Quick answer
Christmas around Sheffield brings a pantomime, Santa visits, a festive farm evening and indoor skating. Cinderella plays the Lyceum on selected dates from 28 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. At the Tropical Butterfly House in North Anston, children can see Santa with normal admission on selected December dates. Several venues close over Christmas, so read the closures below before you plan.
Christmas closures and changed hours
- Lyceum Theatre: no Cinderella shows are listed on Mondays 30 November, 7 and 14 December, Thursday 17 December, Christmas Day or New Year’s Day.
- Tropical Butterfly House, North Anston: the park information page says it is closed on 25 and 26 December. On 12 November the booking calendar still offered 26 December, so check first.
- Magna, Templeborough, Rotherham: on 12 November its calendar showed it closed on Mondays and Fridays for the rest of November. It also showed closures on 4 December, 7 to 11 December and 14 to 18 December. It showed Magna closed from 24 to 26 December and on 1 January 2027.
- Weston Park Museum: two galleries, Picturing Sheffield and Sheffield Stories, are closed for an event on Sunday 15 November 2026. On 12 November its Christmas hours page still showed last season’s dates, so check again before late December.
- Graves Park Animal Farm: the council page does not mention Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year arrangements.
Pantomime: Cinderella at the Lyceum
Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield on Tudor Square stages Cinderella on selected dates from 28 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. There are up to three shows a day. Boxing Day shows start at 2pm and 7pm.
On 12 November the booking system listed seats at £15 to £67.50, varying by performance, and prices can change. A £1 levy is added to tickets over £15. Under 2s can sit on your knee without a ticket, but every child aged 2 or over needs one.
No age guidance or running time was published on 12 November. Bags must be no bigger than A3, and you should bring nothing containing nuts.
Access shows listed on 12 November included one relaxed performance, at 10.15am on Thursday 10 December 2026. A BSL and audio described show was at 7pm on 15 December. Captioned shows were at 7pm on 18 December and 2pm on 2 January 2027.
Where to meet Santa
Magical Christmas Experience, Tropical Butterfly House, North Anston
Tropical Butterfly House runs its Magical Christmas Experience on 5 and 6, 12 and 13, and 19 to 24 December 2026. On those dates the park opens 10am to 4pm, and normal admission prices apply. Santa’s Woodland Grotto runs 10am to 3pm, with breaks shown on signs. Every child can see Santa as part of admission. A Santa gift costs £8.50 extra.
Admission is £17.95 per adult and £16.95 per child aged 2 to 15, plus 30p a ticket online. Under 2s go free. Children under 16 must be with a responsible adult over 18. Book online with an arrival time, because entry is not guaranteed outside it. The Elf Workshop runs 11am to 3pm, some activities may cost extra, and it is recommended for ages 3 and over.
Outside event dates in winter, it is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays except in school holidays. On 12 November the ticket shop said pushchairs must be left in a marked area outside the Bird House. Everyone must use the disinfectant foot mats there. Adults must supervise children at all times, especially near open ponds. Only registered assistance dogs are allowed, with 48 hours’ notice, proof of vaccinations and a declaration form.
Santa’s Workshop, Weston Park Museum
Weston Park Museum is free to enter, with a suggested £5 donation, and is usually closed on Mondays, bank holidays included. Santa’s Workshop runs on 12, 13 and 17 to 23 December 2026, including Monday 21 December. Booking is essential, through Eventbrite. Tickets cost £12.50 per child, £6 per baby under 18 months and £2.50 per adult, with at most two adults per child. On 12 November every date showed as fully booked except 17 and 18 December.
A Baby Friendly Santa Experience on 15 December 2026 is for babies under 18 months, at £9.50 per baby and £2.50 per adult. It is also booked on Eventbrite, with at most two adults per baby ticket. Prams must be left downstairs by the lockers or in the corridor outside the room. There are no refunds or transfers if you cancel seven or fewer days before an event.
Magical Christmas Evening, Graves Park Animal Farm
Graves Park Animal Farm is a free council farm, open every day from 10am to 3.30pm. On 12 November TryBooking listed Magical Christmas Evenings on 18 and 19 December 2026, in sessions from 4pm to 6pm and 6pm to 8pm.
For the 18 December 4pm session, a child ticket for ages 1 to 16 cost £15.15, including a 15p fee. It covers a disco, meeting Santa and a present. A parent or carer ticket for ages 16 plus cost £5.15, with a hot drink. Everyone attending needs a ticket. The farm recommends it for ages 0 to 10, but it is open to all ages. That session listed no ticket for babies under 1, so contact the organiser through TryBooking first. No dogs are allowed.
The farm is outdoors, and parking is limited and paid.
Winter Skating at Magna, Templeborough
Magna Science Adventure Centre is in Templeborough, Rotherham, near Sheffield. Winter Skating runs on an indoor artificial rink on selected dates from 19 December 2026 to 17 January 2027. A 45-minute session costs £6 per adult or child, with skates included. Skating needs a general admission ticket or annual pass as well.
Online admission is £20.95 per adult, £18.95 per child aged 4 to 15 and £9.50 for ages 2 to 3. Under 2s go free, and door prices are higher. The smallest skates are size Junior 7. Magna opens on set days only. On 12 November its calendar showed 10am to 4pm on 21 to 23 and 27 to 30 December.
Magna’s FAQ says under 18s need a responsible adult, unless acting as a parent or guardian. The ticket shop says “over the age of 18” once and “over the age of 16” elsewhere, so check with Magna. Magna says the building is dark, loud and cold, so bring coats. The Big Melt show has strobe lighting, sparks and flames. Magna cannot store prams.
Frequently asked questions
Where can children meet Santa near Sheffield in 2026?
The Tropical Butterfly House includes Santa in admission on its event dates. Weston Park Museum holds ticketed Santa events on 12, 13, 15 and 17 to 23 December 2026. Graves Park Animal Farm holds ticketed Christmas evenings on 18 and 19 December 2026.
When is the Lyceum pantomime in 2026?
Cinderella plays on selected dates from 28 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. No performances are listed on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day.
Is the Tropical Butterfly House open on Boxing Day?
Its park information page says it is closed on 25 and 26 December. On 12 November its booking calendar still offered 26 December, so check before booking.
Do you need a Magna ticket to go skating?
Yes. Winter Skating costs £6 per session and is only valid with a general admission ticket or annual pass.
Is anything free at Christmas in Sheffield?
Entry is free at Weston Park Museum and Graves Park Animal Farm, but their December Santa events listed above are ticketed.
Checked on 13 November 2026 against the official websites, through our Sheffield venue pages. Prices and opening times change, so check before you travel.
Main photo: Sheffield Botanical Gardens in the snow, January 2010. Photo: Martin Speck, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (cropped).