Now we’re a respectable five weeks out from Christmas it’s ok to start mentioning the S word. Santa. Santa is coming and you can find him in Grand Central’s centre court.
There is a BUNCH of Christmassy-themed stuff happening at Grand Central this year, so let’s talk about it.
Firstly, there are some spiffy new decorations (have you seen them? They’re huge and they look amazing) and a brand new Santa’s Grotto. He’ll be hanging out in his Grotto from today until Christmas Eve, check online or in store for exact times Santa will be sitting his chair.
In the spirit of the ‘Make. Share. Give.’ theme the Salvos will again be operating a gift wrapping booth. Thanks to the success of Sensory Santa last year this will run again. And this weekend is a celebration with heaps of activities for the kids. Not to mention there will be ongoing activities and lots of special promos from individual retailers.
Here’s the rundown.
SANTA’S HERE – Celebration Weekend
Celebrating the arrival of Santa at Grand Central, a full weekend of Christmas festivities will be held with roaming entertainment, face painting and kids’ craft workshops.
Saturday 19 November
- Kids’ Christmas Craft Workshop – Santa’s Beard Christmas Calendar, 11am-2pm
- Christmas face painting, 11am-2pm
- Roving entertainment – Acro Elves, 12-3pm
Sunday 20 November
- Kids’ Christmas Craft Workshop – Popsicle Christmas Trees, 11am-2pm
- Christmas face painting, 11am-2pm
- Roving entertainment – Christmas balloonologist, 12-3pm
SENSORY SANTA – 11 & 18 December
Last year Grand Central hosted its first ‘Sensory Santa’ session for children with sensory disorders like Autism and Asperger’s.
Due to a great response, this year it will be expanded to host two sessions, on Sunday 11 December and Sunday 18 December. It will be hosted outside of Centre trading hours, from 8am-10am and 7am – 9am respectively, to allow families with special needs children to get a photograph of Santa and their child in a quiet and calming environment.
There will be no background music, spotlights or noise, and both Santa and the photographer have experience with special needs children, and will ensure they are as comfortable as possible. To ensure there are no queues, people must book appointments.
For more information and bookings go to www.sensorysouls.com.au.
Ongoing activities
SANTA’S S-ELFIE BOOTH
Enjoy the S-Elfie booth – it’s an interactive and engaging experience, where you can share your photographs instantly via digital channels.
ZOETROPE
Enjoy the responsive animated carousel and discover the golden threads of Christmas stories.
For adults and children!
KIDS CRAFT ZONE
An interactive children’s zone.
- Kids Craft Workshops (10am-2pm)
- 5, 7 & 9 December: Tea light snow men ornaments
- 12, 14 & 16 December: Christmas cards and tags
- 19, 21 & 23 December: Candy cane reindeer
- Kids Craft – Free Time Activities (outside the programmed workshop times). Free time activities will run throughout the Christmas period, with the activity changing every week.
- Week 1: Christmas Origami
- Week 2: Christmas Gift Tags
- Week 3: Christmas Gift Bags
- Week 4: Christmas Gift Card
- Week 5: Christmas Tree Ornament
Note: A ‘Letters to Santa’ station will be operational over the five weeks. There will be a mailbox at the Kids Craft Zone.
CAROLLERS
Carollers will bring Christmas cheer to Grand Central from November 24 to December 24.
NATIVITY SCENE
Walk into a new perspective at the calming nativity scene.
And finally, here’s a handy guide to all the retailer promos on this Christmas period. Enjoy!
