We were lucky enough to be invited to the launch of Enchantica’s The Harrogate Father Christmas Experience 2022. Back bigger and better this year, at a new location – The Cedar Court Hotel. Still in the centre of town, but with ample parking and the beautiful Tipi being transformed into the amazing Elf Village – this really is the perfect town centre location to go and meet Father Christmas and all his wonderful Elves.
We were invited along to the Elf-Training Workshop – which is suitable for all ages, in particular under 7s and their grown-ups. Dates: 3/4th, 10/11th, 17/18/19/20th, 22/23/24th December. For those with older children Codebreaker’s Christmas is for you! An escape room style interactive show for budding codebreakers – running on 2nd/9th and 21st December. Sally and her girls (11 and 13) went this week and had a brilliant time. If you’ve got older children – this is definitely the Santa experience for you – and the afternoon tea served at the hotel is brilliant too!
The Elf Training Workshop was everything we would hoped it would be and more! As soon as you arrive you are transported into Christmas! You’re greeted by Elves who take you through to their Elf Village. If you’re a fan of the film Elf you are in for a treat! First stop is the Elf Cocoa Cafe where you can purchase hot and cold drinks. I have to say the hot chocolates were particularly epic! You’re put straight to work by the army of Elves – making the all important Christmas paper chains! Great fun and the Elves really kept the kids entertained! It’s a really nice chilled out experience in here – plenty to see and do (tbh if this was all there was I’d still think it was worth it!).
But it’s not – after about 30/45 minutes we are called through to the main workshop. I was absolutely blown away at our journey to the the workshop, I honestly felt like we’d travelled through the seven levels of the Candy Cane forest – and then some! Seeing the little mumbler’s faces was something else too. Just brilliant.
We head into the Tipi – well Elf Workshop and I cannot think of a more fitting place to have a Christmas Experience! Just Wow! Everything is thought of – including comfy seats and blankets for the adults! The show then “officially” begins and lasts about an hour or so. I’m not going to give too much away – but lets just say it’s BRILLIANT! An old man with a white beard and red suit drops by, Tinsel the Elf fills us all in on her latest invention, Beatie makes an appearance, there is plenty of audience participation (adults and children!) and there might even be some snow!
The whole experience was just brilliant, the amount of work that must have gone into this is incredible. At the end of the show each child is invited to have their picture taken with Santa, choose a present, pick up their Elf Certificate and then you even get chance for. photo opportunity on Santa’s sleigh! Absolutely fantastic experience, worth every penny!
Book your tickets NOW – this is sure to sell out!
Ticket prices start at £15.50 for children and £11.50 for adults
Back by popular demand, but always a little bit different each year for returning families to continue enjoying the magic, this sing-along elf training adventure is suitable for all ages of believers, particularly families with 0-7-year-olds. From families with new-borns to festive-loving grandparents, everyone attending will enjoy helping Father Christmas and the elves get ready for Christmas in our Elf workshop. With a few special guests along the way and lots of added sprinkles of North Pole magic, this experience really does bring the magic of Christmas to life!
This new experience has been specially created for audiences of 7years+ to adult. This Santa’s Spy School adventure combines escape room challenges, code-breaking puzzles, illusion, magic and fun family entertainment to make a visit to Santa exciting for those slightly older Christmas fans. Enchantica’s believe that the magic and excitement of Christmas is something that stays
with us forever and this experience has been created to add a little bit more enchantment for those ready to carry on the magic into adulthood!
Enchantica’s specialise in educational theatre and this year have been working with a team of local sponsors to bring to life a ‘Sustainability at Christmas’ experience for local primary school children to enjoy. Green Elf School will welcome local primary children to the Elf Village to enjoy learning how they can earn their Green Elf award and help Father Christmas and the Elves make a difference this Christmas.
Reviewed Nov 2022
Disclosure: Mumbler was lucky enough to be gifted tickets to The Father Christmas Experience, however we pinky promised to only write a truthful account. Phew, we really enjoyed it! (otherwise that could have been awks!).
