CHRISTMAS is just around the corner and everyone is starting to get into the festive spirit.

Why not stir up the excitement with a magical trip to meet Father Christmas and start the season with smiles, laughter and gifts galore.

1. Elf Academy Grotto, Oswaldtwistle Mills

Open every weekend, 10am to 4pm

Every child who visits Santa will receive a Premium Festive Plush, a Chocolate lolly, a bag of reindeer food, a certificate activity sheet and a badge.

Call 01254 871025, www.o-mills.co.uk

2. Santa's Fantastical Post Office, The Mall Blackburn

November 23 to Christmas Eve, various times

Blackburn is delivering an unforgettable experience for its children this Christmas. True believers will be able to enter Santa’s own post office and hand deliver their letters to the man himself!

It costs £9.95 per child but two adults can go free. Parents are encouraged to take their own pictures.

Find out more ­— themall.co.uk/blackburn/whats-on/2019/santas-fantastical-post-office/

3. A Victorian Christmas, Gawthorpe Hall, Padiham

December 7 and 8, 10am to 3.30pm

Gawthorpe Hall will be filled with all the trimmings this Christmas. The table will be set for an authentic-looking Christmas dinner and there will be plenty for the children to enjoy, including meeting Father Christmas.

Tickets are £6 for adults and £4 for concessions. Accompanied children are free.

Find out more here ­— nationaltrust.org.uk/events/afdf4d70-1c5a-465f-a624-d8128755602b/pages/details

4. Santa Special, East Lancashire Railway

November 30 to December 24

Meet Santa on board the famous Lancashire railways. Chocolate lollies, activity packs and meeting Father Christmas awaits the little ones.

Find out more ­— eastlancsrailway.org.uk/events-activities/2019/11/santa-specials.aspx

5. Sunday with Santa and Journey to Narnia, Sparth House, Accrington

Sunday December 8 and 15, doors open at 1pm

Enter the wardrobe and be transported to the wonderful winter-filled Narnia. Santa, games and a three-course lunch will be in this festive land.

Tickets are £21.50 for adults and £15.95 for under 12s. Under 12s will be served the children’s menu.

Find out more ­— sparthhousehotel.co.uk/sunday-with-santa

6. Festive Market, Nelson and Colne College

Saturday November 30, 10am to 2pm

Visitors are in for a treat at this year's Nelson and Colne college festive market.

Children can meet Santa in his grotto and afterwards get stuck into the many festive crafts and fun activities on offer.

Parents can even pick up a few gifts themselves from the trinket market stalls.

Find out more ­— nelson.ac.uk/event/festive-market/

7. Santa comes to Towneley, Towneley Hall in Burnley

Sunday, December 8 at 12pm

Come and celebrate Christmas at the historic Towneley Hall. After a fun and interactive trail around the hall, Santa awaits to give out some spectacular gifts.

Tickets cost £5 per child and up to two adults go free.

Find out more ­— towneley.org.uk/about/ or call Towneley Hall on 01282 477130.

8. Winter Wonderland, Roe Lee Park, Blackburn

Sunday, December 1, 11am to 4pm

The friends of Roe Lee Park can’t wait to welcome everyone to their winter wonderland event. Santa will be there in his grotto ready to meet the children and there will be fairground rides, live music and burger vans.

Find out more ­— visitblackburn.co.uk/whats-on/winter-wonderland-p748240

9. Breakfast with Santa, Browsholme Hall, Clitheroe

December 15, 9.30am to 11.30am

Enter the beautiful Tithe Barn in Browsholme Hall to have a delicious breakfast and afterwards meet Santa by the fireside in the library.

Child tickets cost £25 and adult tickets cost £15. Only two adults allowed per child.

Find out more ­— browsholme.com/events/breakfast-with-santa-3/

10. Breakfast with Santa, Holiday Inn Express, Burnley

Every Sunday until December 22

Children can meet Santa and have a delicious breakfast at the Holiday Inn this December.

Everyone can attend, and tickets are £8.99 per person. They include both a hot and cold buffet breakfast and a gift.

Find out more here ­— visitlancashire.com/whats-on/breakfast-with-santa-p961790