Christmas arrives in the Illawarra this weekend with shopping centres preparing to welcome Santa from Saturday.
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Wollongong Central is launching Christmas festivities with a children's breakfast with Santa followed by the shopping centre's traditional Christmas parade. The 24 children were chosen from a recent competition where each winner gets to take along three friends or family members.
"They are getting an exclusive meet and greet with Santa, a Christmas show and will enjoy some Christmas food platters from Alexanders Bakery. We wanted to kick the festive season off with some Christmas magic in a COVID safe way," marketing manager Holly Howell said.
After breakfast Santa and his full belly will take part in a parade around the centre starting near TK Maxx at 11am. It will include a jazz band and upon completion Santa will take up residence in a new magical castle from Midday for annual Christmas photos.
Santa's castle with COVID spaced seating for photos is located on level one of the Crown Building between Prouds and Michael Hill Jewellers. Santa will be available for photos daily until Christmas Eve but bookings are required.
"The hours vary and start to increase as we get closer to Christmas," Ms Howell said.
"We are also doing pet photography on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings and sensitive Santa sessions on Sunday mornings. We are also running a variety of Christmas workshops from November 18 in the Gateway Building. We are working with local suppliers like Zoknot and Pinot & Picasso."
Ms Howell said another year of COVID-19 has not curbed the community's Christmas spirit and interest in Santa photos was already strong.
"The Christmas spirit is definitely alive and well and people are looking for a reason to get out and about again," she said.
At Figtree Grove marketing manager Julia Davidson said the shopping centre is welcoming Santa on Saturday morning with photos outside Priceline where he will be accompanied by some forest animals in front of glittering lights. To ensure a COVID-safe experience Santa Photography is available by appointment only via the Figtree Grove website.
Ms Davidson said singing angels will also be performing throughout Figtree Grove this Saturday between 11am and 2pm. And will return at the same time on November 20 and December 4.
Warrawong Plaza is also pre-booking Santa photos which are being taken near Big W from this Saturday until December 24.
Santa and his elves arrive at Stockland Shellharbour on November 21 and photos can be booked daily from 10am to 5pm.
Santa arrives at Dapto Mall on November 27. His throne will be located outside Big W on Level 1 until Christmas Eve. Santa photo sessions, pet photo sessions and sensory Santa photo sessions all need to be pre-booked.
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
