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.
is needed now More than ever
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.
View this post on Instagram
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
Read next:
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
