At a Glance
- Tasks: Create magical experiences for families at Santa's Grotto through customer service and craft activities.
- Company: Hampshire Cultural Trust, dedicated to enriching lives through culture.
- Benefits: Earn £19.50 per hour, flexible freelance hours, and a fun festive atmosphere.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace promoting diversity and wellbeing for all staff.
- Why this job: Join us to spread joy and make unforgettable memories this Christmas season!
- Qualifications: Energetic, customer-focused, and adaptable; acting experience is a plus.
Application Deadline: 30 August 2026
Department: Operations
Employment Type: Freelance
Location: Historic Winchester
Reporting To: James Tier
Salary: £19.50 per hour, paid by invoice
Location: The Great Hall, Winchester
Hours: 103 hours between Thursday 19th November and Wednesday 23rd December 2026.
Shifts: You will need to be available for all the shifts below:
- Induction/Training Thursday 19th Nov: 15:00 - 19:00 (4 hours)
- Saturday 28/11/26: 09:40 - 17:10 (7 hours + 30 minute unpaid break)
- Sunday 29/11/26: 9:40 - 17:10 (7 hours + 30 minute unpaid break)
- Friday 04/12/26: 13:40 - 19:20 (5.5 hours + 10 minute unpaid break)
- Saturday 05/12/26: 09:40 - 17:10 (7 hours + 30 minute unpaid break)
- Sunday 06/12/26: 9:40 - 17:10 (7 hours + 30 minute unpaid break)
- Friday 11/12/26: 13:40 - 19:20 (5.5 hours + 10 minute unpaid break)
- Saturday 12/12/26: 09:40 - 17:10 (7 hours + 30 minute unpaid break)
- Sunday 13/12/26: 9:40 - 17:10 (7 hours + 30 minute unpaid break)
- Thursday 17/12/26: 13:40 - 19:20 (5.5 hours + 10 minute unpaid break)
- Friday 18/12/26: 13:40 - 19:20 (5.5 hours + 10 minute unpaid break)
- Saturday 19/12/26: 09:40 - 17:10 (7 hours + 30 minute unpaid break)
- Sunday 20/12/26: 9:40 - 17:10 (7 hours + 30 minute unpaid break)
- Monday 21/12/26: 09:40 - 17:10 (7 hours + 30 minute unpaid break)
- Tuesday 22/12/26: 9:40 - 17:10 (7 hours + 30 minute unpaid break)
- Wednesday 23/12/26: 9:40 - 17:10 (7 hours + 30 minute unpaid break)
Do you want to help make Santa's Grotto a magical experience for families? From greeting our guests, to helping with craft activities, to being with Santa himself, your role as an Elf is to ensure that our guests have an experience to remember at The Great Hall.
A bit about you: You'll have lots of energy and a passion for giving amazing customer service. You will have the ability to create magic in any moment, think on your feet, and adapt quickly to what's going on around you at the grotto. You will be there to greet our guests and make sure that they have everything they need to have the best experience possible. You'll be in charge of entertaining families in the space both before and after they see Santa Claus and you'll also be there to help with all the craft activities that are on offer on the day. You will need to be available for all the shifts outlined above. If you've worked in a grotto or a pantomime setting before, that's great experience for this role. Acting experience is strongly desired but not essential in lieu of other skills such as facilitation.
Who we are: At Hampshire Cultural Trust we have a vision to create inspirational culture experiences that enrich and transform lives. We manage and support 20+ attractions and deliver county-wide outreach programmes that bring great culture to local communities. We also deliver a diverse range of wider social impact initiatives targeted at those who are most vulnerable or disadvantaged and who would not usually have access to arts and culture. We promote equity, inclusion and diversity and a culture that actively values difference. We recognise that people from different backgrounds and experiences can enhance the way we perform and work and we encourage and support the physical and mental health and wellbeing of all our staff. We are inclusive, valuing, and respectful of diversity, developing the ability to recruit and retain a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. Therefore, we are committed to implementing reasonable adjustments for candidates with disabilities in our recruitment process and in employment.
Freelance Elves at Santa's Grotto 2026 in Winchester employer: Hct
HCT in Basingstoke is an exceptional employer that values creativity and engagement, offering a vibrant work culture where actors can thrive. With flexible part-time contracts, generous benefits like 25 days annual leave and health cash plans, employees are encouraged to grow their skills while making a meaningful impact on children's education through immersive performances. Join a team that celebrates passion for the arts and community involvement in a supportive environment.
