Raby Castle to launch tickets to its popular Chirstmas event this week with a magical twist

Raby Castle, Park and Gardens is launching tickets for its sellout Father Christmas at Raby Castle event on Friday 1 August, where families meet the main man himself in the most magical castle in the North of England.

For an exciting festive twist this year, Father Christmas has been caught in a gust of wind and has come tumbling down the wrong chimney for Raby’s Christmas celebrations.

Instead of gathering in the Castle’s Entrance Hall, children will get to climb the grand staircase into one of Raby Castle’s most magnificent rooms, the Baron’s Hall which will be glowing with festive magic, for their special encounter with Father Christmas, featuring a performance full of singing, storytelling and laughter alongside a personalised gift.

Sophie Brown, Sales and Events Manager at Raby Estates, said: “Father Christmas is all topsy-turvy this year. He thinks that the sun always shines at Christmas, that Christmas puddings are made from baked beans, and that his sleigh is pulled by sausage dogs. Something must be done, or this Christmas might stay topsy turvy!

“This new, fun encounter with Father Christmas will take place in the grandeur of the Baron’s Hall, allowing our visitors to climb the beautiful staircase for the very first time, into this most magical space to meet Father Christmas and help us put Christmas the right way up.

“Last year, our family Christmas event sold out within a few days, so we’ve expanded the experience for 2025 to include extra slots, allowing even more visitors to enjoy the festive cheer at Raby.”

Raby members and those who are signed up to Raby’s newsletter will receive priority booking for Father Christmas at Raby Castle – this will be available on Thursday 31 July ahead of the general public sale from Friday 1 August.

There will also still be accessible Father Christmas sessions in the ground floor hall at Raby Castle on selected dates to make the experience inclusive for all family members.

The Father Christmas at Raby Castle event will take place from 22 November with final performances on Christmas Eve. Tickets are priced from £30 for one child and one adult, and premium tickets also include access to the beautiful Walled Gardens and the expansive Deer Park for a festive stroll in the crisp winter air, as well as entry to tour Raby Castle, decorated for Christmas. 

Raby Castle, Park and Gardens will be revealing more information and dates about its popular enchanted festive forest, festive afternoon teas, creative wreath workshops and its Christmas market for an extraordinary calendar of festive offerings.

For more information about Raby Castle, Park and Gardens and to sign up to the newsletter, please visit: www.raby.co.uk/raby-castle