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We had a lovely time at SnowDome’s Santa’s Winter Wonderland a few weeks ago, and we couldn’t be more excited to share our experience! Now in its 19th year, this festive event is undeniably a local favourite, and after attending the preview evening, we can certainly see why. It’s a perfect blend of wintery family fun, festive cheer, and unique activities for everyone to enjoy. It really is the ultimate real-snow Christmas experience.
I also created a video of the magical winter wonderland, check out my Instagram reel to watch!
Disclaimer: We were gifted complimentary media tickets to Santa's Winter Wonderland at SnowDome Tamworth. However, all opinions and views expressed in this review are my own.
Santa's Winter Wonderland at The SnowDome Tamworth
Santa's Winter Wonderland at the SnowDome in Tamworth is a festive attraction featuring real snow, live animals, and a Christmas show. Visitors can enjoy an icy snow trail with sledging, snow slides, and festive displays, including the new Summit Slide. The experience includes a Jack and the Beanstalk pantomime, a Christmas village with real animals, a children's carousel, and a talking post box.
1. Christmas Snow Trail
One of the main draws of Santa’s Winter Wonderland is the real snow. Yes, you heard that right—real snow! For 30 minutes, we were transported into a snowy wonderland, where Elijah (and the rest of us!) had the time of his life. From gliding around on snow sledges to making snow angels, and whizzing down the big and mini snow slides in snow tubes, there were endless opportunities for snow-filled fun. Watching Elijah’s face light up with joy as he raced down the slides was priceless! It was definitely the highlight of the evening, and it truly set the stage for a festive mood that lasted through the experience.
As you go around the snowy trail, there are a few photo opportunities—you can sit in a sleigh, sit in giant red and gold baubles, or stand in front of the huge, decorated Christmas tree. Before entering the experience, we were provided with a photo card featuring a QR code. This code allows all your photos from the event to be uploaded to one place, where you can view them at the end of the experience and purchase any you'd like. Since our visit, other families have said that they were given different photo tickets after each photo opportunity.
2. Mini Pantomime
After the 30 minutes of snow play is up, a member of staff announces on the tannoy that it's time for the mini pantomime, “Jack and the Beanstalk.” The 20-minute pantomime was packed with festive cheer, fun, and laughs, making it a delightful addition to the experience. Perfect for little ones (and the grown-ups too!), the mini pantomime added a lovely theatrical touch to the evening.
3. Santa’s Christmas Village
Next, we wandered into Santa’s Christmas Village. The village was full of charm, with so much for families to enjoy. The classic children’s carousel was a hit with Elijah, who loved spinning around to Christmas tunes. We also had a chance to see some furry friends—goats, alpacas, and guinea pigs!
Writing a letter to Santa was another highlight, and we didn’t forget to pop it in the magical post box, hoping for a reply! And don’t miss the new Naughty or Nice spinning wheel, which was a fun little touch to see if you’re on Santa’s “nice” list this year.
A Few Thoughts on the Event
Overall, our time at Santa’s Winter Wonderland was great, but there are a few small things I’d mention. We personally didn’t feel like we had enough time playing in the snow. We arrived a few minutes into our session, and between queuing and waiting to get a helmet for Elijah, we lost about 5 minutes, and the time you get in the snow is only 30 minutes total. We managed to do one lap around the trail and had three goes down the slopes, but after around 25 minutes, we were called to the mini pantomime. After that, you can't go back into the snow—it follows a strict timed structure: snow trail, mini-show, then the Christmas village.
I do feel like we could’ve stayed a bit longer to truly soak in all the snow fun. And I do think during busier periods, more time would be taken up by queuing to use the slopes, and it would be more difficult to get around pulling the sledges. That said, the timed sessions do help keep the event more manageable and prevent overcrowding, so it's a great idea for controlling numbers.
It’s also important to note that there is no Santa’s grotto or present from Santa. Many people may expect a meet and greet with Santa in the Christmas village, but this isn’t part of the experience. Santa only appears during the show. However, all children do receive a Lindt chocolate at the end, which is a lovely touch.
It’s also worth noting that it is not pushchair friendly. For me personally, I wouldn’t have felt comfortable babycarrying my youngest either, as it is quite slippy underfoot in parts. That said, the event is described as wheelchair-friendly on the website, though spaces are limited. It’s worth highlighting that they do increase wheelchair allocations during relaxed sessions.
Top Tips
Don’t dress too warm! While it’s tempting to bundle up, you might find yourself getting hot quickly, especially if you’re pulling a child on a sledge.
Make sure children wear gloves (or even take two pairs).
Arrive early to your session to avoid eating into your snow time. This ensures you have the full 25-30 minutes to enjoy the snow activities.
While it didn’t happen with us, some families have shared feedback that parking in the car park can take a while during busy periods. Be sure to factor this into your travel plans to avoid delays.
Why not enjoy a hot drink at the on-site Aspen's Bar & Kitchen after your session, or before if you get there early? You can relax and watch people skiing and snowboarding, which adds a nice end to the festive experience.
Final Thoughts
All in all, Santa’s Winter Wonderland at SnowDome is an unforgettable fun-filled Christmas adventure for families. From the magic of the real snow to the festive activities in the village and the pantomime, there’s nothing else quite like it and there's something for everyone to enjoy. It’s clear why this event is so popular year after year!
Have you been to Santa’s Winter Wonderland before? Let us know your thoughts or if you plan on attending in 2025 in the comments below! 🎄⛄🎅