Wicksteed Park delivers a magical Christmas for the whole family

Wicksteed Park director Kelly Richardson said: “We are delighted to be offering such a wide variety of things for people to do in the run up to Christmas this year and can’t wait to welcome everyone to the park to help create some amazing festive memories.”

Visitors can make unforgettable memories as they meet Santa Claus, explore the park’s attractions or take a ride on Wicksteed Park Railway, boarding at the North Pole station.

The ever-popular Wicksteed Christmas experience also includes leaving a wish on the magnificent Wishing Tree, making reindeer food to leave out on Christmas Eve or decorating a festive biscuit with the Bakery Elf.

Photo mementos from meeting Santa Claus will be available to purchase from Wicky’s Gift shop and festive food and refreshments will be available from the Northern Lights Café and Garden Café.

Visitors can also meet the animals at Wicky’s Farmyard, play a game of crazy golf at Pig ‘N Putt, whizz down the Astroslide and twirl on the Carousel, Cups and Saucers or the Heritage Toy Roundabout.

Each child receives a golden ticket with their entry to collect a gift from the Elf’s Workshop after meeting Santa.

Families can also simply visit to enjoy the rides and attractions from 10am to 5pm.

The festive experience will run every pre-Christmas Saturday and Sunday in December as well as Monday December 22, Tuesday December 23 and Christmas Eve.

Time slots to meet Santa Claus run from 9.20am to 5pm, with the last bookable slot on Christmas Eve being 3pm.

Wicksteed Park is famous for its parties and in the run up to Christmas, people can party the night away with live entertainment from Andrew Bourn and Party at Frank's Band.

The Christmas Party Night will be on December 6 and includes a festive three-course meal.

Rat Pack is also coming to Wicksteed Park this Christmas. From 11am to 4pm on December 4 and 11 people can enjoy a festive two-course meal while reliving the glory days of Las Vegas with a show from London’s West End, featuring artists with the flair of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr.

An evening performance of the show will also be from 7pm to 10.30pm on December 18, with drinks and light snacks available to buy on the night.

Wicky’s Family Christmas Party, a traditional family favourite, will this year be held from 4.30pm to 6.30pm on Sunday December 21, featuring dancing to all the best festive tunes, party and the chance to meet Wicky Bear and his festive friends. Fancy dress is encouraged.

Santa Paws in the Park, the region’s premier event for festive pooches and their owners, is also making a return on Saturday November 29 after the success of last year’s inaugural event.

Between 11am and 2pm, entrants can show off their dog’s tail wagging or their best Christmas jumper in one of the Santa Paws categories and be in the chance of winning a prize their pups will love.

Categories for Santa Paws 2025 are:

Best Christmas Jumper

Prettiest Pooch

Most Handsome Hound

Best Six Legs (dog and owner) with a Christmas Theme

Waggiest Tail

A Best in Show winner will be selected from the winners and runners-up in each category.

Entry is £3 per category when you book online, or £4 per category on the day but spaces are limited so make sure you book online to avoid disappointment.

Entry includes one train ride for the dog and one owner and additional train tickets will be available to purchase on the day.

There will be the chance for dogs to meet Santa Claus and have their photo taken, with photos available to purchase from Wicky Bear’s Gift Shop.

There will be a Pet ‘PAW’trait artist that you can visit free of charge on the day of the event.

Dogs can also take part in an exciting scurry at 10am, before the start of Santa Paws. It is £2 per dog to enter, which includes a tasty dog biscuit.