SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO WOOLWICH: WOOLWICH WORKS’ MUCH-LOVED SANTA’S GROTTO RETURNS FOR CHRISTMAS 2026
SANTA’S GROTTO (28 NOVEMBER – 23 DECEMBER) LEADS A FESTIVE FAMILY PROGRAMME
ALSO FEATURING THE MAGIC FLUTE (5 DECEMBER), THE ELF FACTORY (13 DECEMBER), A CHRISTMAS CAROL (17 DECEMBER) SANTA’S SILENT DISCO (19 DECEMBER) AND BABY GOSPEL CHRISTMAS (21 DECEMBER)
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Santa Claus is coming to Woolwich this Christmas as Woolwich Works’ much-loved Santa’s Grotto returns by popular demand, opening the doors to a magical winter wonderland from Saturday 28 November until Wednesday 23 December.
Santa and his elves are busy putting the finishing touches to their secret plans, but Woolwich Works has revealed that families can expect festive activities and treats for little ones, cheeky elves and, of course, the Big Man himself. Tickets go on sale on Thursday 1 October, with various session times running across the festive season.
The returning Grotto forms the centrepiece of a packed programme of festive entertainment for families at the landmark Royal Arsenal venue, spanning live music, circus, dance-theatre and interactive Christmas experiences throughout November and December.
The family season begins on 22 November with the National Children’s Orchestras Winter Concert 2026, showcasing NCO’s eldest musicians in their final performance with the orchestra before moving on to new adventures. Conducted by Andrew Morley, the 13 and 14-year-old musicians will perform music by Holst, John Williams, Gershwin and Copland, including selections from The Planets, Star Wars and Rodeo. Tickets start from £9, with under-fives admitted free.
On 5 December, Woolwich Works’ resident artistic company Luca Silvestrini’s Protein brings The Magic Flute to the venue. The family dance-theatre adaptation of Mozart’s opera follows Papageno and Prince Tamino through a magical world in search of Princess Pamina, combining dance, storytelling, humour, rearranged Mozart and original music. Suitable for everyone and suggested for ages 7+, performances take place at 11.30am and 3pm.
The following day, BYMT Presents ’26 brings young performers and musicians from British Youth Music Theatre’s 2026 season together for a showcase of new musical theatre. Featuring performers aged 11–21 and standout numbers from productions premiered at venues including Greenwich Theatre, Birmingham Hippodrome and Hull Truck Theatre, the all-ages event takes place on 6 December.
Families of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities can also enjoy the Winter SEND Family Fun & Info Day (12 December), a free event bringing families and carers together at Woolwich Works for a day of festive fun, activities and useful information and support. The event offers a welcoming and inclusive addition to Woolwich Works’ Christmas programme, with families able to enjoy the day together while finding out more about SEND services and support in Greenwich.
Festive mischief continues on 13 December with The Elf Factory, a playful family show from Hikapee set inside a sherbet factory run by three eccentric elves. Combining science, circus, physical performance, original music and a sprinkling of Christmas magic, the predominantly non-verbal production is suitable for all ages, with performances at 1pm and 3pm.
For families with older children, A Christmas Carol (17 December) offers the chance to introduce a new generation to one of the best-loved Christmas stories of all time. In an acclaimed one-man performance, Mat Jones brings Dickens’ festive classic vividly to life using the author’s own public-reading text, conjuring everything from Scrooge’s chilly office and Fezziwig’s joyous party to the warmth of the Cratchit family and the haunting visits of the Christmas spirits. Presented by Vintage Verse and recommended for ages 12+, the production uses Dickens’ original words without modern adaptation or reinterpretation, offering audiences a taste of how the author himself brought the story to life for Victorian audiences.
There’s also a special edition of Karaoke At The Works on 18 December, featuring a kids’ session at 6.30pm which is completely free to join and promises to be great fun. Self-proclaimed cabaret legends Binkie and Maud return to the fold as the regular hosts.
Families can then turn up the festive volume at Santa’s Silent Disco on 19 December. Running from 4pm–6pm in the Fireworks Factory, the all-ages party invites audiences to grab wireless LED headphones and choose between three channels of festive floor-fillers, Disney favourites and family party tracks, alongside glow sticks, face-painting, treats and a visit from Santa himself. Families can also combine the disco with a visit to Santa’s Grotto earlier in the day.
Rounding off the family programme before Christmas, Baby Gospel Christmas Family Concert 2026 arrives on 21 December. Members of the CK Gospel Choir will perform an uplifting 45-minute mix of Christmas favourites, carols, soul, gospel and Motown in a baby-friendly concert open to all ages and particularly recommended for children aged 0–8 and their grown-ups.
Nick Williams, Director of Woolwich Works, commented: “Christmas is one of our favourite times of year at Woolwich Works and we’re delighted to be welcoming Santa and his elves back to Woolwich by popular demand. We want the Grotto to feel like the heart of a really special festive day out, with plenty for families to discover across the venue before and after they meet the Big Man himself.
“From Protein’s playful take on Mozart to mischievous elves, to a family silent disco and live gospel music, there’s a huge variety of experiences for children of different ages and our programme offers an eclectic alternative to panto. We hope families from Woolwich, across south east London and beyond will come and spend part of their Christmas with us.”
The wider Christmas season at Woolwich Works also includes live comedy, cabaret, music and festive nights out for grown-ups, with The Comedy Store, Brixton Chamber Orchestra, Drag the Halls, Drag Bingo UK: Festive Edition, Christmas Ceilidh, Jolly Bolly Christmas, festive karaoke and New Year’s Eve celebrations among the programme running through to the end of December.
Tickets and information for Woolwich Works’ Christmas programme are available here.
