Best Santa's Grottos Derby 2023: East Midlands Outlet gets into festive spirit with toy soldier brass band

If the spirit of Christmas is yet to enter your life, be prepared to have your heart warmed with all the festive feels at East Midlands Designer Outlet. 

They have pulled out all the stops this year to create an enchanting world filled with fabulous Christmas events guaranteed to make your days merry and bright.

Whether it’s meeting the man himself at Santa’s Grotto or exploring the festive decorations, you can soak up the magical atmosphere whilst browsing your favourite brands. 

The outlet is, first and foremost a shopping space, which is a great way to buy all your Christmas gifts under one roof, thanks to the variety of brands stocked.

Read more: Christmas in Derby

Guests can shop for their sporty friends at the new Nike store, must-have stocking fillers at recently opened Rituals or Molton Brown, or find the perfect party shoes at Carvela. 

There is also a new Puma store that will open on Thursday December 14, so there are a lot of stores to explore.

How can you make Christmas shopping more enjoyable? Take seasonal selfies with a backdrop of a giant Christmas wreath or a sparkling 34ft Christmas tree.

If getting ‘snap happy’ isn’t your thing, perhaps toe-tapping tunes or glittering Christmas lights will put a smile on your face? Mark your calendars with these dates and get ready for a month of musical merriment.

What’s on for Christmas 2023 at East Midlands Designer Outlet

Live music

The Toy Soldier Brass band will play Christmas tunes on Saturday December 16.

Magic Elves will give enchanting live performances on Saturday December 9 and Saturday December 23.

The Salvation Army will be spreading holiday cheer with their music on Sunday December 10 and Sunday December 17.

Santa’s Workshop Grotto

Father Christmas is making daily appearances at the Centre from 10am – 6pm on Mondays through to Saturdays and 10am – 5pm on Sundays up until Christmas Day.  

Making a visit to see Santa always adds that extra bit of magic. Each child will receive a sweet treat and a photograph of their experience will be available to purchase. 

Families can explore Santa’s Grotto for £2.50; all proceeds go to the Centre’s local charity partnerships and sponsorships. This initiative supports the Centre’s ongoing focus on giving back to the local community throughout the year. 

Families can pre-book tickets in advance by clicking here.

Where is East Midlands Designer Outlet?

It is located near the M1 and A38 motorways. The postcode for SatNav is DE55 2JW and there is year-round free parking onsite. 

The Centre has also extended its opening hours. Here is the full list of dates and times so you can plan your shopping trip and make it as fun and productive as possible.

What are Christmas opening times for East Midlands Designer Outlet?

Monday December 18: 09:00 - 21:00

Tuesday December 19: 09:00 - 21:00

Wednesday December 20: 09:00 - 21:00

Thursday December 21: 09:00 - 21:00

Friday December 22: 09:00 - 21:00

Saturday December 23: 09:00 - 21:00

Christmas Eve: 09:00 - 16:00

Christmas Day: Closed

Boxing Day: 08:00 - 20:00

New Years Eve: 09:00 - 17:00

New Years Day: 10:00 - 18:00

To find out more about East Midlands McArthurGlen visit their website by clicking here.