Step into the immersive world of The Grotto this year at The Trafford Centre, Manchester & Dubai Mall, Dubai
Discover the Magic of The Grotto in Dubai and Manchester This Winter!
The Christmas season has returned, and with it, so has The Grotto, bringing festive magic to families in Dubai and Manchester. The Grotto is an immersive experience that celebrates the wonders of Christmas. The CEO of Encore Lifestyle, Robyn Isherwood has joined forces with Amy Morris of Pop Up Global and have quickly become known for their superb Christmas event, featuring intricate designs and immersive storytelling with world class performers taking up roles.
The Grotto’s Enchanted Return to Manchester’s Trafford Centre
The Grotto makes its magical return to the Trafford Centre this year, promising to deliver a truly immersive North Pole experience for families in the UK. Opening from the 16th November to 24th December. This year, The Grotto has moved to a new exclusive location just outside of the Great Hall, where the former Frankie & Benny’s restaurant used to be. This fresh setting allows The Grotto team to enhance the atmosphere, ensuring that families can fully immerse themselves in the Christmas spirit. Robyn Isherwood of Encore Lifestyle states that “Our focus has always been on the quality of the entire design, from the costumes to the talent, our aim is to offer a premium and authentic experience; combined with the Encore Lifestyle team behind the design and delivery of the entire event, with focus on the ‘smallest details’”.
The Grotto Manchester’s first year was a huge success, culminating months of hard work from everyone involved, with celebrities such as Gemma Atkinson, Lucy Mecklenburgh, Adam & Ryan Thomas and Molly-Mae Hague, as well as many others celebrating some Christmas joy with their young children.
The Grotto Immersive Experience
The immersive experience begins as children and their families step into the North Pole Headquarters, here they are welcomed by Santa’s dedicated team of Elves. The Elves will take families through the festive journey, starting with Candy Cane Land, leading to the Enchanted Forest and onto Merry Makers Studio. Robyn explains that “The Grotto is designed to highlight the appetite for quality experiences of a high level that will create magical memories”.
Once the entire family has enjoyed getting to know The Grotto, it is time to head towards Santa’s Study. Guests will enter Santa’s cabin for the long awaited magical moment with the big man himself. Each child is then given a special gift from Santa, making the entire experience unforgettable.
New to The Grotto in The Trafford Centre this year is “Whispering Winter” sessions, this was designed for children with sensory sensitivities. During these sessions, the music is softer, lights are dimmed, and visitor numbers are limited, creating a calmer and more inclusive environment for children who may find a traditional Grotto setting overwhelming. These sensory-friendly adjustments ensure that every child and parent can get to enjoy the magic of The Grotto in comfort.
Tickets for The Grotto at The Trafford Centre are priced at £25 per child, which includes a gift and £7.50 for adults. Due to last year’s over whelming success and positive feedback from families across the UK who visited, tickets are selling quickly.
Step into a Winter Wonderland at The Grotto, Dubai Mall
Launching on 6th December until 5th January at Dubai Mall, The Grotto transforms the traditional holiday destination into a must see destination to see Santa. Just like The Grotto, Manchester step into a truly enchanting experience that will allow families to step into a magical world and be greeted by Santa’s Elves, who guide families through whimsical Candy Cane Land and the Enchanted Forest. Each family will have the opportunity to hand deliver a letter to Santa himself in his cosy cabin at the end of the journey, creating magical moments along the way.
The Grotto at Dubai Mall sets itself apart as the teams at Encore Lifestyle and Pop Up Global are bringing the theatrical excellence and authenticity from The Trafford Centre to the UAE. The team features talented UK based performers within the West End and renowned theatre backgrounds. Every detail within The Grotto Dubai has been meticulously curated, from intricate set designs to magical performances. The Grotto Dubai, is the only experience of its kind in the Middle East and one of only two such installations globally, making it a highly sought after destinations for families in the UAE. A note from our Founder on The Grotto Dubai “when working with such an incredible venue like Dubai Mall , the finish is everything, everything must be elevated with top of the range production and designs to achieve the finest Grotto experience”.
The Grotto Dubai will be open daily from 10am – 12am (midnight), giving families plenty of time to schedule a visit whilst also enjoying some Christmas shopping within Dubai Mall. Tickets for The Grotto, Dubai will be priced at AED 149 for Children with a gift included and AED 99 for adults. The Grotto will be located next to the Dubai Ice Rink, booking is highly recommended due to the demand for the experience.
A Truly Unforgettable Festive Experience for Families
The Grotto at Dubai Mall and Manchester’s Trafford Centre bring the true magic of Christmas to life that go far beyond the typical Christmas attractions. Designed to delight guests of all ages, each location emphasises quality, authenticity and inclusivity, ensuring a warm and welcoming experience for everyone. The enchanting settings, beautifully designed sets and a dedicated cast of performers, The Grotto offers families a chance to escape the everyday and immerse themselves in the Christmas spirit, normally only found at the North Pole.
These two Grotto experiences bring a unique blend of artistry and décor, creating lasting memories. Whether you are considering visiting Manchester or Dubai, be sure to secure your Grotto visit and arrange your personal meeting with Santa.
Book The Grotto Tickets Now
Tickets for the Grotto experience can be found directly on The Grotto’s own websites, each destination has its own website, making booking simple and efficient.
Santa’s Grotto Manchester – The Trafford Centre, Manchester
Santa’s Grottos Dubai – Dubai Mall, Dubai