Dobbies launches Christmas events programme with social distancing and safety at forefront
With the festive season in sight, the UK’s leading garden centre retailer, Dobbies Garden Centres, announces its Christmas events offering for 2020.
Article Source: Dobbies
Last Updated: 11 September 2020 11:56
This year’s programme is packed full of seasonal fun for the whole family, with a focus on bringing together communities, and with social distancing measures in place.
The safety of customers and team members is Dobbies’ number one priority. To ensure customers feel safe and have an enjoyable experience, there will be reduced capacity at events to ensure social distancing is adhered to. This will be managed with online bookings for all events. Scheduled cleaning and rigorous hygiene routines will also be carried out between events, with attendees notified when required to wear a face covering.
Santa’s Arrival is one of the highlights of this year’s events calendar and families are invited to greet him in all 68 stores. As well as giving Santa a warm welcome on the day, families can also book to enjoy a Santa’s Arrival Breakfast or Lunch, enjoying delicious items from the Christmas menu.
Breakfast with Santa is back by popular demand, with children able to spend a magical morning with Santa himself. Dobbies will also be hosting a special Christmas Party with Dobbie the Reindeer, packed with dancing and festive games - and even a gift and visit from Santa.
One of Dobbies’ most exciting experiences, children can explore the Winter Wonderland before seeing Santa in his grotto and receiving a gift. This year, the grottos will be in open spaces to allow for social distancing. For families looking to capture a lasting memory, Dobbies magical Snow Globes will be in selected stores, creating a wonderful Christmas backdrop for the perfect seasonal snap.
Young children can let their imaginations run wild at the Little Seedlings Christmas Stories sessions. Tailored to little ones aged 5 and under, families can settle down and listen to charming Christmas-themed stories while enjoying a treat and refreshments.
There’s even festive fun for customers’ four-legged friends. Santa Paws will run throughout the Christmas period in selected stores, with photogenic pets able to pose for a selfie with Santa, making the purr-fect Christmas card or gift.
In the restaurants, Dobbies will also be hosting a number of special Afternoon Tea experiences. While enjoying a selection of finger sandwiches, fresh scones, delicious cakes and freshly brewed tea or coffee, customers can take part in a number of Christmas-themed workshops, including cocktail making, a Christmas decoration masterclass, or even learn how to make an indoor winter garden.
Graeme Jenkins, CEO at Dobbies, said: “Our Christmas events programme has something for all ages as we have focused on bringing communities back together over the festive period.
“We will be following Government guidelines to ensure our events are safe and enjoyable for both customers and team members. We look forward to welcoming customers in all 68 stores for seasonal fun.”
Dobbies’ Christmas events schedule is available to view online, with customers requested to book in advance wherever possible. For all social distancing and safety measures in place across Dobbies’ stores visit dobbies.com. Customers can also Book with Confidence, with a full refund issued if Dobbies cancel the event, and free cancellation if customers need to cancel, up to 3 days prior to the event.
Dates and prices for events are:
• From 1 November, Afternoon Tea, from £15
• From 22 November, Santa’s arrival, free (21 November at Lisburn)
• From 22 November Santa’s Grotto, £11.99
• From 22 November, Dobbies Christmas Party, 63 stores, £13.99 per child and from £5.99 for adults
• From 28 November, Santa Paws, 21 stores, £6.99
• From 28 November, Breakfast with Santa, 64 stores, £13.99 per child and from £6.99 for adults
• From 3 December, Little Seedlings, 64 stores, £6 for one adult and one child
For more information visit dobbies.com.
Sponsored Links
Latest Edinburgh News
The Doddie Weir match ball delivery is voted Greatest Murrayfield Moment
Doddie Weir’s emotional match ball delivery at Murrayfield in 2017 has been voted the greatest moment in the stadium’s 100-year history, after thousands of fans took part in a nationwide poll.
READ MORE
Forth Awards celebrates Amy Macdonald and Wet Wet Wet alongside local heroes
The Forth Awards, presented by Livingston Designer Outlet, crowned the very best of Edinburgh and the East last night at a star-studded award ceremony.
READ MORE
King Pins, state of the art bowling and activity venue, is set to open its second Scottish site in Edinburgh
King Pins is announcing a new bowling and activity venue opening in Waverley Bridge in Edinburgh in early 2026.
READ MORE
Edinburgh locals get discount at Hard Rock Cafe this November
This November, locals with an EH postcode can enjoy 25% off food and drinks until 5pm, Sunday to Friday, plus 25% off in retail at Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh.
READ MORE
Highlight paintings from Buckingham Palace go on display in Scotland
Portraits by Frans Hals, Titian and Parmigianino are among eight of the finest paintings from Buckingham Palace to go on display at the Palace of Holyroodhouse from today.
READ MORE
Roti King crowns Edinburgh with its first Scottish restaurant
Roti King is making its first move outside England, heading north to the foodie capital of Edinburgh.
READ MORE
Luxury kitchen brand unveils fully refurbished Edinburgh showroom
Harvey Jones, specialists in hand-crafted beautifully designed kitchens and luxury furniture for the home, has opened its doors to its newly refurbed Edinburgh showroom.
READ MORE
Much loved classic Scottish play, The Steamie, is set to return to venues in 2026
The Steamie has been scrubbed up ahead of making a return to theatres across the country next year as part of an exciting new chapter in its long-standing story in the theatre landscape.
READ MORE
Medea to tour Scotland in 2026
Bard in the Botanics will be launching their 25th Anniversary year with a Scotland-wide tour of their award-winning version of Medea, by Kathy McKean (after Euripides).
READ MORE
Former courthouse and jail completes multi million pound transformation
Edinburgh-based Code The Court has unveiled a new attic floor of signature boutique hotel rooms, marking a major next step for the landmark venue overlooking the historic Parliament Square.
READ MORE
18 million success for Lost Shore just one year after opening
Lost Shore Surf Resort has firmly established itself as one of Scotland’s most exciting tourism success stories, already generating an £18 million boost to the Scottish economy.
READ MORE
The Ivy on the Square unveils festive set menu for 2025
From traditional Turkey Ballotine to a tangy Tamarind Beetroot & Endive Salad the festive set menu brings the best of festive flavours, reimagined by The Ivy across two or three courses.
READ MORE
The National Galleries of Scotland has acquired The American Dream by Sir Grayson Perry
The National Galleries of Scotland has acquired Sir Grayson Perry’s The American Dream for the people of Scotland.
READ MORE
Christmas Magic Returns to The Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh
Step aboard and unwrap the magic of The Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh's Port of Leith this Christmas.
READ MORE
Imagine Theatre prepares for an exciting season of pantomimes across Scotland
Imagine Theatre proudly presents a spectacular lineup of family pantomimes across Scotland bursting with laughter, music, sparkle, and dance starring some of Scotland's best-loved entertainers!
READ MORE
Tesco customers in Edinburgh can spread festive joy by gifting toys this Christmas
From today until the 15th of December, Tesco’s Edinburgh Hermiston Gate Superstore is holding a collection for new and unwrapped toys for the Salvation Army’s Toy Appeal.
READ MORE
Virgin Hotels Edinburgh Black Friday Offers
From 5 star stays to chef’s table feasts and afternoon tea with bubbles, Virgin Hotels Edinburgh offers unforgettable experiences at unbeatable value this Black Friday.
READ MORE
Step into the magic at Dobbies Garden Centres
Dobbies Garden Centres has a fantastic line up of Santa’s Grotto and Quiet Grotto experiences, with an exciting North Pole adventure inspired theme, running from 23rd November - 24th December.
READ MORE
Locals urged to get interactive on World Kindness Day
To mark World Kindness Day, the team at Volunteer Centre East Lothian (VCEL) is encouraging more people to show compassion, unity and kindness to others through voluntary work.
READ MORE
Scottish Ensemble announce projects for Spring and Summer 2026
Scottish Ensemble, a pioneering collective of musicians championing music for strings, announces its series of events for Spring/Summer 2026.
READ MORE
Free community energy advice event taking place tomorrow in Edinburgh
Free face-to-face energy support comes to Edinburgh as nearly a third still don’t seek help when struggling with bills.
READ MORE
Wingstop UKI opens first restaurant in Livingston
Monday 10th November : Wingstop UKI, the restaurant brand that doesn’t play when it comes to flavour, today opens its first site in Livingston.
READ MORE
Flight Club Launches BRAND NEW Game Inspired by a Party Classic
This week, Flight Club, the lively cocktail and Social Darts bar, is launching a brand-new game, available to play in all venues for the first time on Friday, 14th November.
READ MORE
Scottish and international traders make Edinburghs Christmas Market sparkle with festive magic
The countdown to this year’s Edinburgh’s Christmas attractions has begun, with the much-loved Christmas Markets in East Princes Street Gardens opening this Saturday 15 November.
READ MORE
Aldi Scotland is turning up the Christmas cheer with its first ever festive Supermarket Sweep
Aldi Scotland is giving one lucky customer the chance to take part in a seasonal edition of its popular shopping challenge, all while raising vital funds for Children's Hospices Across Scotland.
READ MORE
Hidden treasures of Murrayfield
Murrayfield heritage lead Laura Tinch reveals hidden collection of 5,000 artefacts charting a century of Scottish rugby history.
READ MORE
Collective announces 2026 programme
Collective announces an unmissable programme of exhibitions for 2026, spotlighting ambitious new projects by artists who have developed their practice in Scotland.
READ MORE
Rare female cheetah arrives at Edinburgh Zoo
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) has welcomed four-year-old female cheetah Domino to Edinburgh Zoo from Zoo de Cerza, France.
READ MORE
Santa clocks in early: Scotland shift heroes among 30,000 invited to claim free festive meal
Greene King pubs is raising the spirits of Scotland's hardest workers this festive season, hosting 'The Big Christmas Shift' across 700 pubs nationwide, giving away 30,000 meals on Monday 1st December
READ MORE
Festive days out to make the most of the season
From wreath-making workshops through to New Year’s Eve street parties, here's a rounded up some of the best events to help make the most of the season with loved ones in a fun and creative way.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links