An audience with Father Christmas is a rite of passage for many a little one.
There’s nothing quite like being escorted into the grotto by a team of friendly elves and standing before the man in red.
It’s your chance to tell him what you want for Christmas and fingers crossed you’ve been a good boy or girl and he’s got a gift for you.
Vibe takes a look at where you can track Santa Claus down to this Christmas.
As part of the Greenhithe shopping centre’s massive Winter Wonderland, the big man’s having a home built, where he will be until Christmas Eve. Visits cost £5 a child. Go to bluewater.co.uk
Broadway, Bexleyheath
Santa returns to the Broadway Shopping Centre to thrill children with his presence, and his presents, from Nov-ember 8. Go to broadwayshoppingcentre.com
Hawley's also got a cool ice rink this Christmas
Hawley Garden Centre, Dartford
It’s always nice to spend a weekend in Kent, so you can’t blame Santa for setting up in Hawley Garden centre at on Saturdays and Sundays.
St Nick will arrive at the Dartford centre on Saturday, November 22, and be there for every weekend until Christmas – plus December 18, 19, 22, 23 and 24.
He’ll meet children and give gifts to all good children. Each visit costs £7 per child.
Boys and girls can also have breakfast (at either 8.30am or 9.30am) or afternoon tea (3pm or 4pm) with Santa on each of those days too, which costs £10, including a trip to the grotto. Book on 01322 224108 or go to hawleygardencentre.co.uk
Polhill Garden Centre, Sevenoaks
There was a big bash for Santa’s arrival between 4pm and 7pm on Sunday (November 7), with real reindeer and actual snow – and that was just the start of the centre’s festive extravaganza.
Polhill goes big for Christmas every year and a 20 minute visit to the grotto the year costs £10 either in advance or on the day, though you’re better off booking ahead, and includes a gift. The centre has an all-new expanded toy department this year. Go to polhill.co.uk
The Walnuts, Orpington
As part of Orpington’s Light Up celebrations Santa will be in his grotto in The Walnuts from 4pm to 7pm on November 20. As well as meeting the Father Christmas, you can get your professional photo with him printed on site. He’ll also be in his grotto from 11am to 3pm on December 13 and from December 22 to 24.
Picture by Sam Warr Photography
Greenwich Market
There’s tonnes going on at Greenwich Market for Christmas, including Father Christmas in his grotto from the day of the big lantern parade and light switch-on, Wednesday, November 26. As well as the night, he’ll be setting up his own on December 13 and 14, 20 and 21, and 22 and 23. Go to greenwichmarketlondon.com
Autism-friendly grotto at Holwood Farm, Keston
Created especially for children with autism, the calm Christmas grotto opposite Holwood Farm Shop will avoid the sensory overload of bright lights, crowds, noise and queues. It has been designed with Bromley-based charity Children on the Autistic Spectrum Parents’ Association (CASPA).
The charity’s director Helen Dyer said: “The whole experience is designed to be calming and includes making reindeer food, decorating a cookie and story time with Mr and Mrs Christmas.
Santa and his helpers are autism-trained and the families receive a lot of support. Quite often we get grandparents coming along too - sometimes the children are 15 or 16 and it’s an occasion they haven’t ever been able to share before.”
Santa will be at the grotto for three days, on December 13, 14 and 15. It costs £11 per child, including a gift, and £2 per adult and children under six months. Time slots are available from 11am to 4pm.
E-mail helen@caspabromley.org.uk or call 07957 924287 or go to caspabromley.org.uk
Intu, Bromley
The Bromley Shopping Centre – still The Glades to some – has been taken over with a jewel theme this Christmas.
The decorations went up and the grotto opened to fanfare on Saturday (November 8). This year the grotto is sparklier than ever with more Bromlin mascots and more snowmen.
Local charity Maypole will be the beneficiaries of the wishing well donations.
You can pay in advance and book a slot or turn up and take a chance. Go to intu.co.uk/Bromley
Coolings Garden Centre, Knockholt
Santa returns to his secret woodland hideaway in Knockholt at the end of November this year.
Every child who visits him will get a special gift and a delicious cookie, homemade by Mrs Claus. Booking is essential as Santa will be busy.
He’ll be welcoming guests on November 29 and 30 and December 6 and 7 before he meets them every day between December 13 and December 23.
He goes back to the North Pole on Christmas Eve to prepare for his annual round-the-world trip with his reindeer.
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