Bluewater unveils exciting Christmas calendar
– Bringing a whole host of festive activities for all, including a new, larger Ice Rink, Santa’s Grotto, Selfie Factory and more!
November 2019: Bluewater is
excited to announce an incredible line up of festive activities for all the
family to enjoy this Christmas. Headlined by the return of the magical Santa’s
Grotto and spectacular new, covered, outdoor Ice Rink, Bluewater welcomes back
the popular Giving Tree and Selfie Factory, this time with a Christmas twist.
Plus, there’s Primark, John Lewis and more for all your Christmas shopping
needs.
Bluewater offers free car parking all day, every day and from Black Friday (27th November) guests will have more time to get their Christmas shopping finished with extended opening hours of 9am – 10pm Monday – Saturday, and until 11pm from 16th – 23rd December.
Santa’s Grotto at Bluewater 14th November – Christmas Eve
Bluewater’s Santa’s Grotto is back, located on the bank of the picturesque lakes at the West Village, where children will meet a host of wonderful characters that will guide them through the story of The Nutcracker. The adventure will take visitors through the realms of flowers, snowflakes and sweets where they’ll make a ‘take home’ festive craft and meet the likes of Clara, the Mouse King and the Sugar Plum Fairy, who will help to prepare them for the most important part of the experience – meeting Santa. Children will receive a collectable plush toy and professional photographs can be purchased at the shop.
More information and tickets for Bluewater’s Santa’s Grotto are available now at bluewater.co.uk
Bluewater’s Ice Rink 14th November – 5th January
Returning to Bluewater for 2019 is the spectacular outdoor, undercover Ice Rink, this year bigger and better than ever and featuring a new, separate children’s rink. Located by the beautiful lakes next to The Village and under a clear roof, Bluewater’s Ice Rink is perfect for the whole family to enjoy come rain or shine. Penguin and seal skating aids are available for little ones and bob skates for those who need to be steady on the ice. Sessions are also set aside for school visits, birthday parties, baby and toddler mornings and special party nights with KMFM (from 29th November) – perfect for those looking to dance on ice. And, with free parking you can stay as long as you wish!
More information and tickets for Bluewater’s Ice Rink are available now at bluewater.co.uk
The Giving Tree at Bluewater 7th November – 23rd December
Bluewater’s popular Giving Tree is back on the upper mall, outside M&S and offers guests the chance to donate a gift to local disadvantaged children and spread some Christmas spirit. Guests can visit the giant tree to grab a tag with a child’s name and age, and then head back with a chosen gift to make a child’s Christmas magical.
Selfie Factory festive pop-up 1st November – 22nd December
Following its popular residency back in Spring, Selfie Factory returns to Bluewater with brand new rooms and a sprinkle of Christmas magic. The quirky interactive pop-up experience contains a collection of unique photo moments, including a giant ball pit, designed to help visitors get the perfect Instagram shot. Opening in early November and running right up to the 22nd December, a visit to the Selfie Factory makes for a fantastic early Christmas present!
More information and tickets for the Selfie Factory at Bluewater are available now at www.selfiefactory.co.uk
Indoors fun with GraVity, Dinotropolis and Showcase Cinema de Lux
Bluewater offers guests of all ages plenty of indoor fun all through the Winter season. GraVity, the ultimate trampoline park in Kent, features exciting trampolining activities including Open Jump, Gravity Rocks and a Climb & Jump Combo. At Dinotropolis, kids can come face-to-face with a host of different dinos, enjoy interactive games and animatronic dinosaurs, plus Raptor Racing karting, Discovery Cove arts and crafts and Dino Jungle soft play. Plus, Showcase Cinema de Lux offers the ultimate immersive cinema experience this Winter, with 17 screens including a wall-to-wall XPLUS showing the latest movies. Families can catch an array of the latest blockbusters, including Frozen II and Cats.
Shopping and dining
With more than 300 stores featuring great brands across fashion, beauty, toys, tech and more, Bluewater is the ultimate shopping destination this Christmas.
John Lewis & Partners has Christmas covered with a series of in-store Christmas crafting workshops – from Christmas stocking decoration and gift wrap ideas to Christmas wreath making and centrepiece workshops. Plus, for the first time ever, John Lewis will make Christmas dreams come true for Quality Street fans, by offering My John Lewis members the unique chance to personalise and fill the tin with any single flavour from the 13 varieties of chocolates.
New in 2019, Primark at Bluewater occupies two floors and offers all the hottest trends and for this Christmas, has a seasonal collection to help guests get into the festive with fashion, stocking fillers, decorations and so much more.
Chapel Down’s pop-up store, located on the lower Guildhall, offers guests an array of drink-related gifts and experiences. The Kent-based premium drinks brand has a bar serving their award-winning wines and spirits, as well as Curious Brew beers and ciders, meaning it’s great for gifting but also perfect for a glass or two after a day of shopping.
For further festive tipples guests can stop by Anno Distillers, Kent’s first ever micro distillery, and browse the multi-award-winning range of gins along with an exclusive gin blending experience and bottling station. So why not stop off to grab a gift and try a few.
Guests can head to Flutterbyes for all their stocking filler needs, now back at Bluewater for the Christmas season, and choose from a variety of unique gift ideas and home accessories. Plus, Molton Brown’s Fragrance Finder will cleverly match a signature scent to an individual’s personality. Finally, those looking for a break from shopping, there’s a choice of over 50 places to eat and drink including favourites such as Rosa’s Thai, Tapas Revolution, Browns and Five Guys.
Bluewater, Europe’s leading retail and leisure destination, offers great shopping with free, extra wide parking and has over 300 stores and more than 50 places to eat and drink. Plus, with a 17 screen Showcase Cinema de Lux including IMAX, Gravity Trampoline Park and Dinotropolis Adventure Park, there’s something for everyone. Find out more at bluewater.co.uk