John Lewis Liverpool’s Grotto is coming back with a new Santa mission for kids

John Lewis Liverpool is bringing back its Christmas Grotto for 2023, and this year it will include an interactive Santa mission for kids to go on.

The John Lewis Grotto launched in Liverpool ONE for the first time last Christmas.

It proved so popular that it will be returning from the end of November and this time it’ll have more fun things for children to get involved in before they meet the main man.

Mission Meet Santa will see kids completing a mission map, with the help of some of Santa’s little elves, to unlock the door to Santa.

They’ll go around the grotto taking on a series of interactive activities and challenges to uncover hidden clues which will allow them to crack the code. Once they’ve successfully tackled each one, an elf host will stamp their mission map and they can move on to claim their reward – an audience with Santa.

Once they’re in there, youngsters can have a chat with the big guy, make any present requests and then they’ll receive a plush toy and can have their photo taken with him.

The Mission Meet Santa Grotto will launch on Thursday November 23 and stay open until Christmas Eve and there will be selected dates for relaxed inclusive sessions suitable for anyone who might prefer them including disabled, neurodiverse or sensory sensitive children.

It will be transforming a space on the third floor, near the Place to Eat café, with the Christmas department on the second floor this year.

Kids aren’t the only ones who can meet Santa at John Lewis Liverpool – the grotto is dog-friendly so four-legged pals can get in on the festive action too.

There’ll be a Santa Paws Experience in store so all the good boys and girls can put in their pitches for extra treats on the 25^th! 

Pooches can go and explore the Grotto on a dog-only session, let Santa know they’re on the nice list and get a special gift to take home.

Jackie Wild, Events and Marketing Coordinator at John Lewis Liverpool, says they’re looking forward to bringing some added magic to Christmas for families.

“Last year was our first ever Grotto here and it was incredibly popular so we’re really excited to be launching it again knowing that it’s going to be even bigger and better,” she says.

“The interactive mission will give children a fabulous journey to go on before the main event, which is obviously seeing Santa himself, so we can’t wait to see the fun they have completing it.”

To find out more about booking for Mission Meet Santa and the Santa Paws Experience at the John Lewis Grotto click HERE.