The Trafford Centre has announced it will be home to the HARIBO Holly Jolly Grotto for Christmas 2026, promising a colourful, interactive take on the traditional visit to Santa. The attraction is aimed at families and young children and will combine games, hands-on activities and a one-to-one meeting with Santa.
What families can expect
Visitors will follow a themed trail of activities, collecting stamps on a “Jolly Holly Helper Checklist” as they complete tasks inspired by HARIBO sweets. The experience includes a number of named features:
- Creation Station — where children can design digital sweet treats;
- Fizz the Festive Cola Lab — an interactive area centred on a giant cola bottle;
- HARIBO Ring Reflections — an immersive glowing display;
- Cherry Seat — a shared interactive seating area for quiet moments.
At the end of the trail, youngsters will enjoy a private meeting with Santa. The grotto has been designed to be suitable for children of all ages, and for adults “who are young at heart”, with organisers stressing the aim is to create laughter-filled family memories.
Local response and commercial ties
Simon Layton, centre director at the Trafford Centre, said he was “delighted” to welcome the event to the centre, stressing that families seek magical experiences during the festive season. Phil Murphy, chief marketing officer for HARIBO UK & Ireland, described the initiative as an opportunity to bring the brand’s colourful world to life and help families make “sweet Christmas memories”.
“We’re delighted to be welcoming the HARIBO Holly Jolly Grotto to Trafford Centre this Christmas.” — Simon Layton, Trafford Centre
The attraction builds on HARIBO’s increasing presence at the Trafford Centre, following the brand’s own seasonal store at the complex last winter. The partnership is likely to draw repeat visits from families who enjoyed HARIBO’s previous offering, and could increase footfall across the shopping complex during what is already one of the busiest trading periods of the year.
Tickets and practicalities
Organisers have confirmed ticketing will be in place for the grotto. According to the announcement, prices will start from £20 for children and £8 for adults for off-peak sessions. Further details on session times, full pricing, accessibility arrangements and advanced booking are expected to be released by the Trafford Centre later this year.
| Feature | What it offers |
|---|---|
| Creation Station | Design digital sweets |
| Fizz the Festive Cola Lab | Interactive cola bottle experience |
| Ring Reflections & Cherry Seat | Immersive displays and interactive seating |
For Trafford families planning their festive calendar, the HARIBO grotto represents a new option alongside more traditional Santa grottos and seasonal events across the borough. Residents should watch the Trafford Centre's official channels for booking information to avoid disappointment, as similar seasonal attractions often sell out quickly.
