Dog Friendly Christmas Events in the West Midlands Region
Having written about and attended Christmas events with my children for many years, I’ve started to notice a growing trend towards dog friendly Christmas events in the West Midlands. Whilst most of these aren’t dog friendly at all times, quite a few places now have dog friendly dates and events. At some of them, the dog can even come and visit Father Christmas with you. I’ve omitted places like National Trust attractions where the dog can go into the grounds with you but can’t come inside. This list is predominantly festive events and locations that cater specifically for dogs in some context. I’ve split the list by area, but I’ve kept chains with several locations at the top.
Chains with dog friendly events around the region
Santa Paws at Dobbies Garden Centres
With several locations in the West Midlands region, the Dobbies Santa Paws event is a great option if you’d like to get some gorgeous photos of your dog with Father Christmas.
It’s not fair that children get all the fun at Christmas when there are lots of good boys and girls waiting at home. If your dog has been good this year, treat them to a visit to Santa Paws. They’ll even receive a special gift and be able to do dog-friendly activities designed especially for them. If your child and your pup want to meet Santa together, book a children’s ticket too and they can meet him together.
Dates: 6th, 13th, 16th, 20th, 22nd and 23rd December 2026.
Locations:
- Atherstone (Warwickshire)
- Gailey (Staffordshire)
- Shenstone (Staffordshire)
- Shrewsbury (Shropshire)
- Telford (Shropshire)
Website: Dobbies. This link is to the event itself, and you have to scroll to the bottom of the page and pick the location you want, which will then allow you to book.
Dog Friendly Christmas Events In Herefordshire
Townsend Farm Christmas Event
The full details for this one haven’t yet been confirmed, but they note on the website that dogs were welcomed free in 2025. It then states that final 2026 details will be confirmed so do double check before booking.
At the moment, they’ve still got last year’s details on the Christmas page, but they have confirmed the event is on again. There will definitely be a light trail, Father Christmas experience and festive food and drinks and parking is free.
Dates: 4th, 5th, 11th, 12th and 18th to 23rd December 2026.
Website: Townsend Farm
Dog Friendly Christmas Events In Shropshire
I have really struggled to find dog friendly Christmas events in Shropshire. However, if you check the “Chains with dog friendly events around the region” section above – Dobbies Garden Centres do a lovely Santa Paws event and they have locations in both Telford and Shrewsbury. In previous years, Blists Hill has done a lovely Christmas event and that’s generally a dog friendly location. However, their Christmas event hasn’t yet been announced and they’ve changed to National Trust this year, so I’ll add this one in if they’ve still got a dog friendly event happening.
Apley Christmas Market
This undercover Christmas Market is a great opportunity to get ready for the big event. There are plenty of craft stalls catering for all your festive needs. Including candles, cakes, hampers, mince pies and a variety of handmade gifts and festive wares to taste. Well behaved dogs on leads are welcome in the market and food hall during the events.
Dates: 21st and 22nd November 2026.
Website: Apley Estate
Dog Friendly Christmas Events In Staffordshire
Santa Paws Dog Friendly Father Christmas Manor Farm Fruits, Staffordshire
Whilst Santa is at Manor farm on a few dates, you’ll need to book a Santa Paws slot on the below dates if you want to take your dog with you.
You’ll meet Santa Paws in the Cosy Cabin on the Farm. Take a festive photo with the man in red, and tell him what your dog wants for Christmas. All dogs receive a festive toy. If you buy a children’s ticket as well, the child will receive a golden ticket that they can exchange for their own gift in Santa’s cabin counter.
Other activities for after your Santa Paws experience are listed on the booking page, so I assume your dog is allowed to accompany you on these too, although it may be worth checking before booking if this is a game changer for you. Activities include toasting marshmallows, warming up and relaxing in the Alpine Marquee and enjoying hot food including toasties and a hot chocolate. The farm shop is also open and serving festive hot drinks.
Dates: 6th and 13th December 2026.
Website: Manor Farm Fruits
Dog Friendly Christmas Events In Warwickshire
Coombe Abbey – Luminate Live Christmas 2026
Please note that Luminate Live at Coombe Abbey in Warwickshire is a dog friendly Christmas event on selected dates only. Make sure you choose a dog friendly date when booking. It is also worth noting that they won’t accept banned breeds including XL bullies and they have a limit of two dogs maximum per adult. Dogs have to be on short leads, not extendable leads.
Luminate Live is a festive light trail that takes place in various different venues. The breath-taking, illuminated trail through Coombe Abbey Park will be back to delight and enthral visitors for Christmas 2026. It features gorgeous lighting elements and amazing light play set to ambient music. A magical experience for all ages. The light trail has been updated for 2026 with fresh artistic designs. Whilst dogs on leads are welcome, they do mention that it can be a little overwhelming with flashing lights, loud music, smoke effects and a lot of people. They ask that you don’t bring your dog if this is likely to upset them.
Dog Friendly Dates: 30th November and 3rd, 7th, 10th, 14th, 17th, 21st, 27th, 28th and 31st December 2026.
Website: Luminate Live
Review: Coventry Live
Dog Friendly Christmas Events In the West Midlands (County)
Beacon’s Santa Run 2026 – West Park Wolverhampton
This is a lovely event where hundreds of Santa’s come together to run in support of the Beacon Vision charity. It’s an accessible 5k route and whilst billed as a “Santa Run”, they also accept walkers and dogs are welcome. Adult participants get a medal and Santa suit, child participants get a medal and Santa hat and dogs get a festive bandana.
Date: 13 December 2026.
Website: Ticket Tailor.
Dog Friendly Christmas Events In Worcestershire
Worcestershire animal Rescue Shelter (WARS) Santa Paws
If you’re looking for a gorgeous photo of your dog with Father Christmas, Worcestershire Animal Rescue Shelter is a great option. We got our old dog Pluto from there and it’s an amazing shelter. I love the fact that it’s done to raise money for the shelter too.
The Santa Paws event at WARS allows you to get a professional photo of your dog with Santa, which will be emailed to you. There’s also Christmas shopping, a raffle and a doggy tombola. Refreshments include non-alcoholic mulled wine and hot chocolate.
Dates: Not yet announced.
Website: Worcestershire Animal Rescue Shelter
Three Counties Showground – Winter Glow 2026
Please note: Winter Glow is only dog friendly on certain dates. Whilst I have listed all the attractions below, the website says that dogs are only able to accompany you on the Father Christmas experience and the illuminated light trail on the dates listed below. I visited a couple of years ago with my dogs and they were fine to walk around the market and fairground areas with us too, which is necessary to get to the light trail.
Winter Glow is a multi-attraction event taking place at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern, Worcestershire this Christmas. Each activity can be booked separately, or visit the Christmas market and food and drink areas at no charge.
Christmas Market, Food and Bar
Park for free in the vast Three Counties Showground car park and head into the market, Bavarian winter bar, food quarter, fairground and ice café for free. There is set to be a vast choice of festive food and drink and vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options. It is worthy of note that the Food Quarter, Winter Bar and Ice café are indoors, but they are not heated and the Christmas market is outside, so they advise wrapping up warm.
Santa Experience
The fully immersive, personalised Santa experience set in a 2000m2 Winter Village is back, reimagined and improved for 2026. The whole family will be able to complete festive activities with help from Mrs Claus and the elves. The adventure begins when Father Christmas sends visiting families a personalised invitation in the post to invite them to visit him and the elves at the North Pole.
On arrival, Jingle the head elf will be on hand to greet guests in the Winter Village and set them some challenges to carry out before heading to Santa’s workshop. More elves greet you there and invite you to explore. Families meet Santa one at a time in his grotto, where he will ask personalised questions about their achievements, hobbies and favourite things they’ve done this year. Children receive a gift and nice list certificate. Then, it’s off to the bakery run by Mrs Claus to decorate a festive biscuit. On the way back to the Winter village, you’ll pass through the Old Sweet Shop and North Pole Letter Box.
Santa Paws Sessions
Dogs can meet Father Christmas and receive a gift on the dates listed below. I couldn’t find a Santa Paws session to book directly on the website, so here are the steps I followed:
- Go to the “Father Christmas Experience” page and select “Book Now” on either the Father Christmas Experience or Father Christmas Experience Plus.
- Select your ticket option – the top option is a base ticket for one adult and one child, but if you’re just taking your dog without a child, you can pick an additional adult ticket which is cheaper.
- Click to select your date / time
- If you look at December, Santa Paws tickets are available to book on 14th to 17th December. The website does say that they should also be available on 20th and 21st November, but I haven’t managed to actually find the Santa Paws option on those days.
Illuminated Light Trail
The illuminated light trail transports visitors to a Winter Wonderland. This year’s theme hasn’t yet been announced. The light trail showcases installations, structures and illuminations created by local artists, crafters and lighting designers. As you walk around the light experience, children will be asked to solve riddles and puzzles to help find five elves who have gone missing. It is worthy of note that the trail is outdoors so you’ll need to dress for the weather. It’s wheelchair friendly and sensory friendly and dog friendly sessions are available to book on selected dates.
Ice Skating
One of the largest indoor ice rinks in the region will be at Winter Glow this year. Glide around the festively decorated rink listening to Classic Christmas songs and get into the Christmas spirit. Skate aids are available and can be added to your booking. Sessions last 45 minutes and they advise arriving half an hour early to get skates fitted. This activity is not suitable for children under 3 years old. Visit on a Sunday morning with little ones who would enjoy meeting ice princesses and skating to the soundtrack from Frozen.
Fairground
The fairground attractions at Winter Glow haven’t yet been confirmed for Christmas 2026. In previous years, they’ve been pay-per-ride. They haven’t yet confirmed whether the iconic big wheel will be there this year.
UV Glow Crazy Golf
UV glow crazy golf is back for 2026. This elf-themed attraction will be indoors and friends and family can challenge each other to score a hole in one – in the dark!
Dates: 20th November to 31st December 2026.
Website: Winter Glow
Review: Plutonium Sox
Worcester Cathedral – Christmas Tree Festival 2026
You may be as surprised as me to hear that a lot of churches are dog friendly, including Worcester cathedral. This makes the Worcester Cathedral Christmas Tree Festival an ideal dog friendly Christmas event, not least because it’s free, booking isn’t required and you can browse at your own pace (or your dog’s pace). Head to Worcester Cathedral this Christmas and marvel at the uniquely designed and decorated Christmas trees created by schools, organisations and charities around the local area. Booking is not required and this is a free event.
Dates: 28th November 2026 to 5th January 2027. Excluding Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Website: Worcester Cathedral
Review: Tripadvisor
