A magical Christmas grotto is coming to the Trafford Centre this winter

The Christmas Markets may have been cancelled – but families can still visit Father Christmas and meet Norbert the magical reindeer at the Trafford Centre’s Reindeer Lodge Christmas experience this winter.

Children will first meet the loveable Norbert, an adorable young reindeer who longs to lead the sleigh on Christmas Eve and wants to share a very magical secret of his own.

Before meeting Father Christmas, children are invited to gather some magical reindeer food and take it home to sprinkle outside on Christmas Eve to help Norbert’s reindeer friends fly the sleigh.

Father Christmas will be waiting in his twinkly, cosy cabin; little ones can approach the front of his sleigh at a safe two-metre distance to say hello and tell him their Christmas wishes, before having their photo taken and receiving a gift.

There will also be autism-friendly grotto experiences, featuring smaller groups of visitors, quieter music and specially trained characters.

The experience has been carefully risk assessed and designed in line with COVID-19 safety measures, including hand sanitising stations, maximum capacity limits and regular cleaning of the experience itself. Adults and children over 11 must wear a face covering.

 “Here at the centre, we look forward all year to celebrating Christmas traditions with our visitors,” said centre director Zoe Inman.

“We know how special it is for families to meet Father Christmas and share those all-important Christmas wishes.

“Although the festive season may be a little different this year, we’re so excited to be bringing this charming experience to our littlest visitors and their families, sprinkling a little extra magic on the festive period.”

The Trafford Centre’s Reindeer Lodge is open from 17th November – 24th December. Find it on the Upper Level next to the Main Dome. Tickets must be booked online prior to arrival via the website: tickets.eskimojoevents.co.uk/trafford_2020. Tickets are priced at £10.50 per child and £5.50 per adult. Tickets will be sold in bubbles of up to five people and people should only visit with members of their household or bubble. There is a maximum of two adults per group. The experience includes reindeer food to take home and a special gift from Father Christmas.