Review: SANTA'S MAGICAL KINGDOM

Although any promise of Saint Nicholas, superb circus and carnival fun should be an easy sell to all families looking for a high-volume way to get their Christmas cheer happening this festive season, the promise of new Star Wars and end-of-year school reports can cause many a parent trepidation in the face of a large-scale Christmas event.

Thankfully, what all Sydney-siders and visitors are presented with here is an interactive, safe and all-ages event that really gets you in the holiday mood. Over the course of my attendance as a mid-twenties single male to this sold-out Santa spectacular, I found myself all-smiles at the way the Kingdom has been crafted to suit all styles of family to hit Christmas on the (red) nose!

Upon entry into Santa's Magical Kingdom, prepare yourself for large-scale carnival done expo-style. Housed within the halls of Sydney Showground, there was a sense of safety that many environments for families can lack between open air and overcrowding. Santa's Magical Kingdom has neither, and was well secured to the effect that there wasn't a single stressed parent in my sights. Between the "ice-skating", Mrs. Claus' letter writing stations, photo opportunities and the super-cool Lego play area, there is plenty to keep the young ones occupied while the adults can look on whilst sipping a cup of coffee. And then the elves run about gathering everyone for the circus!

The circus at the centre of the event may take your littlies past bedtime so make sure you allow for the whole 6-9pm timeslot to really make the most of this fun night out. A story of Santa's final preparations before Christmas sees all kinds of circus talents to delight and awe all ages.

On the whole, this event is a great way to give your family an education about every element of Christmas: generosity, nativity, and fun! Also if you are a single like me, head straight for the cafe and you're set!

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