He's here!! Excited local Schoolchildren welcome Santa to the thecentre:mk
Excited local parents and children from Milton Keynes lined the malls of thecentre:mk on Monday afternoon to welcome Santa for his annual visit to Milton Keynes. Santa arrived behind a procession of 60 schoolchildren from Fishermead lead by local arts group Festive Road who organised the parade which featured a train with six train carriages and Santa in a final seventh carriage.
As the procession made its way down Silbury Arcade from Marks & Spencer and passed Boots excited children (of all ages) lined the route waving to Santa. The parade train featured a soundtrack with a choreographed routine from the local Fishermead schoolchildren stopping in front of the Grotto. Then Santa, along with our two winners, took a ride on the real Santa's Express around Middleton Hall before officially opening the Grotto.
After a break of several years there's a welcome return of Santa's Express train ride. Customers of all ages will be able to take a route along Christmassy woodland scenes and through a rocky tunnel and rustic gateway. This year Santa will be sharing his grotto with customers for the train ride as it will be an old fashioned station from which Santa's Express will depart. Alongside the railway track will be a meandering passageway of cute magical shops to walk through. Displaying everything
from wizard cloaks, to potions, owls and broomsticks - the shops will provide everything needed for the budding young Wizard or Witch. Familiar branding of shop names will have a magical twist to keep things light hearted and everyone amused.
Santa's Grotto is now open until the 24 December and if you visit www.thecentremk.com you can now book online for Santa's Grotto to avoid any disappointment. The Grotto Opening times are 9am-6pm Mon-Sat in November, 9am-7pm Mon-Sat in December, 10am-6pm Sundays throughout November and December, Christmas Eve: Santa's Grotto closes completely at 1pm but the train remains open until 6pm whilst everything is closed on Christmas Day.