There's no quarantine for Santa this year: he's scheduled to arrive at his Christmas grotto this Sunday (November 29) to kick off the festive season in Wanaka.

The annual Santa’s Grotto has become a part of many families’ Christmas calendars since it started six years ago. 

Every year as Christmas approaches, a local space is transformed into a place where kids, families, and members of the community can visit Santa, send mail to Santa’s letterbox, see reindeer, sleigh, trees, and more, and - most importantly - get into the Christmas spirit.

As a result of the difficulties many families have faced in 2020, the committee behind Santa’s Grotto has decided to make entry by donation this year. 

Upper Clutha Community Christmas Trust member Jen Anderson explained this was "just because of what the year is and as a thank you for the support the community has given us through the years.”

Santa has some very special helpers

Santa will be on his sleigh this year, and the grotto will feature many of the sights associated with the traditional Christmas stories about St Nicholas and the North Pole, as well as a nativity scene. 

Visitors will also have the chance to vote for their favourite from 18 trees decorated by local businesses. New World has done very well in the past, but Pembrook Patisserie consistently provides serious competition, Jen says. 

The trust uses funds earned from its event to give back to the local community. 

A while back it hosted the mid-winter Christmas dinner fundraiser which, she said, was "huge and so successful, just an amazing, amazing night." 

Santa’s Grotto features all things Christmas.

Jen's enthusiasm for the season is evident and contagious, and the same goes for the rest of the grotto team.  

Trust members, who also include Yeverly McCarthy, Julia Larken, Nicola Simonson and Ali Jarvis, spend countless hours making the grotto a reality each year. 

And people come all the way from Arrowtown, Cromwell, Queenstown and Alexandra to visit the spectacle.

Jen, who is one of the founders of Santa’s Grotto says that for her, the Christmas spirit is "less taking and more giving".

For everything happening this festive season see the Christmas section of your Wanaka App

“[It’s] thinking less [about] yourself and appreciating those around us more". 

Santa’s Grotto, located at the Wanaka Community Hub, will open this Sunday (November 29). 

For times see Santa’s Grotto in your Wanaka App.

PHOTOS: Wanaka App