Santa’s Grotto After Hours
Friday 18th December & Monday 21st December 2026
4 pm – 7 pm
Come along and experience the magic of Christmas at Dudley Zoo and Castle. Meet Santa before the big day and discover more about his reindeer helpers during an exclusive late afternoon event on Friday 18th December!
The visit includes:-
🎅🏻 Meet Santa’s cheeky elf who will lead you to Reindeer Ravine – festively adorned with colourful, twinkling fairy lights to light up the night sky!
🚂 Take the Santa Express* to meet Santa in his Grotto and receive a special gift from Santa
🦌 Learn more about our herd during a reindeer talk
🖍 Take part in Christmas crafts in the Farm Barn
📷 Enjoy festive photo opportunities in Santa’s sleigh so bring your camera
🐪 Visit our Christmas camels in their stable
🍔 Refreshments will be available to purchase in the Courtyard
🎟 Free return Zoo admission ticket included, valid until 31st March 2027
Tickets: £16.00 per adult & £16.00 per child (1 – 15 yrs), under 1 yrs are £7.00 each.
Terms and conditions.
This evening does not include Zoo admission to the remainder of the site and no access to any other parts of the Zoo will be permitted apart from the areas listed. You must stay on the designated pathways at all times.
All guests should arrive at our customer car park via Tipton Road, DY1 4AL. Car parking is complimentary. Drive down the Tipton Road towards the Black Country Museum from Castlegate Island, turn left at the traffic lights onto Discovery Way. Turn left at the small roundabout and halfway down Zoological Drive, you will see our indoor Chimp House (chimp graffiti on the front). There is a door here where you will access the site.
Please arrive at least 30 minutes ahead of your chosen time slot to help the evening run smoothly. The chosen time slot will be the time you go through Santa’s Grotto.
Tickets are not valid in conjunction with any other offer or promotion. Tickets are non-refundable, non-exchangeable and have no cash value.
Due to the hilly nature of the site, special arrangements must be pre-arranged for disabled guests and people with limited mobility.
We advise wrapping up warm and wearing sensible walking shoes!
The time slot chosen is your Santa time.
The grounds will close at 7 pm.
Your free return ticket will be handed to you on arrival.
*DZC Santa Express land train is subject to adverse weather conditions and mechanical issues.
