With Christmas fast approaching, Santa will be making plenty of appearances across Norfolk.

Here is a list of seven places you can meet him in 2023.

1. Meet Santa at Elveden 

Where: Elveden Courtyard, London Road, Elveden IP24 3TJ

Every weekend from December 2 to December 17, Santa will be in his little magical house at The Elveden Courtyard.

He will be there with his mischievous elves between 10.30am and 3.30pm, telling stories of their adventures from the North Pole, taking pictures with his guests and giving out presents.

Tickets cost £10 per child and can be prebooked online.

2. Santa Special Steam Trains

Where: North Norfolk Railway

Santa Special stream train rides will be running on the North Norfolk Railway on weekends from November 25 to December 17 and daily from December 19 to December 23.

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The train journey runs from Sheringham to Holt with elves on board to keep guests entertained.

The passengers will then travel to Weybourne to meet Santa who will be prepared with gifts for children. 

Tickets can be booked online and range from £7.50 to £29.50 in price.

3. Christmas Visits at Bressingham

Where: Bressingham Steam and Gardens, Low Road, Bressingham, Diss IP22 2AA

Bressingham's Christmas visits include a ride on a steam train on the Fen Railway, a festive spin on the Gallopers and a visit to Father Christmas.

Children aged up to 12 years old will also receive a present. 

Catch Father Christmas, Mrs Christmas and the elves every weekend from December 2 and daily from December 21 to 24.

Tickets to Santa's Grotto range from £6.13 to £12.50 depending on the child's age.

Diss Mercury: Catch Father Christmas, Mrs Christmas and the elves at BressinghamCatch Father Christmas, Mrs Christmas and the elves at Bressingham (Image: Bressingham Steam and Gardens)

4. Christmas at Africa Alive

Where: Africa Alive, Whites Lane, Lowestoft NR33 7TF

A £19.95 ticket to Africa Alive's Christmas festivities includes an elf safari, a meeting with Father Christmas in his Wild Workshop, and an all-day entry pass to the zoo.

Ticket holders will also have the chance to receive an animal adoption pack and a complimentary return ticket to Africa Alive or Banham Zoo as a gift from Santa.

The experience will take place on selected dates between November 24 and December 24.

5. An Audience with Father Christmas

Where: Holkham Hall, Holkham, Wells-Next-The-Sea NR23 1AB

This magical visit includes a performance by Santa's band of Ukelele Elves in the Marble Hall, a wander around the festively decorated state rooms and a visit to Father Christmas in the saloon.

Santa will tell the group Christmas tales and give gifts to children and refreshments including prosecco and mince pies will be available.

The 45-minute experience will take place on December 9, 10, 22 and 23.

Tickets cost £35 but under-1s go free.

6. Santa's Magical Journey

Where: Thursford Collection, North Lane, Thursford, Fakenham NR21 0AS 

Santa's Magical Journey at Thursford guides visitors down a path of enchanting Christmas scenes.

From penguins and polar bears to giant teddy bears and the busy elves in the toy factory, there are plenty of fantasy characters to enjoy. 

The trail leads outside to the Lantern Light Extravaganza where there are lots more creatures and sculptures on the way to the North Pole.

Santa's Magical Journey will take place on selected dates between November 19 and December 23.

Tickets also include access to Thursford's Enchanted Journey of Light.

They cost £22.50 for children and £15 for adults during lighter hours, rising to £28.50 and £22 when it is darker.

Diss Mercury: The journey provides magic for the whole familyThe journey provides magic for the whole family (Image: Ian Burt)

7. Santa Paws' Grotto

Where: Dobbies, Hardwick Road, King's Lynn PE30 4WQ 

Our final recommendation welcomes dogs as well as children to meet Father Christmas and receive a very special gift.

The grotto will open from December 2 for three consecutive Saturdays, with more chances to meet Father Christmas between December 18 and Saturday 23.

Booking is essential and tickets cost £6.99.

Diss Mercury: Dobbies is welcoming dogs as well as children into its grottoDobbies is welcoming dogs as well as children into its grotto (Image: Dobbies)