Make Christmas Magic at Borde Hill
Do you love Christmas? Are you great with children, have a warm personality and enjoy making people smile? We’re looking for a Father Christmas to join our festive team at Borde Hill Garden this December.
Set within the beautiful surroundings of our Grade II* listed Garden, our Christmas Grotto is a special experience for families with young children. For
many, meeting Father Christmas is the highlight of their visit – and you’ll have the wonderful opportunity to create those magical moments.
You don’t need previous Father Christmas experience. We’ll help you get ready! We’ll provide a costume, wig and beard, rehearsal time, a friendly team of Mrs Claus and elves around you, a lunch break and a beautiful Grotto. What matters most is your personality, your ability to connect with children and your enthusiasm for making Christmas magical.
What will you be doing?
As Father Christmas, you will:
• Welcome children and their families into the Grotto.
• Chat naturally with children about Christmas, their wishes and what they’ve been up to.
• Listen to their stories and respond with warmth, humour and a little Christmas magic.
• Present each child with a special gift assisted by the Chief Elf
• Help create a memorable experience that families will treasure.
• Stay in character whenever you are visible to visitors.
Every child is different, so there is no rigid script. Some children will be full of excitement and questions, while others may be shy or a little unsure. You’ll need to be able to adapt naturally and make each child feel comfortable.
Who are we looking for?
You might already have experience performing, entertaining or working with children – but previous Father Christmas experience is definitely not essential.
We’re looking for someone who is:
• Warm, friendly and naturally engaging with children.
• Confident chatting and improvising in character.
• A good listener and storyteller.
• Fun, enthusiastic and genuinely fond of Christmas!
• Comfortable staying in character while in the Grotto.
• Reliable, punctual and happy working as part of a small festive team.
• Proud to create a high-quality experience for our visitors.
Most importantly, you need to be able to believe in Father Christmas and help children believe too! And, of course, you’ll need to be able to deliver a very convincing, “Ho, Ho, Ho!” If you’re looking for a fun and rewarding seasonal role where you can bring a little Christmas magic to hundreds of children, we’d love to hear from you.
Salary: £17 per hour
Hours: 7.5 hours per day (this could be a job share)
Grotto Open: 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 December. We ask that you are available for at least four of these dates.
To apply: email your CV & covering letter to: [email protected]
Closing date: 15th October 2026
Click here to see the full job description
