From November, The Mercury in Romford begins to celebrate Christmas. The mall has plenty of gift ideas, fun events and activities for everyone
The Mercury is kicking off this festive season from November 1 with lots of Christmas events and festive activities for children and the entire family to enjoy.
Aside from covering all your Christmas shopping needs, such as gift ideas and presents, the Mercury has got Christmas entertainment for toddlers, children and adults that will spread the festive spirit to everyone.
Santa’s Escape Room
Cast your minds back to Christmas a year ago when the Mercury’s resident mischievous elf, Elfie, crashed into the mall’s dome roof. Father Christmas hasn’t been seen since.
It is suspected he has fallen victim to one of Elfie’s epic tricks, and is trapped in an abandoned part of the mall.
This Christmas, everyone is invited to help save Father Christmas in time for the big day. Santa’s Escape Room is an event that will take participants on an adventure through the mall’s back corridors and rooms, as well as some shops, after hours.
Participants will have to solve a series of riddles and activities in order to uncover the whereabouts of Father Christmas.
These puzzles will be graded for different age brackets, so the whole family can join in. All the proceeds raised will go to the Mercury’s charities, St. Francis Hospice and First Step.
Santa’s Escape Room is on November 1 to 4; 5:30pm onwards; bookings essential.
Santa’s Grotto
From November 7 to Christmas Eve, Santa brings a bit of the North Pole to the Mercury.
Open every day, children are invited to come and play in Santa’s winter wonderland and say hello to Father Christmas himself, who is really keen to hear what children would like for Christmas and if they think they’ve behaved themselves this year or not.
Little ones can also have their photos taken with Santa. Children with autism are encouraged to visit Santa in sessions that are designed to cater for their needs.
Santa’s Grotto is open Monday to Saturday 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm and Sunday 11pm to 4pm. Autism friendly grotto sessions are on Tuesdays (November 27, December 4 and 11) between 4pm and 5:30pm. The centre also holds sensory shopping sessions every Tuesday.
Booking is advised for autism friendly grotto sessions; grotto entry is from £4; various packages available.
Elfie Shelfie
Elfie returns this Christmas to play more tricks and practical jokes on unsuspecting shops managers and people.
Not only will Elfie help Santa’s Escape Room participants find Father Christmas and lend a hand during Santa’s Grotto autism friendly sessions, he has his own take of the Christmas classic Elf on the Shelf tradition.
Throughout December watch out for signs of Elfie’s mischief – last year he wrapped up a shop in the evening and caused chaos when he became ill from eating too much popcorn.
He also stars in his own YouTube videos and each day in December a new video will be uploaded to The Mercury channel, which will capture his festive silliness, but also give children the chance to win prizes every day.
Find Elfie on YouTube at The Mercury Mall.
Letters to Santa
Another Christmas activity for children is writing a letters to Santa, and little ones can post their festive wish list and greetings to Father Christmas at The Entertainer.
The toy shop will ensure any letter written will be delivered to Santa’s home in the North Pole, if sent before December 1. A special letter box will be inside the shop for the month of November.
The Mercury has got all your festive needs sorted. Find a Christmas present or gift idea in one of the mall’s 48 specialty shops, or head down with the family for some shopping or fun festive events.
For bookings or more information on any of the events this Christmas at The Mercury email info@themercurymall.co.uk
Mercury Gardens, Romford RM1 3EE; Monday to Saturdays 9am to 5:30pm, Sunday 11am to 5pm; 01708 733 620; themercurymall.co.uk
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