Dreamland Margate's Frosted Fairground is first festive outing for Our Kent Family

When a leather jacket-clad elf, sporting an impressive quiff and aviator sunglasses, asks you kindly to not step on his elf-shaped shoes it's perhaps safe to say you're not in the most traditional of grottos.

And when Father Christmas wants to showcase his dancing to a group of slightly perplexed looking children you're not sure if the big man's groovy moves are about to be as well received as being told they're on the naughty list.

But just like getting into the spirit of Christmas, children it seems embrace most things and Santa, who didn't take a seat once, soon had them grooving in the grotto.

There is a definite bit of time travel involved in stepping into Santa's temporary home at Dreamland.

Leather jackets and hairstyles of previous eras adorn the elves, and Santa himself is not sporting the big red velvet coat but instead a far more retro version. It probably better allows for dancing?

But the children chuckled, joined in and threw themselves at the fun and active 30-minute experience which includes making a small Christmas decoration and special VIP pass - complete with a music festival-style lanyard - before greeting Santa who is definitely living his best life down in Margate.

Oscar declared him and the elves 'crazy but hilarious' - which is quite some compliment from a six-year-old boy not always entirely on board with a more traditional 'audience with' style of Santa visit.

And their gifts were lovely - beautiful books for every child - from Roald Dahl to Julia Donaldson depending on their age.

Opening for a short period over Christmas, Dreamland Margate has denounced its summer vibe in favour of a festive feel until the start of 2018.

Images of summer sunshine and sticks of rock have been replaced with fairy lights and candy canes as The Frosted Fairground welcomes families between Saturday, December 9 and Wednesday, January 3.

Alongside Santa's workshops and grottos is an ice rink and themed entertainment on the stage on select dates in the run up to Christmas. .

There are coffee vans a plenty, outlets selling fish and chips and burgers, hot chocolate and of course candy floss and lolipops - well we are at the fair after all.

You can even buy a round of ice-creams!

But a word of warning - this is Margate on the seafront in December and in the words of Dean Martin - baby it's cold outside.

In fact if you are planning on a visit over Christmas - hats, gloves, scarves and lots of layers are an absolute must.

Not least because the rides are ace and you want to enjoy them - but it's a pretty chilly on a carousel by the sea in December and its a frighteningly frosty journey to the top of the Big Wheel without some insulation.

But goodness please do it - and try and hold off if possible until dusk because its magical when the Christmas lights go on and it's well worth seeing the Frosted Fairground in all its beauty from the air.

I'm not sure one of Kent's most popular seaside venues is your first thought when you think of things to do over Christmas. It certainly wasn't ours.

But with unlimited ride wristbands on offer, a grotto experience, ice rink, refreshments and all the fun of the fair there really isn't anything not to love.

And when cooped-up kids are driving you crazy two days into the Christmas break or you've already eaten too many mince pies before December 24 - then a trip to the seaside for some fresh air and festive fun could be just what Santa ordered.

That and some rock and roll dance moves...obviously.

For more on Dreamland's Frosted Fairground, opening dates and tickets click here.