Mayor's Christmas Grotto opens at the Guildhall

The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Alderman Hilary McClintock, brought a huge helping of festive Christmas Cheer to the Guildhall when she opened her Christmas Grotto.

The building’s Whitaker Suite has been transformed into Elfwood Forest by a special elf sent by Santa himself.

Ellie the Elf will sprinkle her magical fairy dust throughout the city and district allowing all the good children to enter the forest.

For two weekends imaginations will come to life with the sounds of the forest and magical animals as Ellie tells stories of Elfwood and gets the children to help wake Santa who has been asleep since July, such was the toll of last year’s Christmas.

Visitors will get the chance to hear the sounds of the forest and magical animals like Snuffleplops, the Pixielotts and the Ginormous Wrecks.

The children will then be given the opportunity to walk around Reindeer Road and stop off at the ice camp fire where Santa looks into the imagination of his elves. As each thought comes from the elves they float like bubbles around Elfwood.

The Mayor's Christmas Grotto is open at 10am, 2pm, 4pm and 8pm and on Saturday December 17 from 12-5pm

Admission is free.

Photo shows Mayor Alderman Hilary McClintock with Santa his ‘elves’ and children at the Mayor’s ‘Christmas Grotto’ in the Guildhall.