Christmas at Ho-Ho-Hopefield

Our elves are already busy behind the scenes, working their Christmas socks off to make this year’s event more magical than ever. We’ve also listened carefully to feedback from last year—particularly regarding the timings for Santa’s Grotto—and have made changes to help the experience run more smoothly and reduce waiting times for families.

*21st, 22nd & 23rd December are premium dates

Get in the festive spirit with Christmas at Ho-Ho-Hopefield!

Get ready to step into the festive season as we welcome you and your family to a truly magical Christmas experience at Hopefield!

Our elves are already busy behind the scenes, working their Christmas socks off to make this year’s event more magical than ever. We’ve carefully planned every stage of the experience to create a smooth, memorable and wonderfully festive day for the whole family.

Your Christmas journey will take you through:

🎄 The Christmas Barn, filled with festive decorations for you to enjoy
🏘️ Our magical miniature Christmas Village
🤶 A visit with Mrs Claus, who will keep everyone entertained before your meeting with Santa
🎅 Santa’s Grotto, where children will meet Santa and receive a gift
🧸 The Toy Factory, where children can build their very own bear to take home

Please note that the bear building activity is included with full-price children’s tickets only and is not included with under-2s tickets.

Your festive visit will also include:

🍪 Gingerbread and hot chocolate for children

🥧 A mince pie and mulled wine for the grown-ups
🐾 General admission to Hopefield Animal Sanctuary

With both indoor and outdoor activities, Christmas at Ho-Ho-Hopefield will go ahead come rain, snow or shine, so please dress appropriately for the weather!

This is a family event designed for those visiting with children, so please do not make an adult-only booking.

⚠️ IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ BEFORE BOOKING — YOUR BOOKED TIME IS THE START OF YOUR CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE ⚠️

You are booking a timed Christmas experience. The time slot you select is:

✅ The time you must be at the Christmas experience area, ready to begin the experience

❌ Not the time you should arrive at Hopefield Animal Sanctuary

❌ Not the time you will meet Santa

You must arrive at the sanctuary before your booked time, allowing plenty of time to park, enter the sanctuary and make your way to the Christmas Barn.

Every stage of the event has been carefully scheduled around the number of families booked into each time slot. Guests must begin the experience at their booked time to keep the event running smoothly and waiting times manageable.

If you are not at the Christmas Barn and ready to begin within your booked time slot, you will miss your timed experience and we will be unable to accommodate your booking. Bookings are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Please plan your journey carefully and arrive at the sanctuary with plenty of time to spare. We want every family to have the most magical experience possible, and arriving on time will help us make that happen.

PLEASE NOTE – BOOKINGS WITH UNDER-2s

This is a full Christmas experience rather than a standalone visit to Santa, and most activities are designed for children aged two and over. Under-2s are very welcome to attend alongside a booking containing at least one full-price child, but we’re unable to offer bookings consisting only of adults and under-2s.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please read through our event FAQs – if you have any more questions feel free to email us.

Do we have to pay for under 2's?

This is a full Christmas experience rather than a standalone visit to Santa, and most activities are designed for children aged two and over. Under-2s are very welcome to attend alongside a booking containing at least one full-price child (under 12 months go free), but we’re unable to offer bookings consisting only of adults and under-2s.

What happens when we arrive?

You will be taken down to the Christmas experience area, where you’ll be greeted by one of our friendly elves! They’ll escort you to our Christmas barn, where you’ll see our decorated rooms, miniature Christmas Village, and then to Mrs Claus, who will keep you entertained before heading to Santa’s Grotto!

Do we get to meet Santa?

What Christmas experience would be complete without visiting Santa himself?! Your ticket includes access to Santa’s grotto with a gift for each child.

Are we able to see the animals during the event?

Yes, general admission to the sanctuary is included within your admission fee.

What does our timeslot mean?

YOUR BOOKED TIME IS THE START OF YOUR CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE!

You are booking a timed Christmas experience. The time slot you select is:

✅ The time you must be at the Christmas experience area, ready to begin the experience

❌ Not the time you should arrive at Hopefield Animal Sanctuary

❌ Not the time you will meet Santa

You must arrive at the sanctuary before your booked time, allowing plenty of time to park, enter the sanctuary and make your way to the Christmas Barn.

Can we arrive early?

You are welcome to arrive at the sanctuary to see our animals / use Max’s Café etc. any time from 10am (when we open) however, your Christmas experience will not begin until your selected slot.

Why aren't family tickets available?

Each child needs an individual ticket so that we can collect the correct information for their experience, including their name and age. This helps our elves prepare in advance and ensures Santa has the information he needs to make each child’s visit as magical as possible.

Please select one individual ticket for every member of your party.