Paddington and the Christmas Surprise: A funny, festive story about Paddington

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October 2021 – Paddington, the much-loved children’s character, has teamed up with UNICEF to bring exciting opportunities for children to learn all about the lives of their peers around the world. Kate Statham, Managing Director said “ Our work takes us to high streets and shopping centres all over the country, so it is an absolute pleasure to be creating something of this magnitude for Cribbs at our home here in Bristol, during our anniversary year. We have nearly 40 people currently working on the event, designing and building the set, creating interactives, writing scripts and stitching costumes, and by the end of December we will have employed around 100 people to bring the Christmas magic to the people of the South West.” Natalie wrote: "Honestly the worse [sic] santa experience I've ever been to. It was disorganised and santa was not very believable. My five year old son did not think he was the real santa and called him an imposter!! Visitors will be invited on an immersive journey through snowy festive trees and famous scenes, including an interactive dolls house and Paddington’s famous attic window. They will get to tip toe across Christmas night-time rooftops, before being transported to the hallway of the Browns’ house, to meet Paddington himself.

We are expecting over 40,000 people to enjoy this immersive experience with the national treasure that is Paddington, and we are confident it will be a huge success for the centre as we provide a Christmas experience to remember.” The grotto will be part of the big return of "Tinseltown" festive extravaganza at The Trafford Centre (Image: The Trafford Centre) Lizzie Taylor, head of marketing from Cribbs said: “We are honoured to be hosting Paddington and Father Christmas at our grotto this year. Families can also choose from two Paddington books from Harper Collins’ children’s books based on The Adventures of Paddington TV series – First Snow and The Christmas Wish. These stories are the perfect companion for kids wanting a touch of wonder this Christmas.With the festive season fast approaching, the UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) is offering buyers a suite of charitable, Paddington themed gifts for little ones. These unique educational gifts will help UNICEF in supporting vulnerable children around the world and help bring a smile to their faces this Christmas. The Trafford Centre announced the news today, saying: "Tinseltown at Trafford Centre is set to be extra-special this year as Santa will be joined in its iconic Christmas Grotto by a special friend, Paddington™. The Christmas with Paddington Grotto experience at Trafford Centre Manchester will be open November 16 until December 24 for families of all ages to enjoy a memorable festive experience - expected to be bigger and better than ever before with Paddington’s arrival. It's the biggest Christmas grotto experience in Greater Manchester - and this year there's a special guest joining Santa at the Trafford Centre in the form of Paddington Bear. The Christmas with Paddington Experience has officially launched and hundreds of families will be heading along to explore the new attraction in the weeks ahead. On weekdays in November, the Christmas with Paddington experience will also be open for story-telling sessions specifically designed for pre-school children, schools, and nurseries. The Night Before Christmas at The Browns’ House is an interactive story-telling session aimed at groups of young children and will include the chance to also meet Paddington. Cribbs' Winter Wonderland with Paddington opens on November 16 and runs every day until January 2, excluding Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Each activity - meeting Paddington, the grotto and the skating - must be booked separately.

Alongside the grotto, the newly opened and much anticipated Planet Ice ice rink will create the ultimate festive day out for the whole family. In between the Christmas shopping, families will also have the opportunity to meet with Paddington at storytelling sessions in his cosy Christmas tipi. The sessions are free of charge to ensure they are accessible to the whole community. UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. This year's Christmas Grotto at the Trafford Centre will have an extra special guest - with Paddington Bear joining the fun for the first time. The shopping mall has announced that it will open its Christmas with Paddington Grotto Experience as part of the Tinseltown festive extravaganaza.Now the character will be part of what is promised to be a magical grotto journey through Paddington's home with the Brown family - with lots of fun photo opportunities for all ages along the way. The experience will launch as part of the full Tinseltown event at the Trafford Centre from November. Christmas with Paddington runs daily at the Trafford Centre until December 24, but all sessions are completely sold out. With charming characters to meet along the way, enchanting interactive scenes, and plenty of special photo opportunities, it promises to be a must-see attraction for all ages. The ever-popular Cribbs Christmas Grotto is expected to be bigger and better than ever before. During the experience, visitors will be invited to enter the Christmas with Paddington entranceway full of exciting photo ops for all ages, before travelling through snowy festive trees and street scenes, including an interactive doll’s house and Paddington’s famous attic window. They will get to tiptoe across the Christmas night-time rooftops, before being transported to the hallway of the Browns’ house to meet Paddington himself. After pausing for a photo with this friendly bear, families will be guided in individual family groups to meet Santa in the armchair of the Browns’ cosy lounge. The Christmas with Paddington Grotto experience is open daily from 4pm on mid-week November dates, and then will be open throughout the days from December 2 until December 24 2022.

We are super proud to be unveiling an exciting new experience Cribbs’ Christmas with Paddington in Bristol on 13th November 2021. Sessions to meet Paddington will run throughout each day, with everyone being offered the chance to have an official photo of their group with the bear. A limited number of spaces will be available to reserve in advance, but there will also be walk-up spaces available for each session on the day. Christmas with Paddington has been designed and created on license exclusively for Cribbs by Bakehouse. Each element is being lovingly crafted by a team of artisan makers, scenic designers, script writers and costumiers from our HQ in Fishponds, Bristol. This year, he’s making his way to Cribbs for what organisers say will be their biggest and best Christmas attraction ever. Writing on Tripadvisor Jasmine O said: "The toys aren't age appropriate. All babies and young kids like mine got a book - not wrapped. The book is far too old for them. More for age 10+. My autistic son went to look at the other presents he had in the box and santa said naughty naughty. I was not impressed by that.

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We all know that children are naturally curious and love to learn new things. That is why, with each of these products, children will be able to explore a different interest with Paddington and contribute to the life of a child who lives elsewhere.”