As Christmas approaches, you might wonder where you can take your children or loved ones to see Santa.

Father Christmas will be visiting a variety of places ahead of his worldwide flight on Christmas Eve, including around the Bolton area.

To help you decide where to catch a glimpse of the man in red, we’ve rounded up some of the places offering a Christmas event where little ones can meet Santa in and around Bolton.

Each Santa event listed below is less than a 1.5-hour drive from Bolton.

5 of the places you can meet Santa near Bolton

Emsbay & Bolton Abbey The Polar Express Train Ride

Location: Bolton Abbey Station, Bolton Abbey, Skipton, BD23 6AF

Combine a magical train ride with meeting Santa this Christmas with The Polar Express that departs from Bolton Abbey Station.

Meet Santa in the train carriages and enjoy a hot chocolate as you get into the festive spirit.

On its Facebook page, the event encourages visitors to “cozy up in your pajamas and bring the whole family for an unforgettable Christmas adventure.”

You can book tickets to the event via the website.

Ribby Hall Village

Location: Ribby Hall Village, Ribby Road, Wrea Green, Lancashire PR4 2PR

The Santa’s Grotto Experience at Ribby Hall Village is sure to bring all the Christmas magic.

You’ll be greeted by elves and tick off Santa’s checklist, following Candy-Cane Lane until you arrive in the “magical woodland”.

Interactive games will make the trip to Santa even more special. Before meeting him, little ones will collect reindeer dust from Festive Point and write their Christmas list.

See what's on in your area via our local events page See what's on in your area via our local events page (Image: Newsquest) Meet Santa in the daytime Monday to Friday throughout November and December.

The experience costs £29.50 per child and tickets can be booked online. Ribby Hall Village encourages visitors to book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Moss Bank Park Café

Location: The Café at Moss Bank Park, Moss Lane, Bolton, BL1 6NB

Taking place on Saturday, December 14 is Moss Bank Park Café’s Santa’s Grotto.

Hourly slots are available to book online and it gives children a chance to sit with Santa for five minutes.

The website says: “Santa's Grotto is a magical holiday experience where children and families can meet Santa Claus in a festive, beautifully decorated setting.

“It offers a magical experience with photo opportunities, holiday decorations, and a special gift for children, making it a memorable part of the holiday season.

“Each little one will have five whole minutes to chat with Santa himself and will receive a special gift or toy straight from his enchanting workshop.”

Adults can attend the event for free but each child must have a ticket (which costs £9.95) and be accompanied by an adult when meeting Santa.

Christmas at the Farm

Location: Mrs Dowsons Farm, Hawkshaw Fold, Longsight Road, Blackburn, BB2 7JA

Head to the farm to visit Santa’s Grotto at Mrs Dowsons Farm this Christmas.

Children aged 18 months to 10 years can enjoy this experience with lots to look forward to including meeting Santa and his elves in a group experience, decorating a gingerbread person, photo opportunities, shows, fun with the elves, a Christmas tour and more.

Parking is free for the day and kids can play for an hour free, included in their ticket price.

Those wanting to visit the farm before the start of the Christmas experience will need to know it is temporarily closed.

Children will get a toy from Santa and visitors will need to wrap up warm as the experience takes place inside without heating.

Children under one year pay £12.79 which includes a gift, children aged one to 12 years will pay £29.95 and adults and children over 13 years old will need to pay £15.79 for the experience.

Brunch with Santa

Location: Mere Sands Wood Nature Reserve, Holmeswood Road, Ormskirk, L40 1TG

Your little ones can combine eating brunch with a trip to see Santa at Mere Sands Wood Nature Reserve.

Visit Lancashire explains: “Children will also enjoy a delicious brunch, choosing from a bacon, sausage, veggie sausage, or hash brown barm, with free-flowing fresh orange and apple juice.

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“Each child will receive a sweet brunch box, featuring an apple, a homemade breakfast muffin, and a large homemade gingerbread man. Perfect treats to enjoy while waiting for their moment with Santa.”

Adults can enjoy unlimited hot drinks as well as fresh juice. Adults pay £6.95 and children pay £9.99 per ticket for the experience.

You can share any dietary requirements with the team when you book.