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🎅 Santa, pantos & Christmas events for children in Derry~Londonderry (2026)

Derry’s Christmas begins with Santa’s procession and lights switch-on in the city on 20 November, and the Millennium Forum pantomime, the city’s biggest family show, runs from late November to New Year’s Eve with relaxed and signed performances. Many of the larger family Santa experiences are a short drive over the border in Donegal, such as the Santa Express train at Oakfield Park, Wild Arctic at Wild Ireland and Buncrana’s Christmas market, and they need booking ahead in euros.

Christmas events in and around Derry~Londonderry

  • Wild Arctic Christmas Experience
    📅 Fri 20 Nov – Wed 23 Dec · Selected dates
    Santa & Christmas · Burt, Inishowen

    The animal sanctuary is lit up with forest trails between the enclosures of arctic wolves, foxes and snowy owls, and children visit Santa and his elves in a wooden hut.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • St Columb's Cathedral Christmas Festival
    📅 Mon 23 Nov – Sat 19 Dec
    Santa & Christmas · Derry city centre

    The cathedral fills with decorated trees and displays, including a Victorian Christmas village, handmade dioramas, a Sunday school display and trees made by local schools and groups.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Millennium Forum pantomime)
    📅 Fri 27 Nov – Thu 31 Dec · Times vary; see booking page
    Shows, theatre & panto · Derry city centre

    Derry's big annual pantomime, known for local comedy and plenty of audience interaction.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Buncrana Christmas Market 2026
    📅 Fri 27 Nov – Sun 13 Dec · Mon to Thu 3pm to 8pm; Fri to Sun 12pm to 8pm
    Santa & Christmas · Buncrana

    Timber cabins with crafts and food, daily live music and the Grinch, plus a new elf-guided woodland trail to Santa's Enchanted Log Cabin (gift included with the right ticket).

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Visit Santa at Culmore Fort
    📅 Fri 11 Dec – Wed 16 Dec · Fri 11 Dec 3pm to 6pm, Sat 12 Dec 1.45pm to 4pm, Sun 13 Dec 11am to 3pm, Mon 14 Dec 2pm to 6pm, Tue 15 Dec 2pm to 3.45pm, Wed 16 Dec 2pm to 6pm
    Santa & Christmas · Culmore

    A small community Santa visit at Culmore Fort, run by the Culmore Community Hub.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking

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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 Derry~Londonderry for a cold day

Within 25 km: Museum & attraction: 5 · Swimming & leisure: 6 · Cinema: 3

Other places

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