What to do at Wicksteed Park this Christmas

November 15, 2024

What to do at Wicksteed Park this Christmas

Festive season is upon us and Wicksteed Park is ready with an array of events and activities to enjoy this Christmas. From parties and crafts, to meeting Santa Claus himself, there is so much to do at the park.

Here is what you can do at Wicksteed Park this Christmas season:

Christmas at Wicksteed Park

Join us at Wicksteed Park this Christmas for an unforgettable family experience!

This outdoor, festive experience offers Christmas fun that the whole family will love for £15 per person.

Get the chance to experience a private family meet and greet with Santa Claus, so you can share all your Christmas wishes before the big day! After you have met Santa Claus and his elf, children can choose their own present from the Elf’s Workshop!

Spend the rest of this wonderful day exploring the everything else on offer at Wicksteed Park at Christmas at your leisure. Take a ride on the Wicksteed Railway, boarding at the North Pole Station, or visit Santa Claus’ very own reindeer! You can also say hello to your favourite farm animals, whizz down the astroslide, take a spin on the carousel, have a go at Crazy Golf, or leave your Christmas wish on our wishing tree!

Find out more, or book your tickets online, here: https://wicksteedpark.org/events/christmas-at-wicksteed-park/

Ivy Cottage’s Christmas Craft and Gift Market

Ivy Cottage are back at Wicksteed Park this weekend with their Christmas Craft and Gift Market!

This amazing festive market has been organised to raise money for the British Heart Foundation and The Air Ambulance Service in memory of the Miranda Hetzel’s late husband, Andy Simms, who suffered at heart attack whilst taking part in a parkrun at the park in 2018.

Entry to this event is £3 per adult, with children free. Entry is to be paid at the door.

The market is open 10:30am – 5pm on Saturday 16th of November, and 10:30am – 4pm on Sunday 17th of November.

During this wonderful, festive event our Sway Rider and Carousel will be open! £3 individual tickets can be purchased for these two rides from Wicky Bear’s Gift Shop.

The Sway Rider and Carousel will be open between 11am and 4pm on the 16th and 17th November.

*Wicksteed Park’s regular parking charges apply.

This is an external event hosted at the park, not a Wicksteed Park event, if you have any questions or queries please contact them via ivycottagegifts@gmail.com

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Free Crafternoon Taster Session

Have you ever wanted to express your creativity during a Crafternoon session but wasn’t sure if it was for you? Join us at Wicksteed Park this November for our Crafternoon taster session!

This drop-in taster session for Crafternoon is for adults only and is FREE*, with paper and textile crafts for you to try out. You don’t need to book, just simply turn up on the day!

WHEN: 17th of November between 11am and 3pm

WHERE: Learning Centre at Wicksteed Park

PRICE: Free*

*Wicksteed Park’s regular parking charges apply.

Crafternoon

Join the Community and Heritage Team for Crafternoon, a weekly drop-in craft activity for adults.

From stitch to papercrafts, print to knit, try your hand at something new or bring along your own project, no experience needed, meet new people and share ideas. Our weekly sessions run from 10am to 12pm & 1pm – 3pm

During the festive period, there will be Christmas crafts available to try during sessions including pop up cards and crochet wreath making!

Each session is £5 per person. There are only 12 spaces per session so pre-booking is encouraged.

Book your space in Crafternoon online now: https://wicksteedpark.org/events/crafternoon/

*Wicksteed Park’s regular parking charges apply.

Santa Paws in the Park

Join us on the 30th of November from 12pm – 2pm with your festive pups for a chance to win in one of our exciting dog categories.

Categories are:

Best Dog Christmas jumper (SOLD OUT!)

Waggiest tail (ALMOST SOLD OUT!)

Best trick with a Christmas theme

Prettiest Pooch (ALMOST SOLD OUT!)

Most Handsome Hound (SOLD OUT!)

Best 6 legs with a Christmas theme (owners and dogs!) (ALMOST SOLD OUT!)

Entry to the categories is £2 per entry and spaces for each category are limited so make sure to enter now to secure your place: https://wicksteedpark.org/events/santa-paws-in-the-park/

General entry to the event is FREE!*

DID YOU KNOW that on this day there will be a dog and owners only train ride? Join us at Wicksteed Park Railway at 3pm for a ride on Woofsteed Express! Tickets are £3 per person. Individual tickets for the train are only available to purchase on this day.

We can’t wait to see you and your festive dogs at Santa Paws in the Park for a paw-sitively jolly time!

*Wicksteed Park’s regular parking charges apply.

Wicksteed Park's Santa Paws in the Park 2024!

Twist and Shout at Christmas Daytime Shows

Step into the enchanting world of Wicksteed Park’s Twist and Shout Christmas Daytime Shows 2024, where holiday magic makes a triumphant return!

Mark your calendars for these festive dates:

4th of December

11th of December

12th of December – SOLD OUT

Wicksteed Park is thrilled to welcome back one of the UK’s leading theatre shows: Twist and Shout. Get your dancing shoes on as audiences will be able to enjoy the sights and sounds of the 60’s with smash hits from The Beatles, Cilla Black, The Rolling Stones and a sprinkling of Christmas classics to get you in the festive mood! Doors open at 11am.

Indulge in a two-course Christmas lunch served at 12:00 pm, treating your taste buds to seasonal delights.

The first half of the show unfolds from 1:30 pm to 2:15 pm, promising heart-warming entertainment.

Take a delightful break during the interval from 2:15 pm to 3:00 pm, and then cosy up for the show’s second half, from 3:00 pm to 3:45 pm.

Tickets are priced at £45 per person, with parking charges included. Don’t miss the chance to immerse yourself in the joyous spirit of the season!

Book your Christmas Daytime Show 2024 tickets online now: https://wicksteedpark.org/events/christmas-day-time-shows-2024/

Christmas Party Nights

Are you looking for a festive event where you can celebrate Christmas with your friends and colleagues?

Join us for a festive celebration at Wicksteed Park’s Christmas Party Nights 2024!

Our doors open at 6:00 pm, inviting you to savour a delightful three-course traditional Christmas dinner followed by an evening of holiday celebrations.

Immerse yourself in the enchanting Christmas spirit at our Pavilion party featuring a live band performance from Petite Rouge and a traditional disco.

The festivities conclude at midnight, creating memories that will last long after the party ends. Save the date for our Christmas parties:

6th December

7th December

13th December – SOLD OUT

14th December

Secure your spot for this unforgettable experience at £65 per person (parking charges included) —book your Christmas Party Night 2024 tickets online now: https://wicksteedpark.org/events/christmas-party-nights-2024/

Other News

Paws for thought as new year begins

The start of a new year at Wicksteed Park has brought lots of excitement, as we get things ready to help fill 2023 with amazing memories.

Wild Birds at Wicksteed Park

At Wicksteed Park, we are fortunate to host a diverse array of wild birds, each contributing to the natural beauty and ecosystem of our beloved park.

Reminder: Wild Birds in Wicksteed Park

As we are approaching the winter season, you may see our wild birds wandering the fields and areas around the lake more often.

Customer Reviews

"It was absolutely amazing, my toddler loved seeing Santa and going to the elf workshop to pick a present! We saw reindeers, went on the train and a couple rides and went to the farm! A fantastic day out and a great experience for seeing Santa for the first time! Staff were great!"

Bethany

"Had not been to Wickstead park for years . Thought I would take my grandson and despite the weather and it being late in the season we had a lovely time. Great value for money and will return next year"

Perry

"We had a great fun day out. Old fashioned English Park. Good variety of rides. Clean loos. Friendly staff. We loved the train ride. Also the water rides were fantastic. Best to buy a wrist band that let's you have unlimited rides"

Rose

"We camped here this week, and all had a blast!!! It was so well-priced. We were one of the first in the park. The camping was quiet, and the kids absolutely loved all the places to walk!!! Thank you!"

Charlotte

"My parents took me to Wicksteed Park as a child over 50 years ago. Today I took my grandchildren and it was quite an experience. The train around the park is still there but now there are lots of much bigger rides for older kids and adults including a log flume. The old water chute I went on as a kid is still there and is loved by young and old. We found all the staff friendly and helpful at Wicksteed which is really important, as at other theme parks its what made for a poor experience. Maybe Wicksteed's British origins makes it a more relaxed experience than US style parks. You can almost imagine post Edwardian Britons in 1920's enjoying days out in this beautiful park with all its green spaces. My older grandkids enjoyed the rides and short queues whilst younger ones liked the soft play area. We are already planning our next visit to Wicksteed Park."

Del

"Great day out for extended family particularly good for 6 to 10 year olds and the older kids can take the little ones on the rides. The parks is really beautiful and there are hardly any queues. Lots of fun rides and wrist bands good value if you do lots of rides like my kids did. All 14 of us had a great day and we had a take out in the park before leaving on a beautiful evening. Fun times."

Julial

"We were lucky enough to go in a lovely sunny day. There were 11 of us, 5 adults and 6 children, 2 of whom have disabilities. The staff were so helpful in every way, sorting our wristbands out, giving advice, looking after us on rides, etc. Some of the rides I was used to were shut; the rocking tugboat, drop slide and mini landrovers, but a lovely surprise awaited in the form of new rides; the garden wheel and mechanical horses. We went boating on the lake, rode the water flume, went on loads of other rides for which there was barely a queue. The actual park itself is amazing, so much room to play for the children, we had a lovely picnic under the trees. Toilets were really clean, plenty of food outlets, although not as many as on previous visits. It baffles me that more people don't go there, as there really is something for everyone. Even if you didn't want to pay for the rides, there is still a excellent playing park. Take my advice and just head out there for the day..."

Janice

"Kids loved it, even through it was busy the queues weren’t too bad and as there is so much green space we easily found a spot in the shade for our picnic. Lovely parkland and they even dragged me on to the Dinosaur Valley ride! The band/ ticket options are great for a mixed group who might not all want to go on every ride."

Amy

"We camped at Wickstead park this weekend for our annual camping trip with friends and kids (age range 15 - 13). Booking was very easy and great communication with reception. The site is very clean, as are the facilities and there is lots for the kids to do. Its a very safe site and I would highly recommend it. We will definitely be back!"

Jackie

"Having one of our sons, and his nine year old to stay gave us a reason to visit Wicksteed Park yesterday. The rides were great fun and suitable for a range of ages; they all seemed well cared for and the operators paid attention to safety. We bought a wristband for our grandson, and individual tickets for the rest of us so that we could mix and match who went on with him. The weather was rather dull, which may have contributed to the generally short waits to get on the rides. The playgrounds are excellent and there is lots of room for running around. We took a picnic and easily found somewhere to sit and eat. Car parking was easy, and given there is no entrance charge, I thought it reasonable. I use a mobility scooter and had no problems getting around. We used to take our sons when they were small and we had little money: by just going in the playgrounds (no charge); playing ball games on the grass and taking a picnic, it was a cheap day out. Enjoy."