The immersive festive experience is shaping up to be even more magical than before
Liverpool’s most magical Christmas experience, Santa’s Secret Forest, makes its highly anticipated return to Liverpool this year, following a successful debut season in 2025.
Returning to Orrell Hill Woods in Hightown from Saturday 21 November, the Christmas experience promises ‘far more than a traditional grotto’, inviting families to step inside a 2,700sqm Christmas world, combining an illuminated woodland trail with immersive theatre, live characters, storytelling and technology as children journey behind the scenes of Santa’s Hub.
From the custom-built Tinsel Town Express steam train, Santa’s Sleigh Garage and North Pole Command to The Mail Room, Elf Village and Toy Workshop, little ones and their families can discover the magic of Christmas before meeting Santa himself.
A spectacular new entrance tunnel will transport families into the forest before they embark on a significantly upgraded light trail, with new installations, immersive effects and picture-perfect moments transforming the woodland route. Special 3D glasses will also turn points of light into magical falling snowflakes before children’s eyes.
This year, magicians and puppeteers will bring the experience to life at the all new Burrow, while inside Santa’s Hub, children can watch their letters to Santa shoot through giant transparent tubes towards the North Pole sorting office, while a present wrapping machine will offer another glimpse into the extraordinary operation taking place behind the scenes.
Families will also meet Santa’s real reindeer as well as have the all-important visit to Santa himself, where each child receives a complimentary Christmas cuddly toy.
For those wanting to continue the festivities, covered tipis, bars, festive food, a traditional sweet shop and marshmallow toasting will give families somewhere cosy to extend their visit.
Accessibility will remain an important focus at Santa’s Secret Forest, with the team believing that magic should be accessible to everyone. Dedicated SEN sessions are available throughout the season with low light, soft sound, and limited crowds. Santa and his elves can also communicate using British Sign Language.
James McMahon, Director of Sidestep Events Ltd, said: “The reaction to our first Santa’s Secret Forest was incredible, but we immediately knew that we wanted to make year two even more magical.
“We’ve looked at every part of the journey and created more opportunities for children to interact with the world around them. This year, alongside our 10 immersive rooms is our all new burrow for 2026. Children won’t just watch the magic happen, they’ll have a chance to help it all unfold, meet magicians and characters, watch their letter to Santa disappear towards the North Pole, see our real reindeer and become part of the story themselves.
“Christmas felt enormous when you were a child, and that sense that anything could happen is what we want to recreate. We want parents to feel some of that magic again while watching their children experience it for themselves.
“It’s a real privilege to play a small part in creating those special Christmas memories for families, and we can’t wait to open our doors again in November and see that excitement and delight on our guests’ faces.”
Tickets are on sale now at santassecretforest.co.uk.
Get the latest news to your inbox
Get the latest food & drink news and exclusive offers by email by signing up to our mailing list. This is one of the ways that Confidentials remains free to our readers and by signing up you help support our high quality, impartial and knowledgable writers. Thank you!
