A VARIETY of entertainment will be the centre of attention for this year’s Christmas launch at Yate Shopping Centre on Saturday, November 25 with further festivities planned leading up to the Christmas break.

Santa’s grotto will open from Sunday, November 26 and will be sited in the Central Square where most of the preceding day’s activities will be staged between 11am and 5pm, culminating with Santa switching on the Christmas lights at 5pm.

Andrew Lowrey, Yate Shopping Centre Manager, said: “Christmas is always the high spot in the Centre’s calendar and, as ever, it will be buzzing with a wide variety of free seasonal entertainment including some local community events with concerts by local school choirs and sessions by local bands.

“Several new shops opened during the past twelve months so in addition to the festivities it will be a good opportunity for visitors to frequent them along with those that have been the mainstay of the Centre for many years.”

Two of our regular Christmas pop-up shops - What! Christmas and Calendar Club - have both already opened.

The entertainment on Saturday, November 25 for the main launch will be totally free commencing at 11am and culminating at 5pm with the Christmas lights switched on by Santa.

Entertainment highlights of the day include:-

Children’s Fairground rides

Elton Wrong

Michael Buble Tribute

Rock choir

D Day Dollies

Brass Bands

Street Cred

Razzamataz

Postman Pat Santa letter writing with free reply

Facepainting

Balloon modelling

Mascot character meet & Greets with Bluey and Bingo, Stitch and Angel, Elf on the shelf and Paddington

The grotto will open the following day (on November 26) from 10am until 4pm and each successive Saturday and Sunday running through to Christmas week when it will be open more often, closing on Christmas Eve at 1pm.

There will be free stickers and certificates for each child on their visit to Santa who will be located outside the Grotto and a contribution of £1 per visit is being suggested which will go towards the shopping centre's adopted charity, Jessie May Children’s Hospice.