It’s time for a dog friendly Christmas holiday season! My favourite time of year, but what I used to find so frustrating is the lack of dog friendly places, activities or things to do. fear not, I have compiled a list of the top dog friendly christmas events taking place in the holidays in Yorkshire for you to enjoy over the festive period.
(Please note - subject to Covid restrictions and last minute cancellations, please check all destinations before travelling)
CONFIRMED
Castleford, WF10 2QL
16th Dec - 6th Jan
Santa's Reindeer will be hiding in Fryston Country Trails. Can you help Santa to find them all? This is a self led activity, with laminated characters to find.
Worsbrough Mill Christmas Trail
16th Dec - 2nd Jan
Follow the story of “Ben the Worsbrough wren” on a Christmas trail around the country park. See if you can spot all 10 trail items on your journey. Open during Country Park opening times.
Kirkstall Abbey reindeer hunt
Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 3pm
Abbey Road, Kirkstall, Leeds LS5 3EH
Ladybower reservoir - Naughty Elf Trail
18th Dec - 24th Dec 10.30-2.30pm
Join us for a wonderful Naughty Elf Christmas trail this December.
Fancy dress is not mandatory but it highly encouraged No booking required, just come to site and you can buy your trail map for £4 each from the visitor centre at Fairholmes, S33 0AQ. Each completed trail sheet will give one chocolatey prize and certificate from Santa, which can be collected from visitor centre after you have completed the trail (bring you own pen/ pencil to complete the activity sheet).
Queens Park, Chesterfield
Poolsbrook Country Park
“Search for Santa’s Reindeer”
We desperately need some helpers to find these fiendish elves before Santa arrives!! There’s a warm cookie as a prize!!!! No need to book, just come and find these naughty elves! OPEN from 10am to 4pm
Every weekend in Dec
Wrap up warm and join us for a fun outdoor trail at Creswell Crags this December!
£3 to enter - for this you'll receive a trail sheet, pencil, colouring sheet and a prize.
The Snow Scavenge will run every Saturday and Sunday in December, before Christmas (we will be closed on 26 and 27 December, so it will not run on this weekend).
You do not need to book.
The challenge: Can you find the 9 snowflakes hidden around our site? Each snowflake has its own letter – find them all to create the magic password!
Book your tickets for a gorgeous, socially-distanced Winter Woodland Walk with lots of festive delights and twinkling lights to see along the way.
Santa will be giving children a special wave from his safe and cozy grotto, and his festive friends are taking up residence in our very own Christmas Village. Visitors cannot go inside Santa's grotto but they can take a photo inside Santa's sleigh and sit upon the Christmas throne. Don't forget to bring your letters for Santa to post in our Post Box!
Warm up with refreshments and drinks ☕ from the coffee kiosk. toilets are open and there are picnic benches throughout the attraction.
Access to the adventure playground is subject to weather conditions.
Dogs are welcome everywhere except the adventure playground and must be kept on a lead. More tickets will be released for dates after the 16th December shortly.
12th December - 24th Dec
A festive hunt around the nature trail, as well as a special Christmas takeaway menu from the café. Then from 19th - 22nd December Santa will be visiting!! He will be in his outdoor grotto enjoying a hot chocolate and will be there on the hour every hour from 11-2 for socially distanced selfies. . All of these extra Christmas treats are included in the normal admission but all tickets must be booked in advance.
From 5th Dec, daily 11-2pm
There will be nature-themed challenges to try along the way, as well as a Peter Rabbit selfie station at the end of the trail, where everyone can take a picture with their favourite storybook rabbit. Start your adventure from the Cycle Hub, near the main car park. Adventure packs cost £2 and include activity sheet, certificate and badge. Pre-book your visit to guarantee entry.
12th Dec - 3rd Jan
As they know the forest best, Robin and his Merry Band are organising a medieval Christmas feast for the villagers…but Robin needs your help. Stroll off any extra mince pies and Christmas treats in the forest, finding items for the medieval feast along your way. Can you work out the missing word and count how many snowflakes are hidden amongst the trees? The festive family trail is £2 and includes a souvenir Sherwood Forest pencil.
Jack Frost has been and delivered cold weather, dark days, and another lockdown. Let’s warm things up with some festive cheer! Follow the trails and (suggestion) reward your group with a chocolate coin for each display spotted! Map in the link.
Norfolk Park Window Trail (Sheffield)
A life-size advent calendar round Sheffield S7 and S11. View the map on the website and see how many of the window displays you can find. The houses are grouped in clusters, so even little legs can do a few at once. And in each window there will be a QR code you can scan as the Christmas story unfolds. All outdoors and dog friendly.
5th - 24th Dec
The Sheffield Christmas Trail is back Featuring Brearley Bear in a brand new adventure, this is a great opportunity to get out and about and to get active in Sheffield.
Brearley's Festive Guest is an interactive experience for (single household) families to enjoy. The trail has been significantly modified this year to ensure it's COVID safe and complies with government guidelines. And they'll be a special Christmas gift for every child. Details of how to do the trail will be posted on their website on 1 December.
Foremark Reservoir Naughty Elf Trail
4th Dec - 24th Dec (10.30-3.30pm)
Some naughty elves have stolen some presents from Santa and we’ve heard a rumour that they are heading to Foremark! Help Santa by finding the presents and letting him know what they are.🎅
No booking required, sheets are available to buy for £4 from the Visitor Centre and each completed sheet gets a chocolatey prize. 🍫
Bring your own pen/pencil, none chocolate alternatives are available.
3rd Dec - 24th Dec (10.30-3.30pm)
Some naughty elves have stolen some presents from Santa and we’ve heard a rumour that they are heading to Carsington Water! Help Santa by finding the presents and letting him know what they are.🎅
No booking required, sheets are available to buy for £4 from the Visitor Centre and each completed sheet gets a chocolatey prize. 🍫
Bring your own pen/pencil, none chocolate alternatives are available.
Outdoor Advent Opening
1-23th Dec. Daily 11am-3pm.
Tickets available now on our website
Gardens admission applies and tickets are limited; members need not book.
Dogs on leads are welcome (except in the adventure playground)
Fabulous festive food and drinks menu.
1st 31st Dec. Daily 4pm - 10.30pm
Watch Saltaire come alive at night with the festive windows trail. It’s all outside and free to enjoy, so you can potter around with your pooch and maybe enjoy some delicious mince pies and mulled wine from Edward Street Bakery to sustain you! Download the map in the link above.
Rufford Abbey Country Park
Every Weekend from 5th Dec until 20th December - (10.30pm - 4.00pm Daily)
Running every weekend throughout the holiday season, Rufford will have a number of craft and gift stalls located in a twinkle lit courtyard. You will be able to soak up the Christmas spirit with the sounds and smells of winter with carols, mulled wine and mince pies to enjoy.
No booking but prebook parking advised.
1st - 24th December, 6-8.30pm
Norfolk Park, Manor
Join a special Christmas light scavenger hunt with your family! Download a Bingo sheet (available nearer the time) to either print it, draw a copy or view on a mobile device, then off you go! Use the interactive map to locate houses entering the game and find the Christmas-themed pictures shown in lights.
S26
1st Dec and 24th Dec 2020.
At least 31 houses in Kiveton and Wales will be displaying an Advent window based on the theme of Christmas carols and songs.
They will be lit from 5.30pm-7.30pm approx.
the Trail maps are available from 1st Dec in the village from Traditionals and McColls. a minimun donation of £1.50 for your Trail map (For charity) is required.
Abbeydale Park Rise Christmas Lights
Every year this special street is decorated for Christmas. Trees are lit up, front gardens and homes are transformed. It’s a great festive treat and it’s sure to get you in the mood for Christmas
Dam Flask Reservoir
Christmas Elf Hunt
1st Dec - 31st Dec
Follow a mapped walking trail around Grenoside and marvel at all the decorated Christmas trees in the village. Grenoside Christmas Tree Trail will run for the whole of December, with voting for the public's favourite tree from the 5th to the 13th. Carols also taking place on 7/8th Dec. See website for map and donations.
12 days of Christmas Woodland Walk
Come take a stroll on our magical woodland walk, follow our twinkling lit paths and you’ll discover the enchanting installations of the Twelve Days of Christmas. Explore all of the interactive stations, offering something for each family member to enjoy. Book in advance.
Chatsworth House (Gardens)
12 days of Christmas Trail and Illuminations
Follow the lights along the broadwalk to the ring pond, willow tree fountain and more. The illuminations are best viewed from 3.30pm. The gardens, car park and takeaway shops are currently open. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
Winter wonderland wildlife trail
5th Dec - 3rd Jan
No booking required
Winter woodland walk
Book now at £1 per adult & £2 per child. Babies up to 12 months are free & dogs are welcome! You'll get a find the naughty elf activity sheet and can purchase a hot takeaway drink.
Music & Lights at Fountains Abbey
Come to Fountains Abbey for a full festive day out with your family. Get stuck into Christmas shopping and have a winter adventure through colourful abbey ruins and discover the water garden. National Trust admission fees apply.