FAQs Canny Christmas Grotto

All tickets need to be booked online. Book your tickets for A Canny Christmas Grotto. 

Every member of the party, both adults and children need a ticket.  

Only ticket holders will be admitted. If you haven’t purchased a ticket, unfortunately, you won’t be able to accompany a child into the experience. Babies aged under 18 months are free but will not receive a gift from Santa.

Yes. Sunday 7 December from 2–5.30pm is allocated for families who require a relaxed, sensory friendly experience. You can book your tickets here.

Yes, you will need to buy a ticket for your baby if you’d like them to receive a gift.

Yes, your visit to the Canny Christmas Grotto is just for your party.

• A hot chocolate and festive cookie 
• Festive crafts  
• A meet and greet with Santa and the elves in the Canny Christmas Grotto with a gift for each child up to 12 years old 
• Photo opportunities in the sleigh 
• A forty-minute experience of cosy Christmas cheer 

Your Canny Christmas Grotto experience will start at the café on floor 2 of the museum. Please make sure you have your e-ticket ready. 

All tickets need to be booked online and in advance. Early booking is recommended. 

We cannot guarantee that any tickets will be available to buy on the day.

No. Please leave extra time for your journey - traffic will be heavier than usual when travelling at the weekends and busy periods. Please leave plenty of time for your journey, unfortunately we will not be able to admit your party if you arrive late for your timeslot. 

• We would recommend travelling by public transport. Up to three children aged 11 and under can travel for free on the Metro and the Shields Ferry when accompanied by a fare-paying adult.    
• Discovery Museum is an eight-minute walk from Central Station where Metros and trains stop. Many buses stop nearby on Neville Street and Westmorland Road. The museum is well signposted. 
• The next nearest Metro station is St James, a 10-minute walk. 
• Please contact the Nexus traveline on 0871 200 22 33 or visit the Traveline website for more information about public transport. 

• No. We advise parking at the Grainger Town multi-storey car park on Waterloo Street. It is a three-minute walk to Discovery Museum. 
• Newcastle City Council car parks use cash, card or the PayByPhone app for car park payments. Please do not use any QR code displayed in the car park to pay for parking.  
• Please note that Discovery Museum sits within the Clean Air Zone. Privately owned vehicles and motorbikes are not affected by this charge. For more information, please visit the Breathe Clean Air website. 

Your visit will last approximately 40 minutes. 

We ask that visitors arrive no earlier than 15 minutes before the admission time and no later than 10 minutes after the admission time. Sadly, if you arrive late, we may not be able to guarantee you entry to the event.

The museum is accessible with multiple toilet facilities and a Changing Places toilet. Two wheelchairs are available for visitor use. Please ask a member of staff at the Welcome Desk who will be able to assist. 

If you have any specific Access requirements, you can supply that information during the booking process. Visit this page for full venue Access information.

At Discovery Museum there are multiple accessible toilet facilities with baby changing in both the male and female toilets. 

You can leave your buggy at your discretion in the allocated space in the museum. There will be very limited space for buggies in the experience so please leave your buggy in the buggy area.

Every day the event runs there are half-hourly slots from 10am – 5pm, *except Sunday 7 December.  

• Saturday 29 November 
• Sunday 30 November 
• Thursday 4 December 
• Friday 5 December 
• Saturday 6 December  
• *Sunday 7 December – from 2–5.30pm for SEND families 
• Thursday 11 December 
• Friday 12 December 
• Saturday 13 December 
• Sunday 14 December 
• Thursday 18 December 
• Friday 19 December 
• Saturday 20 December 
• Sunday 21 December 
• Monday 22 December 
• Tuesday 23 December

Yes, all ticket holders will receive a hot chocolate and sweet treat. Any allergy information or special requests can be made during the booking process. 

• Tickets are non-refundable and subject to availability.   If you are unable to use your tickets you are welcome to transfer your booking to someone you know.   

• You can amend the date or time of your visit, subject to alternative sessions being available. Your confirmation email will have a link to manage your booking.  Ticket exchanges are only available up to a week prior to your session.