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🎅 Santa, pantos & Christmas events for children in Aberdeen (2026)

His Majesty’s Theatre’s panto is Aberdeen’s big Christmas tradition, and there are usually Christmas markets and lights in the city centre, plus Santa’s grottos in garden centres and farm parks across Aberdeenshire.

Christmas events in and around Aberdeen

  • Expedition Arctic
    📅 Sun 1 Nov – Sun 20 Dec · Weekends only, 10am–4.30pm
    Workshops & crafts · Aberdeen city centre

    A weekend polar research mission with live ice experiments, storytelling, crafts for under-6s and a VR trip to spot seals and killer whales.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Aberdeen Christmas Village
    📅 Thu 12 Nov – Sun 3 Jan · Daily, except 25 & 26 Dec and 1 Jan
    Santa & Christmas · Aberdeen city centre

    Fairground rides, market stalls and festive food filling Broad Street in the heart of the city, with the Curated in the Square market next door at Marischal Square on weekends.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Oxford Victorian Christmas Market
    📅 Thu 12 Nov – Sun 15 Nov · Thursday to Saturday 10am to 7pm, Sunday 10am to 5pm
    Santa & Christmas · City centre

    Victorian-style festive stalls, seasonal food and street entertainment on Broad Street over the light festival weekend.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Aberdeen's Christmas Parade and Santa Run
    📅 Sun 15 Nov · Sun 15 Nov, early evening
    Santa & Christmas · Aberdeen city centre · Free

    A free festive parade down Union Street with hundreds of fundraising Santas running behind it, kicking off Christmas in the city.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Santa's Grotto at Dobbies Aberdeen
    📅 Sun 22 Nov – Thu 24 Dec
    Character meet & greets · Lang Stracht

    Wander through a North Pole village with a wishing well and Penguin Post Office, then enjoy family time with Santa; every child gets a penguin soft toy.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Robotics Takeover
    📅 Sun 22 Nov · 10am–4.30pm
    Workshops & crafts · Aberdeen city centre

    Robots take over the science centre, with hands-on workshops and showcases from local robotics teams. For all ages.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Disney On Ice presents Discover the Magic!
    📅 Thu 26 Nov – Sun 29 Nov · Thu 6.30pm; Fri 2.30pm, 6.30pm; Sat 10.30am, 2.30pm, 6.30pm; Sun 10.30am, 2.30pm
    Shows, theatre & panto · Dyce / Stoneywood

    Skaters bring Coco, Moana, Frozen and more to the ice in a hunt for Tinker Bell. Under-2s free on a lap.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Goldilocks and the Three Bears
    📅 Sat 28 Nov – Sun 3 Jan
    Shows, theatre & panto · Aberdeen city centre

    Aberdeen's big family panto, starring Gary: Tank Commander, with all the songs, slapstick and silliness you'd hope for.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Snowy (Lemon Tree Christmas Show)
    📅 Sat 28 Nov – Wed 23 Dec · 10.30am and 1.30pm on selected dates
    Shows, theatre & panto · Aberdeen city centre

    A gentle 45-minute Christmas show for little ones about a mischievous dog who causes chaos for the city's festive celebrations and has to put things right.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Christmas Carol Concerts
    📅 Sat 12 Dec · Sat 12 Dec
    Music & concerts · Duthie Park

    Festive carol singing among the tropical plants of the Winter Gardens, part of the city's Christmas programme.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking

Know one that’s missing? It takes a minute, and we check each one before it goes on the map. Add an event

Tips from people who’ve been

  • Book Santa early: the best grotto times often sell out by mid-November.
  • Check what’s included: a gift, a photo, a craft or a story, and whether grown-ups pay too.
  • Ask about quiet or relaxed sessions if loud music, crowds or queues are hard for your child.
  • Weekday visits and the first slot of the day are usually calmer than weekends.
  • Pantos often have relaxed and signed performances: look for them when you book.

Warm indoor places near Aberdeen for a cold day

Within 15 km: Soft play: 1 · Museum & attraction: 8 · Swimming & leisure: 9 · Trampoline & inflatable park: 2 · Cinema: 2

Other places

Christmas with children 2026: Santa, pantos and lights · See everything on the map