Fantasyland began in the 1970s when several downtown businesses donated their retired Christmas figures, first to Downtown Roanoke, Inc., then to the Roanoke Valley History Museum to preserve their magic for future generations. Last year, Fantasyland was enjoyed by over 4,000 visitors and school children.
This uplifting program with Santa Claus and other holiday characters harkens back to a simpler time. Children love Santa as well as the elves in Santa’s workshop, the penguins and polar bears in arctic snow, characters from many countries in a chorus poised to sing songs from around the world, and reindeer in their stalls waiting patiently for Santa to hook them to his sleigh and begin their most important journey around the globe. This year Santa will welcome visitors of all ages in the History Museum’s temporary location – 128 East Campbell Avenue in Downtown Roanoke.
Santa teaches important lessons of love and sharing as he tells original stories, sings, plays guitar and piano and interacts with the children through fun activities. Children and their families experience being loved and appreciated as well as learn important lessons about kindness, helpfulness, responsibility, tolerance and love. Photographs are allowed so visitors may bring cameras.
Fantasyland runs through Saturday, December 22. Santa has set program times so please call or check our website for exact times. Advanced tickets are strongly recommended.
Admission: $6.00 for Adults, $4.00 for Children (3 -17), $2 for Children ages 3 and under. This year $1 from every ticket will be donated to Forgotten Victims – a program that offers free skills-building groups for children who have witnessed domestic violence.
New for this year: Santa’s Sing-a-long is designed specifically for children ages 0-3. This program is a shorter, interactive experience which includes singing, dancing, and storytelling. Santa’s Sing-a-long will be Saturdays, December 1, 8, 15, and 22 at 10:00 a.m.
Santa’s Yuletide Celebration is also a new event that will take place Sunday, December 23, 2012 2:00-4:00 p.m. An occasion that St. Nick has celebrated for many years exclusively at the North Pole is now presented for the first time ever in downtown Roanoke at the History Museum of Western Virginia. Participants will deck the halls with boughs of Holly, drink Wassail, eat Figgy Pudding, and hear Santa play the drums with The Figgy Pudding Band along with a special appearance by members of The Roanoke Symphony Youth Orchestra.
Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for children (ages 4-17), Free for children 3 and under.
