Please Note: This article was originally published in 2023 and may contain outdated event information. Check with venues directly for the most up-to-date details on dog friendly events.
It’s the most woof-derful time of the year! We know you’re eager to include your dogs in all the festive fun. But finding a dog-friendly grotto with a Saint Nick who’s receptive to canine visitors can sometimes feel more Grinch-like than jolly. Where’s a sled-pulling Spaniel supposed to snap a pic with Santa Paws?
We’ve sniffed out the most decked-out doggie grottos across the UK where good boys and girls of all breeds are welcome with open arms and milk bones.
At these holly-jolly celebrations, your furry best friend can romp through fake snow with elves, get their paws on special puppy gifts, and even don reindeer antlers for that perfect holiday pet portrait.
So, get ready to crack out the ugly Christmas sweater and collar, and let them jingle-jangle their way through the merriest of days!
Here are the top 13 Santa’s grottos rolling out the red carpet for a yappy holiday season!
Dobbies Garden Centres
Throughout December – Various Locations
Dobbies Garden Centres are hosting Santa Paws Grottos at a wide range of their stores across the UK, with multiple dates throughout December. You can find more information and book your visit here. Treat your furry friend to a magical encounter in Santa Paw’s Grotto, complete with a special gift from Santa himself! Give your canine companion their own festive experience with a trip to Santa Paws at your local Dobbies’ store.
For just £6.99, your pup can enjoy a visit to Santa’s Grotto and receive a special treat to take away. To capture the memory of meeting Santa, you can choose to pre-book one of the special photo options.
Santa’s elves have whipped up a range of toys, suitable for different dog sizes. While you can pre-select a gift for your dog, please note that the exact item may vary on the day.
Booking is essential and subject to availability, so be sure to secure your spot for a tail-waggingly good time!
Tavistock’s Dickensian Evening
1st December – Devon PL19 0AE
Tavistock’s Dickensian Evening is a magical, late-night shopping event that transports you back in time, as shopkeepers embrace the spirit and dress up in traditional attire. The Christmas lights will be switched on at 5:45 pm.
During the evening, there will be a Santa Paws Christmas Grotto. Here, you can book a slot with the big man himself in advance and take home a picture of him with your pooch. The price includes a puppuccino and biscuit, as well as a social media-ready photo.
Santa Paws Wolverhampton Centre
2nd December – Coven, Wolverhampton WV10 7PN
Join in on a Paws-itively Magical Event at the Santa Paws Event, happening on Saturday, 2nd December at the Wolverhampton Centre in Coven, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. This festive gathering invites you to capture the perfect holiday memory with your furry friend and Santa for just £10 per photo, with an additional £5 for each extra dog in the same photo.
But that’s not all! The event also features a range of activities and treats to make your day even more special. Browse through shopping stalls offering unique gifts and treats for both you and your four-legged companions. Stay cozy with a warm cup of hot cocoa or coffee, and try your luck at the Tombola and Raffle, where amazing prizes await. The sound of Christmas music will add to the festive atmosphere, creating a truly magical experience.
Convenient parking and hourly time slots are available to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone. Best of all, your participation in this event supports a great cause – raising funds for homeless dogs to ensure they have full dishes this Christmas.
Everyone is welcome to join in spreading holiday cheer and making this festive season unforgettable for you and your furry friends. So mark your calendars for the Santa Paws Event on Saturday, December 2nd – it’s an occasion not to be missed for pet lovers and their cherished companions.
Grazing Cow
3rd December – Lawley Telford TF3 5ES
Santa Paws is coming to town! Treat yourself to a merry little breakfast and then enjoy a visit with Santa alongside your pooch. Remember, all dogs are good dogs, so they’re definitely on the nice list and will receive a gift from Santa!
The cost is just £9.95 per human and £4.50 per canine. Don’t miss this delightful opportunity to celebrate the festive season with your furry friend
Santa Paws At The Mouse
3rd December – Wirral, CH63 6JA
Get ready to celebrate the holiday season with your furry friends at an in-person event taking place on Sunday, December 3, 2023, at Brimstage Road, Brimstage, CH63 6JA.
Pet owners are invited to bring their beloved pets to indulge in the festive spirit. This event offers a fantastic opportunity to capture adorable memories with furry companions. Santa will be there to spoil pets with some paw-some goodies, making it the perfect occasion to celebrate the joy of the holiday season. Mark your calendars and join us for a tail-wagging good time
Jerry Green Dogs Santa Paws
3rd December – North Lincolnshire, Broughton, DN20 0BJ
Dog owners are invited to bring their pooches along to meet Santa Paws this December at the North Lincolnshire Christmas Market. It’s a chance to find out if their pup has made the naughty or nice list. Each dog will receive a professional photo, which will be emailed after the session, as well as a treat from Santa Paws. Sessions are available for a suggested donation of £7 and will take place from 11 am until 2:30 pm. No booking is required; guests can simply turn up on the day. Parking is available for £5 per car.
Visitors are encouraged to make a day of it and enjoy the festivities at the Christmas Market, running from 11 am to 3 pm. They can browse a range of food and gift stalls, enjoy music from vocalist Henry and the Barton Community Brass Band, as well as Christmas Carols performed by the Scunthorpe Junior Choir.
Dashing Dachshund Christmas Tour
3rd December – Botanist, Lincoln LN5 7ET
The Dashing Dachshund Christmas Tour is set to bring festive fun to The Botanist in Lincoln. In this holly jolly celebration, up to 50 adorable dachshunds and their owners will gather for an unforgettable event. Guests can expect to mingle, take ‘pawsome’ photos, and even participate in a competition for the best-dressed dachshund.
While these lovable ‘sausages’ romp around off-lead, enjoying toys and treats, their owners can sip puppuccinos, explore holiday offerings from local pet businesses, or simply bask in the heartwarming atmosphere of wiggly, wiener dog joy. This event is a fantastic opportunity to spread Christmas cheer and allow these long dogs to socialise to their hearts’ content. Don’t miss out on this unique chance to celebrate the season in the most delightful of ways!
Santa Paws Kingswinford Royal British Legion
3rd December – Kingswinford DY6 9JG
The Santa Paws event at Kingswinford Royal British Legion promises a festive and fun-filled day for dogs and their owners. At this welcoming gathering, all dogs are invited to meet Santa, where they’ll have the opportunity to have their photo taken and receive a special doggy Christmas present. While the dogs enjoy their moment with Santa, owners can indulge in available refreshments. The event also features a range of stalls, including a dog stall packed with gifts and treats for your beloved fur baby, a tombola stall, a bottle tombola, and a gift stall. This event is a perfect blend of holiday cheer and canine celebration
Santa Paws & Woofmas Market
9th December – The Chester House Estate, Wellingborough NN8 2DH
The Santa Paws & Woofmas Market event, taking place on Saturday and Sunday, 9th – 10th December 2023, from 10 am to 4 pm at Chester House Estate, promises a delightful experience for both pets and their owners. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet Santa Paws and explore over 30 local Artisan Market Stalls at the Woofmas Market, perfect for finding unique, pawsome presents. The event includes free activities for dogs, including a daily pack walk led by Chris from Chasing Pawfection. Chris will also offer training tips and tricks to ensure that furry friends stay off the naughty list. Entry to the Santa Paws event and parking are free, with no tickets required. Elves at the Estate are eagerly awaiting to welcome all naughty and nice furry friends. It’s important to note that the Santa Paws event is separate from the Chester House Father Christmas Experience, which is a ticketed event. While no ticket is required to visit Santa Paws, tickets are necessary for children wishing to participate in the Father Christmas Experience.
Dogs Trust Cardiff Christmas Fair
The Dogs Trust in Cardiff is set to host their annual Christmas Fair on the weekend of December 9th and 10th. This two-day event, held on-site at the CF24 5JQ Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre from 11am to 4pm each day, welcomes families and friendly dogs, with parking available on site. Attendees can look forward to a range of activities including games, stalls, a raffle, and a tombola. A highlight of the fair is the opportunity to meet Santa in the Grotto, where visitors can capture the moment with a photo on their phone – dogs, children, and adults are all welcome. Light refreshments will be available to add to the festive spirit. The fair also invites tombola prize donations, such as unwanted gifts, presents, or chocolates, which can be dropped off at the centre by December 5th. These contributions have historically played a significant role in raising funds to support the dogs at the centre.
Pure Christmas Tour: Sheffield, All Paws Welcome!
10th December – Revolución de Cuba, Sheffield S1 4DT
Paws for Christmas Cheer in Sheffield!
This special event transforms a cosy venue into a festive paradise, tailored for pups but offering fun for the whole family. Attendees can capture magical memories amid twinkling lights with professional photo sessions, while their dogs enjoy unlimited treats and playtime. The highlight? A special visit from Father Christmas himself! Every dog will receive a gift upon entry, and humans aren’t left out either – they’ll get cracker goodie boxes. Plus, exclusive discounts from Pure make holiday shopping a breeze.
Don’t miss this heartwarming celebration; grab your tickets before it sells out and get ready for a fa-la-la-la-WOOF-filled day
Woof The Yorkshire Dog Shop
16th December – Roundhay LS8 2HU
The Yorkshire Dog Shop is hosting a delightful festive event where puppies and dogs can meet Santa Paws in a specially designed grotto. Each furry guest will be treated to a bag of treats, a gift from Santa himself. To ensure a personalized and enjoyable experience, each time slot is exclusively for one dog and lasts 10 minutes. This allows ample time for each pet to enter the grotto, have a memorable meet-and-greet with Santa Paws, and exit. Pet owners with multiple dogs are advised to book separate time slots for each of their canine companions. This festive gathering promises a unique and heartwarming experience for pets and their owners alike.
BrewDog Outpost Dublin
17th December – BrewDog Dublin D02 E5R7
The Dublin Dog Market is set to sprinkle holiday magic on December 10th from 12-5pm at Brewdog Brewery. This festive event invites dog lovers to shop from Irish dog businesses, perfect for finding those pawfect gifts for furry friends. The highlight of the day is the chance for dogs to meet Santa Paws, with opportunities to snap a memorable picture with Saint Nick himself for those who prebook a doggie ticket. With an array of treats, toys, and photo opportunities to capture the festive cheer, this jolly event promises to keep tails wagging throughout the season.
Share Upcoming Events With Us
Do you know of any events in the local area? Pop them in the comments below. Still looking for your dream event? Keep an eye out on Google, Facebook and Eventbrite over Christmas for a Santa Paws meet-and-greet near you! As these Santa Paws photo opportunities continue gaining popularity across the country, more areas are getting in on the tail wagging action.
Whether it’s a local pet store, Christmas market, or dog friendly shopping centre you can bet the magic of the season will have event pages popping up left and right.
And what could make for a more pawsome holiday #OOTD than getting to sport some reindeer antlers or a Santa hat while posing with the big man himself? Mr. Claus won’t want to miss out on all the puppy kisses and cuddles!
So be sure to refresh your searches and calendars over the next few weeks as everyone gears up for Christmas. Before you know it, your furry companion could be making Christmas memories that you’ll treasure for years to come!
Santa Paws at Hounslow Urban Farm, TW14 0LZ
From the 5th December Hounslow Urban Farm are hosting an event where the whole family including their furry best friend can come along and meet Santa. Childrens tickets will be £10.00 and their dog and one accompanying adult will go free, Price includes a gift for both the dog and the child. One of our incredibly chirpy elves will be available to take a photo on your devices. Please phone to reserve a time slot