Santa's address in the UK for Christmas 2026

4 November 2026

Santa's UK address is Santa/Father Christmas, Santa's Grotto, Reindeerland, XM4 5HQ. Royal Mail asks for letters to be posted by Wednesday 9 December 2026 for a reply, with a real stamp and the sender's full name and address on the back of the envelope.

What is Santa's address in the UK?

Royal Mail runs the official letters-to-Santa service in the UK. Write the address on the front of the envelope exactly like this:

XM4 5HQ is a special postcode that Royal Mail uses for Santa's post. It is not a real place you can visit, and there is no need to add "North Pole" or "Lapland". Keep to the address above so the letter goes to the right team.

Can children write to Santa in Welsh?

Yes. For a reply in Welsh, Royal Mail gives this address: Sion Corn, Ogof Sion Corn, Gwlad Y Ceirw, XM4 5HQ. The same 9 December deadline applies.

When is the last date to post a letter to Santa in 2026?

For Christmas 2026, Royal Mail's deadline is Wednesday 9 December 2026. Letters posted by that date should receive a reply before Christmas. Letters that arrive later may still be read, but there is no promise of a reply in time, so it is worth posting early.

The general posting dates are for cards and parcels within the UK, and come from Royal Mail's Christmas last posting dates. Royal Mail notes that dates can change, so check before you rely on them. The Santa deadline is earlier because his elves need time to write back.

How do you address the envelope?

1. Front: Santa's address, as above.
2. Stamp: Royal Mail asks for a real stamp (1st or 2nd Class). A drawn-on stamp may look lovely, but the letter needs real postage.
3. Back: Your full name and full address, including postcode. This is what the reply is sent to, so write it clearly. A letter without a return address cannot be answered.
4. Post it: Any postbox or Post Office will do.

Can Santa reply in Braille, large print or BSL?

Yes. Royal Mail says Braille, large-print and British Sign Language (BSL) replies can be arranged by emailing santamail@royalmail.com. Do this in good time before the deadline. The Royal Mail letters to Santa page has the current details.

What should go inside the letter?

The best letters include a little about the child's year, a question for Santa and a short wish list, not only presents. Our step-by-step guide to how to write a letter to Santa includes a printable template and ideas for every age.

Before you seal it, photograph the letter or keep a copy. It is a lovely thing to look back on, and it also tells you what your child is hoping for.

What if you miss the deadline?

If 9 December has passed, there are still ways to keep the tradition alive:

• The fireplace or windowsill. Many families leave a letter by the fire or on a windowsill for an elf to collect overnight.
• Read it aloud on Christmas Eve. Some children like to read their letter to Santa before bed, or leave it next to the mince pie.
• Write back yourself. A reply left on Christmas morning can be just as magical. See what to write in a letter from Santa for ideas.
• Track him instead. On Christmas Eve, children can follow Santa's journey online – see how to track Santa on Christmas Eve.

Can children outside the UK use this address?

The Royal Mail service is designed for letters posted in the UK. Other countries' postal services run their own Santa schemes with their own addresses and deadlines, so families abroad should check with their local postal service.