The true story of Santa Claus: the magical immersive show at the Grand Hôtel des Rêves - photos

The Grand Hôtel des Rêves, an iconic venue in Paris's 5th arrondissement dedicated to immersive experiences, presents its end-of-year show: The True Story of Santa Claus. This family show takes the audience on a theatrical and magical journey that immerses young and old alike in the origins of the legend of Santa Claus, through poetic staging and spectacular sets, from November 12, 2025, to January 4, 2026.

The trailer for The True Story of Santa Claus

An immersive show in the heart of the Christmas magic

With The True Story of Santa Claus, the Grand Hôtel des Rêves continues its mission to offer immersive experiences at the crossroads of theater and interactive scenography. After its magical adaptation of Beauty and the Beast and Jules Verne's Extraordinary Journey, the venue once again transforms its spaces into a narrative journey, combining live performance, lighting effects, and original music.

Each room on the tour offers a complete immersion in a different world: a craftsman's workshop, a toy factory, a Christmas Eve living room, a post office in the Far North, a candy store, and more. Spectators participate in a collective story, surrounded by actors and storytellers who guide the discovery.

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Our opinion 

A truly magical moment! Adults in search of a little sweetness and dreamy children will love this immersive show that plunges us into the magic of Christmas. Even the grumpiest among you will melt at this beautiful production, where good feelings mingle with lovely messages about sharing and generosity. There's no doubt that children will remember this story when the day comes and Santa Claus descends from the sky, like an enchanted memory.

As soon as you enter this little castle, you are enveloped in a wonderful atmosphere: you discover the birth of Santa Claus in a series of beautifully decorated rooms, where secret mechanisms bring the magic to life. Spectators are invited to sit comfortably on cushions and benches arranged in each room, a real bonus for enjoying the scenes to the full without getting tired.

The remarkably precise and cleverly lit sets contribute to this total immersion: we move through Santa's workshop, among mountains of gifts to be delivered, or into the candy shop, where irresistible sweet smells waft through the air. Secret passages sometimes connect the rooms, reinforcing the impression of entering a fairy tale reserved for a privileged few. 

As the story unfolds, we meet an elderly Santa Claus, then a young one, learning more about his passion for distributing gifts for free, an enchantress, a young woman in search of answers, a touching couple... alternating between the present and flashbacks to the past, with moving passages. The actors, who are authentic and endearing, embody their roles with such sincerity that you almost forget you're watching a show.

And everyone receives a little surprise at the end, related to an element of the story, which is a lovely touch! Good news for shy people: if you don't like immersive theater or having to interact with the actors, here they may talk to you, but you are not a full-fledged character at the heart of the story. Nothing is expected of you except to enjoy the show and the magic of Christmas!

Young children who are easily frightened or have trouble sitting still may not enjoy the experience (nor will their parents), even though it is suitable for ages 4 and up. Also, although there is an unattended coat check, we recommend keeping your coat with you, as some rooms can be quite chilly! Afterwards, you can relax in the café, which is also decorated for the occasion, and enjoy a hot drink and pastries (at an additional cost).

A great idea for an outing with family or friends who are young at heart during the holiday season!

This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please let us know.