The Real Story of Santa Claus: the immersive show returns to the Grand Hotel of Dreams

From November 21, 2026 to January 3, 2027, the Grand Hôtel des Rêves welcomes a very special guest... Santa Claus! Experience an immersion into the heart of the story of the most beloved bearded figure among children this winter in Paris.

The Grand Hôtel des Rêves, an iconic venue in the 5th arrondissement of Paris dedicated to immersive experiences, unveils its end-of-year show: The True Story of Santa Claus. This family-friendly performance offers a theatrical and magical journey that invites children and adults to discover the origins of the Santa Claus legend, through poetic staging and spectacular sets, from November 21, 2026 to January 3, 2027.

The trailer for The Real Story of Santa Claus

Synopsis: How many tales, stories, and legends have been told about Christmas? Yet few people know how it all began. Following the young Yule, the audience is invited to dive into a fantasy world populated by gnomes, witches, magic wardrobes, and confectioners in love. From old Hazelius' toy shop to the post office at the edge of the North Pole, everyone is invited to trace the very first Christmas gift and witness the birth of a myth.

An immersive show at the heart of 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.

Our take on the 2025 show

A truly magical moment! Adults seeking gentleness and kids with big imaginations will love this immersive experience that plunges us into the full fairy-tication of Christmas. Even the most grumpy among you will melt at this beautiful production, where goodwill blends with thoughtful messages about sharing and generosity. No doubt children will carry this story with them when the Santa Claus comes down from the sky, a magical memory to treasure.

From the moment you step into this little château, the journey wraps you in a wonderful atmosphere: you discover the birth of Santa Claus across rooms that are beautifully decorated, where hidden mechanisms bring the magic to life. Spectators are invited to sit comfortably on cushions and benches laid out in each space—an actual plus for enjoying the scenes without fatigue.

The sets, crafted with remarkable precision and cleverly lit, contribute to this total immersion: we move through Santa’s workshop, among mountains of gifts to deliver, or into the confectionery where irresistible sweet scents waft through the air. Secret passages connect some rooms, heightening the sense that you’ve stepped into a story reserved for a chosen few.

As the tale unfolds, you meet an aged Santa who becomes younger, learning more about the passion that drove him to give gifts freely, a temptress, a young woman in search of answers, a tender couple… with shifts between present time and flashbacks, and moving moments along the way. The performers are earnest and endearing, inhabiting their roles with such genuine sincerity that you almost forget you’re watching a show.

And everyone receives a small surprise at the end, tied to an element of the story—an adorable gesture! Good news for the shy: if immersive theater isn’t your thing or you don’t want to interact with the actors, they can address you directly but you won’t be treated as a character at the center of the plot. Nothing is required of you, aside from enjoying the spectacle and the Christmas magic!

Young children who are easily scared or restless may not fully enjoy the experience (parents included), though it is accessible from age 4. Note that while there isn’t a supervised cloakroom, you might want to keep your coat handy—some rooms can feel a bit chilly. You can then settle into the café, also dressed for the occasion, to enjoy a hot drink and pastries as an add-on.

A wonderful outing idea for families or friends with a child-at-heart spirit to celebrate the festive season!

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