What You Need To Know For Santa Paws in the Park 2024!

It’s almost time for Wicksteed Park’s first ever Santa Paws in the Park and we can’t wait to welcome all of you and your dogs! Ahead of your visit, please take the time to read all of the information below to make sure you are prepared for Santa Paws! Here’s what you need to know for Wicksteed Park’s Santa Paws in the Park!

Competition Entrants:

  • Proceed to registration desk on arrival. The registration desk will be adjacent to the car park beside the square roundabout.
  • Register for each event category you have entered and collect your lanyard.
  • Check your competition timeslot and arrive at the designated holding area adjacent to the reception desk at least 10 mins before the competition start time.
  • Stewards will call you into the event arena. Please follow instructions at all times.
  • You will complete one lap of the arena giving Santa Paws the opportunity to pick a winner.
  • Photographs and videos may be taken of competition entrants and winners. If you do not wish to be included, please ensure you have opted out by emailing to hello@wicksteedpark.org.
  • Winners will be announced at the end of each category. Please do not leave the event arena until the judging has been announced.
  • Once the competition category is complete, please leave the arena immediately.
Wicksteed Park's Santa Paws in the Park 2024!

General Public watching the event:

  • Santa Paws starts at 12 midday on Saturday 30 November 2024. We expect the event to finish around 2.00 pm.
  • The Santa Paws arena will be on the square roundabout next to Carlo’s Courtyard pizza restaurant.
  • Everyone is welcome to spectate around the edge of the arena.
  • Dogs not participating in the competition event must be on a lead and under control at all times.
  • No access to the arena unless you are a pre-registered competition entrant.
  • We have a variety of stalls including animal charities for you to visit.
  • Refreshments are available at the Garden Café, Carlo’s Courtyard and the Northern Lights Café.Tickets to the Woofsteed Railway are available from the Gift Shop. Train leaves at 3pm. Please arrive early to avoid disappointment.

Competition rules:

  • All competition entries to be booked online and in advance.
  • Please register on arrival to collect your competition entry pass. The registration desk will be adjacent to the car park beside the square roundabout.
  • Please wait in the dedicated area until your competition time slot.
  • No entry to event arena outside of time slot.
  • All dogs must be kept on leads and under control at all times. No exceptions are permitted.
  • No banned breeds will be permitted.
  • No behaviour that leads to aggressive behaviour in the dog is permitted.
  • No unattended dogs.
  • No alcohol or other food and beverage may be taken into or consumed within the event arena.
  • Please pick up any dog poo immediately and dispose into one of the bins.
  • No abusive behaviour towards staff will be tolerated.
  • The judge’s decision is final.
  • Max 2 people per dog in each event category. Any child under 14 must be accompanied by a responsible adult into the event arena.
  • Only dogs may be entered into the competition categories.
  • Official photographer will be on site – if you do not wish to be included in photography or video footage please opt out by emailing hello@wicksteedpark.org.

Running Order:

  • Competition starts at 12.00 midday. All timings are approximate only and may be subject to change. Please arrive at least 10 minutes prior to each event category to avoid disappointment.
  • Best trick with a Christmas theme 12.00
  • Most handsome hound 12.20
  • Waggiest tail 12.40
  • Best 6 legs with a Christmas theme 13.00
  • Prettiest pooch 13.20
  • The Wicksteed Park Santa Paws Dog Christmas Jumper Competition 13.40

FAQs:

  1. Where can I get a drink or something to eat?

Refreshments are available at the Garden Café, Carlo’s Courtyard and the Northern Lights Café.

  1. Do I have to pay for parking?

Parking charges apply at all times.

  1. Where can I buy a ticket to ride the Woofseed Railway?

Please visit the Gift Shop to purchase tickets for the Woofsteed Railway. The 3pm service will be a dedicated dog-friendly train ride.

  1. What time is Santa Paws?

The event starts at midday on 30 November 2024.

  1. What time is each event?

Please see event running order for details of timing for each competition category. All timings are subject to change.

  1. Where is the nearest toilet?

Toilets are available in the precinct opposite the clock tower.

  1. Where can I buy a ticket to Christmas at Wicksteed?

Please visit our website at wicksteedpark.org

  1. Are you going to do any more events like this?

Wicksteed Park offers lots of events and activities throughout the year. Please visit our website for details.

  1. Why do I have to keep my dog on a lead?

For the safety of all our guests, including our four-legged friends.

  1. Can I enter an animal that is not a dog?

Only dogs may enter the Santa Paws event.

  1. How many people are allowed with the dog into the event arena?

A maximum of two people per dog entry. Children under 14 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

  1. What happens if a dog is behaving dangerously?

Dangerous or aggressive behaviour is strictly prohibited. Owners and their dogs may be asked to leave site immediately.

  1. Can I take my dog to visit the farm or reindeer?

No dogs are permitted into the farm or to visit the reindeer.

  1. Where can I get a drink for my dog?

There is a water station adjacent to Carlo’s Courtyard. Puppycinos are available to purchase in the Garden Café.

  1. Is there an official photographer?

Yes. The official photographer will wear a hi-vis jacket for identification.

  1. Can I book a ticket for the train if I have not got a dog or have not booked a ticket for Christmas at Wicksteed?

Yes, on 30November 2024 only. Please visit the Gift Shop to purchase your tickets. On all other operating dates through December 2024, the Wicksteed Park Railway and access to the North Pole Station will only be permitted to ticket holders for Christmas at Wicksteed. Please note that the train departing at 3pm on 30 November 2024 is dedicated to dogs and their owners as part of the Santa Paws event. If you do not wish to ride the train with lots of furry friends, please board at an alternative time.

Wicksteed Park regular parking charges apply.
There are still limited spaces available for the Best Trick with a Christmas Theme and Best 6 Legs with a Christmas Theme. Find out more and book your spaces here: Santa Paws in the Park – Wicksteed Park
 
We can’t wait to see you all at the Park for Santa Paws in the Park 2024!

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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."
Pauline