Garden Centre unveils magical experiences for families across the UK
Dobbies Garden Centres is readying itself for Santa's arrival and counting down the days to spread festive joy this Christmas, as it unveils a magical array of fun, great value events!
Article Source: Dobbies
Last Updated: 20 August 2024 14:17
Image Credit: Stewart Attwood Photography
Events are on sale exclusively to members today (Tuesday 20 August) and other customers next month (Tuesday 3 September).
Santa will be landing his sleigh at 50 stores as he takes residency at Dobbies’ brand-new Little Seedlings train-themed Grotto this November and December. After a warm welcome from the elves at Sleighbell Station, children will get to experience snowy scenes, spot woodland characters, find hidden nutcrackers, all culminating in the chance to tell Santa what they would like for Christmas. Here families will have the chance to capture the moment with a photograph of Santa, making a lasting memory of the experience.
Dobbies will also offer a sensory-friendly Quiet Grotto experience in 50 stores on Friday 6 December, designed to help reduce anxiety and provide a customised environment for children with additional needs. Lighting, sound and visual effects will be minimised, giving kids that cherished moment with Santa. Session times are extended to allow for a slower, relaxed experience.
Dog owners will be delighted that 74 stores will host the sell-out Santa Paws experience throughout December, allowing their cherished four-legged companions to spend quality time with Santa at the Grotto, receive a special gift and take a photograph.
Meet Santa, a new experience for 2024 that will take place across 21 stores, gives customers the chance to say hello to Santa, tell him any Christmas wishes, receive a gift and capture a photograph. This experience differs from the Grotto, and booking is encouraged but not essential.
Santa’s Breakfast is a fantastic festive morning for families with kids under 10 years old. Everyone can enjoy a delicious breakfast together, with a range of cooked options including vegetarian choices. Children over 3 will build their very own festive soft toy to take home, getting to stuff, fluff and name their toy, with a birth certificate to mark the occasion. Children under 3 will receive a special soft toy from Santa and the elves will also encourage everyone to join in family-friendly activities.
Santa will be kick starting the festivities at Santa’s Arrival, a free event where families will get the chance to see Mr Claus on Sunday 24 November at 23 stores. Santa will be saying hello, interacting with children, taking selfies, and spreading seasonal joy.
Families can also attend the Teenage Cancer Trust Christmas Shopping Night on Thursday 28 November across all 77 stores, where they can enjoy some local performances, explore Dobbies’ gifting ranges and decorations, with exclusive discounts available, as well see the unveiling of Dobbies’ Community Christmas Trees. Tickets cost £1, with proceeds going directly to Dobbies’ National Charity Partner.
Dobbies’ Events Programme Manager, Ayesha Nickson, who has worked closely with the wider team to craft this year’s festive experiences, is excited to see the magic unfold. She said: “We're thrilled to be welcoming Santa and his elves along to our stores to spread the joy of Christmas with our enchanting line-up of festive events.
“Christmas is one-of-a-kind at Dobbies and we take absolute joy in putting on a memorable series of events. From our new Little Seedlings train-themed Grotto where kids can meet Santa to tasty Santa’s Breakfast experiences and fun-filled activities, we've come up with something truly special for the whole family to enjoy.”
Customers are encouraged to book in advance for Dobbies' Christmas events to avoid disappointment.
• Santa’s Grotto runs from 28 November until 24 December across 50 stores, £12.99 per child
• Santa’s Quiet Grotto takes place on 6 December across 50 stores, £12.99 per child
• Santa Paws runs from 7 to 24 December across 74 stores, £9.99 per dog, with the option to add on children from £8.99-12.99 (depending on the store)
• Santa’s Breakfast takes place from 30 November until 24 December across 68 stores, £16.99 for children (3-10 years), £13.99 under 3s, from £8.60 for adults
• Santa’s Arrival takes place on 24 November across 23 stores, free to attend
• Meet Santa takes place from 28 November to 24 December across 21 stores, £8.99 per child, booking available but not essential
•Christmas Shopping Night runs on 28 November across all 77 stores, £1 per ticket
To learn more about the events and make a booking, visit dobbies.com/events
Sponsored Links
Latest East Renfrewshire News
Singer Peter Cox set for intimate show at Eastwood Theatre
Eastwood Theatre has announced an intimate show with singer-songwriter Peter Cox.
READ MORE
Spooky season returns to town with the announcement of Paisley Halloween Festival 2025
Paisley Halloween Festival will return to town next month to celebrate the spooky season with a packed programme of frightful fun for all the family!
READ MORE
Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 12th edition
Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 12th edition on the big screen in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and Inverness from 1st to 19th October 2025.
READ MORE
Cineworld 4DX Rewind returns for 2025
Cineworld is excited to announce the return of 4DX Rewind this September across Cineworld 4DX cinemas nationwide!
READ MORE
Delve into the past with brand new heritage store and classes
East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure has launched a brand new heritage store to support residents who want to research the area's past.
READ MORE
Final countdown to the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run 2025 is on
Scotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow next month, and there’s still time to secure your place.
READ MORE
Marstons and Tom Shepherd join forces once more to serve up the best ever pub pie
Marston's and Michelin-starred chef Tom Shepherd have teamed up once more to serve up The Best Ever Pub Pie to locals across the country.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Fringe smash hit Oran embarks on first UK tour
Òran, the award-winning sell-out hit of the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe embarks on its first ever UK tour this autumn as company Wonder Fools take their work to a host of venues across Scotland.
READ MORE
Barrhead Beach Party for fitness fans
Fitness members made a splash at Barrhead Foundry's summer pool party!
READ MORE
M&Ds teams up with Zombie Infection for a heart pounding, live action horror attraction
M&D's is set to transform into Scotland's Scream Park with the launch of Zombie Checkpoint, a live action immersive horror experience creating a heart racing adventure not for the faint hearted.
READ MORE
Iconic films to take centre stage at Vue venues in Scotland
Iconic movies celebrating key milestones this year are returning to Vue for a limited run - including Steven Spielberg classic Jaws.
READ MORE
20 expert sessions at The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show
The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show will be packed with expert speakers when it returns to the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston on 4th – 5th October 2025.
READ MORE
A Taste of Loch Lomond Book launches with live cooking demo at the Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival
Love Loch Lomond will officially launch its new publication, A Taste of Loch Lomond – Stories and Flavours from the Bonnie Banks, at the Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival on Sunday 7th September.
READ MORE
Seriously fun ideas for your work Christmas Party
It might only be September, but the C-word is not too far away, so it's time to start thinking about planning the annual office Christmas shindig before everything gets booked up!
READ MORE
Transformative Aurs Road project remains on track
A project to transform the route between Barrhead and Newton Mearns by creating a safer road, an active travel route, and waterside promenade is on track to be delivered by Spring 2026.
READ MORE
Business Gateway launches its first ever Scottish Start Up Month
Business Gateway, Scotland's national business support service, has launched Scottish Start-Up Month, a nationwide campaign to celebrate Scotland's entrepreneurial spirit.
READ MORE
Pop up play town brings big imaginations to little ones
A new role-play experience is popping up in community venues across Greater Glasgow this month bringing pint-sized professions and plenty of pretend fun to preschoolers and their families.
READ MORE
Fresh new line up for one of the biggest FREE food and drink festivals in Scotland
Vikings, a pie eating competition, new celebrated chef and dog & duck shows set to bring new energy to Loch Lomond Food and Drink Festival this September.
READ MORE
From pouring pints to the red carpet: The Scottish Bar and Pub Awards 2025 crowns its hospitality stars!
The winners of the 2025 Scottish Bar & Pub Awards were unveiled on the 26th of August at a glittering, Oscars-themed ceremony held at the Doubletree by Hilton, Glasgow.
READ MORE
Scottish karate champion set for competitive season
Scottish karate champion Dylan Rush is looking forward to competing in series of international competitions over the coming weeks.
READ MORE
Best Croissant Competition returns for 2025
The Edinburgh Butter Company has announced the return of its ‘Scotland’s Best Croissant’ competition on Monday 13th October.
READ MORE
GlasGLOW announces all new show for 2025, inspired by the legendary 80s campaign that made Glasgow smile
itison has confirmed that GlasGLOW will return to the Botanic Gardens from 24th October – 2nd November for its eighth year and with its biggest show yet... GlasGLOW's Miles Better!
READ MORE
Historic Environment Scotland launches Talking About Heritage
People across Scotland invited to take part in national conversation about heritage.
READ MORE
Tickets now on sale for The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo closes the drawbridge on its 75th anniversary Show, as tickets for next year go on sale.
READ MORE
Cooking up a treat as potential multi million pound boost for East Renfrewshire economy revealed
Businesses in East Renfrewshire are backing a fresh drive that could inject £5m-a-year more into the region's economy.
READ MORE
Eastwood Park venues celebrate Doors Open Festival
East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure will offer exclusive behind-the-scenes access and guided tours as part of Scotland’s Doors Open Day festival!
READ MORE
Primark celebrates 50 years in Scotland with a wee nod to loyal Scots in all stores today
Scottish shoppers will hardly believe it when they see it today as Primark finally relents on one of its biggest brand debates after 50 years.
READ MORE
Christmas at Crieff Hydro returns with magical line up of festive activities
Scotland's best loved family resort, Crieff Hydro, has unveiled details of a specially curated programme of events as it prepares to welcome guests over the festive period.
READ MORE
Scots Language Awards 2025 shortlist unveiled
The shortlist for the Scots Language Awards 2025 has been unveiled, with figures from Scottish literature, theatre, education and business all in the running for awards at the annual ceremony.
READ MORE
Eastwood Park Theatre announces Autumn 2025 programme
Featuring Barbara Dickson, Gordon Strachan, Mhairi Black, Tam Cowan, Kerry Ellis and more...
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links