It’s festive fun for all the family at Mugdock Country Park this weekend

Mugdock Country Park will be hosting the annual Santa Dash this Sunday - with people of all ages donning their Father Christmas outfits and running shoes to complete 1k or 5k challenges.

Over-12s will receive their own Santa suit to dress in, while under-12s will get antlers and a flashing red nose. The event is being held in aid of Deafblind Scotland and all participants will receive a medal and certificate.

It’s one of the highlights of a Christmas Festival weekend this Saturday and Sunday (November 30 and December 1) - the perfect way to kick-start the countdown to December 25.

On Saturday, there will be lots for all the family throughout the day, with shops, craft stalls, carol singers, puppet shows, face painting, live music, magic, Santa’s grotto, mince pies and mulled wine on offer.

Children aged five to nine can enjoy Wood Elf Training at 10am, 12 noon and 2pm, on both Saturday and Sunday.

Or you could drop off your little ones wrapped up warm and wearing dark colours or green for a magical experience, where they will be shown how to become ‘invisible’ through camouflage, wood elf navigation and connecting with nature. Booking is essential - call 0141 956 6100 or book online at www.mugdock-country-park.org.uk - the cost is £2.50.

On Sunday you can enjoy the annual Santa Dash, with registration opening at 12.45pm and the race starting at 2pm. Call 0141 777 5824 or e-mail [email protected] to register in advance. The entry fee for adults is £10, while for children (under 16) it is £5.

As well as a blizzard of festive fun events on Sunday there will also be the Christmas lights switch-on at 4.30pm.

Councillor Eric Gotts, chair of Mugdock Park Management Committee, will switch on the lights.

He said: “The Santa Dash has become one of the best-loved and popular events of the season. I hope people once again support this wonderful event at Mugdock Country Park in aid of a very worthy cause.

“There’s a whole host of family entertainment, fun and opportunities on offer at the park to really kick-start the festive celebrations. It’s a great time of year to visit one of the jewels in the crown of East Dunbartonshire.”

Other events taking place include:

‘He’s Behind You! The story of Panto’ on Thursday, November 28, at 7.45pm - a very light-hearted and amusing talk with mince pies and mulled wine included in ticket cost.

Christmas Cinema Night - ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ (Cert U) on Friday, November 29, at 7pm.

Bang Together a Bird Box at Mugdock Country Park on Saturday, November 30, from 1pm-3pm.

Make a Christmas Birch Wreath, Lenzie, on Saturday, December 7 from 12.30pm-2.30pm

Festive Toy Trail Saturdays, December 7 and 14, and Sundays, December 8 and 15, from 10am–11.30am and 12.15pm–1.45pm.

The Elves who help Santa make traditional wooden toys always lose a few items when dropping them off at the North Pole. Every year Wild by Nature locate these toys by using an old map issued by Mrs Claus and by training up small children as Toy Seekers. The toys are well wrapped, so difficult to find without teamwork, observation skills and lots of bashing through thick undergrowth. As a reward, children can keep the toys and any new skills they might have learned too. Cost £5. Children Only. Booking is essential.

Panto Time! ‘Mother Goose’ will be on at Mugdock Country Park from December 7-24 - a show with the real ‘eggs factor’!

To book for an event or for more information, call 0141 956 6100 or book online at www.mugdock-country-park.org.uk