Santa’s Secret Forest returns to Hightown with its biggest Christmas experience yet

Santa’s Secret Forest is returning to Hightown, just off the Formby bypass, this Christmas, with a host of new attractions promised for 2026 including the UK’s largest snow machine, real magicians, puppeteers, magic wands and a significantly upgraded woodland light trail.

The immersive Christmas experience will reopen at Orrell Hill Woods in Hightown on Saturday 21st November following its debut season last year, with organisers saying some sessions have already sold out.

Described as much more than a traditional Santa’s grotto, Santa’s Secret Forest takes families through a 2,700 square metre Christmas world combining an illuminated woodland trail, live characters, storytelling, immersive theatre and technology.

Families travel through a series of Christmas attractions including the custom built Tinsel Town Express steam train, Santa’s Sleigh Garage, North Pole Command, The Mail Room, Elf Village and Toy Workshop before eventually making their way to meet Santa himself.

For 2026, organisers have announced a number of major additions.

A brand new entrance tunnel will lead families into the forest and onto an upgraded light trail featuring new installations, immersive effects and plenty of opportunities for Christmas photographs.

Children will also receive special 3D glasses which transform points of light into the appearance of falling snowflakes.

One of the biggest new additions is The Burrow, where real magicians and puppeteers will perform and interact with families. Children will receive their own magic wands and become part of the story as they make their way through the experience.

Inside Santa’s Hub, youngsters can watch their letters to Santa travel through giant transparent tubes towards the North Pole sorting office, while a present wrapping machine offers another glimpse behind the scenes of Santa’s Christmas operation.

Families will also be able to meet Santa’s real reindeer before the all important visit to Santa, with every child receiving a complimentary Christmas cuddly toy.

And organisers say a white Christmas will be guaranteed whatever the Merseyside weather decides to do.

The UK’s largest snow machine will create realistic foam effect snowfall, transforming the forest into a winter wonderland.

The experience continues after meeting Santa, with the return journey also being enhanced for 2026 before families arrive at the transformed Merrywood Market.

Covered tipis, bars, festive food, a traditional sweet shop and marshmallow toasting will give visitors the chance to stay a little longer and enjoy the Christmas atmosphere.

There will also be new photo opportunities throughout the forest, alongside professional grotto photography and festive keepsakes including baubles, snow globes and printed photographs.

Accessibility will continue to be an important part of the experience. Dedicated SEN sessions will be available throughout the season with lower lighting, softer 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 the first Santa’s Secret Forest had been incredible and the team wanted to make its second year even more magical.

He said they had looked at every stage of the experience and created more opportunities for children to interact with the Christmas world around them.

He added: “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.”

Santa’s Secret Forest opens at Orrell Hill Woods in Hightown on Saturday 21st November 2026, with tickets available for dates throughout the festive season.

Book Tickets by clicking the picture below…