Are you looking for value or free places to visit Santa in Ireland? Christmas can be an expensive time of year so we are always on the look out for ideas to save you money. We have put together the best value and free places to visit Santa in Ireland this Christmas so everyone can have a very merry Christmas.
With the average price of a Santa visit for a family of two adults and two children coming in at well over €100, this annual excursion is a significant outlay. With that in mind, our criteria to be included on our value or free places to visit Santa in Ireland was €60 or less for a family of four.
If you have more recommendations, do let us know in the suggestion box below! We’ll add more as we find them…
Free Places to Visit Santa in Ireland
Stillorgan Village Shopping Centre, Dublin

Dates: Daily in December up to the 24th
Prices: Free
Santa and his elves are back at his magical Grotto at Stillorgan Village until Christmas Eve. There’s no need to book, just head down for your FREE walk-in visit with Santa. And, FREE Face Painting and Balloon Modelling every Saturday and Sunday between now and Christmas.
There’s FREE carparking too, so after visiting Santa, you can do some Christmas shopping, and grab some delicious food from one of the 10 restaurants and Cafes!
For more information, click here.
IKEA, Dublin

Dates: December 3-4th, 10-11th and 17-18th
Prices: Free
Bring the little ones to visit Santa at IKEA in Dublin, and they can enjoy some festive activities while they visit.
Santa’s grotto is located in the main entrance and he will be there on selected dates in the run up to Christmas. We hear that this Santa is excellent with any children who may have additional needs.
For more information and to book tickets, click here.
Best Value Places to See Santa in Ireland
Reminder, our criteria to be included here as a value place to visit Santa in Ireland was €60 or less for a family of four.
Santa Experience at Croke Park, Dublin

Dates: November 16th to December 22nd
Prices: €17 per child, €11 per adult
A team from the North Pole are setting up a training camp in Croke Park and they’d love you to visit as they prepare for their special journey around the world on Christmas Eve.
On the Santa Experience, you’ll see the Elf Dressing Rooms, the Igloo Clubhouse and the North Pole Skills Zone.
Then it will be time to step inside Santa’s very special Croke Park cabin to meet the man himself. You can take a photo with Santa and tell him about your predictions for the 2023 GAA All-Ireland Championships!
Every child will receive a small GAA-themed gift and photos will also be available to purchase if you wish.
For more information and to book tickets, click here.
Santa at Avoca Powerscourt, Wicklow

Dates: November 19th to December 23rd
Prices: €16 per child (plus a €1.50 booking charge), adults go free (max 2 adults per child)
Santa is more excited than ever to be coming to Avoca Powerscourt.
Set in the stunning surroundings of Powerscourt Estate, Santa will be ready to meet and greet all his young visitors this Christmas!
For more information and to book tickets, click here.
Santa’s Christmas Wonderland at Dundrum Town Centre
Dates: November 27th to December 24th
Prices: €25 per child, adults go free (max 2 adults per child)
Head to the Winter Wonderland, set in a beautifully crafted timber village with thousands of sparkling lights. On arrival, check-in at the ticket office where every child will receive a personal passport that Santa will stamp for you.
With your ticket, step through the Secret Wardrobe into the Magic Garden, and on to the Candy Cane Trail for some riddles and games with the elves. Now it’s only a few short steps through the gingerbread garden and it’s into the Elves’ Workshop where you’ll see some of the amazing wooden toys that the Elves have made. Then head to visit Mrs Claus who has a wonderful collection of story books and is always busy making mince pies for Santa and dinner for the Elves. She will give every child a special note for the Fairies and maybe some secret ‘Reindeer Food’ for Christmas Eve.
Finally, an Elf will call you in to visit Santa for a chat and a wrapped present!
For more information and to book tickets, click here.
Arnotts Dublin

Dates: Various through December
Prices: €10 per family with 100% of all donations jointly supporting St. Vincent de Paul and Children’s Health Foundation
Santa visits Arnotts every year, and this year Santa and the elves are back in person at Santa’s Grotto on the second floor.
Your visit to Santa includes a souvenir badge for each child. A professional photograph of your visit can be purchased at an additional cost.
For more information and to book tickets, click here.
Santa at the Galway Christmas Market
Dates: Fridays to Sundays from November 18th
Prices: €20 per child
A trip to the market is a festive experience like no other. Immerse yourselves in this winter wonderland; marvel at the glittering lights, soak up the festive music, and lose yourselves in a world of colour and merriment. Top off your trip with the little ones by paying a visit to the man in red himself!
For more information and to book tickets, click here.
Don’t Miss…
Get wrapped up in the magic of Christmas with these fantastic family events and activities around Ireland – seasonal fun guaranteed!
Visit Santa at Jervis Shopping Centre, Dublin
Dates: November 12th to December 24th
Prices: From €13.61 for one child; €27.65 for santa visit including 2 presents and 1 photo
This year the Magic Elves are waiting for you, so they can create the most wondrous Christmas Experience for you and your family. After your family create their very own snow storm, it’s off to see Santa in his incredible North Pole Magic Grotto, receive your presents and have a wonderful Christmas family picture for 2022!
For more information and to book tickets, click here.
The Santa Experience (Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Laois, Ennis)

Dates: November and December
Prices: €13 per child including gift, €6 per adult
Families will meet an elf guide who will take them directly to Santa’s house for a private visit. As always, Santa will know something special about each child and give them an age-appropriate gift. A professional photographer will be there to capture beautiful photos as you create magical memories for years to come!
Venues:
- Dunnes Stores, Patrick Street, Cork City
- Dunnes Stores, Ilac Centre, Dublin 1
- Dunnes Stores, Ennis, Co Clare
- Dunnes Stores, Kilnamanagh Shopping Centre, Tallaght, Dublin 24
- Jetland Shopping Centre, Limerick City
- The Kyle Centre, Portlaoise, Co Laois
Meet Santa at the Red Stables, St Anne’s Park, Dublin
Dates: December 10-11th and 16-18th
Prices: €15 per child, €12.50 for second and subsequent siblings, adults go free
Olive’s Room elves will be on hand to help the children decorate gingerbread biscuits, create a festive decoration and draw a picture or post their letter to Santa. Each child will receive their craft, a gingerbread, hot chocolate. There will be face-painting with the fabulous Rosie from Roar.
Michelle La Grue photographer will also be there to capture the moment if you wish, and printed photos are available for €10, second copy €5.
All profits from the event and photos go to Laura Lynn.
For more information and to book tickets, click here.
Santa at the DSPCA

Dates: December 16-18th
Prices: €20 per child, €5 per adult (and well-behaved dogs go free!)
Share in a little magic this Christmas at the DSPCA with a traditional experience. This is a pet-friendly experience so why not bring along your dog to share in the fun!
When you arrive at the DSPCA, you will be met by your own personal Elf Guide who will show you to Santa’s Cabin where you will meet Santa himself and receive a special gift. Afterwards you can enjoy story time with the elves and here all about the adventures of a very special rescue puppy in “A Puppy’s Tail”
Have your face painted, visit the charity shop, and meet some of the animals who are looking for a special home this Christmas.
For more information and to book tickets, click here.
Winter Wonderland at Barretstown, Kildare
Dates: November 26th and 27th
Prices: €50 for a family ticket (2 adults and 2 children), €18 per child, €10 per adult
Get ready for the fantastic Christmas-filled experience that is Winter Wonderland at Barretstown. Browse through the Christmas market stalls, soak up the Christmas music, enjoy some delicious food in Elizabeth’s Tree House, and take part in the Christmas raffle. And of course, you’ll be able to top it all off with a visit to the man himself in the wonderful grotto…Santa!
There will also be magic tricks, face painting, Christmas stories and the chance to meet the Christmas elves.
For more information and to book tickets, click here.
Visit Santa at Solas Eco Garden Centre, Laois
Dates: Thursday, Fridays and Sundays from November 27th
Prices: €10 per child, adults go free
This year at SOLAS, ring in the festive season with a host of events and the Santa Experience. Included in your ticket is the chance to meet Alpacas and sheep, post your letter to Santa, take photos in the family photobooth, visit Santa’s Grotto, meet Santa and receive a small eco-friendly gift.
For more information and to book tickets, click here.
Visit Santa at The Pavilion Garden Centre, Ballygarvan
Dates: Weekends from November 27th to December 18th
Prices: €50 per family (max 2 adults)
Santa will return to The Pavilion again this year to greet all the girls and boys in advance of his round the world trip on Christmas morning!
Your Santa visit costs €50 per family and includes a family photograph and a children’s gift.
Keep up to date on their Facebook page.
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