Santa’s Grotto in Newark is providing families with a great experience to see the man in the red suit, get presents and be a part of the magic of Christmas

Santa's Grotto has been a big hit with families across the area and many have already visited over this festive season.

Santa's Grotto is located in the Buttermarket in Newark's town centre.

The Grotto this year is decorated as a winter wonderland containing magic elf dust, reindeer, snow, and of course, Santa.

There are also plenty of elves running around helping and taking children to meet Santa.

"The grotto was started in 2017 by myself and a group of local independent business owners as a way to keep local people shopping in Newark," said organiser and chief elf Emma Holden.

"We identified that lots of local families were going out of town to take their children to see Santa and decided to create a Santa's Grotto within Newark that could be pre-booked with quality gifts and a full family experience.

"The first year the bookings were so busy we saw 362 children through the grotto so we decided it was certainly something that Newark wanted and that we would make it an annual experience.

"The following year we saw 656 children and it has grown from there.

"The grotto has been running now for seven years and will always treasure the memory of Daniel Harris, the most wonderful little boy who sadly passed away aged six on the 23rd December 2017.

"We have always tried to create a quality Santa visit experience for the people of Newark and the surrounding areas.

"We have also encouraged people to shop in Newark and support our local businesses, while at the same time, we can raise vital funds for charities that help our community.

"During the 2020 pandemic, we took the grotto virtual and brought Santa to the children of Newark via Zoom whilst the Elf Squad delivered glitter-covered surprise gifts to their door.

"Since 2017 we have seen over 5000 children through the Grotto and raised over £24,000 for charities that support our local community."

Children have enjoyed meeting Santa in his grotto this year and writing their wish lists before going to see him.

Elves greet the families at the door and cover the children in magic elf dust before taking them in to meet the man in the red suit and receive their gifts.

Santa knows a lot about the children before they go to meet him and as well as their presents, he also gives them reindeer food so that his sleigh is powered adequately on Christmas Eve.

He asked the children what they were going to leave out for him and popular responses were milk and cookies.

Several also said that they would leave carrots out for the reindeer alongside the food provided by Santa.

There is still availability to see Santa in his Newark Grotto this year with spots still open on Wednesday, December 20, and Thursday, December 21.

Visit www.newarksanta.co.uk for more information and to book.

This year the Grotto is raising money for the YMCA.

“Newark's Santa's Grotto is one of my proudest achievements to date.

“It brings joy to so many families and children across our area, and teaches my children and nieces how important it is to give back to our local community," said Emma.

"It is important to give back with both our time and commitment.

"I am hugely passionate about Newark and all that we stand for as a town and to be able to be a small part of what we create, especially at this time of year, makes me immensely proud.

"My new role at the YMCA community and activity village here in Newark only accentuates my desire to support charities that help our local community.

"The YMCA does the most incredible work and locally we have two residential children's homes as well as our amazing village off Bowbridge Road.

"I want to spread the word about the YMCA locally and hopefully Newark's Santa's Grotto can help to do this in 2023 and beyond."