Santa will once again be booking into the Grand Pier in Weston-super-Mare to meet local children in the run-up to Christmas – and he will have an extra-special gift for them, too.
Every youngster who visits Santa in his new grotto at the seafront attraction will be presented with a book, Santa And His Missing Reindeer, as a souvenir of their visit.
The book tells the charming tale of how Santa’s sleigh comes to Weston one Christmas Eve only for his famous reindeer to go missing.
Could it be that they have taken a break from delivering presents to go and enjoy the many rides and attractions on the Pier for themselves?
You will have to read the book to find out for yourself!
Meanwhile, the jolly man in red will arrive in Weston on Saturday, November 30 and return on December 1, 7, 8, 21, 22, 23, and 24. On the weekend of December 14 and 15, he will take a break while the grotto is taken over by Mr Grinch!
Between 11am and 3pm on each of the dates, guests will begin their magical experience by following a trail of snowy footprints on the Pier, which will take them to the first floor of the Pavilion.
There will be some other people also eager to meet and greet guests – some of Santa’s elves.
Children will begin their magical experience by following a trail of snowy footprints on the Pier, which will lead them to the first floor of the Pavilion.
Here, the Winter Wonderland experience begins as they step through a Narnia-style wardrobe, through the coats and into a magical forest.
Friendly elves will be on hand to guide them by lamplight across the woodland floor, strewn with bark, winding through the wonderland which will be lined by Christmas trees
At the end of the path, Father Christmas himself will be waiting to meet them in his wonderfully festive Grotto.
Tickets cost £8, which cover one child and up to two supervising adults. If bought online in advance, the ticket allows free entry to the Pier itself for each child and up to two adults.
Some tickets will be available to buy on each Grotto day from the Adventure Cove Play Area, although guests will have to pay the usual Grand Pier admission fee before they get there.
The ticket price includes the winter wonderland experience and visit to Santa, admission to the Adventure Cove soft play area, a wrapped gift, and some fun festive activities, including making reindeer food and decorating gingerbread.
Once again, the Pier will also be offering special ‘autism hour’ sessions at the Grotto, which will provide an environment more appropriate for guests who experience sensory difficulties.
These sessions will take place between 10am and 11am on Sunday December 1, 8 and 22.
Due to structural limitations, the Winter Wonderland walk-through is not accessible for wheelchair users. However, guests in wheelchairs will still have the chance to meet with Santa by accessing the Grotto via the exit route.
Hollie Otley, Event Manager at the Grand Pier, said: “Last year, the grotto was at the shore end of the Grand Pier.
“As a result of feedback we had from guests, we have moved it to the Pavilion for 2019, and have worked hard to make the whole experience more magical and extra-special.
“The book we are giving to each child is also something quite unique; it has been written and illustrated by members of the Grand Pier team and is something you won’t get from anywhere else.
“It will be a nice souvenir of your visit to the Pier’s grotto, with the story itself involving Santa and his reindeer visiting our attraction.”
For full information, and to book your tickets, visit https://www.grandpier.co.uk/events/santas-grotto-1
