Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
Where's Santa in Suffolk
2015
UPDATE FROM THE NORTH POLE…
We were absolutely thrilled to receive this very special letter which magically found its way into the Primary Times Postbag recently. Look - it’s from Father Christmas!!
Dear Primary Times readers, boys and girls,.png)
Ho, Ho, Ho! Well, I’m now approaching my busiest time of year and all my charming little elves and sprightly reindeer are working extremely hard to make sure that this Christmas is an extra special one for all of you!
Rudolph and all his reindeer friends are actively training to get flight fit for their epic journey around the world on Christmas Eve. They are on a diet of magical carrots that helps them to see in the dark, so if you could leave a couple of carrots out for them on Christmas Eve that would be much appreciated.
I’m still waiting to receive some present requests, so along with my many, many helpers, we will be at all the locations which Primary Times will print in its ‘Where’s Santa’ feature this festive season. We can’t wait to meet you all and listen to your wishes and requests…
Love Father Christmas
PS. Don’t forget to be good!
Christmas 2015
Friday 20 November
Christmas Lights Switch On & Santa
Gt. Yarmouth, Market Place, NR30 2AX
The festive season gets off to a flying start with ice jugglers, traditional carols, donkey rides and live music. From 6pm, switch-on and Santa at 7pm, followed by fireworks and live music. Visitwww.gytcp.co.uk/gyChristmas
From Saturday 21 November
Also 22, 28, 29 November; 5, 6, 12, 13, 18-22 December
Santa’s Grotto
Bury St. Edmunds, Blackthorpe Barn, Rougham Estate, IP30 9HZ
The perfect miniature Grotto offering a superb Santa experience. Accompanied children will receive a token gift from Santa Claus (if they have been good!). Recommended age: 0-9s. Child £5, adult £1. Booking essential: www.blackthorpebarn.com
From Saturday 21 November
Also 22 November
Experience Christmas Anglo-Saxon Style
West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village, IP28 6HG
A chance to buy some special Christmas gifts; enjoy FREE entry into the Anglo-Saxon Village, as they go about their Yuletide celebrations! 10am-5pm. Visit www.whatsonwestsuffolk.co.uk
From Sunday 22 November
Also 28, 29 November; 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20 December
Santa’s Grotto
Woodbridge, Notcutts, IP12 4AF
Visit Santa in his winter wonderland and receive a special gift. Advance online booking recommended. Or take breakfast or tea with Santa: includes a lovely present and perhaps a story or game, seewww.notcutts.co.uk for dates, times and price.
Friday 27 November
Christmas Fayre
Stowmarket, Museum of East Anglian Life, IP14 1DL
Coinciding with the Christmas tree festival and Christmas lights switch on. Pop into Abbot’s Hall to see if Santa has a gift for you! 3-8:30pm. Visit www.eastanglianlife.org.uk
From Friday 27 November
Also 29 November; 5, 19, 20 December
Visit Father Christmas in his traditional Victorian Grotto
Bury St. Edmunds, Moyse’s Hall Museum, IP33 1AA
Tell Santa all your wishes for Christmas, receive a gift and have a photo taken by one of his friendly elves. Plus 'Christmas Past & Presents' exhibition. Child £5. Booking recommended. Seewww.whatsonwestsuffolk.co.uk
Friday 27 November
Holly Fayre with live Reindeer & Santa
Near Diss, Roydon Primary School, IP22 5QU
Visit Santa and his Reindeer! Fun games and stalls for the kids, mulled wine for the adults, turkey rolls, Christmas shopping and a superb array of raffle prizes include a day pass to Centre Parcs. Adults 30p, children free. Visit www.roydon.norfolk.sch.uk
Friday 27 November
Christmas Lights Switch On
Beccles, NR34 9AJ
Soak up the festive atmosphere. Christmas tree festival in Hungate Church, carol singing in St. Michael’s Church, have your family photo taken with the visiting two real reindeer, entertainers, stilt walkers and more. Lights at 6pm. 5:30pm-9pm. Visit www.beccleschristmaslights.co.uk
Saturday 28 November
Christmas Lights Switch-on
Southwold, IP18 6DS
Entertainment from 2:30pm, Father Christmas will be making his special appearance in the Market Place at 4:50pm, switch on at 5pm. Visit www.visitsouthwold.co.uk
Saturday 28 November
Santa’s Grotto, Market & Christmas Lights Switch-on
Felixstowe, Hamilton Road/Triangle Canopy, IP11 7AD
Bring the whole family to this festive Craft Market and experience the drama of the candlelight parade - 4:40pm. Switch on at 5pm. Visit www.felixstowe.gov.uk
Saturday 28 November
Victorian Christmas Fayre
Mid Suffolk Light Railway, Brockford Station, IP14 5PW
Train ride, visit the ‘Frozen’ Grotto, stalls and more. Adult £3, conc £1.50, family £7. Call 01473 890622.
From Sunday 29 November
Also 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24 December
Santa Visits in his old faithful Steam Car
Bressingham Steam & Gardens, IP22 2AA
Steam train rides, a present for the up-to-12s, Galloper rides and children’s entertainer and take a peek at the decorated Walmington-on-Sea. Early booking advisable: www.bressingham.co.uk or call 01379 686900.
DECEMBER
From Wednesday 2 December
Also 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 15, 17, 21 December
Tea with Santa
Ipswich, Hollow Trees Farm Shop, Semer, IP7 6HX
Enjoy a scrummy hot or cold Christmas Santa Sleigh Tea which includes a gift. Child £9.50, adult (tea/coffee/cake) £5.50. 4pm-5:30pm. Booking essential: 01449 741247. Monday-Friday 9am-4pm). Visitwww.hollowtrees.co.uk
From Friday 4 December
Also 5, 6 December
Christmas Fair & Santa’s Grotto
Lavenham, CO10 9QZ
A magical Dickensian Christmas Fair with festive stalls, Father Christmas Grotto, music, Big Wheel and family entertainment. Visit www.discoverlavenham.co.uk
From Friday 4 December
Also 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 December
Visit Santa's Workshop & Meet His Elves
Kersey Mill, IP7 6DP
Crafts, a story and a visit to the magical Santa’s workshop. Ages: 2-12. Child + one adult £12. Visitwww.kerseymill.net
Saturday 5 December
Santa’s Magical Grotto & Christmas Fayre
Creeting St. Mary, Alder Carr Farm, IP6 8LX
Visit Santa's in his magical Grotto. Christmas food tasting, Christmas music, Christmas gifts galore and craft stalls! 10am-3:30pm. Visit www.aldercarrfarm.co.uk
From Saturday 5 December
Also 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 December
Enjoy a Roaring Christmas
Lenwade, Dinosaur Adventure, Weston Park, NR9 5JW
Santa Claus is at Dinosaur Adventure from 11am-3pm. Normal admission + £5.95, includes visit to Santa and gift. Visit www.dinosauradventure.co.uk
From Saturday 5 December
Also 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 December
Christmas at Africa Alive!
Kessingland, Africa Alive! NR33 7TF
Come and enjoy some festive fun and see Santa Claus at Africa Alive! 9:30am-4pm. Visit www.africa-alive.co.uk
From Saturday 5 December
Also 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 December
Christmas at Banham Zoo!
Banham Zoo, NR16 2HE
Santa Claus is visiting Banham Zoo! Enjoy some festive fun and see this very special visitor. 9:30am-4pm. Visit www.banhamzoo.co.uk
From Saturday 5 December
Also 6, 12, 13, 20 December
Mid-Suffolk Light Railway Santa Special
Nr Stowmarket, Brockford Station, Wetheringsett, IP14 5PW
Travel by train to meet the railway Santa at North Pole Halt and receive a present. Age: up to 10s. Booking essential. £12 pp. Visit www.mslr.org.uk
From Saturday 5 December
Also 6, 12, 13, 19, 20 December
Farmer Christmas Visits The Farm
Baylham House Farm, Mill Lane, IP6 8LG
Farmer Christmas will be visiting the farm with a gift for all ‘good’ children. 10am-4pm. Entry £3 for all (including adults), under 4s free. Visit www.baylham-house-farm.co.uk
From Saturday 5 December
Also 6, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20 December
Visit Santa by Vintage Tram
Carlton Colville, East Anglia Transport Museum, NR33 8BL
Take an unforgettable trip into the woodland winter wonderland to see Santa and receive a present. Includes unlimited trolleybus and railway rides. 3-7pm. Booking essential: 07759 698437 or visitwww.eatm.org.uk
Saturday 5 December
Family Christmas Sparkle
Ickworth Estate, IP29 5QE
A magical experience making Christmas decorations, crafts and crackers, stories by the Christmas tree and gifts from Father Christmas. Aimed at ages 18 months- 6. Advance booking for children only recommended. Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Saturday 5 December
Christmas Cracker Family Day
Ipswich Transport Museum, Cobham Road, IP3 9JD
Santa, seasonal decorations and entertainment. Children will receive a goody bag and 5d to spend on festive items/rides. Entry to Santa's grotto only £1 extra. 11am-4pm. Visitwww.ipswichtransportmuseum.co.uk
Saturday 5 December
Father Christmas at the Mill
Pakenham Water Mill, IP31 2NB
Santa will be sitting by the fire in the old kitchen with presents for all good children. 1pm–4pm. Visitwww.pakenhamwatermill.org.uk
From Sunday 6 December
Also 13, 20 December
Children’s Christmas Craft Tea Party
Wherstead, Suffolk Food Hall, IP9 2AB
Get crafty, enjoy a home cooked tea, meet Father Christmas and receive a gift. 2-4:30pm. Child £14.95. Ages: 2-8. Children must be accompanied. Bookings: www.suffolkfoodhall.co.uk
From Friday 11 December
Also 12-24 December
Santa’s Grotto
Stonham Aspal, Stonham Barns, IP14 6AT
Visit Father Christmas in his log cabin and take a seat in the famous sleigh surrounded by gifts. 10am-5pm. Child £2.50 including gift. No booking required – long queues possible at busy times.
From Saturday 12 December
Also 13, 19, 20 December
Dickensian Christmas
Long Melford, Kentwell Hall, CO10 9BA
A full day of activities for the whole family. Discover Victorian life and perhaps the best Father Christmas in the region in his romantic and atmospheric cottage. Experience upstairs/downstairs life; make Victorian wreaths and decorations and more. Booking: www.kentwell.co.uk
From Saturday 12 December
And 13 December
Father Christmas at Nowton Park
Bury St. Edmunds, Nowton Park, IP33 3DG
Meet Father Christmas and his elves! Listen to his stories, help decorate his grotto and receive a special present. Child £6. 10am-4pm. Booking essential: www.whatsonwestsuffolk.co.uk/whats-on/event/2455
Sunday 13 December
Father Christmas Sails into Snape Maltings
Nr Aldeburgh, Snape Maltings, IP17 1SR
Don’t miss this wonderful Suffolk tradition to see Father Christmas arrive on an historic Thames sailing barge. Approximately 2pm. Visit www.snapemaltings.co.uk
Sunday 13 December
Christmas at Landguard Fort
Felixstowe, Landguard, IP11 3TW
Take the trail to Santa’s secret grotto; get a photo with Rudolph, Christmas storyteller, children's crafts, snow machines and carol service (5pm). 1-7pm. £5 pp includes a children’s gift. Visitwww.landguard.com
Sunday 13 December
East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices 3km Santa Run
Ipswich, Buttermarket Shopping Centre, IP1
Join several hundred other Santas to paint the town red when you run, walk or jog in your Santa Suit. Everyone welcome! 10:30am start. Adults £10 (includes Santa suit), child £6 (includes Santa hat). Proceeds to EACH. Registration: www.each.org.uk
Sunday 20 December
Santa’s Toy Workshop
Ipswich, The Bear Garden, Tower Ramparts Shopping Centre, IP1 3BB
A chance to chat to Santa about your Christmas wishes before helping him make a special toy for you to take home. Session £19.99 per child. Call 01473 558994.