This Christmas, get ready for a truly enchanting festive adventure at the Ark Farm, Newtownards! Santa and his very cheerful elves invite you and your family to embark on a magical journey through a winter wonderland. With a small group of fellow visitors, one of Santa’s friendly elves will help you to explore the festive sights and sounds that will make this an unforgettable experience. Santa’s elves are already hard at work, creating an adventure filled with twinkling lights, snow-covered trees, and all the Christmas magic you could imagine!
If you choose a time slot between 9.30am and 3.30pm, this is our ‘daylight’ experience. Our lights may not shine as brightly but you will be able to enjoy the rest of the farm that cannot be used at night time including our play areas, Fairytale Forest and Jurassic Ark.
If you book a time slot between 3.30pm and 9.30pm, this is our ‘After Dark’ experience when our Christmas lights shine in their full glory. Please note that our play areas, Fairytale Forest and Jurassic Ark will be closed for our After Dark experiences.
Santa has arranged for several ‘quiet’ sessions suitable for those with sensory needs. These sessions are quieter than our main experience but including all the same lovely happenings as our main After Dark Christmas Experience.
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As you arrive at the Christmas Experience, a cheerful elf will greet you, marking the start of your magical journey. In a small, cosy group, you will have the delightful opportunity to meet and feed Santa’s very own Christmas reindeer! The experience starts promptly at your chosen time and will last about two hours. Santa is very excited to welcome you and kindly asks that you arrive on time so you don’t miss a single moment of the magic!
Next, your elf guide will take you and your group on a festive tractor ride through the farm, where you’ll spot some of the other charming animals who live there. As we journey through, we’ll get in the Christmas spirit by listening to a Christmas story and singing some festive songs.
The most anticipated part of the Magical Christmas Experience is finally here – it’s time to visit Santa Claus! Each family or group will enjoy a special, private moment with Santa. While you wait for your turn, the elves will keep you warm and toasty with hot cocoa and marshmallow roasting by the fire.
You’ll have plenty of time to snap your own photos with Santa, and if you’d like, Santa will take a picture on his camera, available for purchase at the end of your visit.
After your visit with Santa, your group will have the opportunity to explore the Elf Village! Get creative by decorating yummy gingerbread, making magical reindeer food for Christmas Eve, and even stopping by Santa’s sweet shop for a special treat.
Santa’s a little behind schedule and could really use some help! Your little ones will be invited to assist the elves in Santa’s workshop, where they can create their very own gift—a cuddly teddy bear to take home and treasure. With a variety of special designs to choose from, your child is sure to find their favourite!
The last stop on your Magical Christmas experience is a visit to Santa’s post office to write him a letter or thank-you note. You will also have the chance to enjoy looking at the photo Santa took of you when you popped in for a visit (and you can choose whether you would like to buy one, or just enjoy your own)!
Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate late arrivals or early arrivals. Each family has a designated time slot and will be assigned to a specific group to fully enjoy the experience. Please arrive at the time you have booked. Given the high volume of families and groups visiting Santa daily, we are unable to adjust your selected time if you miss the start of your experience – as much as we would like to!
Some areas of the farm will be closed during evening events, including play areas, Jurassic Ark & the Fairytale Forest. During the evening events you can enjoy the magical Christmas lights which are not available through the day.
Please note that the Jumping pillows will be closed throughout November & December for winter related safety reasons.
Our friendly team of elves will help you pick and make your very own cuddly toy to take home.
There’s lots of designs to choose from so you are sure to find one that’s just right!
Enjoy building together as a family. These 16″ (40cm) bears are a lovely personal keepsake that will be with them for years to come.
Bookings can be made for groups of 2 to 8 people. If your group exceeds 8, we may need to split you into smaller groups of 8 to see Santa. To accommodate larger groups, simply make multiple bookings and complete the checkout process together.
The children’s ticket includes a delightful teddy bear that they can build themselves with the help of our friendly elves. This experience includes stuffing the bear and adding a small heart before taking it home. There is a variety of bears to choose from, ensuring your child finds their perfect companion. Additionally, children will take home reindeer food for Christmas Eve, sweets, a gingerbread man, and a completed passport as a keepsake.
Yes! You are welcome to take your own photo or Santa will take one photo per family with his own camera during your visit. These photos are available for purchase at the Post Office at the end of your experience. Photos are priced at £8 each, or you can buy two for £12, and they come in a frame or card, making them a perfect gift.
We have a team of wonderful gentlemen who assist Santa during this busy time of year. While some have real beards and others do not, they all embody the true spirit of Santa Claus.
Yes, you can dress up your teddy! We offer a variety of charming outfits and accessories for purchase at the Post Office at the end of your experience, allowing you to make your new teddy truly unique.
We are delighted to welcome group visits this year. Please contact us directly via email to arrange group bookings. Kindly note that we have limited capacity for group visits. Email: info@thearkopenfarm.co.uk
The farm is closed for regular farm visits during the Christmas Experience (from 4th November to 27th December). However we do open between Christmas and New Year if you would like to enjoy a festive visit to the farm with the fam.
Please note: Jumping pillows will be closed throughout November & December for winter related safety reasons.
Please note: sections of the farm are closed during evening events including play areas, Fairytale forest and Jurassic Ark.
Please note: sections of the farm are closed during evening events including play areas, Fairytale forest and Jurassic Ark.
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Registered company number NI694742
