Families are guaranteed a magical Christmas in Stockport this December as Merseyway Shopping Centre announces a series of free, festive experiences.
Taking place on the run-up to Christmas Day, Merseyway visitors will be able to discover the magic of Christmas and enjoy free events including visits to a brand-new Grotto with Santa, live performers, festive huts, an elf trail, late night shopping and Merseyway’s annual Giving Tree. Event highlights include:
FREE Santa’s Grotto
Families are invited to visit Santa and his elves this Christmas at Merseyway’s, brand new free-to-attend Grotto! Taking place each weekend on the run-up to Christmas, children will be able to meet Santa Claus himself and receive an early gift ahead of Christmas Day. Located in a festive, cosy hut in the outdoor mall, the Grotto will be decorated with colourful candy-cane lollipops, fairy lights and cosy interiors, ready to make Santa feel welcome during his visits to the town. Families will be able to visit Santa from December 2nd – 3rd, 9th – 10th and 16 – 17th. As this is the first Grotto to be hosted at Merseyway for several years, visitors are encouraged to come along early each day of opening to avoid disappointment, with Santa visits taking place from 11am – 3pm on a first-come first-served basis.
Merseyway’s Giving Tree
Do something special this Christmas and provide a gift for a child or person not as fortunate as others at Merseyway’s annual Giving Tree. Returning for another year, shoppers can select a bespoke tag from the Giving Tree and purchase a gift for a less fortunate child or person in Stockport. Each tag will share the age of the recipient along with an item they would like to receive for Christmas, meaning they will receive something they have asked for on their Christmas list.
This year’s Giving Tree will be hosted in collaboration with Ongoing Women’s Local Support and Stockport schools and will be open until 17th December 2023. All participants can drop their gift donations at the dedicated donation station outside Specsavers or at the centre’s Management Suite.
Elves on the Merseyway Shelves
Bringing a unique trail for children into the centre, pesky elves are causing mischief in Merseyway this Christmas and have made their way onto Merseyway shelves! From hiding in shoe boxes, stealing gift cards, and playing with mannequins, a unique trail will be created each day across Merseyway stores for families to enjoy from December 11th – 22nd. Make sure to keep an eye on Merseyway’s social media channels each morning to find out where you can visit unique displays across the centre.
Festive Huts and Late-Night Shopping
Providing festive gifts and treats for all throughout the festive season, Merseyway’s Christmas Markets will be open throughout December, serving everything from Yorkshire Pudding Wraps, German sausages and delicious doughnuts, to Christmas gifts and novelty items.
Don’t forget to take advantage of late-night shopping hours too, because Merseyway will be open until 7pm every day from Wednesday 20th – Friday 22nd December 2023.
