Magical Christmas Light Trails Across the North East and Yorkshire
These special trails will light up the dark nights this winter
Yorkshire Winter Illuminations
18TH NOVEMBER–8TH JANUARY
Stockeld Park, Wetherby
stockeldpark.co.uk
Stockeld Park’s winter illuminations see the park’s Enchanted Forest transform into a winter wonderland complete with effects, soundscape and animated installations throughout almost a mile of woodland. While you’re there, why not get lost in the illuminated Snowflake Maze, an eight-foot high labyrinth that’s the largest evergreen maze in Yorkshire, made with 2,000 of Stockeld Park’s yew trees.
RHS Glow
21ST NOVEMBER–28TH DECEMBER
RHS Harlow Carr
rhs.org.uk
RHS Harlow Carr is having another glow up this festive season when its light trail returns. From dazzling lights hung from the trees to a spectacular water feature, a kaleidoscope of colour will offer perfect photos opportunities. Warm up with a mulled wine or hot chocolate while you walk.
Scarborough Lights
15TH NOVEMBER–22ND DECEMBER
Scarborough
scarboroughfair.uk
Following a successful first event last year, Scarborough Lights is back. This year it will bring free and affordable light shows, installations and community activities to the coast, both indoors and outdoors. Don’t miss the Peasholm Island Illumination and, new for this year, guests mustn’t miss seeing the Victorian Rose Garden transform into a display of fire and light.
Northern Lights
21ST NOVEMBER–31ST DECEMBER
Temple Newsam, Leeds
northernlightsleeds.com
A new addition to Yorkshire’s light trails is Northern Lights, crafted by world leading lighting designers and complete with a Christmas Village with food, drink and music. Expect illuminated walkways, laser lights, lanterns and sparkling sculptures along this route.
Winter Illuminations: Light & Lantern Festival
THROUGHOUT WINTER
Yorkshire Wildlife Park
yorkshirewildlifepark.com
Explore Yorkshire Wildlife Park after dark when 3km of lights and lanterns will shine bright. This year’s theme is Around The World In 80 Days, so prepare for an adventure. Hop aboard the hot air balloon and enjoy an illuminated trail that’ll transport you across continents. Visitors can also look forward to fairground rides and selfie spots throughout this walkabout experience.
Illuminate
29TH NOVEMBER–21ST DECEMBER
Burnby Hall Gardens, Pocklington
burnbyhallgardens.com
This is your opportunity to see Burnby Hall Gardens’ lakes and trees like never before. This year, the Stewarts Trust (who run Burnby Hall Gardens and Museum) are celebrating their Diamond Jubilee with the opportunity to see the gardens illuminated at night for the first time in their 60-year history.
Saltaire Living Advent Calendar
FROM 1ST DECEMBER
Throughout Saltaire
visitbradford.com
Last year, 15 businesses and community buildings were illuminated from 1st December as part of the Saltaire Living Advent Calendar, and we’re looking forward to its return this year. Window designs remain a secret until they are revealed at 4pm on their light-up date, but you can expect to see festive scenes and Saltire-inspired artworks. An interactive online map will be available for those who can’t attend in person.
Light Up
7TH–30TH NOVEMBER
Wakefield, Castleford, Pontefract and Ossett
experiencewakefield.co.uk
Light Up is back with illuminations taking over Wakefield District. The installations are inspiring, including Sentinel by Studio Vertigo – drawing on Wakefield’s coal mining heritage, it’s inspired by the wings of a canary. Don’t forget to browse the festive markets too.
‘Otherham’ Winter Light Festival
24TH–26TH JANUARY
Rotherham Town Centre
fluxrotherham.org.uk
As part of the year-long celebration of the borough becoming the world’s first Children’s Capital of Culture, Rotherham will host a free Winter Light Festival from Friday 24th to Sunday 26th January. The festival will feature a captivating trail of projection installations across the town centre, inspired by the creative and inventive storytelling of the borough’s young residents, that will transform the Rotherham town into a reimagined world like never before. Discover a place where stone walls become portals, where you can order the weather with your coffee, and where kindness arrives on butterfly wings. This is Otherham! This extraordinary vision will come to life with the help of children and young people, the local community, partner organisations and local businesses.
AGLOW
22ND NOVEMBER–31ST DECEMBER (CLOSED 25TH DECEMBER)
Auckland Palace
aucklandproject.org
AGLOW returns to Auckland Palace this winter with 20 incredible illuminations along a 1.5 mile trail in the Palace’s gardens and grounds. AGLOW also has the longest outdoor light tunnel in the country, the largest cut Christmas tree in the North of England and Santa’s Village, where live performances can be enjoyed. Festive food and drinks are also available along the route.
Winter Woodland
6TH–22ND DECEMBER
Sewerby Hall and Gardens
sewerbyhall.co.uk
Sewerby’s Winter Woodland returns this Christmas with a new display of lights, sounds and special effects including Gingerbread Lane and a picture-perfect light tunnel. Children will meet festive characters along the way and will be recruited to try and rescue Christmas. Inside the house, which will also light up, will be an exhibition exploring the origin of the family favourite fairy tale: Puss in Boots. New this year, don’t miss the eight foot gingerbread men lights.
Sunderland Festival of Light
25TH OCTOBER–24TH NOVEMBER
Mowbray Park
mysunderland.co.uk
Expect a laser garden, giant glitter ball, sparkling light projections and displays galore at Sunderland Festival of Light. New attractions will join old favourites to immerse visitors in colour and brighten dark nights in Mowbray Park, with a selection of food and drink available too.
Northern Lights Newcastle
22ND NOVEMBER–31ST DECEMBER
Leazes Park
northernlightsnewcastle.com
Newcastle’s oldest city park will once again host a spectacular light trail, with 15 installations. See the lake lit up against St James’ Park, and admire the laser garden and North Star installation in the park’s gazebo. There’ll be marshmallow toasting along the route, and a Christmas Village serving delicious street food and drinks.
Stockton Sparkles
28TH NOVEMBER–8TH DECEMBER
Stockton High Street
teesvalley-ca.gov.uk
Christmas spirit will return to Stockton this winter with their festive light trail. Alongside the lights will be a Victorian Christmas fair, market and Santa experiences with festive singalongs and storytelling. On the 8th, there’ll be a lantern parade through the streets to mark the end of the event.
The Glittering North
31ST OCTOBER, THEN 1ST–3RD NOVEMBER
Raby Castle
raby.co.uk
Raby Castle’s never-before-seen celebration of the region’s Norse and Viking heritage is here, brought to life with impressive illuminations and puppets. Begin in the Walled Gardens with the Trail of the North, where visitors step into a magical world of mythology. Tales of folklore and myth will be told in the Riding School and the Dutch Barn will host folk musicians and dazzling fire performers. The Vinery will be serving food and hot drinks throughout the evening, and the Coach House’s recently opened retail space will offer late night shopping.
Spirit of Christmas Twilight Lantern Trail
WEEKENDS BETWEEN 30TH NOVEMBER AND 15TH DECEMBER, THEN DAILY 21ST–29TH DECEMBER (CLOSED 24TH–25TH DECEMBER)
Cragside
nationaltrust.org.uk
Experience a sparkling adventure through the Debden Valley this Christmas as you carry a lantern through the glowing trees at Cragside. Follow the route, spotting woodland animals hiding in the foliage on your way to the Iron Bridge, where the gloriously illuminated house makes a spectacular backdrop. End the trail at the UK’s tallest living Christmas tree, standing at a mammoth 42 metres, which will be decked out in more than 2,000 lights.
Winter Lights at Lilidorei and The Alnwick Garden
20TH NOVEMBER–1ST JANUARY
The Alnwick Garden
alnwickgarden.com
Bigger than ever, Winter Lights is back. Across both The Alnwick Garden and Lilidorei, an ambient light and sound experience will immerse visitors in the Christmas spirit. There’ll also be artisan food vendors, indulgent hot chocolate and festive tipples, and a Christmas Wonderland with Father Christmas, alongside his elves and reindeers.
Cullercoats Community Advent
THROUGHOUT DECEMBER
Cullercoats
facebook.com/cullercoatscommunityadvent
Cullercoats Community Advent is unlike any of the other light trails in the North East. Throughout December, residents will unveil light displays in their windows and gardens in the style of a living advent calendar. Visitors can simply follow the map through the streets to enjoy the lights, which will be lit each evening. The best part? It’s completely free to visit.
Forest of Light
VARIOUS DATES THROUGHOUT NOVEMBER, DECEMBER AND JANUARY
Beamish Hall
beamish-hall.co.uk
Set in the magical, ancient woodland of Beamish Hall, this light trail has specially commissioned pieces so you know you won’t find anything like it anywhere else. After exploring, tuck into a hearty meal at The Stables restaurant or warm up with a decadent hot chocolate.
