Christmas · Farm · Santa Streamvale Open Farm, Dundonald
Streamvale Magical Christmas Experience
A guided farm-Christmas tour on December weekends — Mrs Claus' kitchen, a jingle-bell tractor ride, a sparkling light trail, the farm animals, and Santa with a gift for every child.
Just outside Belfast, a real working farm turns into a Christmas wonderland — Mrs Claus' kitchen, a jingle-bell tractor ride, a sparkling light trail and Santa's grotto, with a present for every child at Streamvale Open Farm in Dundonald.
What it is — a guided Christmas experience at Streamvale Open Farm, running on December weekends up to Christmas. Families move round the farm in a small timed group, so it never feels rushed or crowded.
The journey — it starts in Mrs Claus' kitchen (decorate a gingerbread, sip a hot chocolate), then a sing-along tractor ride with jingle bells, deer feeding along the nature trail, and a light trail with thousands of sparkling lights and magical snow.
Meet Santa — each family goes in to Santa's grotto for their own quiet chat and a free photo. Then it's on to Santa's workshop, where an elf helps every child pick a present, before marshmallow toasting in the Cosy Cabin to finish.
The animals — this is still a farm at heart: Pets' Corner feeding, a cuddle corner with the rabbits, and a nativity scene starring the farm's own animals. A lovely, gentle mix of Christmas and countryside.
Timed slots sell out fast. Tickets usually go on sale in September and the best weekend slots book up early, so grab your slot as soon as booking opens rather than leaving it to December.
Best for younger children — the pace, the animals and the whole warm, magical set-up land beautifully with toddlers and little ones. Wrap up warm — you're outdoors on the farm for parts of it.
What's on
From Mrs Claus' kitchen to Santa's grotto
The tour is one flowing journey round the farm — here's what your family steps through, roughly in order, over the hour and three-quarters.
🍪Mrs Claus' kitchenWhere it all begins — children decorate a gingerbread with a hot chocolate or juice, and the grown-ups get a hot drink and a biscuit.
🚜Jingle-bell tractor rideA sing-along ride round the farm with jingle bells to shake and Christmas songs — pure joy for little ones.
🦌Deer & nature trailFeed the farm's red deer along the trail, then wander into a light show of thousands of sparkling lights and magical snow.
🐇Animals & nativityPets' Corner feeding, a cuddle corner with the rabbits, and a nativity scene starring the farm's own animal characters.
🎅Santa's grotto & workshopEach family meets Santa for a quiet chat and a free photo, then every child picks a present from Santa's workshop.
🔥Cosy Cabin finishThe whole family toasts marshmallows together in the Cosy Cabin — a warm, happy way to end the visit.
Plan your visit
How to do it with little ones
This is a timed, guided experience, so the day plans itself once you've picked a slot — you'll be asked to arrive about ten minutes early so you don't miss the start. The whole loop takes roughly an hour and three-quarters, which is a comfortable length for younger children. Because you're outside on the farm for the tractor ride, the deer trail and the light walk, wrap everyone up warm — hats, gloves and sturdy shoes for muddy December ground. Booking opens early (usually around September) and the popular weekend slots go quickly, so book as soon as you can and pick a mid-morning or early-afternoon time when little ones are at their brightest. Every child's ticket includes a present, and each family gets one free professional photo with Santa — so there's nothing extra to buy on the day for the magic to happen.
Dates and slots are released in autumn.
The 2026 December dates and timed slots are usually announced around September on streamvale.com. Weekend slots close to Christmas sell out first — book early, and check the exact date, time and what's included when you reserve.
Good to know
Everything before you go
When
Weekends through December, up to Christmas. The 2026 dates and timed slots are announced in autumn — watch streamvale.com.
Where
Streamvale Open Farm, 38 Ballyhanwood Road, Dundonald, Belfast BT5 7SN — just off the eastern edge of the city.
Cost
Around £29 per child — including a gift from Santa and a free family photo — with adults about £20 and toddlers about £17.50. Check current prices when you book on streamvale.com.
How long
Around 1 hour 45 minutes for the full guided tour. Arrive about 10 minutes before your slot so you don't miss the start.
What's included
Mrs Claus' kitchen, jingle-bell tractor ride, deer feeding, the light trail, farm animals, Santa's grotto, a present for every child and a free family photo, plus marshmallow toasting.
Best for
Younger children especially — toddlers and little ones love the gentle pace, the animals and the whole magical journey.
Booking
Pre-book a timed slot online. Tickets usually go on sale around September and the popular weekend times sell out early.
What to wear
Wrap up warm — hats, gloves and sturdy shoes. You're outdoors on the farm for parts of the tour, and December ground can be muddy.
Getting there
On the eastern edge of Belfast near Dundonald, with on-site parking. An easy drive from Belfast, Comber and the north Down towns.
Questions
The Streamvale Christmas Experience, answered
When is Streamvale's Magical Christmas Experience 2026?
It runs on weekends through December, up to Christmas. The exact 2026 dates and timed slots are announced in autumn (tickets usually go on sale around September) — check streamvale.com to book.
Is it good for younger children?
Yes — it's a lovely fit for toddlers and little ones. The gentle pace, the farm animals, the tractor ride and meeting Santa are all pitched to delight small children rather than overwhelm them.
Does every child get a present?
Yes. Every child's ticket includes a present, chosen with an elf in Santa's workshop, and each family gets one free professional photo with Santa.
How long does it take?
The full guided tour lasts around 1 hour 45 minutes. You'll be asked to arrive about 10 minutes before your slot so you don't miss the start in Mrs Claus' kitchen.
Do I need to book?
Yes — it's a timed, pre-booked experience with limited places per tour. Book online as soon as slots open, because the popular weekend times sell out early.
Are the farm animals part of it?
They are — Pets' Corner feeding, a cuddle corner with the rabbits, deer feeding on the trail and a nativity scene starring the farm's own animals all feature. It's Christmas and a farm day rolled into one.
Getting there
Streamvale Open Farm sits at 38 Ballyhanwood Road, Dundonald, on the eastern edge of Belfast (BT5 7SN), with on-site parking. It's an easy drive from the city, and from Comber and the north Down towns. Pop the postcode in your sat-nav or use the map link below.
Streamvale is a family-run dairy farm on the edge of Belfast that has been welcoming visitors for years — the kind of place where children milk cows, cuddle rabbits, feed deer and bounce round the play barns on a normal day out. Come December, the same farm becomes something special: the sheds fill with fairy lights, the trail glows with thousands of sparkles and a dusting of magical snow, and Santa sets up his grotto down among the animals. It's Christmas built on a real farm, not a car-park marquee — and that's exactly what makes it feel warm and true.
For a family with little ones, it's one of the loveliest tickets of the season: a slow, guided hour and three-quarters where every child decorates a gingerbread, sings on the tractor, meets Santa for a proper chat, picks a present and toasts a marshmallow by the fire. Book your slot early, wrap up warm, and go and let the small people have their perfect Christmas farm morning.