Santa is setting up shop at the Redwoods iSite this Christmas and will have children "captivated" leading into the festive season.
The conference room of the Redwoods iSite and Visitor Centre has been converted into Santa's Wonderland, a large Christmas display for the whole family to enjoy, and it openstoday .
In the centre of the exhibit is Santa's sleigh, where children will have the opportunity to climb aboard, hold the reindeer halters and maybe even meet Santa himself.
Rotorua Visitor Centre and iSite manager Graham Brownrigg said Santa's Wonderland was an opportunity to give a little back to the local community.
"A lot of the kids here in Rotorua have never had the opportunity to experience this sort of display or meet Santa in such an idyllic setting.
FESTIVE: Rotorua Visitor Centre and iSite assistant manager Kyle Kydd (left) and Linda de Klerk stand amongst the Santa's Wonderland display at the Redwoods. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER
"We hope that this will help to bring alive the magic of Christmas and can't wait to see the look of wonder on the children's faces."
An Instagram competition will be running over the duration of Santa's Wonderland, where visitors are able to upload photos in the sleigh, tag #Rotoruaisite and go in the draw to win a prize for Christmas. The prize will be drawn on Christmas Eve.
A 'write a letter to Santa' mailbox will also be on site, with the potential for one lucky child to have their letter drawn and win a Santa surprise gift.
A Christmas shop in the Redwoods iSite will be running in unison and will provide visitors with the opportunity to stock up on unique gift ideas, Christmas decorations and Christmas trees.
Santa will be at the Wonderland most weekends and the week leading to Christmas.
Rotorua Visitor Centre and iSite assistant manager Kyle Kydd said they had been working on the Christmas display, in between their normal work, for about two months.
"It is very family orientated and there is something here everyone will enjoy. There hasn't been anything like this in Rotorua and there is stuff in here the kids will have never seen anywhere else in terms of displays."
He said the children would be "captivated" and people could come and go since it was free.
Mr Kydd said he thought the Redwoods was a good setting for a display like this because it was an icon of Rotorua, and a meeting point for family and friends.
You can check Facebook for Santa's timetable at facebook.com/redwoodssantaswonderland.
Opening hours: November 19 to December 15: 10am to 5pm December 16 to December 24: 10am to 10pm
