Festive Events Across the North East
This is Living North's ultimate guide to Christmas
See Santa
Step into a world of magic where children can meet Santa throughout the festive season in his free grotto. Better still, there’s no need to book, just turn up from 10am-4pm at weekends from 23rd November to meet the main man.
Santa’s Grotto
FROM 23RD NOVEMBER
Manor Walks, Cramlington
manorwalks.co.uk
Ho Ho Hopetown
At almost midnight on Christmas eve, Santa has steamed into Hopetown Darlington on Locomotion No.1 for a rest. But his reindeer have escaped! Can you find them? Explore the Carriage Works (which is, for now, a forest of magical trees and woodland creatures). Your little elves will hunt for clues and (hopefully) find all the reindeer so Santa can deliver all his presents.
Christmas At The Carriage Works:Enchanted Forest Reindeer Trail
26TH NOVEMBER–31ST DECEMBER
Hopetown Darlington
hopetowndarlington.co.uk
Oh Deer
On Dasher on Dancer, Prancer and Vixen, on Comet, Cupid, Donner and…lastly Blitzen. Bottom of the pile, last in the song, Blitzen is a bit wonky and lumpy and different. But this could be Blitzen’s year to shine – to fly on Christmas Eve! Blitzen leaves the North Pole to travel to the South Pole but a storm causes a reroute to the Toon. This wintry play will make your kids laugh out loud.
Blitzen on the Tyne
7TH–22ND DECEMBER
Live Theatre, Newcastle
live.org.uk
Starry Eyed
Young Explorers at Kielder Observatory encourages young scientists to explore all things space related. Your family will discover the large aperture robotic telescopes, learn about how they work and stand on a piece of Mars. Young Explorers is aimed at all ages from seven years and upwards, and your children will love this unique event.
Young Explorers
THROUGHOUT DECEMBER
Kielder Observatory
kielderobservatory.org
Merry & Bright
Immerse yourself in festive splendour as Auckland Palace opens its doors for a special new Christmas event. With 12 decorated rooms, including the State Rooms, St Peter’s Chapel and the Bishops’ Apartments, Christmas at the Palace allows visitors to enjoy the remarkable interiors, complete with stunning artworks and furnishings, transformed with a touch of Christmas magic. The event also features a unique 18th-century Neapolitan Nativity scene – one of the most impressive and important examples outside Italy.
Christmas at The Palace
15TH NOVEMBER–31ST DECEMBER
Auckland Palace, Bishop Auckland
aucklandproject.org
Oh, Christmas Lights
Combining two of the best things about Christmas, Trinity Square will host the award-winning, panto-themed Christmas light switch on. Winners of The Voice 2023 HUNNI will headline the show, which will be hosted by singer Lewis Denny and actor Charlie Richmond. There’ll also be surprise special guests throughout the night, and all proceeds will go to Tiny Lives and the Special Care Baby Unit at the RVI.
Trinity Square Christmas Light Switch On
21ST NOVEMBER
Trinity Square, Gateshead
trinitysquaregateshead.co.uk
Christmas Creations
Step in from the cold and enjoy an entire day of seasonal activities and exhibitions at Baltic. Embrace the winter season with gingerbread decorating, talks, tours and stories across five floors. A visit to Baltic Shop and their pop-up artist shop, Happy Mart, will guarantee a Christmas present or two ticked off the list. Endless Love Creative will have more than 60 stalls of independent makers selling prints, ceramics, textiles, jewellery and more. Take a moment to visit ‘Heartwood’ on Level 5, where the spirit of Sycamore Gap lives on through a special collection of prints.
Winter Warmer
30TH NOVEMBER
Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead
baltic.art
Going To New Heights
There's only one place to see the UK's tallest living Christmas tree this year – and that's at Cragside. It's twice as tall as the Angel of the North. The 42-metre giant redwood will be dressed in more than 2,000 lights and the house has been enchanted by the spirits of the forest, with foliage and woodland animals throughout. Follow the Twilight Lantern Walk for an extra festive experience.
Christmas at Cragside: Spirits of the Forest
30TH NOVEMBER–5TH JANUARY
Cragside
nationaltrust.org.uk
Hark the Herald Angels
Ushaw’s brand new, angel-themed indoor festive art trail is on display, with new artworks and installations throughout the buildings and chapels. The Main House will be also be beautifully adorned with classic Christmas decorations, enhancing the festive feel. Alongside the trail there’ll be a handmade Christmas gift fair, a programme of Christmas carols during December, screenings of The Snowman with a live orchestra, wholesome workshops including festive wreath making and willow workshops and an opportunity for the little ones to meet the man himself, Father Christmas.
Christmas at Ushaw
NOVEMBER & DECEMBER
Ushaw Historic House, Chapels & Gardens
ushaw.org
Bel-Sleigh
Belsay Hall have a whole range of festivities to enjoy this winter. Get crafty at wreath-making workshops using natural materials from the gardens, and take care of gift shopping at their Christmas fair, filled with unique gifts and seasonal treats. Children can also meet Father Christmas – he’ll tell a seasonal story around the Christmas tree, before giving each child a traditional gift. There’ll be festive songs and hot drinks throughout, too.
Festive Fun at Belsay Hall
NOVEMBER & DECEMBER
Belsay Hall
english-heritage.org.uk
Christmas at the Castle
Enjoy a tour of Newcastle Castle this winter solstice. After the castle doors close, you'll explore the halls and passages to discover this building's secrets, stories and legends then head to the roof of the keep, following refreshments, to enjoy the spectacular views over the city.
Medieval Christmas Evening Tours
21ST DECEMBER
Newcastle Castle
newcastlecastle.co.uk
Walking In The Air
The Royal Northern Sinfonia will be bring this festive favourite to life with conductor Ellie Slorach and presenter Eleanor Mooney. They’ll play the much-loved soundtrack to the family film The Snowman and the musical story In the Swamp by the Light of the Moon, composed especially for The Glasshouse.
The Snowman in Concert
22ND–24TH DECEMBER
The Glasshouse International Centre For Music, Gateshead
theglasshouseicm.org
Woven in Winter
Take a short stroll down to the bridge below Farfield Mil to be inspired by the shapes and patterns around you then return to the workroom and explore how to capture what you’ve seen through weaving. Experienced weavers might like to try blending, hatching and transparency. Plus, don’t miss the Murmuration tapestry exhibition for more inspiration. This workshop is suitable for beginners and improvers.
A Sense of Movement in Woven Tapestry: Anna Wetherell
24TH NOVEMBER
Farfield Mill, Sedbergh
farfieldmill.org
What a Drag
Looking for a festive drag pageant with lip syncs, live vocals and singalongs? This is the show for you this Christmas. Patti Boo Rae will put a Christmassy twist on all the pageant classics, and with a special guest artist each night, no two shows will be the same.
Little Miss Christmas
10TH–21ST DECEMBER
Alphabetti Theatre, Newcastle
alphabettitheatre.co.uk
Mediaeval Magic
The Mediaeval Baebes are bringing ‘The Ceremony’ to Newcastle Cathedral this Christmas. Be part of the ‘Lighting of the Chalice’ as The Mediaeval Baebes’ torch-lit procession winds its way with song and dance to The Cathedral Church of St Nicholas. Bring a drum, a lantern, or dress up and frolic, and enjoy music, dance and theatre.
The Ceremony
19TH DECEMBER
Newcastle Cathedral
mediaevalbaebes.com
