Entertainment / Christmas 2025
First visit to Santa O’Clock: the immersive Christmas Grotto at Cabot Circus
This year at Cabot Circus, families can take a break from the chaos of Christmas shopping to step into the world of Santa O’Clock.
An empty shop has been transformed into a wintery world of elves, clockmakers and a beautifully made, giant snowy owl called Tickety-Twoo, who very nearly steals the show.
The set-up is simple. Ordinarily, Christmas runs on time here – but for the fact that the most important clock amongst the many before us, has stopped working.
Santa Paws photo opportunities will be available to book for those with dogs – photo: Paul Box
Cue the children of Bristol, who are called upon to fix it. Can they save the festive season through a winning combination of “belief, generosity and kindness”? You bet they can.
No grotto is complete without a visit from the big guy in red, but there are also thoughtful little touches to keep the children busy while they wait for the main event: colouring, wish-granting, and an elf-name generator.
All children are given a cuddly reindeer from Santa, and there are photo opportunities a plenty, too.
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To book a 30-minute slot in the Santa O’Clock Christmas Grotto, visit www.cabotcircus.co.uk.
Dedicated SEN timeslots offering a quieter experience will be held on Wednesday and Friday mornings until December 21, and SantaPaws sessions will take place on Sundays and Thursdays until December 18.
Main photo: Paul Box
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