The top 5 UK cities to meet Santa this Christmas revealed

‘Tis the season, and Christmas lovers of the UK are preparing to catch a magical glimpse of Santa, whether in his personal grotto or flying above the sky with reindeers in tow.

But where are the best places to spot Father Christmas? The experts at CasinoTop3.com have determined the UK’s most festive cities, and the BEST places to spot our favourite festive figure.

The UK’s Top Festive Cities to Meet Santa, Revealed!

Oxford is officially the top UK city to meet Santa. Boasting a grand total of 1,222 opportunities to meet the bearded fellow throughout the month of December, there’s no denying that those spending the big day in Oxford will be in with a higher chance than its neighbours. 

Clear It Waste also named Oxford as one of the top cities to spot Santa in the skies in 2022, as the city has a low level of light pollution. Oxford is one of the most festive cities overall to find yourself in, with over 1,276 Christmas Carol events to choose from, and a dazzling increase of Christmas lights in the lead up to the big day (16%). 

The famous university city also proves its Christmas spirit with a monumental 99k+ Christmas hashtag views on TikTok, capturing the city's festive beauty in video. Oxford festive recommendations: Oxford Christmas Lights Festival, Broad Street Christmas Market, Christmas Lights at Blenheim Palace

Winchester claimed the second top spot to meet Father Christmas this year, with 902 opportunities to meet him around the city. Whilst the cathedral city is sadly one of the least likely places to capture a white Christmas, with just a 0.10% chance of snow, the city is a winner when it comes to social media.

Winchester whips up an impressive 322,675 TikTok views of the winter wonderland, as well as 9,576 Instagram hashtags to testify to its holiday spirit. Winchester festive recommendations: Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market, Star of Wonder, Festive Lights Trail at Marwell’s

As the two age-old rivals, Oxford and Cambridge, clash once again, the well-trodden cobblestones of Cambridge snag spot number three on the list to meet Santa. The county town also boasts 902 opportunities to meet Santa throughout the month, as well as an impressive 1,034 Christmas Carol Events. 

The city comes to life in December, with festive lights Increasing its overall brightness by 21%. With a full day of snowfall also predicted in December, it's no surprise this joyful city secures its spot on this list.

Cambridge festive recommendations: Cambridge Ice Arena, The Polar Museum, Knights Park Festive Market. The next best city to meet St Nick is Gloucester, providing 792 chances to get on the nice list and request your gifts.

With a respectable 2,838 Instagram hashtags, Gloucester has entranced Christmas lovers for decades, boasting a 31% increase in Christmas lights, coming second only to Cardiff and Bristol for festive night time lighting in the UK. Gloucester festive recommendations: Gloucester Quays Ice Rink and Winter Markets, Meet Santa at Coal Kitchen, Gloucester Vegan Christmas Market

Rounding off the top five best cities to spot Santa, amassing a respectable 704 opportunities to meet him, Worcester has garnered a slightly slimmer choice of festive grottos than neighbouring city, Gloucester. Worcester also boasts a 15% increase in night time lighting from October through December, giving the city an extra shine during the holiday season.

Worcester festive recommendations: Christmas Tree Festival, Hartlebury Castle, Cathedral Square Christmas Market. Behind on Christmas Shopping? Dread spending more time than usual with the in-laws?

If you’re feeling a bit bah humbug this year, you’re not alone, because these UK cities have been named the least festive.

The UK’s SCROOGIEST cities and towns, revealed:

On the opposite end of the scale, Plymouth has been crowned the UK’s scroogiest city, according to the study from CasinoTop3.com.

Owing to the port city’s meagre one percent increase of Christmas lights and just 0.2 average snow days in the month of December, Plymouth claimed the rather unfestive title. Additionally, the city also boasts just 962 Christmas hashtags on instagram, and just 31,041 TikTok Christmas views, meaning Plymouth secured a total festive score of just 4.51 out of a possible 10 - the lowest score out of the 31 towns and cities compared in the rankings.

Joining Plymouth at the top of the list of the UK’s SCROOGIEST cities, is Glasgow (5.84/10), Liverpool (5.92/10), Newcastle (6.00/10), and Derby (6.23/10).