santa at the Bridges will be given a gift and tickets can be bought on the door, costing £2 per person. The grotto is open between 10am and 5pm from Monday to Saturday and for one hour from 11am on Sundays, with last entry being 30 minutes before closing time.

Further south, Rainton Arena is welcoming families back to their winter wonderland this year, which includes Santa’s grotto from Saturday, November 19, until Christmas Eve. Ice skating is also available on-site with tickets available on Rainton Arena’s website.

Fresh from their pumpkin picking sessions over Halloween, Adventure Valley near Rainton is offering families the chance to meet Mrs Claus and decorate gingerbread men or create their own Christmas tree decoration with her.

Santa himself will also be in attendance with children able to visit his toy shop and choose a gift while a festive show is also on offer for families. Booking is available online.

The team behind The Wessington in Castletown are also offering the chance for kids to meet Santa every weekend in December and every morning over the Christmas holiday until Christmas Eve. Breakfast sessions cost £9.99 per child and can be booked by contacting the restaurant.