This article is sponsored by Enchantica’s.

One of my happiest memories as a child was visiting Father Christmas every year.

We always went to Victoria House – later called Sunwin House – on the site of what is now the Everyman Cinema building.

The visit began with a ride through the stars on a sleigh that really moved, followed by a walk through a winter wonderland to Santa’s grotto.

It felt truly magical – and it’s an experience I’m keen to recreate for my own children as they grow up.

Of course, the sleigh ride and Sunwin House are long gone, but when we heard about the Elf Training Workshop organised by Enchantica’s, I thought it might just offer some of that magical feeling I’d loved as a child.

From the moment we arrived at the Cedar Court Hotel, it did. We were greeted by elves who, through the power of QR codes on our e-tickets, were able to greet each child by name. They said to each other:

“Look, it’s Poppy! She’s the one we’ve been waiting for!”

The look of amazement on the children’s faces was lovely to see.

We walked through to the elf village where, on long picnic tables, we were invited to make paper chains ready to decorate the village. Hot chocolates, soft drinks and even beers were flowing, with sweet treats also on offer.

The elves flitted from table to table, chatting to the children about their creations. Adding to the magic, they also knew a little about each child:

“Lily, you’ve been learning to swim this year, haven’t you? You’ve been doing so well with your lessons. Will you keep trying your best next year?”

Paper chains complete, we were shown through to the elf workshop. It was at the end of a snow-covered pathway, lined with glowing, elf-sized windows, lanterns and wintry scenes.

The path opened out into a classic fairytale setting: fireplace, Christmas tree, toys, stockings, and hundreds of fairy lights. It’s hard to believe that, in the summer, this tipi was serving afternoon teas and cocktails.

Within a few minutes, the show was under way. Chief Elf Tinsel encouraged participation in songs and other activities, even bringing up a few children to help with parts of the show.

The most thrilling part was the arrival of Father Christmas. Without wishing to spoil the surprise, let’s just say he entered in traditional fashion, and took up his spot on the throne by the fire to join in the fun.

The children were all enthralled by the whole thing – even my 19-month-old paid attention throughout the half-hour experience, clapping at the right moments and peering around to see Santa.

Once the show was over, we were brought up in family groups to meet Father Christmas and have our photos taken. Each child received a wooden token to exchange for a toy from the elves.

These were good quality gifts and just right for the ages of the recipients. A cuddly snowman delighted my toddler, while her four-year-old brother has been playing with his snap cards from the moment he unwrapped them.

On the way out, we posed in Santa’s sleigh for photos, observing the snow-dusted Christmas trees and footprints on the ground.

It was this attention to detail that made it work so well. From the quality of the costumes to their engagement with the children, the team of elves kept everything running smoothly and were utterly convincing throughout.

The setting was as luxurious and twinkly as you could wish Santa’s workshop to be, and Santa and Chief Elf Tinsel put on a captivating show that worked for all ages – including a few witty asides for the grown-ups.

I came away with that magical feeling I remembered from my own childhood, seeing the excitement and wonder on my children’s faces. It’s the kind of experience I can imagine becoming an annual tradition for our family.

Can we sign up for next year yet?

• The Father Christmas Experience is recommended for children aged up to seven. Tickets are £11.50 for adults and £15.50 for children (£14.50 and £19.50 on Christmas Eve). There are showings for children with special educational needs on Sunday, December 4 and Sunday, December 11. Click here for details.
• For children aged seven and over, the Codebreaker’s Christmas offers an escape room-style experience where children train at spy school to help Santa on a secret mission. Tickets are £15.50 per person and shows run on Fridays December 2 and 9, and Wednesday, December 21. Click here for more information or to book tickets.

Read more:

• Advent calendar of offers and prizes from Harrogate businesses
• Santa’s Chief Elf Tinsel invites good boys and girls to be fellow elves in Harrogate Christmas show

It feels like it creeps up on us earlier every year. Yes folks, it’s the most wonderful time of the year: it’s time to book your Santa visit.

Attractions across the Harrogate district have already started to release tickets.

And while Christmas might still be three months away, it’s advisable to act fast if you want to secure an audience with Mr Claus.

I’ve had the pleasure of taking my boys to meet him a few times over the years at various locations in the area.

Each experience has been excellent and we are definitely spoilt for choice. Santa is clearly a big fan of the Harrogate district.

To help you get organised, here are seven places to see Santa this year:

The Harrogate Father Christmas Experience – Cedar Court Hotel

It’s back and it has been hailed as “bigger and better than ever”.

Last year Father Christmas’s Chief Elf Tinsel, from Enchantica’s, delighted children and grown-ups alongside the big man himself at The Crown Hotel.

This Christmas you can join Santa, Tinsel and all of the Elves at a very magical Elf Village at the Cedar Court Hotel.

And those who are on the good elf list can book places to enjoy two shows this year:

• Elf Training Show – an immersive sing-along elf training experience for the whole family to enjoy.
  Or
• New for 2022 – Code Breakers Christmas show – for ages seven plus to adult – an escape room style family show wrapped up with magic, illusion and festive code breaking challenges to help save Christmas.

Tickets go on sale on Tuesday, September 27 and you can be among the first to get them by signing up to the mailing list here.

November 26 – December 24. Check here for show dates, times and availability.

Christmas at Mother Shipton’s, Knaresborough

Wander through the winter woodland to see the enchanted Christmas Village, festooned with festive delights and merry displays.

Chief Elf Chestnut will meet little visitors and lead them to see Santa Claus in his cosy Christmas grotto.

Children will be presented with a pack of festive activities and will also be able to listen to tales from Holly Berry, make reindeer food and post a letter to Santa at the North Pole Post Office.

November 26 – December 24. Click here to buy tickets. 

The Magical Christmas Experience – Birchfield Farm, Summerbridge

This hugely popular experience is making a welcome return following a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.

Meet Mother Christmas in her sitting room to check in and collect your sleigh ride tickets.

Then head to the sleigh pick up point to be greeted by Buddy the Elf, who will help you board Santa’s sleigh for your magical sleigh ride .

You will arrive at father’s Christmas woodland grotto where you can sit by the fire and tell him your Christmas wishes.

November 26 – December 23. Click here to buy tickets.

A Boroughbridge pub has joined forces with the Boroughbridge Lions to set up a Santa’s grotto to bring some festive cheer to the town next month.

The Grantham Arms is hoping to set up an outdoor winter wonderland for local children on December, 20. The Boroughbridge Lions will be bringing along Santa and his sleigh to add to the Christmas spirit.

This year, The Grantham Arms and Boroughbridge Lions have missed out on income due to the pandemic.

The Lions are hoping the donations they earn from this this will give them a chance to earn vital funds to donate back to other local community efforts.

Simon Wade, owner of The Grantham Arms, is hopeful he will be able to reopen his doors next month to allow the event to go ahead. He has said all the necessary measures will be made to ensure the event is safe.

“There’s so many kid’s events being cancelled and we wanted to offer something for them. I got the Lions involved because it gives them a chance to earn some extra money and they do great things within the local area.

“I’m still hopeful we can open the first week of December but I don’t think it’ll be for long. It’s frustrating because how can we plan for anything? It is really challenging this time.”

The Grantham Arms has been decorated for Christmas.

Read more:

• The popular late night shopping event in Boroughbridge has had to be cancelled this year.
• WATCH as Harrogate district towns light up for Christmas. 

As well as this event, The Boroughbridge Lions are still planning to take Santa and his sleigh round the town and the local villages at the beginning of December.

This year will be different, the volunteers won’t be knocking on doors or carrying buckets as they need to limit contact.

Paul Bullivant, president of Boroughbridge Lions, said:

“We will miss out on a significant amount of money from this year’s sleigh so any money raised from the event at The Grantham will be grateful received. Providing it’s safe and within guidelines we will do whatever it takes to bring a little joy.”

Santa Claus will be visiting Harrogate next month as part of a Christmas experience for children held at the Great Yorkshire Showground.

This event is one of few the showground has been able to hold this year due to covid restrictions.

Santa’s grotto will be manned by his elves and has been set up in a covid-secure manner.

On the weekend of the 5 and 6 December families can visit the grotto in groups of up to six people.

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society which manages the showground, forecasted a £2 million loss this year due to the number of cancelled events.

Its chief executive, Nigel Pulling, warned of the ongoing impact of covid which has left the society running at “well below 10 per cent” of capacity at the moment.

Graham Thompson, general manager, said:

“This has been a challenging year for all of us and it gives us great pleasure to provide some fun for the youngsters and welcome Santa on several dates throughout December.”

Other dates will be included, but tickets must be booked prior to the event. They can be bought here.

Read more:

• This year’s cancelled events at the show ground has cost the local economy £70 million. 
• Harrogate spring flower show set to go ahead at the show ground in 2021.