Christmas at New Lanark
Visitors can meet Santa Claus inside a decorated grotto where children receive a soft toy, then watch The Wiz that Woz, a comedic Scottish pantomime adaptation of The Wizard of Oz. Guests also journey through the story of Christmas aboard the indoor Spirit of Christmas ride. Children aged one to eight can also spend time exploring the indoor soft play area.
What to Expect
Festive family experience with Santa's grotto, pantomime, and Christmas ride.
Event Details
Ages
All ages
Neighborhood
South Lanarkshire
Organizer
New Lanark Trust
Food & Drink
The Mill Café by the grotto serves festive treats and warm drinks, with takeaway for the picnic areas or lunchroom; the Mill One restaurant serves meals and light snacks.
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Families with young children
Vibe
Festive and playful
Energy Level
Low
Budget
££
Photo Friendly
Moderate
Weather Sensitivity
None
Location
Know Before You Go
- Hours: 10am – 5pm; 2:00pm session on 28 November.
- Parking: Day visitors park in the main visitor car park at the top of the hill. A third party runs it, cash at the machine is the most reliable way to pay, and you have up to 48 hours to pay later through RingGo.
- Accessibility: The village valley terrain is not ideal for wheelchair users or visitors with limited mobility, and buggies are not permitted in some areas like the pantomime.
Tips & Advice
- Bring coins for the car park machine, because card and app payments can fail with the limited mobile signal, though you can still pay on RingGo within 48 hours.
- Remember that your ticket time is your pantomime slot, and fit the Santa visit, Christmas ride and soft play in any time around it.
- Have your ticket ready on your phone or printed, then head straight to your first activity, as there is no need to check in at reception.
- Book a table at the Mill One restaurant in the hotel ahead of time, since the Mill Café by the grotto gets busy at peak times.
- If you are visiting on 6 December, do the soft play earlier in the day, because it closes early that afternoon for a private event.
Special Events & Promotions
- A Quiet Session runs with its own separate tickets.
- An ASN Session takes place on 28 November.
Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Christmas at New Lanark best suited to?
It's designed for families with young children and may not suit teenagers. The soft play is for children aged 1 to 8.
What's included in the ticket?
A visit to Santa in his grotto, where each child gets a soft toy. You also get the pantomime The Wiz that Woz, the Spirit of Christmas Ride on the indoor Annie McLeod Experience Ride and the indoor soft play.
What does the time on my ticket mean?
It's your pantomime slot. You can do the Santa visit, the ride and the soft play at any point during opening hours.
Do I need to check in when I arrive?
No. Go straight to the area you want to visit first and show your ticket to a staff member or volunteer, either on your phone or printed.
Where can we get food and drink?
The Mill Café is right by the grotto entrance. It does takeaway you can eat in the picnic areas or lunchroom. The Mill One restaurant in the hotel serves meals and light snacks, and booking a table ahead is strongly advised.
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Always check the official website for the most current information.
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