Santa approves earlier-than-ever bookings for Stewarts’ Winter Wonderland Experience

Tickets for Santa’s famous Winter Wonderland at Stewarts go live on Tuesday 1st September 2026

Stewarts Garden Centres has announced that bookings for its Santa’s Winter Wonderland experience will go on sale earlier than ever before to allow families more time to secure their desired date to meet Santa this festive season. Ticket sales will go live online at 10am on Tuesday 1^st of September 2026, a month earlier than the usual launch date.

Martin Stewart, Managing Director of Stewarts Garden Centres, said: "We managed to catch Santa while he was enjoying his summer holiday on the South Coast, and thankfully he agreed to let us share some exciting news a little earlier this year. We know our Winter Wonderland is an important tradition for so many families, so opening bookings sooner gives parents more time to secure their spot and plan ahead."

Christmas at Stewarts has been a firm tradition in many families’ festive diaries for decades. The family business has hosted its Winter Wonderland experience for families across Dorset for the last 40 years at its Christchurch and Broomhill centres, with the concept most recently introduced at its Abbey centre in Fareham, Hampshire.

Families have the opportunity to meet Santa at Stewarts Garden Centres from Saturday 21^st of November 2026, through to Christmas Eve (24^th December 2026). Elves show visitors through Santa’s Winter Wonderland, complete with scenes of Santa’s workshop and Rudolph’s stables, before families meet Santa himself in his Grotto. The Santa’s Toy Store experience is a recent addition to Stewarts Winter Wonderland where children can choose their own gift from a selection of high-quality toys, arts and crafts, and games to ensure their present is right for them.

Martin added: “As a local family business, it is a pleasure to host this experience year after year. We know that our Winter Wonderland experience is an important tradition for so many families across the south and we now see customers who used to visit us when they were little bringing their own children to meet Santa at Stewarts, carrying on their cherished festive traditions, and creating new special memories of their own.

“Our teams across our centres can’t wait to welcome everyone for the 2026 festive season.”

As part of the Winter Wonderland celebrations, Stewarts is bringing back its free selfie walkway at all of its centres in Dorset and Hampshire. Stewarts encourages customers to capture the spirit of Christmas by taking photos of family and friends in the various Christmas themed selfie spots located around their nearest centre. This year’s selfie stations include Santa’s sleigh, a gingerbread house, and various elf poses, surrounded by Christmas trees. Customers have the chance to win a £50 Stewarts gift voucher by tagging Stewarts in their photos shared on Facebook or Instagram.

Stewarts has partnered with regional charities Naomi House and Jack’s Place this Christmas to host a series of Santa’s Winter Wonderland SEN Sessions for those that require a calmer visit. The SEN sessions have no flashing lights and only gentle background music is played. Visitor numbers in the Winter Wonderland walkway are limited compared to general admission. Both Naomi House and Jack's Place charities will receive 50% of ticket proceeds from all SEN Sessions.

Tickets for Stewarts Garden Centres’ Winter Wonderland experience go on sale online, here: santa.stewarts.co.uk at 10am on Tuesday 1^st September 2026.

Admission for babies aged 0 – six months old is £3.95 per baby and includes a small cuddly toy. Tickets for children aged +6 months  – 12 years old are £19.95 per child and includes a toy of their choice from Santa’s Toy Store. Any accompanying adult costs £3.95 per person and receives no present. Please note, a minimum of one adult ticket must be purchased with at least one baby or child ticket.

To book an SEN Session, customers must call or visit the centre they wish to visit from 10am on Tuesday 1st September 2026. These sessions are not available to book online, as Stewarts will ask questions on each child’s specific needs, but please visit: santa.stewarts.co.uk/sen-sessions for further information.