Derbion has unveiled a whole host of festive activities for visitors to enjoy in the lead up to Christmas, including a new sleigh ride VR experience, the return of the much-loved Winter Woodland, an array of festive pop-up stores, plus much more.
From Thursday 1st – Saturday 24th December, families can hop onboard Santa’s sleigh for a magical journey through snowy mountains and glistening pistes to the North Pole all without leaving their seats, in the centre’s all-new 360° 4D virtual reality experience.
The brand-new festive experience, which will be located on Level 1 near Millie’s Cookies, will offer families the chance to explore the magical home of Father Christmas, his reindeers and elves in a fun-filled, virtual and interactive way. Tickets for Santa’s Sleigh ride are priced at just £4 per session and are available to purchase online now and in-centre from Thursday 1st December.
Right next to the Sleigh Ride on Level 1, Derbion’s Winter Woodland is set to return from Friday 2nd – Saturday 24th December, giving little shoppers the chance to once again travel through the magical woodland and come face-to-face with Santa himself. For just £8 per child, families can look forward to an enchanting experience, where little ones can meet Father Christmas, pose for a fabulous festive photo and receive a special gift from Santa. Tickets are now available to be purchased via the Derbion website, with advanced booking recommended to avoid disappointment.
With a variety of pop-ups arriving at the centre for the festive period, there will be plenty of opportunities to find the perfect Christmas gifts for loved ones ahead of the big day. Ideal for ticking gifts off your Christmas shopping lists, browse from a selection of unique artisan stalls including Leaf Gifts, Calendar Club, Glamberry and Candy Nation Limited in-centre, who have all returned to the centre for the festive period.
What’s more, one of this year’s Hatch finalists, Katie Astle, will have a festive pop-up in the centre from Sunday 13th November. Visitors can head to Katie Astle’s stall to discover the independent brand’s handmade luxury candles and home fragrances that are inspired by crystals and moon phases.
Derbion will be decorated for the most wonderful time of the year, with brand-new Christmas decorations and a new sparkly interactive tree set to appear in-centre from Tuesday 8th November.
Shoppers will also be able to enjoy late night shopping Monday – Saturday from Thursday 8th – Friday 23rd December, with selected stores open until 8pm. Late night visitors will also be able to benefit from the evening rate parking, which is just £2.50 after 5pm.
Returning to the centre for the first time since 2019, Derbion’s Christmas choir competition will feature 17 schools battling it out for the prize. Going head-to-head for a cash prize of £500 for their school, competing pupils will take the stage on Level 2 between Tuesday 22nd – Thursday 24th November to perform Christmas hits, with the competition culminating in an exciting finale on Thursday 8th December where the winning school will be crowned.
In partnership with Derby City Mission, which offers vital support to local people in need, and The Salvation Army, which fights injustice and poverty globally, Derbion is set to take part in the Giving Box scheme in-centre. From Wednesday 2nd November – Wednesday 21st December, the Giving Box will be located on level 1 near Goldsmiths, providing locals with the opportunity to donate gifts so as many underprivileged children as possible have the joy of opening a gift on Christmas Day.
Adam Tamsett, centre director at Derbion, commented: “With the most wonderful time of the year just around the corner, we’re thrilled to be announcing a variety of Christmas activities at the centre for families to enjoy this year.
“We’re excited to welcome Santa back to the centre with the return of our popular Winter Woodland activity, and we can’t wait for our visitors to discover our brand-new Santa’s Sleigh virtual reality experience, which shoppers of all ages can enjoy.
“With such a huge variety of stores available to browse in-centre, including the new festive pop-ups, Derbion is jam-packed with plenty of perfect gifts for loved ones this Christmas, and we looking forward to welcoming visitors through our festive doors soon!”
For those struggling with present inspiration this year, the Derbion gift card is available to purchase in-centre and online. The gift card is an ideal gift for any picky loved ones, providing them with the opportunity to find a gift they love from more than 150 much-loved brands in-centre.
