Discovery Point
Opening Hours
Daily: 9am-5pm
Entry Fee
  • Off-Peak Pass: £14.00
  • Unlimited Pass: £17.00
  • Child (5-16 years) from: £8.00
  • Family Pass from: £36.00
  • Carer (accompanying): Free
Tickets & More Info
Verdant Works Museum
Opening Hours
Mon-Sat: 10am-5pm
Sun: 11am-5pm
Entry Fee
  • Off-Peak Pass: £13.00
  • Unlimited Pass: £15.00
  • Child (*T&Cs apply): Free
  • Carer (accompanying): Free
Tickets & More Info
Christmas in Dundee
WHAT'S ON

Step into a winter wonderland at Discovery Point & RRS Discovery and Verdant Works Museum this Christmas to create magical memories.

Santa's Grotto
DISCOVERY POINT

Santa and his elves are coming back to Discovery Point this December for festive fun! Enjoy an enchanting family day out this Christmas in Santa’s Grotto, with singing, dancing, laughter and festive magic.

Discovery Point Transformed
SUPPORT US

Explore our plans to transform Discovery Point and spark curiosity in heritage for the next 100 years.

Join our Patrons
SUPPORT US

Did you know you can support Dundee Heritage Trust as a Patron of the museums? Join us to support our mission for Discovery.

Wardroom Dining Experience
DINE AT THE CAPTAIN'S TABLE

Take a seat at the Captain’s table aboard the Royal Research Ship Discovery for the ultimate luxury dining experience.

Christmas Party Nights
EVENTS

Roll into the Roaring Twenties this Christmas at Verdant Works; a charming Victorian mill. Enjoy a festive feast, non-stop dancing, and an enchanting venue for your Christmas Party Night Out this festive season.

Our mission for Discovery
ABOUT US

Dundee Heritage Trust is a charity formed in 1985 to preserve the RRS Discovery for future generations. Now, we’re on a mission to spark curiosity in heritage, science, and discovery.

Conserving the RRS Discovery
ABOUT US

Explore the £3.4M conservation project aboard the RRS Discovery, in a once-in-a-generation effort to preserve her for the next 100 years.

Polar Publications
COLLECTIONS

Celebrate two iconic publications from our Polar Collection: the famous South Polar Times compiled on Discovery in 1902, and Shackleton’s rare Aurora Australis.

The Blizzard Podcast
DISCOVERY POINT

The Blizzard Podcast is your invitation behind the scenes on RRS Discovery each month, meeting guests telling stories to transport you to other worlds.

Red and white Santa hat on the wheel of RRS Discovery with V&A Dundee in the background
WHATS ON

Santa's Grotto at Discovery Point

Book today
FESTIVE ACTIVITIES

Visit Santa and his elves in Dundee this Christmas

Looking for a magical Santa’s Grotto the whole family will love in Scotland this Christmas? Christmas 2026 begins here in Dundee!

Join us for an unforgettable Christmas day out and step into a winter wonderland as Santa parks his sleigh at Discovery Point. Overlooking the RRS Discovery and V&A Dundee, wander into our special Santa’s Grotto and enjoy a festive performance, before meeting Santa and his elves, to receive your very own gift.

Book your tickets today, to create memories the whole family will cherish this Christmas at this top-rated Santa’s Grotto in Dundee, the home of RRS Discovery and all things polar.

Plan your Santa's Grotto visit

Less than 1 hour from Fife, Perth and Angus. Plan your journey here.

Want to know what to expect? Check out our videos from last year’s Grotto, when Wingingmamahood and Tinygingerlove visited!

Your Santa's Grotto visit

Santa and his elf at RRS Discovery in Dundee. Santa is seated, wearing a red suit and white gloves, with his elf standing to his right wearing a green and red Christmas elf costume.

Your Santa's Grotto visit

When you buy a ticket to meet Father Christmas at Discovery Point this Christmas, you unlock a world of festive magic. Each child ticket to the Grotto includes:

  • North Pole passport
  • Write a postcard to Santa
  • Interactive performance from Santa’s elves
  • Meet Santa
  • A very special gift
  • FREE Child Ticket to Discovery Point & RRS Discovery for each child ticket holder*
  • Discounted Adult Tickets to Discovery Point & RRS Discovery available for Grotto ticket holders*
Book your tickets

FAQs

All you need to know before your journey into our winter wonderland at Discovery Point, Dundee, this Christmas

How much are tickets to the Santa's Grotto?

Tickets to the Discovery Point Santa’s Grotto cost £20.00 and include:

Mini performance by Santa’s elves
Meet Santa
Gift

Tickets should be pre-booked online here

Can adults come along too?

Due to limited space, up to 2 adults per booking are permitted to accompany children into the Santa’s Grotto. There is no charge for adult tickets to the Santa’s Grotto. These can be added to your order for free as add-on items.

Book your tickets online here

What age is the Santa's Grotto suitable for?

The Santa’s Grotto includes a mini song and dance performance from Santa’s elves before an opportunity to meet Santa. It is suitable for little ones aged 0-10. Please select the correct ticket for the age of your child.

What does the Santa's Grotto include?

The Discovery Point Santa’s Grotto Experience takes place in the auditorium on the ground floor of Discovery Point and is a group session, including a song and dance performance, followed by a chance for each child to meet Santa and receive their gift.

How long does the Santa's Grotto Experience take?

Each session can last up to 45 minutes. 

Can I bring my pram or buggy?

There is a small buggy park area in the foyer at Discovery Point. Please note, personal belonging left in this space are done so at the owner’s risk and Dundee Heritage Trust takes no responsibility for any damage or incidents that occur.

Do I need to book the Santa's Grotto in advance?

Yes, all Santa’s Grotto tickets should be booked in advance here.

How do I get to the Santa's Grotto at Discovery Point?

The Santa’s Grotto is found within the Auditorium at Discovery Point, on the ground floor.

Discovery Point
Discovery Quay
Dundee
DD1 4XA

Discovery Point in Dundee is 1.5hr from Edinburgh by car, and less than 2hr from Glasgow. Dundee is connected to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth and Aberdeen by public transport including trains, Ember buses, City Link buses, Flix Bus, and others.

To find Discovery Point and RRS Discovery on What3Words, search: ///roughness.cars.output

Does my Santa's Grotto ticket include access to Discovery Point and RRS Discovery?

Children with Santa’s Grotto tickets receive complimentary access to Discovery Point & RRS Discovery. Adult tickets can be purchased at a discounted rate for Santa’s Grotto ticket holders for just £10.00pp, saving £6.00. You can book your discounted adult Discovery Point tickets at the time of booking your Santa’s Grotto tickets.

Book Santa’s Grotto tickets here and plan your visit to Discovery Point here

What last year’s guests said

Visit our 2026 Grotto

This was by far the best Christmas activity we’ve taken our daughter to. This is her first Christmas and we wanted to make it as magical as possible and this experience was amazing. The elves were fantastic the were such fun and great performers. My daughter is only 6 months and she never looked away from the performance once. We were made to feel so welcome and Santa was brilliant when trying to get a photo of them to have such a great memory for the future. This is an amazing activity and I will be sure to tell other parents to visit.  

Santa’s Grotto 2025 Visitor

It was a really beautiful visit, my grandson (5) was super excited and a little shy all the same. However the elf show and friendly staff and general jolly atmosphere relaxed him and he just couldn’t wait for Santa’s arrival, it was an excellent build up. I loved how all the kids sat together and Santa spoke to them all. Seeing my grandson wore cochlear implants, Santa ensured he spoke directly and clearly to my grandson, in such a non obvious way. A very special afternoon, including for the adults, who were all made to feel very special. All staff without exception made the visit a memorable experience. Thanks to all involved  

Santa’s Grotto 2025 Visitor

Santa himself was beautifully presented and took the time to give a heartfelt, thoughtful talk that truly kept the magic alive, even for our 10-year-old who left still believing wholeheartedly in the wonder of Christmas.

Santa’s Grotto 2025 Visitor

We are so glad we booked this visit. It was truly enchanting from start to finish and made our Christmas season extra special. Highly recommended! 🎄✨

Santa’s Grotto 2025 Visitor

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