There’s nothing more magical than seeing your kids’ faces light up when they see Father Christmas appear before their eyes.

Make this festive season one to remember for years to come with a family trip to one of Santa’s delightful grottos…

ASHFORD DESIGNER OUTLET

Become an expert on everything Santa Claus as you learn all about the big man in red. The cheeky elves will tell you all sorts of facts and stories about Father Christmas while you join in with games, crafts and storytelling.

Details: Saturday, November 30 to Christmas Eve at Ashford Designer Outlet. Book tickets here.

CALVERLEY GROUNDS, Tunbridge Wells

Wander through the sparkling grotto and meet Mrs Christmas for a gingerbread decorating workshop. Then, when you’ve finished in the kitchen, you can have a special moment with Father Christmas and receive a small toy to take home.

Details: Friday, November 29 to Christmas Eve at Calverley Grounds in Tunbridge Wells. Book tickets here.

CO-OP SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB, Sheerness

Visit this free Christmas fair to fill up on roast dinner wraps and festive gifts before stopping off at Santa’s Grotto. You’ll get a present to take home, a personalised letter from Santa and access to the craft workshop where you can make your own Christmas wreath.

Details: Sunday, December 8 at the Co-Op Sports and Social Club in Sheerness. Pay on the day or email izzy@samuelscharity.org.uk to book.

DOBBIES, Ashford and Gillingham

Step into Dobbies’ enchanting forest where you’ll find hidden nutcrackers, snow-topped decorations and woodland elves. You can join in with snowball fights and interactive performances before being taken into the grotto for a photo with Santa.

Details: Thursday, November 28 to Christmas Eve at Dobbies in Ashford and Gillingham. Book tickets here.

DOVER CASTLE

Gather around the Christmas tree and listen to Father Christmas as he tells his favourite festive stories. Each child will then have a chance to spend some one-on-one time with the main man and get a traditionally wrapped present at the end.

Details: Weekends from Saturday, November 30 to Sunday, December 22 at Dover Castle. Book tickets here.

DREAMLAND, Margate

The grotto returns to Margate’s outdoor fairground as part of Dreamland’s magical Christmas World experience. Santa’s elves will guide visitors through the grotto, and they will receive an adorable teddy bear and a unique storybook from Father Christmas.

Details: Select dates from Saturday, December 14 to Monday, December 23 at Dreamland in Margate. Book tickets here.

FOLKESTONE HARBOUR ARM

Folkestone’s Harbour has lots of great festive activities over the Christmas season, including an outdoor market and free film screenings. There’s also a beautiful grotto, housed inside an intricately-designed 19th-century building, with a maritime theme.

Details: Weekends until Sunday, December 22, plus Monday, December 23 and Christmas Eve, at Folkestone Harbour Arm. Book tickets here.

HERNE BAY PIER

Take a brisk walk along the seafront and stop off at Santa’s grotto, which you can find at the end of the pier. Santa will be joined by his friendly elf for a special meeting where you can get a memorable family photo.

Details: Weekends from Saturday, November 30 to Sunday, December 8 at Herne Bay Pier. No need to book.

THE MALL, Maidstone

A team of professional photographers will be waiting to snap a photo of you and your family as you meet Father Christmas at Maidstone’s shopping centre. The experience includes a chat with Santa and an early Christmas gift for each child.

Details: Daily until Christmas Eve at The Mall in Maidstone. Book tickets here.

PARK MALL, Ashford

Visit the Christmas market where there will be food and drink vendors, beer and cider bars, gift stalls, craft-makers and, of course, a Santa’s grotto. It’s all free to enter and is a great way to support local traders.

Details: Saturday, December 7 and Saturday, December 21 at Park Mall in Ashford. No need to book.

RAF MANSTON HISTORY MUSEUM, Ramsgate

Father Christmas is flying into the former RAF base and museum for a visit over the festive season. The ‘heli-grotto’ will be an aviation-themed experience with a chance to say hello to Santa before he hops back on his sleigh and soars into the sky.

Details: Saturday, November 30 and Sunday, December 1 at the RAF Manston History Museum in Manston, near Ramsgate. No need to book.

RARE BREEDS CENTRE, Ashford

The farm will be open so you can meet the animals and enjoy some time in the great outdoors before ducking inside the glittering grotto. The elves will be there to welcome you with an interactive performance before you spend time with Father Christmas.

Details: Saturday, December 7 to Monday, December 23 at the Rare Breeds Centre in Woodchurch near Ashford. Book tickets here.

SHORNE WOODS COUNTRY PARK, Gravesend

Pick up a trail sheet and follow the path through the winter woodland. Stop at the craft stations and make your own festive decorations, grab a luxury hot chocolate from the campfire and warm up inside the grotto where you can meet Father Christmas.

Details: Saturday, December 7 at Shorne Woods Country Park in Shorne, near Gravesend. No need to book.

WHITSTABLE CASTLE

If you need to pick up some last-minute gifts and decorations, the festive fair at Whitstable Castle will be selling holly wreaths, handmade gifts, mulled wine and mince pies. There’s also a Santa’s grotto to visit before you head home with all your shopping.

Details: Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8 at Whitstable Castle. No need to book.

WILDWOOD, Herne Bay

This year, Santa will return to the woodland, surrounded by animals, for an enchanting grotto experience. The elves are helping to build toys and wrap presents for the big day, and Santa will be there handing out cuddly gifts and taking photos with the children.

Details: Weekends from Saturday, November 30 to Sunday, December 15, then Thursday, December 19 to Christmas Eve at Wildwood in Herne Common, near Herne Bay. Book tickets here.

Make sure you check our Kent Christmas calendar to find more festive events.