Photography Competition

Each month the team at Oakfield Park choose a winner who will receive a Family Pass with the overall annual winner receiving an Annual Pass for 2022.

To enter, visit the park and explore and send your best photographs of your visit to [email protected]. The winner is announced on social media at the end of each month. Good luck!

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Our judges decision is final. By submitting a photo you will be giving permission to Oakfield Park to use your photos for future marketing purposes. Drone photography is not permitted.

Harry Potter Experience at Oakfield Park

Oakfield Park is pleased to announce and looking forward to the return of our popular Harry Potter Experience throughout two weekends this October. 

The Harry Potter Experience is a part of this year’s Wainfest and runs from 12-6pm on Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th and Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th.

Take a trip on the Hogwarts Express Steam Train around the magnificent parkland and through the Forbidden Forest before stopping off at Platform 9 ¾. Keep an eye out for the Basilisk, Dobbie, and others – and enjoy a game of quidditch on a real quidditch pitch! All witches and wizards are encouraged to dress up in their finest house robes. All Muggles are welcome.

Enter the Triwizard Tournament by challenging yourself to solve the Enchanted Maze and test your Harry Potter knowledge by completing the champion’s quiz with a prize for every successful wizarding student at Honeydukes. Finish of your magical day by popping into the Three Broomsticks to sample some Butterbeer, your favourite Cauldron Cake or from a special themed hot food menu.

THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT TO PRE-BOOK.

Normal entry and train fees apply – there is no extra charge for this event, and it is free for 2022 Seasonal and Gold Pass holders.

Harry Potter Experience – Schools Day (arranged by teachers)

On Friday 14th October, The Ministry of Magic invites your school to enjoy a wizardly day out at the Harry Potter Experience in Oakfield Park. Give your students a day they will never forget, from rambling through our hedge maze, to sampling Butterbeer and pitting their skills against each other in a game of quidditch. Standard entry is €8 per student. Lunch can also be provided; this option covers the entry fee and a delicious Harry Potter themed Al Fresco lunch and costs €12 per student.

Contact us on 074 9173922 to arrange a bespoke package for your school group.

Steam Sunday: the last one until 2023! – 25th September 2022

The last Steam Sunday of the season is here.

The grounds at Oakfield Park include a host of sites to explore, including walled gardens, ponds, lakes, an outdoor playground, a hedge maze, heritage trees and sculptures. Children can make a wish at Oakfield Park’s Faerie tree, while navigating their way through extensive walks and trails.


Weave your way through the park’s gardens along 4.5km of narrow-gauge track on Oakfield Park’s diesel and steam trains, the ‘Duchess of Difflin’ and ‘The Earl of Oakfield.’ The trains operate passenger trips around the grounds, which is a magical way to explore the park’s gardens as the train passes through flower meadows, beautiful woodlands, willow tunnels, oak circles, boardwalks, heritage trees, a wooden causeway and sparkling streams and lakes.


After a day exploring the parklands, visitors can refuel in Buffers Restaurant, which is open alongside park opening hours and is returning with a delicious new menu created with produce from the park’s gardens.

Jobs at The Santa Express

So you want to be an Elf? Santa has asked his Head Elf to form a new squad for Oakfield Park’s Santa Express 2022 and we want you. There are many roles that we need some bright new faces for. Please read through the job descriptions below and select the one(s) you feel you’d be best suited for. You need to be energetic, positive, enthusiastic with a sense of good old Christmas spirit. Performance experience is preferred but not necessary. You will probably do more than one role in your time at the Santa Express and will be trained to do all.

Applicants need to be 15 years old and above with a few roles only suitable to those over 18. The Santa Express Dates are 30th November to the 23rd of December. Weekday shifts start at 4pm and weekends at midday. Preference will be given to those who are available to work 3+ days a week.

Please submit your CV to [email protected] along with your reasons for wanting this role. Closing date for applications is Saturday 16th October. Successful applicants must be available to attend auditions 20th-22nd October & training 25th -27th November.

Job Roles:

ENTRANCE KIOSK
The first face customers see. Happy and welcoming with good organisational skills.
Jobs: Greeting and information, ticket scanning, distribution of tickets and tokens, story-telling and communication with platform elves.

GROTTOS
Part of a 5 elf team with Santa. Energetic and organised.
Jobs: Keeping Santa’s Grotto magical as well as clean and tiday! Helping customers safely board and disembark the train. Queue management, entertaining families while they wait by leading games, story-telling, running Christmas craft, singing and dancing. Organising and distributing presents for children, helping Santa. Full engagement with families.

ICE-CREAM VAN
Friendly and very organised. Café experience preferred.
Jobs: Running of the van. Making ice-creams & waffles. Selling drinks and snacks, cashing up. Keeping the van clean and tidy and stocked.

HOLLY HUT – HOT DRINKS & INFORMATION POINT
Friendly and very organised. Café experience preferred.
Jobs: Preparing and serving hot drinks, keeping the area incredibly clean. Giving information about train times, puppet shows etc.

TOY SHOP
A new role this year. Responsible and Confident.
Jobs: Running of the toy shop. Selling toys & decorations as well as talking to customers. Restocking and making sure the shop always looks its best.

ASSISTANT TO MRS. CLAUS
Responsible and Hardworking.
Jobs: Helping Mrs Claus run the post office which includes helping children write their letters to Santa. Looking after Mrs Claus and running the post office in her absence.

PIAZZA PERFORMER
Acting skills required.
Jobs: Story-telling and performing. Entertaining and interacting with families, performing set pieces.

PLATFORM
Organised with good communication and performance skills.
Jobs: Getting passengers safely boarded and disembarked from the train. Keeping everything running on time, in charge of the clock and schedule. Cleaning in between trains. Entertaining the boarded passengers and hyping up the energy to get everyone excited to see Santa. Managing late families, ticket confusions, liaising with the Kiosk elf.

CAPTAIN (4-5 days a week. preference for 18+)
Management role. Organised, leadership skills.
Jobs: In control of the team at the Grotto. In charge of assigning daily roles, costumes for all the team, organising breaks, overseeing entire grottos clean routine as well as performing one of the Grotto roles. Making sure all elves are working and all customers are happy. Keeping daily reports of elves performances. Assisting the Head Elf with weekly rotas.

PUPPET SHOW
Part of a performance team; theatre experience preferred but not required
Jobs: Performing learned routine puppet show on the hour every hour. You will operate the hand puppets (training provided). Also in charge of keeping puppet theatre clean and tidy, helping seat audiences and support the main actor.

PANTO PERFORMER
Theatre performance required. Children’s entertainment / Panto experience preferred.
Fun and energetic, confident performer.
Jobs: Performing a pre-scripted show on the hour for 25 mins every hour. (The Puppets will take up 10-15 minutes of this time). You will host the show and engage with the crowd and then perform for the audience along with the puppets this involves getting children to engage with you as well as performing a set piece. Will rehearse with puppeteers and director the week before opening.

Working on The Santa Express was so enjoyable. It is great on my CV and to have Oakfield Park as a referee has really helped me to get placement during my studies. I would recommend it to anyone.

Elf from The Class of 2020

Oakfest 2022

Donegal’s family friendly festival will return this year on 10th & 11th September with a fantastic line-up of acts, great food and drink and entertainment for all.
The Undertones will be headlining with a Headlined this year by legendary Derry band, The Undertones; supported by dynamic folk orchestra No Crows featuring Steve Wickham from The Waterboys and one of Ireland’s best-known singers and performers Lisa Lambe; super entertainer Rory and the Island returns; fresh off a new album and signed to LA label Beverly Martel, Rowan make their first appearance at Oakfest; on the back of a 2019 Oakfest set and multiple UK tours, Makings return; classic rock outfit Ol’ Times make their Oakfest debut; back by popular demand and with a two year collection of new material, the amazing Sheerbuzz are back and Ballybofey Singer/Songwriter Tommy Bonner (aka StrawMan) caps of a fantastic day of music.
We are beyond delighted to announce that, in conjunction with event sponsor Emerald Guitars, a second day is being added to Oakfest 2022 at no extra cost! This is a gift to everyone in a difficult year, to anyone who already has a ticket and to those still to purchase some of the last remaining.
Yes that’s correct, an extra day at NO EXTRA CHARGE!
Local, but internationally renowned bespoke guitar creators, Emerald Guitars has assembled a line-up with acts that play their instruments, and it’s not a small addition – rather an entire second day of music, food, drink, train rides and entertainment to double the original bill.
Tickets for what is now a two-day event cost only €30 for adults and €15 for children (4-16 years old) while children aged 3 and under go free and don’t require a ticket for this family friendly event. To get your tickets before they’re gone, visit www.oakfieldpark.com/oakfest or www.ticketmaster.ie

Oakfest 2022: Frequently Asked Questions

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• How do I get to Oakfest?
Oakfest takes place at Oakfield Park, Raphoe, County Donegal on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th September 20. Please see directions to Oakfield Park on our website.
https://www.oakfieldpark.com/information/

• Shuttle bus will be available to and from Letterkenny
Coach will leave McCafferty’s Bar Letterkenny and 1.30pm on Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th September. Bus will return from Oakfield Park at 10.30pm. Please confirm your name and how many people you would like to reserve a space for by emailing [email protected]. Bus is €7.50 return per person.

• Is Car Parking available? 
Please note Car parking is available on site. All vehicles to be removed by 10.45pm on Saturday and Sunday.

• Will the gardens be open as normal for non-ticketholders?
No, during ticketed events here in Oakfield Park, tickets must be presented on arrival to enter. The same applies during The Santa Express.

• What time does Oakfest start?
Gates open at 2pm on Saturday and Sunday, music begins at 2pm on Saturday and 2.20pm on Sunday.
Gates close at 10.30pm.

• Do I have to print my ticket?
Tickets will be scanned on arrival. Please print in advance or have available to scan from mobile phone. If you leave during the day please ensure your hand is stamped if re-entry is required. Weekend ticket holders will be issued with a wristband.

• Will the train be running at Oakfest?
The train will run on both days. Price is €7 for adults and €5 for children.

• Can I bring food or drink into the event?
No food or drink can be brought into the event. Please be aware that security will search everyone upon entry. There will be a fully licensed bar and food will be available onsite.

• Is there an ATM?
There will not be an ATM onsite. Card payment can be taken at every pay point.

• Are there baby changing facilities onsite?
Yes.

• Can I bring a chair?
Yes folding chairs are permitted but cannot be used inside tents.

• Can I bring my dog to Oakfest?
No, dogs are not permitted with the exception of assistance dogs.

• Are camping/campervan/caravan facilities available?
Overnight camping is not available at Oakfest, it is a day festival only and all vehicles must be removed by 10.45pm.

• Are there any age limits?
No, there is no age limit and everyone is welcome. Oakfest offers a range of family focused activities over the course of the two days. ID may be requested for bar purchases. Under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult.

Oakfest will proceed regardless of weather conditions so come prepared!
PLEASE DO NOT BRING: alcohol, glass objects, umbrellas, blades/scissors, razors, any animals, drones, BBQs, fireworks, flares.
Security staff will be present at the event and reserve the right refuse entry and to search bags and confiscate food and drink where appropriate.

Photography
All sound and moving or still picture rights including, without limitation, on the Internet, vest exclusively with the organisers of Oakfest at Oakfield Park and any material filmed or recorded at the Event may only be used for the personal, non-profit making enjoyment of amateurs. By entering the venue, Ticket Holders consent to being photographed, filmed or recorded as visitors attending the Event, and consent to the image or recording of them being used in future marketing material for the Event, or their sponsors.

Santa Express 2022: Frequently Asked Questions

The Santa Express in Oakfield Park is the most famous festive event in the northwest that everyone will love, both young and old.

A Magical Christmas Experience on a Real Santa Train for all the Family. An experience that will create forever memories and the most precious moments to cherish with your family.

Prior to your arrival we are here to answer any questions you might have: 

How do I get to The Santa Express?

Please see directions to Oakfield Park on our website.
https://www.oakfieldpark.com/information/

Is disabled car parking available?

Yes in the main carpark. State requirement on arrival and you will be directed to the correct parking area.

What age is the Santa Express suitable for?

The Santa Express is suitable for all ages and for all the family.

How long does the event last?

Please allow up to 2 hours to fit everything in. However once you purchase a particular date, you can come anytime during opening hours and stay for as long as you wish.

There are only 3 in my group – which compartment should I book?

You will need to book a compartment of 4 as this is our smallest compartment. However, we suggest that you bring someone along to fill your carriage as get maximum value. The same applies for a family of seven – you should book two four person compartments, and you can bring along up to eight people.

If myself or a member of my group becomes can’t make the event, will I be refunded?

No unfortunately not, tickets are non-refundable. However, up to 24 hours prior to your arrival you can change the name on your booking via your universe login.

What happens if I am late and miss my train?

You must arrive AT LEAST 15 mins prior to train departure. If you miss your train we cannot allow for late arrivals due to pre booked schedules.

When is the event?

The event runs from 30th November until 23rd December 2022 although there are a few days off during December. Some days are longer than others with the first train either at 12.00 midday or 4.30pm.

What if I book an early time slot?

We recommend is that for early bookings, you arrive 15-30 minutes before your train time and do the other activities and get something to eat after at your leisure.

What if I book a later evening time slot?

For later evening bookings, we recommend that you arrive over an hour before your train time to fit in puppet shows and games before your train journey so that you’re ready to go after the train takes you back to the station.

Can I bring food or drink into the event?

No food or drink can be brought into the event, with the exception of baby food. There will be a fully licensed Bar and Restaurant and Ice Cream van onsite onsite.

Is there an ATM?

There will not be an ATM onsite. Card & €/£ cash payment accepted.

Are there baby changing facilities on site?

Yes, in the toilet block in the piazza.

We can’t wait for another magical Christmas experience at Oakfield Park. Set your reminders for Monday 29th August at 10am and get excited for the biggest Christmas event in the north west.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR TICKETS

Teddy Bears’ Picnic – Tuesday 30th August 2022

On Tuesday August 30th our popular Teddy Bears’ Picnic returns. This famous event is one of most popular and we can’t wait to welcome you & your teddy bears!
Join us anytime between 12-5pm. Bring your teddy & meet the Oakfield bears, Peppa Pig, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, and friends.
There will be outdoor games, crafts, gummy bear hunts, nature walks, and train rides all day long.
You can bring your own picnic, eat in Buffers indoors and outdoors, enjoy treats from the Ice-cream van or purchase one of our pre-made picnic packs for €8 on the day.
The Teddy Bear Hospital is back again, where you can put your teddy through all our tests including the amazing TED-X scanner and receive a health certificate for your teddy!
No pre booking required. Normal gate fees apply.

Teddy Bears’ Picnic – Friday 12th August 2022

Teddy Bears’ Picnic returns to Oakfield Park this Friday 12th August.

Bring your teddies, enjoy a picnic, and spend a day in the sunshine at Oakfield Park. It is sure to be another fabulous day for all the family.

Picnic boxes will be available to purchase on the day also and Robinsons Ice Cream Van will be open to keep everyone cool throughout the day.

This time, a special teddy puppet show will be live at the castle every 30 minutes and the Teddy Hospital will be open with an X-ray machine & certificates for all the healthy teddies.

Head off on a bear hunt through the gardens and if you’re successful claim your gummy bears from Grandma’s House.

Trains will be running throughout the day and there will be games and crafts for everyone.

Peppa Pig, Tiger, Winnie The Pooh & others will be here on the day.

So, save the date. We can’t wait to see everyone’s teddies and to create some special summer memories with you all.

No booking required. Normal gate fees apply.

Arrive anytime between 11am and 6pm. See you then!