More than 100 sick children received an early festive delivery this week as a special visitor arrived at a Belfast hospital.
Santa celebrated his return to CastleCourt with an early Christmas surprise at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.
Before taking residence in his grotto at the Royal Avenue shopping centre this weekend, Santa delivered his first gifts of the season - the first time in three years a visit like this has been able to take place.
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Jacklyn Jameson, Play Services Coordinator at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children said: “It is so special for Santa to have come and visited us today, we have not had such a visit in three years, so it is so exciting that Castle Court has made it happen for the children.
"It is Santa’s first visit of the season, and we are very lucky that he has chosen us!"
All presents were donated by CastleCourt shopping centre, with many purchased at the city centre’s only toy shop, The Entertainer.
Santa will parade through Belfast city centre this Saturday before taking residence at the shopping centre's Winter Wonderland right up until Christmas Eve.
Leona Barr, Centre Manager at CastleCourt added: “We wanted to include everyone as we begin our Christmas countdown and season of magical festivities here at CastleCourt, so taking our Santa experience to the children who can’t make it to us was very special.
“The Santa Parade has become a firm fixture to kick of Christmas in Belfast city centre as it takes place before the City Council’s festive celebrations later in the evening. We’ll officially welcome our famous Santa back to his Winter Wonderland Grotto in store and invite visitors to enjoy all the fun with us, while browsing our fantastic stores – including the only toy shop in the city centre, The Entertainer.”
At the parade, spectators can expect lively music from Beat Carnival, who will lead the procession of dancers, beloved children characters, festive surprises, the cast of the pantomime Aladdin at the Waterfront Hall, plus Santa, Mrs Claus and the Elves at the Parade.
Christmas 2022 is a vital season of revitalisation for the city, with Primark re-opening after a four-year closure, and the first year since the pandemic that traders can hope for a full Christmas shopping turn out.
Leona continued: “In the past two years, we have increased our retailer offering alongside our hospitality offering, which will of course get a boost when our renovation completes.
“It is vital we continue to work with local businesses leaders and Belfast City Council to develop a full portfolio of shops and facilities that appeal to everyone, and drive footfall back into the city centre. We are really looking forward to all we have to offer this Christmas, and seeing the city thriving once again.”
Santa’s Winter Wonderland Grotto is open from November 19 until Christmas Eve on level one of CastleCourt Shopping Centre
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