The event has had to double its bookings for this year to fit everyone in
Santa at the Christmas Grotto at Dobbies Garden Centre in Speke
The first of Liverpool’s Christmas events has officially been announced. This upcoming festive season, Santa and his grotto will be stopping at Dobbie’s city stores, and families are invited to join the celebrations.
Beginning the festivities is a free-to-attend morning event. On Sunday, November 23, Santa will host a seasonal storytelling session with community performances, said to be the best way to begin the Christmas countdown.
Back by popular demand is Santa’s Grotto – this time with a North Pole adventure theme. Children at the Liverpool store will journey through an ice-inspired world, playing polar games and enjoying festive activities before meeting Santa and receiving an age-appropriate gift.
Tickets start at £14 per child and run from Sunday, November 23, to Christmas Eve. Quiet Grotto sessions are available on Friday, December 5, offering a more relaxed, inclusive experience for children with additional needs.
Take your dog to meet Santa at Dobbies(Image: Dobbies)
Dogs can also participate in Santa Paws, an event specifically designed for family pets. Due to its growing popularity, Dobbies has doubled the booking slots to meet unprecedented demand.
Dogs will get the chance to visit Santa at Dobbies stores across the UK, take part in a game before getting a picture with Santa and take home a gift. This experience is priced at £12.50 and is on the same dates as the grotto.
In the restaurant, families can experience a morning at Santa’s Breakfast, where the little ones get the chance to spend time with Santa and his elves.
Christmas lights in Liverpool One
Families will enjoy a breakfast fit for Santa before taking part in games and activities. They’ll then get to make their own winter character toy to name and take home.
For adults looking to get creative, Dobbies’ Liverpool store is hosting a Festive Wreath Making and Afternoon Tea Experience.
Dobbies’ Green Team will host the demonstration, giving attendees the chance to ask questions along the way and create a bespoke wreath that you can take home and enjoy.
More than 8,000 participants, known as Santas, took part in the annual charity fundraising Liverpool Santa Dash event(Image: PA)
Also returning this year is BTR’s annual Santa Dash. Last year’s Santa Dash attracted the highest number of entries for a decade, with more than 8,500 entries.
BTR Race Director Alan Rothwell said: “The last 18 months have seen BTR race numbers steadily rise for each event, with the Liverpool Half Marathon and Liverpool Santa Dash particularly standing out and moving up a level.”
The Liverpool Santa Dash is hosted as a fun run and as such does not impose an age restriction. Anyone can enter but the entry fee is the same for all ages (£26).