Lanterns Grotto

Scroll down to our calendar to book your tickets!

We’re pleased to confirm with the North Pole that Santa will be at the zoo on select evenings of Edinburgh Zoo’s Giant Lanterns event in December. We recommend securing your Lantern Grotto slot before purchasing your event tickets as these slots will fill fast!

Make your little one's evening at Edinburgh Zoo’s Giant Lanterns extra special this festive season. Meet Santa Claus at our Christmas Grotto, which will be inside our Budongo Trail building!

The grotto will be available to book on selected evenings in 10-minute time slots starting at 5:15pm and ending 8:45pm.

Edinburgh Zoo’s Giant Lanterns can be enjoyed before or after your visit with Santa depending on your booked timeslot. Entry for Edinburgh Zoo’s Giant Lanterns is available from 4:45pm with last entry at 8pm. The event closes at 9pm.

Contact us for more information

As the grotto is on the event route, access will be through our main admissions building. Please present your Edinburgh Zoo’s Giant Lanterns ticket to our admissions team. Your Lantern Grotto ticket does not need to be presented until you arrive at the grotto, where our elf will check you in.

You'll receive a reminder email and map to pinpoint where to find the grotto on the event route ahead of your visit.

Dates and prices

Saturday 5, Sunday 6, Friday 11, Saturday 12, Sunday 13, Wednesday 16, Thursday 17, Friday 18, Saturday 19, Sunday 20, Monday 21, Tuesday 22, and Wednesday 23, Thursday 24 December.

1 child: £19.50 + £1 booking fee
2 children: £35 for 2 + £1.25 booking fee
3 children: £51+ £1.50 booking fee
4 children: £68 + £1.75 booking fee

For further information please contact events@rzss.org.uk