FAMILIES from Bury and beyond will be able to visit a magical Santa’s Grotto at The Rock Shopping this festive season – for FREE!
The shopping and leisure destination’s Santa’s Grotto will open on Saturday 30th November and will then be open on various days on the run up to Christmas.
It’s the first time The Rock has hosted a grotto since the pandemic and they’re promising a high quality, classic grotto with outstanding staff.
Families will step into a cosy woodland theme wonderland for their visit to Santa. The focal piece of the grotto will be a magical archway of lights, garlands, baubles and branches to create a standout backdrop for the photo with Santa. Admission is free and includes a chocolate lolly.
Arnold Wilcox-Wood, Centre Director of The Rock, said: “Here at The Rock we are firm believers that every child should be able see Santa and that’s why once again our grotto will be free to enter. This year’s grotto is a brand-new design, and we think our visitors will be absolutely blown away by it – it’ll be sure to get them in the Christmas spirit.”
The grotto will be located in St John’s Square, alongside the centre’s Christmas food fair. The famous Rock Express land train will also return this Christmas. Visitors can enjoy a festive journey in the town from Saturday 14th December.
Santa’s grotto will be fully accessible and will be manned by two elves. Quiet hour will run on Fridays from 11am-12pm. Santa will take a break daily at 1pm for 30 mins. There will be no admission to the grotto during this time.
The search is on for local heroes to switch on the Christmas lights at The Rock Shopping Centre this year.
The shopping and leisure destination is holding a Community Christmas Concert and Lights Switch On on Saturday 9th November 2024.
Running from 3pm-5pm the shopping centre has joined forces with Roch Valley Radio to pull together a special festive event which will bring the people of Bury together.
As part of the community-focused event, The Rock is launching their search for a local hero or heroes to help switch on the festive lights.
On the day, the countdown will take place just before 5pm and the local hero/es will flick the switch to light up The Rock ready for the Christmas shopping period.
Nominations can be made through The Rock’s website from Friday 4th October and the deadline for submissions is Friday 25th October.
The Rock’s centre director, Arnold Wilcox-Wood, said: “Last year’s Christmas lights switch on event was a huge success and we’re thrilled to be hosting it again. In 2023 our local hero was Les Edwards, Chairman of Seedfield Sports Junior Football Club, who was chosen following a nomination campaign where we received 95 submissions.
“We were overwhelmed with nominations in our search for a local hero – choosing just one person was tough.
“So, this year, we’ll be choosing multiple local heroes to help us light up Bury at our Community Christmas Concert and Lights Switch On.
“Whether they’re a volunteer, teacher, emergency services worker, or somebody who has done something outstanding in the community, you can nominate your local hero to switch on the Christmas Lights at The Rock.
“This event is all about the community and celebrating our rising stars, our charity partner Secret Garden – Hoyles Park and a local heroes. We’re thrilled to be hosting this ‘new look’ event for a second year and can’t wait to kick off the Christmas season.”
The event will take place on a stage in St John’s Square, in front of The Range and will feature groups from the Carol Godby Theatre Workshop, Bury Music Service and performers who have been supported by Liv’s Trust.
The switch on event is free to attend and marks the beginning of the Christmas season for The Rock.
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