Category: News

The Winter Wonderland will open every weekend from 22 November to 21 December, transforming Freshney Place into a sparkling snowy scene where families can meet Father Christmas and enjoy a host of seasonal fun.

New for this year, every Sunday from 11am to 12pm will be a Quiet Hour, designed for a calmer festive experience. Spaces are limited and must be booked in advance. To book your session please click here (please note we will release the 11am-12pm Sunday sessions by-weekly)

Father Christmas’ helpers will be on hand with festive arts and crafts, and visitors can look out for the dazzling Snow Princesses spreading cheer throughout the centre. Families will also receive a complimentary photo to take home — the perfect keepsake of a magical day.

Join us for our Christmas Entertainment:

Grinch Appearances – Roaming – 11am to 3pm*

Saturday 22 November Grinch

Sunday 30 November Grinch

Saturday 6 December Grinch and Cindy Lou

Saturday 13 December Grinch

Sunday 21 December Grinch and Cindy Lou

Marty Clarke UK Vocalist

Will perform on select dates during the festive season

Christmas Choirs*

Foresight Choir: Friday 28^th November, 1.30-2.30pm

Methodist Church Choir: Saturday 13th December, 2-3pm

*Set times for all acts may vary

Opening Hours – Christmas 2025/New Year 

Saturday 22 Nov 09:00 19:00  

Thursday 27 Nov 09:00 19:00 

Thursday 04 Dec 09:00 19:00   

Thursday 11 Dec 09:00 19:00   

Thursday 18 Dec 09:00 19:00   

Monday 22 Dec 09:00 19:00  

Tuesday 23 Dec 09:00 19:00  

Wednesday 24 Dec 08:00 16:30 (Christmas Eve) 

Thursday 25 Dec Closed (Christmas Day)  

Friday 26 Dec 10.30 16.30 (Boxing Day) 

Wednesday 31 Dec 08:30 16.30 (New Year’s Eve)  

Thursday 1 Jan Closed (New Year’s Day) 

Help a local disadvantaged child this Christmas by simply taking a tag from the tree near our Customer Services unit (by Next). Return the unwrapped gift, with the tag back to the desk by 17th December.

These gifts are then donated to NSPCC and distributed locally.

Visitors can also share festive greetings by sending Christmas wishes via cards, letters or pictures to the local elderly who live alone. These can be posted at Santa’s Post Box from the 10th November, near Next. Simply write ‘Cards of Kindness’ on the front of the envelope and post by 17^th December. They will be distributed by local charity The Grove Care Home on Christmas Day.

• One entry per person
• All entries to be submitted either by Facebook or Instagram
• No responsibility will be accepted for entries that are illegible, delayed or damaged electronically or online during the promotion.
• There is no entry fee and no purchase necessary to enter this competition.
• Automated/bulk entries and entries from third parties will be disqualified.
• Winner will be announced on Facebook or Instagram
• Entries from people using multiple email addresses will be disqualified.
• The winning entries will be drawn shortly after the closing time/date.
• Prizes are as stated, are not transferable and there is no cash alternative.
• Entries to all free prize draws must be received as stated by the closing date specified.
• By entering this competition, an entrant is indicating his/her agreement to be bound by these terms and conditions.
• Entries that are not submitted in accordance with these terms and conditions will be disqualified.
• Freshney Place Shopping Centre does not take responsibility for any prizes damaged in transit or collection.
• By entering this competition you are agreeing to have your photograph taken for media purposes and these will be used on our platforms.
• Freshney Place employees and tenants cannot enter this competition.
• Entries submitted after 12pm on 31st October 2025 will not be valid.
• Collection of prizes will be discussed directly with the winner.
• Prizes are as per picture, can not be exchanged and may differ from image.

• One entry per person
• All entries to be submitted either by Facebook or Instagram
• No responsibility will be accepted for entries that are illegible, delayed or damaged electronically or online during the promotion.
• There is no entry fee and no purchase necessary to enter this competition.
• Automated/bulk entries and entries from third parties will be disqualified.
• Winner will be announced on Facebook or Instagram
• Entries from people using multiple email addresses will be disqualified.
• The winning entries will be drawn shortly after the closing time/date.
• Prizes are as stated, are not transferable and there is no cash alternative.
• Entries to all free prize draws must be received as stated by the closing date specified.
• By entering this competition, an entrant is indicating his/her agreement to be bound by these terms and conditions.
• Entries that are not submitted in accordance with these terms and conditions will be disqualified.
• Freshney Place Shopping Centre does not take responsibility for any prizes damaged in transit or collection.
• By entering this competition you are agreeing to have your photograph taken for media purposes and these will be used on our platforms.
• Freshney Place employees and tenants cannot enter this competition.
• Entries submitted after 12pm on 12th August 2025 will not be valid.
• Collection of prizes will be discussed directly with the winner.
• Prizes are as per picture, can not be exchanged and may differ from image.

Freshney’s Summer Sticker Quest Brings the School Holidays to Life

Sandpit and Weekly Family Events available for all

Freshney Place is preparing to entertain families this summer by holding an exciting new programme of activities. The Freshney Summer Sticker Quest event will offer a variety of FREE entertainment for children, to help families make the most of the school summer holidays.

Kicking off on Saturday 26th July, families are invited to dig into the fun as a sandpit opens in the centre. Open daily from 11am–3pm*, the sandpit is the perfect place for little ones to enjoy seaside-style play — in a safe, covered environment. But the fun doesn’t stop there! Starting from Saturday 2nd August, Freshney Place will be hosting a different themed activity every Saturday to entertain the kids.

As part of the summer programme, children can also take part in the Sticker Quest Trail – collecting a sticker each week to add to their very own Summer Fun adventure book. Once they collect all five stickers completing their adventure book, they’ll receive a FREE summer themed gift and be entered into our prize draw to win their very own sandpit — perfect for creating sandy adventures at home!

So come join the fun! Here’s what’s coming up this summer:

Saturday 2nd August – Jungle Jaunt

Meet friendly creatures up close at our animal encounter experience, then let the little ones burn off some energy in our special soft play installation — perfect for little ones aged 2-7 and packed with fun.

Saturday 9th August – Fun at the Fair

Enjoy some classic fairground fun. Watch amazing tricks and illusions with our magician (11am, 11.40am, 12.15pm*). Laugh along to the classic antics of Punch and Judy (12.45pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm*) and get creative at the face painting station. If that’s not enough you can also try your hand at traditional fun fair games including hook-a-duck, hoopla, and the coconut shy!

Saturday 16th August – Circus Spectacular

Roll up, roll up! Join the circus workshop to learn how to perfect lots of circus tricks like juggling and spinning plates – you can even unicycle in this amazing session, just like a real circus performer.

Saturday 23rd August – Creative Fiesta

Get creative in our fun-filled crafting space, where little artists can make colourful jellyfish mobiles and more. Families can also help bring a community art installation to life, working with local group Our Big Picture visitors will be invited to add a splash of colour to the centre for everyone to enjoy. Face painting will also be available throughout the day.

Saturday 30th August – Dino Discovery

Step back in time and meet ‘Blue’ the dinosaur in a series of exciting appearances throughout the day (11am, 12pm, 1.30pm*). Kids can also meet with handheld dino friends, make their very own dinosaur mask, have a sit on a Triceratops and enjoy lots of dino-themed fun for budding paleontologists.

*Set times subject to change.

Join us on the 14th June, 11am-3pm to make an exciting craft for your loved one!