Traquair Christmas Opening
Visitors can wander through the house decorated for a Victorian Christmas with estate holly, ivy, wreaths, and ribbons while listening to live music and carol singers. Stalls throughout the house and courtyard sell local gifts, crafts, and festive treats. Children can enjoy a puppet show in the Chapel, a themed scavenger hunt across the grounds, photos in a giant sleigh, and pre-booked visits to Santa's grotto.
What to Expect
Victorian Christmas decorations, craft stalls, and festive entertainment in Scotland's historic house.
Event Details
Ages
All ages
Timed Entry
No
Organizer
Traquair
Food & Drink
The Old Walled Garden Café serves lunch, hot drinks and home baking; the Dining Room offers mulled wine, spiced apple juice and mince pies, with a hot-food stand in the courtyard.
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Families with children
Vibe
Festive and welcoming
Energy Level
Moderate
Budget
£
Photo Friendly
High
Weather Sensitivity
Low
Location
Know Before You Go
- Tickets: House & Grounds entry £3 entry for all over 12s, under 12s free! Season passes may not be used for entry. – Get tickets
- Hours: 10am-4pm.
- Parking: Disabled visitors can be dropped off in front of the House, and there are three disabled bays on the main avenue opposite the office.
- Accessibility: The house is not fully accessible to wheelchair users, though ground-floor areas including the Chapel and Dining Room are accessible, and Santa's Grotto requires advance notice for wheelchair access.
- Pets: Dogs on a lead are welcome in the grounds and café but not in the House or courtyard.
Tips & Advice
- Pre-book your Santa visit and make sure the grotto ticket matches the general entry slot you have booked, because the two must line up.
- Bring cash if the children want festive face painting, since it costs extra and the face painter only takes cash.
- Leave season passes at home this weekend because they cannot be used for entry, and everyone over 12 needs a day-entry ticket.
- Follow the brown signs from Innerleithen to the main entrance gate, because some sat navs try to send drivers in through the exit gate.
- Remember to bring your child's wish list along for Santa in the grotto, and let the team know in advance if a wheelchair user is visiting.
Special Events & Promotions
- Discounts on just about everything in the Gift Shop and Malt Loft all weekend
- Santa's grotto visits are booked separately and include an early Christmas present
- Festive face painting for an extra charge, cash only
- This is the last weekend Traquair House and Grounds are open in the 2026 season
Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there for children to do?
Children can watch a festive puppet show in the Chapel, join a themed scavenger hunt around the grounds and have a photo taken in the giant sleigh. They can also visit Santa in his grotto and get an early Christmas present, and face painting is available for an extra charge.
Do we need to book the Santa visit separately?
Yes, Santa visits must be booked ahead. Your Santa tickets need to match the general entry slot you have booked. All adults and young people over 12 also need their own day-entry ticket for the weekend.
Where can we get food and drink?
The Old Walled Garden Café is open all day for hot drinks and home baking, and it serves lunch. There is a hot food stand in the Courtyard and mulled wine in the Dining Room.
Is the grotto accessible for wheelchairs and prams?
The grotto is not suitable for wheelchair users unless the team is told in advance. Prams must be left outside. In the House, the Chapel and Dining Room wings are accessible.
Can I bring my dog?
Dogs are welcome on a lead in the grounds and the café. They are not allowed in the House or the courtyard.
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Always check the official website for the most current information.
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