Santa has landed at West Midland Safari Park for its annual Santa Safari Christmas event and this year, he’s extended his hours. 

From 25 November and running daily until Christmas Eve, guests will have the chance to see Santa during the day, or on selected dates, visit Santa in his grotto during the evening’s Lantern Festival event. 

The park’s Discovery Trail has been transformed into a winter wonderland, with over 400 Christmas trees, lights, baubles, new photo points and even thick layers of ‘snow’. Additionally, two winter lantern scenes have been installed which come to life when the sun sets. 

Guests to the grotto will be greeted by Santa’s team of friendly elves who will magically transport families to the North Pole on Santa’s sleigh, captained by a new welcoming owl. 

Disembarking the sleigh, they will follow a path through a magical winter wonderland, busy elf workshop and reindeer stables, finally reaching the grotto to pay a visit to the big man himself. 

Children will receive a memento of their day by having a picture taken with Santa to take home, alongside choosing their very own present from the elves’ workshop. 

Also included in the package is a visit to Mrs Claus’ Kitchen, where children can enjoy a drink and cookie, whilst adults are treated to a hot drink and mince pie. 

There is also the chance for guests to win a Family Annual Pass, by entering the ‘Letters to Santa’ competition, where children can write a letter to Santa and post it in his magical talking post box.

Additionally, guests visiting this winter can experience a virtual reality sleigh ride – a magical 4D adventure to the North Pole, helping Santa to test out his sleigh before his big journey on Christmas Eve. 

As Santa Safari coincides with the park’s Lantern Festival event, a variety of ticketing options are on offer, including an evening ticket which includes lanterns and an ‘Ultimate Winter Ticket’, which includes a day visit to Santa Safari, all the animal attractions, talks and shows, then Lantern Festival on the evening. 

Tickets can be booked in advance via the park’s website, wmsp.co.uk/tickets.