Dobbies Garden Centres has a ‘nice list’ of special Christmas events at its Edinburgh store for every member of the family to enjoy this year. Dobbies’ Santa’s Grotto and Quiet Grotto experiences have an exciting North Pole adventure inspired theme, and four-legged friends are also invited to join the fun with Santa Paws.
At Santa’s Grotto, children will experience a North Pole inspired Grotto, before meeting Santa Claus. The 2025 Santa’s Grotto at the Edinburgh store has adventure as its core with activities along the way as children journey through an ice-inspired world, take part in polar games such as snowball basketball and make some reindeer food. Children will then meet Santa to share their Christmas lists and wishes, before receiving a special gift.
This year’s Santa’s Grotto is set to be the best yet and is running from 23 November to 24 December at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store. The event is priced at £14-£16 per child (date dependant). Photographs with Santa are also available during visits, with reduced rates at the time of booking.
Dobbies’ Quiet Grotto takes place on Friday 5 December at the Edinburgh store and will offer a more relaxed and inclusive experience for children with additional needs. These sessions ensure no queuing on the day, a reduced number of people in the grotto area, twinkling lights are removed and grotto music is turned off.
Prior to visiting, Quiet Grotto customers will also be emailed a photo of the specific grotto they will be visiting to help prepare the children for their experience.
Dobbies was founded in Scotland in 1865, and as the 160th year celebrations wrap up, Dobbies are turning to the future, with every Santa’s Grotto and Quiet Grotto ticket purchased helping to support the The Dumyat Project. planting of up to 3,000 native trees in this beautiful region of Scotland.
This year, families are encouraged to include their four-legged friends in the Christmas fun. Santa Paws, an experience specifically designed for dogs, is back and bigger than ever with increased capacity to meet demand at the Edinburgh store. At Santa Paws, dogs will get the chance to meet Santa and his elves, take part in a sniff-ari activity, capture a special memory with Santa Claus, before receiving a special gift.
Santa Paws is running from 29 November to 24 December, with tickets from £10.50.
Dobbies’ Events Programme Manager, Ayesha Nickson is looking forward to welcoming families to this year’s grotto experiences at the Edinburgh store. She said: “We are thrilled to unveil our 2025 North Pole adventure-themed Santa’s Grotto to families this year.
“Children will embark on a magical journey, take part in a variety of fun and interactive activities, and finish their visit by meeting Santa and receiving a special gift.
“Our Quiet Grotto experience is also a great chance for families and children with additional needs to enjoy the fun at Santa’s Grotto, and Santa Paws will be the perfect way to include your dog in the Christmas family memories.”
Customers are encouraged to book in advance for Dobbies’ Christmas events to avoid disappointment.
Tickets for all events and experiences at the Edinburgh store are on sale now with an option to make a donation during your purchase to Dobbies’ National Charity Partner, Alzheimer’s Research UK or to the Dog’s Trust when booking tickets for Santa Paws.
To learn more about the Christmas events and make a booking, visit: