Events & Entertainment | Posted on August 19th, 2026 | return to news

Dorset garden centre launches Winter Wonderland tickets

Santa, who is enjoying a surfing holiday, is urging families to book early to see him at the Christchurch and Broomhill centres.

It might be only the middle of August and we have just emerged from the country’s fifth heatwave, but Santa is looking towards December – although, at the moment, he is enjoying a summer break.

Stewarts Garden Centres has announced that bookings for its Santa’s Winter Wonderland experience will go live online at 10am on Tuesday 1 September, a month earlier than the usual launch date.

Martin Stewart, managing director 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 hosted its Winter Wonderland experience for families across Dorset for the last 40 years at its Christchurch and Broomhill centres.

Families can meet Santa from Saturday 21 November through to Christmas Eve. Elves show visitors through Santa’s Winter Wonderland, complete with scenes of Santa’s workshop and Rudolph’s stables, before families meet Santa in his Grotto. The Santa’s Toy Store experience is a recent addition 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 said: “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, 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.

Tickets can be booked at https://santa.stewarts.co.uk/.

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 per cent of ticket proceeds from all SEN Sessions.

To book an SEN Session, customers must call or visit the centre they wish to visit. 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.