UK-wide, plus destination weddings
Santa & Christmas Characters for Hire in the UK
Santa, his elves and festive characters for grottos, office parties, family days and Christmas events, fully costumed and full of cheer.
- Vetted, insured partners
- One point of contact
- Free, no-obligation quotes
Photos · 5
From real events
Picture this at your event
Free, no-obligation quotes. Most enquiries take about a minute.
Reviews
What our clients say
Real, unprompted reviews from our customers on Trustpilot.
- 18 August 2025
Thank you Jeeven and Party Central for organising the dholis
I have been in touch with Jeeven, who organises events for Party Central, and he has been a great help. His customer service is excellent. He was very patient and helpful in finding the package best suited to my requirements, even though there were a few changes to timings and dates. Jeeven is a very friendly guy, easy to communicate with and very quick to respond. So thank you, Jeeven, for organising the dholis for me.
FDFakir DungariaDhol players · Verified on Trustpilot
- 11 September 2026
Party Central event planning experience
Sanj from Party Central has been absolutely brilliant in helping us find the right DJ package for our event and venue. From the very beginning, he has been so friendly, approachable and genuinely helpful. He has given us lots of great advice, not only about the DJ package but also about the venue, which we really appreciated. I would definitely recommend Sanj and Party Central.
RRanjKDJ package · Verified on Trustpilot
- 14 April 2024
We used Party Central for our annual charity event
We used Party Central for our annual charity event and were absolutely thrilled with the results. Their platform made it so easy to manage everything, offering a wide range of services that catered perfectly to our needs. It's great to know that such a reliable service is just a few clicks away.
EMElise MwangiCharity event · Verified on Trustpilot
How it works
Booked in three simple steps
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Tell us about your event
Pick a service, add your date and venue. It takes about a minute.
- 22
Get matched and quoted
We match you with vetted performers who are free on your date and send you options.
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Book and celebrate
Secure your booking online. We stay your single point of contact up to the big day.
The guide
Booking Santa and Christmas characters in the UK: the complete guide
Written by Daniel Price, Entertainment Bookings Manager, Party Central
· Last updatedThe short answer
Party Central books Santa and Christmas characters for weddings, parties and corporate events across the UK and abroad. Tell us your date, venue and what you have in mind and we match you with vetted partners who are free. Every event is different. Prices depend on availability, your exact requirements, time on site and location, so we quote each booking individually.
UK-wide
plus travel abroad
Vetted partners
checked by our team
Insured
public liability cover
One contact
from enquiry to event
Free quotes
no obligation
Real content
videos from real events
What can Santa and his elves do at an event?
A professional Santa with a real or quality beard and full costume can greet families, host a grotto, hand out gifts or make a grand entrance at a Christmas party. Elves help run the queue, keep children entertained and add to the festive feel.
Christmas characters work at staff family days, garden centres, shopping centres, hotels and venue grottos, as well as adult office parties where Santa can make a cheeky appearance. We can help you plan the grotto set, the queue and the gift handout.
Where it works best
Christmas grottos
Santa and elves for a proper grotto experience.
Staff family days
Gifts and photos for employees' children.
Office Christmas parties
A surprise arrival for the grown-ups.
Retail and venues
Seasonal footfall for shops and centres.
Winter wonderland
Festive characters in a frosted setting.
Brand activations
Santa handing out samples or gifts.
Tips from our team
- 1
Plan the grotto flow
A clear queue, a welcoming elf and a photo spot keep a grotto calm and happy.
- 2
Prepare the gifts
Label gifts by age or name and agree who hands them over, so nothing slows down Santa.
- 3
Ask about checks
If children will attend, ask us about DBS checks and we will confirm what each performer holds.
Frequently asked questions
How much do santa and Christmas characters cost?
Every booking is quoted individually, because the price of santa and Christmas characters depends on availability, your date, location and travel, how long you need them and your exact requirements. Send us your date and venue and we will come back with clear options. Quotes are free with no obligation.
Can Santa hand out our gifts?
Yes. You supply the gifts and we agree the handout with Santa and the elves.
Is a grotto set included?
It depends on your booking. We can advise on the grotto layout or help source a set.
Can Santa appear at an adult party?
Yes. Santa can make an entrance, pose for photos and join in the fun, pitched to your audience.
What time will the santa and Christmas characters arrive, and how will they look?
They arrive smartly dressed and on time, usually 30 to 45 minutes before the performance, so they are ready the moment you need them. We share arrival times and a contact number with you before the day.
Are your santa and Christmas characters vetted and insured?
Yes. Every partner is vetted by our team before they are listed. They hold public liability insurance and certificates, carry out risk assessments, and any electrical equipment they bring is PAT tested. Venues often ask for these documents and we can supply them.
How far in advance should I book santa and Christmas characters?
For weddings and summer weekends, book as early as you can, ideally several months ahead, as the best dates go first. We can often help at short notice too, so it is always worth asking.
Do you cover my area?
Yes. We cover England, Scotland and Wales, and our partners regularly travel abroad for destination weddings. Search your town on our coverage page to see local options.
How do I book santa and Christmas characters through Party Central?
Click Get a Quote, tell us about your event and our team will come back with options that are free on your date. Once you are happy, you secure the booking online and we stay your single point of contact up to the day.
Still have questions?
Tell us about your event and we'll come back with options.
Get a quote for Santa and Christmas characters
Tell us your date and venue. We'll match you with partners who are free.