Panto stars, snowmen and animals galore will be at the Four Seasons Christmas show.

There will be a whole host of free festive fun next weekend alongside Mansfield’s Big Switch On, when Four Seasons will stage a seasonal spectacular to celebrate Santa coming to town.

A day filled with Christmas characters, craft workshops, animals and very special guests has been planned as ‘Santa Arrives’ for the most wonderful time of the year.

“We absolutely love Christmas here, and decided to pull out all the stops for a day of festive fun to welcome Santa to town,” said Rebekah O’Neill, Four Seasons Shopping Centre manager.

“We’ve got Father Christmas himself, as well as our centre mascot Buzz, festive family favourite The Snowman, Sammy The Stag, and Miss Mansfield all coming along to join in the fun.

“We’ll also be having an incredibly life-like polar bear performing, and as ever we’ve teamed up with Mansfield Palace Theatre to bring the stars of this year’s pantomime Peter Pan to the centre for some added Christmas magic, too.”

The fun-packed ‘Santa Arrives’ show will be held hourly at 11am, noon, 1pm and 2pm on Sunday, 20 November, in the centre’s Buttercross by the entrance to the library.

“A life-like polar bear will be entertaining the crowds and interacting with children, whilst a DJ will be playing music to get the centre in the mood with Christmas carols,” added Rebekah.

“Our friends at White Post Farm will be bringing a selection of cute creatures and furry friends along for younger shoppers to meet and pet, and our Buzzy B kids’ club will be running from 11am to 3pm for a day of Christmassy crafts. To celebrate the pantomime stars being there, Buzz and children at the club will be making Peter Pan finger puppets which they can then take home with them.”

The spectacular show marks the launch of Four Seasons’ run-up to Christmas, with the fantastic Peter Pan-themed grotto opening from Sunday and also Thursday late night shopping beginning at the centre from 24 November.

“Santa Arrives is going to be a massive day for us, and we’re really looking forward to sharing the experience with everyone in town,” said Rebekah.

‘Santa Arrives’ will be held on Sunday, 20 November, with performances beginning at 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm. The Peter Pan-themed Christmas Grotto at Four Seasons will be open from Sunday, 20 November, and Thursday late night shopping until 8pm will be every Thursday from 24 November to 15 December.

For full Christmas opening times for Four Seasons and the Grotto, visit www.fourseasonsshopping.co.uk