Clacton Pier is being transformed into a magical festive wonderland ready for Christmas.
It’s now less than three weeks until Santa’s Enchanted Grotto opens up at the attraction and the experience is being refreshed for this season.
Time slots are already filling up fast with limited availability to meet the main man and his helpers at their traditional North Pole environment inside the concourse.
The whole site is being decorated with twinkling lights, giant decorations and a massive Christmas tree for a host of festive fun and the chance to make unforgettable family memories.
For the first time, Santa will be handing out a bespoke Clacton Pier luxury toy penguin to those who visit his cosy grotto. They will also take home a freshly baked cookie from Mrs Claus.
The pier’s general manager Harry Peek said the whole team is getting excited and looking forward to welcoming guests.
“We are sprinkling some special magic throughout the grotto along with new interactive activities,” he said.
“The experience has been the same for several years now and we are making some changes which will go down well with all ages.
“And our toy penguin, a nod to the attraction’s past when we had penguins on site, has been specially commissioned with a pier scarf.”
A competition has been staged to name the Penguin with Waddles coming out on top.
“I would advise anyone who does not want to miss out to book a time slot earlier rather than later to avoid disappointment,” added Mr Peek.
The grotto opens its doors on Saturday November 29 and Sunday November 30, and then the weekends of December 6 and 7, 13 and 14, and then daily from December 20 through to Christmas Eve.
The cost of the grotto is £16.50 per child with no charge for adults accompanying a child.
Another highlight will be Santa’s Magical Sleigh Ride: 4D, which whisks visitors away on an immersive festive journey, while the Festive Wheel Experience will offer stunning views of the decorated pier and giant Christmas tree.
The best-value ticket will be the Winter WonderBAND, priced at just £9.99 online, which includes the sleigh ride, wheel experience, adventure golf, unlimited video games and dodgems.
For full details and to book head here
