The Mercury's grotto in Romford was £10 last year with no booking. Christmas Land in Hornchurch runs 27 November to 2 January, grotto £8 a child.
The easiest place to see Santa in Romford is The Mercury shopping centre, where the grotto has run for close to thirty years. Last Christmas it cost £10 for a “magical elevator” ride, a visit with Santa, a photo and a present, was open every day until Christmas Eve and needed no booking. For a bigger night out, Christmas Land in Harrow Lodge Park, Hornchurch, pairs a lights walkway with its own grotto and runs from 27 November 2026 to 2 January 2027. The Mercury has not announced its 2026 dates yet.
The quick answer
- The Mercury, Romford: £10, walk in, no booking. Last year it opened on 10 November and ran daily to Christmas Eve
- Christmas Land, Hornchurch: walkway from £5.50 a person, grotto £8 a child, 27 November 2026 to 2 January 2027
- Free Santas came to five of Havering’s seven town centre switch-on events in November 2025
The Mercury grotto, Romford town centre
The Mercury’s own listing describes last year’s grotto as a lift ride “through the clouds” to Santa. The £10 price covers the ride, meeting Santa, a photo and a present, and the centre says grotto helpers have other packages (The Mercury: Visit Santa).
- Opening: 10 November, then every day until Christmas Eve
- Hours: Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday 11am to 4pm
- Booking: none needed, you queue on the day
- Tuesdays: sensory sessions, calmer visits for children or adults with additional needs, which may mean smaller crowds or quieter music
- Wednesdays: dogs are welcome to see Santa
- If the lift is too much: you can ask to walk through without the effects switched on
The Mercury is in Mercury Gardens, Romford RM1 3EE, a short walk from the market and the station. Its grotto launch post from an earlier year said part of the proceeds went to a local charity, Saint Francis Hospice.
Christmas Land, Harrow Lodge Park
Mind in Havering, Barking and Dagenham runs Christmas Land as a fundraiser in the grounds of Harrow Lodge House, next to Harrow Lodge Leisure Centre, Hornchurch RM11 1JU. Christmas Land 2026 runs from 27 November 2026 to 2 January 2027, with the illuminated Harrow Lodge House, a Christmas lights walkway through the Secret Garden, Santa’s Grotto, and food and refreshments. All proceeds support Mind in Havering, Barking and Dagenham. The charity said it drew more than 30,000 visitors in 2024 (Live Well Havering listing).
| Ticket | 2026 price |
|---|---|
| Walkway admission | From £5.50 per person |
| Under twos | Free |
| Santa’s Grotto | £8 per child |
Opening dates, Santa dates, SEN sessions, specialist sessions and live ticket availability are on the official site, christmasland.co.uk, which is the place to book.
Free Santas at the town centre switch-ons
Havering Council’s November 2025 programme put Santa, Father Christmas or a Santa sleigh at five of the borough’s seven lights events (Havering Council, 2025):
| Town centre | 2025 date | Santa |
|---|---|---|
| Rainham | Friday 14 November, from 5pm | Santa meet and greet, Harris Academy sports hall |
| Upminster | Friday 21 November, 3pm to 6pm | Hornchurch and Upminster Rotary float and Santa sleigh |
| Harold Hill | Sunday 23 November, noon to 6pm | Meet Santa at Hilldene Shopping Centre |
| Elm Park | Friday 28 November, 3.30pm to 6pm | Father Christmas, free tickets booked in advance |
| Harold Wood | Saturday 29 November, 3pm to 7pm | Santa and the elves, Station Road car park |
Romford itself has had no switch-on since 2023. The full story, and what the council has said about 2026, is on our Romford Christmas lights page.
Getting there
The Mercury and Harrow Lodge Park both have car parks; council charges and Christmas parking are on our parking in Romford page, and roadworks and travel covers the routes in. If you are coming by train over Christmas week, check our Christmas trains page first.
Still to be confirmed
- The Mercury has not announced its 2026 opening date or price. Last year’s grotto opened on 10 November, so expect news in late October or early November.
- Switch-on events: Havering published last year’s programme in November.
We will check again on 20 October and update this page.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need to book the Santa’s grotto at The Mercury?
No. Last year the centre said no booking was required and the grotto was open every day until Christmas Eve.
How much is Santa’s grotto in Romford?
At The Mercury last year it was £10, which included the lift ride, Santa, a photo and a present. At Christmas Land in Hornchurch, walkway admission starts at £5.50 a person and Santa’s Grotto is £8 a child, from 27 November 2026 to 2 January 2027.
Can I take my dog to see Santa in Romford?
Yes, at The Mercury on Wednesdays, going by last year’s arrangements.
Sources
- Visit Santa at The Mercury and grotto launch post, The Mercury Shopping Centre.
- Christmas Land, the official site run by Mind in Havering, Barking and Dagenham, and the Live Well Havering event listing.
- Havering to light up for Christmas 2025, London Borough of Havering.
Christmas Land details updated 5 October 2026 with information from Mind in Havering, Barking and Dagenham.
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