A new Santa's Grotto which is taking shape at the Metrocentre is to include a festive forest theme and a cookie-decorating session for children before they visit the big man himself.
The Gateshead shopping centre is keeping details of this year's pre-Christmas treat under wraps for a few more days yet but says that families can register in advance to be among the first to book tickets.
There has been a grotto at the Metrocentre for years where it is always a big hit with families but this year it is being billed as a "brand-new Festive Forest experience".
Read more: how Gateshead Metrocentre was made
Children will be guided through the forest by Santa's elves and they will have a chance to decorate Christmas cookies before meeting Santa himself.
Following the cancellation last year - due to the pandemic - of so many traditional festive outings, families are proving extra keen to book up early for Christmas events this time around.
Tickets for the Santa on the Roof experience at Fenwick in Newcastle, for instance, were all snapped up on the morning of their release.
The Metrocentre says that families keen to book tickets for the grotto can sign up now to a mailing list for tickets.
Once they have filled in the form they then will receive an email on Monday, October 18 with further details. To sign up see here.
Tickets are to be released to the newsletter subscribers before they go on general release to the public.
For the latest What's On news, announcements and reviews direct to your inbox, go here to sign up to our free newsletter
