At a glance
- Who it’s for
- Dog owners in the City of Parramatta and nearby who want a photo of their dog with Santa
- What to do now
- Put Saturday 5 December in the diary; the council has not published any booking, parking or dog-rule details
- When
- Saturday 5 December 2026, 5pm to 7pm (Sydney time)
- Where
- Dan Mahoney Reserve, 75 Gladstone Street, North Parramatta
- Cost
- Listed as a free event by the City of Parramatta
- Getting there
- Not published by the council; check the Transport for NSW trip planner
- Organiser
- City of Parramatta; this year’s event raises funds for Jade’s Dog Rescue NSW
- Last checked
- Saturday 31 October 2026, against the City of Parramatta’s @Parramatta listing
- Not yet confirmed
- Whether photos or raffle tickets cost anything, dog and lead rules, parking, transport, and wet-weather plans
Santa Paws returns to Dan Mahoney Reserve in North Parramatta on Saturday 5 December 2026, from 5pm to 7pm. The City of Parramatta lists the event as free, and says dogs and their owners can have a photo taken with Santa, enjoy treats and play with other dogs. It is the fifth annual Santa Paws.
This brief uses the City of Parramatta’s @Parramatta listing, read on Saturday 31 October 2026. Where the council has not said something, this brief says so.
When and where is Santa Paws?
| Detail | What the council says |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday 5 December 2026 |
| Time | 5pm to 7pm |
| Venue | Dan Mahoney Reserve, 75 Gladstone Street, North Parramatta |
| Cost | Free event |
| Accessibility | Wheelchair and low mobility accessible; service animals welcome |
The council describes Santa Paws as a way to acknowledge the contributions of the city’s dogs “for helping to improve the health and happiness of their humans”. It is hosted at Dan Mahoney Reserve, and the event is for resident dogs and their human companions.
What happens at Santa Paws?
The council lists these things for the evening:
- Photos of resident dogs with Santa.
- Treats for dogs.
- Time to play with other dogs.
- Raffle draws for prizes.
- Possible treats and toys for dogs from City of Parramatta Councillors and local MPs.
The council also warns that excited dogs “full of treats get the zoomies and can become boisterous”, and calls the evening “mostly-peaceful”. If your dog is nervous around other dogs or crowds, that line is worth reading before you go.
Who does the event raise money for?
This year the council says it is supporting Jade’s Dog Rescue NSW, a not-for-profit organisation, “raising much-needed funds”. The listing does not say how the money is raised, so it is not clear whether that is through the raffle, donations or another way. It also does not say whether Santa photos or raffle tickets cost anything, even though the event itself is listed as free.
What has the council not said?
- Whether you need to book or register a dog. The listing does not mention bookings.
- Whether dogs must be on a lead, and any health or vaccination rules.
- Where to park, or how to get there by train, light rail or bus.
- What happens in wet weather.
- Whether photos are taken by a professional photographer or whether you take your own.
For the transport question, use the Transport for NSW trip planner and enter Dan Mahoney Reserve, 75 Gladstone Street, North Parramatta. This brief has not checked services for Saturday 5 December.
What should I know before I go?
- Date and time: Saturday 5 December 2026, 5pm to 7pm, Sydney time.
- Place: Dan Mahoney Reserve, 75 Gladstone Street, North Parramatta.
- Cost: the event is listed as free. Ask on the night whether the raffle or photos cost money.
- Check the City of Parramatta listing again closer to the date for dog rules.
- Photos on this page show dogs in another Sydney park and are not from the event.
OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with the City of Parramatta or Jade’s Dog Rescue NSW.
Sources
- City of Parramatta (@Parramatta): Santa Paws, checked Saturday 31 October 2026
- Transport for NSW trip planner