A leading UK Midlands theme park is preparing for the return of its Christmas celebrations.
Families are once again being invited to Staffordshire’s Alton Towers to enjoy a festive visit combining attractions, entertainment and an overnight stay.
The Santa Sleepovers experience will run on selected dates from 27 November to 23 December 2026, with packages starting from £96 per person. Families can visit Santa’s Grotto, enjoy a Christmas pantomime and festive shows, and stay overnight at one of the resort’s themed hotels before making the most of its Waterpark and Extraordinary Mini Golf the following day.
The Santa Sleepover experience includes a visit to the UK’s only CBeebies Land, where families can enjoy its attractions, including this season’s latest rollercoaster, Bluey the Ride: Here Come the Grannies!, alongside the family rides in Mutiny Bay. Towers Street will also feature festive decorations and seasonal entertainment, providing a Christmas setting for visitors arriving at the resort.
Family entertainment
A central part of the experience is Santa’s Grotto, located along Mistletoe Lane. Families can explore interactive festive experiences before meeting Santa, with a closing light show illuminating the historic Alton Towers ruins, providing a seasonal finale.
The entertainment programme also includes The Sprout that Saved Christmas, a festive stage production, and the traditional Christmas pantomime Dick Whittington.
After a day in the theme park, guests can enjoy a festive evening meal accompanied by hotel singers performing seasonal favourites. An overnight stay in one of the resort’s themed hotels follows, with a buffet breakfast provided the next morning.
The package also includes admission to the Alton Towers Waterpark and nine holes of Extraordinary Mini Golf, giving families additional activities to enjoy during their short break.
Santa Sleepovers start from £96 per person and are available on selected dates: 27 to 29 November, 4 to 6 December, 11 to 13 December and 17 to 23 December.
Day visits
Families who would prefer a shorter visit can also experience Christmas at Alton Towers, with festive day tickets starting from £16 per person.
These visits include access to CBeebies Land, family attractions in Mutiny Bay, and seasonal decorations along Towers Street. Visitors can also enjoy The Sprout that Saved Christmas and the closing light show.
A visit to Santa’s Grotto is available as an additional purchase alongside day admission, costing £12 per child, or £10 per child for Merlin Annual Pass holders. Up to two accompanying adults can visit Santa’s Grotto free of charge with each child’s ticket.
This provides an alternative for families looking to meet Santa and enjoy the resort’s Christmas entertainment without booking an overnight stay.
Post-Christmas festivities
The Merlin Entertainments resort is also offering a separate range of Festive Breaks between 27 December and 3 January, with prices starting from £78 per person.
These packages include an overnight stay in one of the resort’s themed hotels and a buffet breakfast, alongside access to CBeebies Land, Mutiny Bay and Towers Street. The entertainment programme continues after Christmas, with performances of The Dick Whittington pantomime and The Sprout that Saved Christmas show.
Guests also receive admission to the Alton Towers Waterpark and nine holes of Extraordinary Golf. The attraction line-up will differ slightly during this period, with Alton Towers confirming that Bluey the Ride: Here Come the Grannies! and the Go Jetters Vroomster Zoom rides will not operate during these Festive Breaks.
The combination of Christmas-themed entertainment, family attractions, and overnight accommodation gives visitors several ways to experience the resort across the festive period, including the weeks leading up to Christmas and the days between Christmas and New Year.
