Go sky-high this Christmas at Croydon’s enchanting new grotto experience
This month, Croydon is jumping into the festive spirit with an enchanting new grotto experience ride, Christmas market and carol competitions.
From November 27, until Christmas Eve, the Centrale and Whitgift Shopping Centre will open Santa’s Christmas Skyride.
Families are invited to take flight with Santa’s friendly team of elves for an adventure involving a virtual flight all the way to the North Pole!
A magical elevator, located opposite House of Fraser in Centrale, will take visitors into the skies, through the clouds to meet with Santa himself.
Tickets are now available and are sure to be popular, so make sure to secure your spot early for this unforgettable festive journey.
Later in December, once securely into the festive season, visitors can revel in Whitgift’s new Christmas Market.
From December 14 to 24, shoppers can explore a curated selection of food, drinks, and gifts – all from Croydon makers and bakers.
The market gives shoppers the perfect opportunity to tick off Christmas lists while soaking up the festive atmosphere.
There will also be a series of daily, free workshops at the market in Whitgift Square, opposite Superdry.
Learn how to make handmade christmas ornaments, cards and DIY stockings or get stuck into gingerbread house decorating.
If you’re passing by Centrale or Whitgift Square, keep a look out for the Giving Trees.
Pick a tag from the tree, which provides details of a gift for someone in the area, purchase the gift and bring it back, unwrapped, to the Giving Tree boxes.
Donations will be collected by Reedham Children’s Trust, a Croydon charity dedicated to supporting vulnerable children and families in Croydon and delivered in time to brighten their Christmas.
Last year, the Giving Tree Appeal received more than 900 gifts, benefiting hundreds of children across Croydon.
For more information, visit https://centraleandwhitgift.co.uk/whats-on-categories/events/
Pictured top: Santa’s Grotto at the Whitgift Centre (Picture: Centrale and Whitgift Shopping Centre)