Santa’s Grotto – Christmas 2025

Santa’s Grotto Returns for Christmas 2025!

We’re thrilled to announce that our magical Santa’s Grotto is back this festive season—and it’s FREE to enter!

While entry is free, we kindly ask visitors to consider making a donation to Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary, helping support the amazing work they do for animals in need

Opening Dates:

The grotto will be open on various dates from Saturday 29th November until Tuesday 23rd December from 11am – 5pm.

Closed for 30 minutes every day at 1:30pm.

Please note: Once the queue has reached capacity, it will be closed. We kindly ask for your understanding that this decision is final

 

  • Saturday 29th November 
  • Sunday 30th November  (Quiet hour 4pm-5pm)
  • Saturday 6th December
  • Sunday 7th December (Quiet hour 4pm-5pm)
  • Saturday 13th December (Quiet hour 11am-12pm)
  • Sunday 14th December 
  • Monday 15th December (Quiet hour 11am-12pm)
  • Tuesday 16th December 
  • Wednesday 17th December 
  • Thursday 18th December (Quiet hour 11am-12pm)
  • Friday 19th December 
  • Saturday 20th December
  • Sunday 21st December (Quiet hour 4pm-5pm)
  • Monday 22nd December (Quiet hour 4pm-5pm)
  • Tuesday 23rd December 

 

Admission is free and includes a free chocolate lolly.

You are also welcome to take your own photos with your own devices. Santa’s little helpers will be on hand to assist with this.

QUIET HOUR:

For our Quiet Hour sessions the following measures are in place to make the Grotto more accessible to those with additional sensory needs

  1. Relaxed performances, Elves will calm their Christmas joy just a little and Father Christmas will use his indoor voice only
  2. Any lighting will be set to static
  3. Any music will be turned off
  4. Families can enjoy the grotto at a more leisurely pace
  5. Parents/carers can speak to our ‘door Elf’ and let them know if there are any other ways we can make the experience enjoyable, Elves will try their hardest to achieve this.

 

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The Rock Express Land Train – December 2025

All aboard The Rock Express!

The Rock Express will return this December providing FREE transport service to add that special touch to your festive shopping experience.

The train will run from 10am – 4pm daily from Saturday 13th December until New Year’s Eve (Excluding Christmas Day and Boxing Day)

We will also be accepting donations for our partner charity, Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary

We look forward to seeing you on The Rock Express – Choo Choo!

 

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Celebrating Our Christmas Lights Parade Award Winners!

The magic of Christmas came alive at our spectacular Christmas Lights Switch-On Parade, and what an incredible evening it was! From twinkling lights to festive cheer, the creativity and community spirit on display were truly inspiring. We were thrilled to see so many groups join in the fun, and this year’s awards highlighted some outstanding efforts.

Best Dressed – Helen’s Angels (Bury Music Service)

Helen’s Angels stole the show with their dazzling costumes and festive flair! Their attention to detail and joyful energy brought the Christmas spirit to life. A huge congratulations to this talented group for making the parade sparkle with style.

Most Original Christmas Theme – 44th Bury Scouts

The 44th Bury Scouts wowed us with their imaginative take on Christmas. Their creativity and teamwork shone through in every detail, earning them the award for originality. It’s fantastic to see such innovative ideas from our local Scouts!

Best Use of Lights – Radcliffe Rainbows

Radcliffe Rainbows lit up the night, literally! Their vibrant display of lights was nothing short of magical, creating a glowing spectacle that warmed hearts along the route. Well done to this amazing group for brightening up the parade in the most festive way.

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The 12 Hays of Christmas is Back at Hays Travel

 

The festive season just got even more exciting because Hays Travel is bringing back their much-loved 12 Hays of Christmas from 12–23 December, adding a sprinkle of holiday magic to every single day.

Each morning, something new is waiting to be unwrapped. It could be a seven-night escape for two at the Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Maya, a generous Love to Shop boost, or even a luxury food-and-wine hamper that turns an ordinary evening into a celebration.

There are incredible surprises in store, imagine holding a Chelsea shirt signed with MSC pride, enjoying a £500 G Adventures voucher, or discovering treats like a £500 easyJet holidays credit, a luxury hamper from Oceania, Newmarket and Travelsphere, or a £500 Hoseasons voucher.

And the grand finale? A show-stopping trip to New York City!

Sign up from 1 December, this could be your chance to unwrap the best Christmas ever with Hays Travel.

Link to sign up: https://www.haystravel.co.uk/12-hays

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The Honesty Library: A Shared Shelf for Everyone

We’re proud to launch our new Honesty Library—a community-driven book swap at The Rock.
It’s simple and joyful: take a book you’d love to read, leave one behind if you can. No sign-up, no cards – just trust and generosity.
Here’s how it works:
  • Choose a book that catches your eye
  • Drop off a book for someone else
  • Treat the space and books with care
Whether it’s thrillers, children’s classics, or timeless novels—everyone’s welcome to explore and contribute. Let’s share stories and make this a cozy corner for readers of all ages.
NOTE: The weather may impact how often the library is available, as we are an open centre.
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