Storytime with Santa
Visitors enjoy a self-guided holiday experience featuring a group story reading with Santa, guest appearances by Mrs. Claus, and a Raptor Tales reading session with a resident raptor. Activities include cookie decorating, hot chocolate, craft making, and exploring Mrs. Claus' kitchen and indoor Arctic play areas. Families can also visit farm animals in the barn, see outdoor raptor enclosures, and play in the natural playground.
What to Expect
Group story readings with Santa, raptor presentations, and farm animal encounters.
Event Details
Duration
The experience lasts approximately 2.5 hours.
Food & Drink
Cookie decorating and hot chocolate are offered, with peanut-free-facility Terra Cotta cookies, Allergy Smart cookies free from dairy, gluten, nuts, and eggs, and juice alternatives.
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Families with young children
Vibe
Festive, hands-on, nature-oriented
Energy Level
Moderate
Budget
$$
Photo Friendly
Moderate
Weather Sensitivity
High
Know Before You Go
- Tickets: Member: adults $26 +HST; child/senior $22 +HST. Non-member: adults $29 +HST; child/senior $25 +HST. Babies under age one are free. A support worker accompanying someone who requires one to attend is admitted free; contact Visitor Services to arrange. Parking is included in the reservation fee.
- Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Raptor Tales: 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
- Parking: Parking is included in the reservation fee. Park at the main parking lot outside the Discovery Centre. Book only one vehicle per reservation; license plate numbers are used to grant park access.
- Accessibility: Trails are hard-packed and stroller-friendly, though uneven in sections, with some building lips and weather conditions potentially affecting accessibility.
Tips & Advice
- Book online before visiting because reservations are required and walk-ins cannot be accommodated.
- Bring your e-ticket on your phone and arrive on time for check-in; arrival is permitted up to 15 minutes before your reservation.
- Dress for an outdoor winter visit with a coat, snow pants, hat, gloves and winter boots, or bring rain gear if needed.
- Choose a single vehicle for each reservation and enter its license plate number for park access.
- If anyone needs a support worker or other accommodation, arrange it with Visitor Services before the visit.
Special Events & Promotions
- Babies under age one are admitted free.
- Members have a separate price tier.
- A required support worker is admitted free; contact Visitor Services to arrange.
- The Ice Palace and Arctic Circle indoor play areas are new for 2026.
- The Raptor Centre outdoor enclosures are open during daytime hours only.
Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
What activities are included in the self-guided experience?
There is a group story with Santa and guest appearances by Mrs. Claus, Raptor Tales with a resident raptor, a scavenger hunt, crafts, cookie decorating, hot chocolate, Mrs. Claus’ kitchen, indoor Arctic play areas, farm animals, outdoor raptor enclosures during daytime hours, and a natural playground.
Do I need to book ahead, and are walk-ins accepted?
A reservation and e-ticket are required; walk-ins cannot be accommodated. Bring your e-ticket on your phone for check-in.
How long should we allow, and when should we arrive for our reservation?
The experience lasts approximately two and a half hours. Arrive on time for check-in; you may arrive up to 15 minutes before the reservation time shown on your e-ticket.
What food and drink are available, including for children with allergies?
Cookie decorating and hot chocolate are included, and juice is available for children who cannot have hot chocolate. Allergy-friendly cookies are available, but the facility cannot be described as peanut-free.
What should we wear, and are the trails accessible for strollers or wheelchairs?
Much of the experience is outdoors, so wear weather-appropriate winter clothing or rain gear. Trails are stroller-friendly and hard-packed but uneven in places; some buildings have a lip, and winter weather can affect trail conditions.
More Christmas Events near Milton
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