Liverpool’s iconic St George’s Hall has announced details of its second annual magical grotto and it promises to be even bigger and better for Christmas 2014.

Santa’s Magical Grotto will set the scene for an exciting festive season when it opens each weekend from 15 November to 7 December. The grotto will open daily between 13 and 23 December.

Visitors will be treated to live character performances along a festive treasure trail, which leads to a traditional grotto. Here, they meet Santa Claus who will present them with an early Christmas gift – if they’ve been good!

Fairy-tale character Mister Grimm is joined by goblins, gnomes and yetis to welcome youngsters to the festive wonderland. They will explore the catacombs of St George’s Hall, which are filled with eye-popping displays, there they’ll find clues to help solve a puzzle with a reward waiting for them at the end.

Last year’s grotto proved such an unprecedented success, that families queued around the hall to meet Santa and were full of praise for the new city grotto. To meet the anticipated demand for 2014, pre-bookable and fast track tickets have been introduced to enhance the overall experience and give families the opportunity to beat the queues and tickets are on sale now.

Pre-bookable slots are at 10am, 10.30am, 11am and 11.30am on the following Saturdays and Sundays – 15 and 16 November, 22 and 23 November, 29 and 30 November, and 6 and 7 December. Then the same times daily between 13 and 23 December.
Fast-track advance tickets are priced at £8 per child, with up to two accompanying adults. The ticket includes grotto entry to meet Father Christmas and gift. The price for additional accompanying adults is £1.50, which can be paid on the door.

The grotto is also open between 12pm and 5pm (last entry 4.30pm) on the same dates. These tickets are priced at £7 (payable on the door), and also include meeting Santa Claus, gift and entry for up to two accompanying adults. Queues are to be expected.

A professional photographer will be on-hand to capture the youngsters’ magic moment. Families are also welcome to take their own photographs.

Alan Smith, General Manager at St George’s Hall, said:

“St George’s Hall is a Liverpool landmark – so where better to bring your family and enjoy a traditional magical grotto.

“We were thrilled with the success of our first grotto last year – so there was no question about throwing open our doors again this Christmas.

“This year, our excited young visitors (and old ones too!), can look forward to live performances from fairy-tale characters and a treasure trail, before meeting Santa Claus. And due to popular demand, we’ve introduced fast track tickets to help enhance the overall visitor experience and ensure everyone has a truly magical time.”

EVENT DETAILS:
Santa’s Magical Grotto
St George’s Hall, Liverpool. (Entrance via the Heritage Centre)

Dates:
Saturday & Sunday 15 & 16 November
Saturday & Sunday 22 & 23 November
Saturday & Sunday 29 & 30 November
Saturday & Sunday 6 & 7 December
Daily between 13 and 23 December
Pre-bookable slots available on the above times at:
10am / 10.30am / 11am / 11.30am

Pre-bookable tickets:
£8 per child, up to two accompanying adults go free
Additional accompanying adults £1.50 each, payable on the door

How to book:
Pre-bookable tickets are available from TicketQuarter by telephoning 0844 8000 410 / online at www.ticketquarter.co.uk / or in person at TicketQuarter, Queen Square, Liverpool.

On the door tickets:
£7 per child, up to two accompanying adults go free
Additional accompanying adults £1.50 each, payable on the door
Available from St George’s Hall gift shop on the day, for venue enquiries telephone 0151 225 6903/6909

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