A Christmas wonderland is about to open in Tuggeranong, including moving reindeer, a polar bear, real-life Elf on the Shelf, fairies, snow queens and blossoming flowers and, of course, Santa.
North Pole Lane has ... moved south.
For the last couple of years the event has been at Majura Park, but this season it has transformed a large space at South.Point shopping centre in Tuggeranong.
It will be open to the public from November 30 to December 24.
North Pole Lane creator Mindy Dominick takes a break from her midwifery career at this time each year to bring the event and the spirit of Christmas to the children of Canberra.
This year Mindy has also written a children's book to complement the event entitled Santa's puppy, Wuppy. Each Santa photo package sold takes home one of these books to treasure.
"The wonderful thing is North Pole Lane is fast becoming a Christmas tradition in Canberra," Mindy said.
"But unfortunately, there's a possibility that it might be the last year for North Pole Lane - it's getting harder and harder to find a space to fit us."
The space at Majura Park is now occupied by a retailer, which Mindy knew about, but that still didn't make things any easier, until South.Point came to the rescue with a place in the section where Lincraft and The Good Guys are located, just off the new playground.
"I'm hoping it does really well here because I'd love to stay set up here and create, like Easter, and just have different events throughout the year," she said.
A theatre-led Christmas experience, the event is spread over 500sqm and includes a Snow Forest (with life-sized polar bear) and reindeer barn (with life-sized reindeer, including Rudolph), an elves' wrapping station and Santa's own lounge room. There's also the North Pole post office, where you can write a letter to Santa.
Local dancers and actors add extra magic to the event.
Dancer Rosie Welling, 11, is participating in her third year at North Pole Lane, as a fairy surrounded by flowers that are constantly moving and blooming.
"I get a lot of enjoyment out of it and I love to immerse myself in the Christmas spirit," she said.
Nineteen-year-old Lachlan Elderton is an elf, as part of a gap year after high school.
"There's something about spreading Christmas cheer that is so rewarding," he said.
Janine O'Dwyer is playing Mrs Claus for the second year.
"Some of the children come in and they are quite quiet and shy and they come out at the end bouncing off the walls and just beaming," she said.
Exploring North Pole Lane takes around 60 minutes. Other highlights this year include train rides, a giving tree for Kids in Care and a chance to have breakfast with Santa or meet a real-life Elf on the Shelf.
Children under two are free. General admission starts from $23. Family of four starts at $85.
Tickets at www.ministryofevents.au or on Eventbrite. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NorthPoleLane/
