Autism Friendly Christmas Event at High Rise Lisburn

This December, we’re hosting an autism friendly Santa experience designed to provide a welcoming environment for all guests. Our dedicated Christmas event will take place on Sunday 8th December at 10am, offering both Clip ‘n Climb and soft play sessions. This magical Christmas event is tailored to create a relaxing and inclusive atmosphere, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the festive spirit.

What Makes Our Autism-Friendly Event Special?

Our autism friendly Santa event has been carefully planned with the needs of guests with autism, special educational needs (SEN) and sensory processing challenges in mind. Here’s what you can expect:

• No music & reduced numbers: Like our weekly autism-friendly sessions, we’ll be turning off the music and reducing guest numbers to create a less busy environment.
• Sensory friendly Santa visit: Families will be given a time for their private Santa visit in our calming sensory room, which will be transformed into a cosy Santa’s Grotto. Here, children can meet Santa in a relaxed, non-overwhelming setting.
• Autism aware staff: Our team have been specially trained by Autism NI and Guide Dogs NI to support our guests with additional needs. The High Rise team will be on hand to offer support throughout the event. Whether your child is climbing or playing, you can feel confident they are in safe and understanding hands.

Activities for All Ages

Families can choose between two fun activities during their visit:

• Clip ‘n Climb: Perfect for children age 4+, the climbing session offers a fun and exciting experience. The price is £20.50 for children (which includes a gift from Santa) and £15.50 for adults who want to participate (no gift).

Adult participation is not compulsory as our team of experienced instructors will provide supervision and support in the climbing arena. We just ask that one adult accompanies each child into the pre-climbing safety briefing.

• Soft Play: For younger children (recommended for age 3-12 years old), our soft play session is the ideal option, priced at £10.95 per child (gift included).

After their chosen activity, all children will have a magical moment with Santa in our calming sensory room, where they will be given their gift and have the opportunity to get that all important memory-box photo.

An Autism Friendly Venue

At High Rise, we’re proud to have earned the Autism NI Impact Award, which recognises our commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all guests. While we always strive to be accessible, we understand that small adjustments, such as quiet sessions or sensory accommodations, can make a world of difference for families with additional needs.

One family shared their experience from last year’s event:

“We went to the Santa experience.  It was great, all the staff are so friendly and approachable.  It was lovely to have a Santa experience with adults and children who understood and had similar additional needs.  I can’t bring him to any Xmas events normally because it overwhelms my son, but I will definitely do this again next year.  It is nice to have a place to go that has dedicated quiet sessions.”

Another happy guest commented:

“We attended the sensory Santa night and were very impressed by the kindness and helpfulness of all the staff. The facilities are excellent and everything is spotlessly clean.”

Book Your Autism-Friendly Santa Experience

Spaces for this special event are limited, so we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment. Choose between Clip ‘n Climb or soft play, and secure your spot for a joyful Christmas event designed with your family’s needs in mind.

• Book your Autism-Friendly Santa & Clip ‘n Climb tickets here: High Rise NI | Autism Friendly Santa & Clip ‘n Climb NOW FULLY BOOKED 
• Book your Autism-Friendly Santa & Soft Play tickets here: High Rise NI | Autism Friendly Santa & Soft Play NOW FULLY BOOKED 

As a Social Enterprise, all profits from High Rise Adventure Centre support the work of our charity Employers For Childcare, helping families to be better off.

This Christmas, join us at High Rise Lisburn for a festive experience where every family feels welcome. We can’t wait to see you there!