Santa Claus is coming to town next month as part of the Harrogate Father Christmas Experience 2021.
Harrogate Business Improvement District, which organises the event, revealed today that Father Christmas take up residence in the Crown Hotel after covid scuppered his appearance last year.
Children and families can come along on 15 days between November 20 and Christmas Eve to meet Santa and be part of an interactive elf-training experience hosted by chief elf Tinsel.
In previous years, Santa has made himself at home in Harrogate at Harlow Carr Gardens and Horticap but the centrally located hotel will host his visit this time.
Harrogate BID chair Sara Ferguson said:
“It is going to a truly magical experience for children and families, one that we are looking forward to deliver, and is a major component of our 2021 Christmas campaign.
“Harrogate BID, together with a host of partners, has been working behind the scenes for many months to ensure this will be a Christmas to remember, and one that will support our retailers at what has been an extremely challenging 18 months.
“And in just a few weeks, our Christmas lights will be illuminating more streets than in previous years.
For further details, including dates, click here.
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The Father Christmas Experience is part of what is shaping up to be a major festive offering in Harrogate this year.
The BID, which aims to increase footfall in the town centre, is also co-funding a town centre Ferris wheel, Victorian carousel, helter skelter and festive train.
It is partnering with The Rotary Club of Harrogate for the annual Christmas Shop Window competition and Harrogate International Festivals for its North Pole Post Office.
Harrogate post box with a direct line to Santa opensA new post box with a direct line to the North Pole has opened in Harrogate offering children the chance to write to Father Christmas.
Harrogate International Festivals has turned its Cheltenham Parade office a magical makeover.
As well as the post office, the site has snow flurries and Christmas music, and Father Christmas also makes appearances in the window.
The North Pole Post Office, which will be open right up to Christmas eve, aims to bring some festive cheer to children denied the chance to visit Santa due to covid.
Children posting letters should include their name, age, what they would like for Christmas and something they like doing. Those who would like Santa Claus to write back should also include their address.
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Lizzie Brewster, Harrogate International Festivals’ head of development and communications, said:
“Because Santa’s grottos will be few and far between, we are inviting the town’s children to write a letter to Father Christmas and then pop it into our post box.
“And naturally we would also ask that social distancing is adhered to at all times. The last thing we want is Father Christmas and his elves coming down with covid!”
Harrogate Business Improvement District has sponsored the North Pole Post Office as part of its Harrogate at Christmas campaign.
Sara Ferguson, acting chair of Harrogate BID, said:
“Harrogate International Festivals are known for their creativity. The North Pole Post is simply genius. We are delighted to partner with them for this end of year treat.
“It is a feature of our Harrogate at Christmas campaign, designed to bring residents into town all through the week, not just at the weekend when it’s at its busiest.”