Meet Santa In Chesterfield

Chesterfield residents and visitors can visit Santa in his Grotto this winter

Bookings for Santa’s Grotto in Chesterfield’s historic Market Hall are now open.

Santa will be welcoming visitors into his grotto from 20 November and tickets must be booked in advance either online or by contacting the Visitor Information Centre.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “It’s great news the grotto is back in town for residents and visitors to enjoy. We are hosting the grotto on the balcony of the Market Hall, for the first time in three years and I know it has been missed by many local people.

“You will need to book in advance, so you don’t miss out on visiting Santa in the Market Hall.”

Visitors are asked to arrive no earlier than 5 minutes prior to their time slot, so we can try to keep queues to a minimum. Families will be able to meet Santa on a first come first served basis within their slot time.

There will also be three relaxed sessions that will be bookable on 3 December, 11 December and 18 December 2022.

The relaxed sessions are specifically adapted for children with learning disabilities or sensory and communication disorders. There will be no flashing lights and the sessions are extended to reduce anxiety and allow everyone to enjoy a visit to Santa.

The cost will be £6.50 per child, which includes a present.

This is the first time you have been able meet Santa in person for 3 years, and it promises to be a special event for everyone to enjoy.

Bookings can be made in person at the Visitor Information Centre (Rykneld Square, Chesterfield S40 1SB), over the phone (01246 345777) or by visiting the booking website.

More information about the dates and times Santa’s Grotto is open can be found here and more details about what is happening around Chesterfield over the festive season can be viewed at: www.chesterfield.co.uk/christmas

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Vicar Lane to bring the Magic of Christmas with Santa’s Grotto and Post Office

Vicar Lane Shopping Centre in Chesterfield Town Centre is once again doing its bit to ensure local people can get into the festive spirit this Christmas.

Customers are being invited to experience the magic of Christmas, with a visit to Santa’s Grotto and Post Office.

Families can enjoy a free, interactive experience at Santa’s Post Office, where little ones can meet the elves, before writing their letter to Santa, posting it in the magical post box and watching as it is sent to the North Pole.

Shaun Brown, Operations Manager at Vicar Lane said: ‘’We really wanted to help our shoppers experience the magic of Christmas this year (especially after last year!), and what better way to do it than to bring back Santa’s Grotto and Post Office.”

Autism friendly sessions are available to book via Centre Management on enquiries@vicarlane.com or 01246 234630.

Santa’s Post Office is open 11am to 5pm Saturdays and Sundays from 20th Nov to 19th Dec, then every day from 20th to 23rd Dec.

Families wishing to visit the Grotto can then make their way through the magical winter wonderland, where they’ll find Santa surrounded by all the toys for the good girls and boys. Every child will receive a gift, an ‘official good list’ certificate and reindeer food.

The Grotto is £8.50 per child (this includes a gift, official ‘Nice List’ certificate and reindeer food). Photographs are £3.50, or £10 for three.

Santa’s Grotto and Post Office are located on Steeplegate, opposite F. Hinds.

Santa will be in his Grotto on the following dates and times:

November

  • Sat 20th, 10am – 5pm
  • Sun 21st, 11am – 4pm
  • Sat 27th, 10am – 5pm
  • Sun 28th, 11am – 4pm

December

  • Fri 3rd, 12pm – 5pm
  • Sat 4th, 10am – 5pm
  • Sun 5th, 11am – 4pm
  • Thurs 9th, 12pm – 5pm
  • Fri 10th, 12pm – 5pm
  • Sat 11th, 12pm – 5pm
  • Sun 12th, 11am – 4pm
  • Thurs 16th, 12pm – 5pm
  • Fri 17th, 12pm – 5pm
  • Sat 18th, 12pm – 5pm
  • Sun 19th, 11am – 4pm
  • Mon 20th, 12pm – 5pm
  • Tues 21st, 12pm – 5pm
  • Wed 22nd, 12pm – 5pm
  • Thurs 23rd, 12pm – 5pm
  • Fri 24th, 10am – 2pm

Vicar Lane supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Christmas shopping in Chesterfield

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Amazing Magical Chesterfield Santa House returns to Chesterfield

The Amazing Magical Chesterfield Santa House will reopen in a new location this year.

The popular attraction was introduced last year and will reopen in the Assembly Rooms above the Market Hall on every Saturday and Sunday, from Saturday 4 December plus Monday 20, Tuesday 21, Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 December 2021

Visits are free but must be pre-booked, booking opens at 9am on Monday 15 November.

As well as the chat with Santa via the video link to the North Pole, visitors will pose for a special Augmented Reality experience in which Santa will magically appear. A photo of the Augmented Reality experience will be sent by email to visitors after they leave the Santa House.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy at Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “The Santa House proved to be incredibly popular last year and after receiving such great feedback we decided to bring it back as part of our Christmas entertainment this year. It’s a truly unique experience to make Christmas in Chesterfield fun and magical as it always is.

“Last year bookings for the Santa House exceeded our expectations, so I recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.”

There will be relaxed sessions, designed to accommodate children with learning disabilities and other sensory disorders between 10am and 11am on both Sunday 12 December and Sunday 19 December.

The Amazing Magical Chesterfield Santa House is just one of a series of town centre activities aiming to encourage residents and visitors to shop in Chesterfield Town Centre.

The Christmas Lights Switch On will take place on Sunday 21 November, the Christmas Tree Festival will take place at St Mary’s and All Saints Church (Crooked Spire) between 18-28 November, The Elf Trail will run across December, The Pomegranate Theatre will host the Beauty and the Beast pantomime and a series of walkabout entertainers including stilt walkers and tap-dancing turkeys will be wowing crowds during market days. Find more details about all these events on the Chesterfield Borough Council website: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/christmas

The Christmas In Chesterfield campaign is delivered by Chesterfield Borough Council in partnership with Destination Chesterfield.

Visits to the Amazing Magical Chesterfield Santa House must be pre-booked with bookings opening on Monday 15 November on  https://chesterfieldchristmas.co.uk

Meet Santa in Chesterfield

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