The Ultimate guide to Christmas events in the North of England
Updated: Nov 22, 2022
The festive season isn't too far away and there are already loads of events you can book. This year I think is going to be the last year that Elliot truly believes. He is 10 now so we will be visiting as many events as we possibly can and making it extra special for all of the boys. It is great to see so many fab events back on again and I hope they are still going ahead closer to the time.
I have scoured the internet, read magazines and hunted high and low to find as many different events for you all as I could. I will also be keeping an eye out for any attractions that have yet to announce anything and as soon as they do I will add the event to this post.
(If you are an attraction and I don't have your event listed, please email with the details)
For more great ideas, check us out on Facebook, Instagram or twitter
Christmas 2022
North East Events
What is it? Festive fun along Stockton High Street including:
Launch and Christmas Lights Switch-On – Thursday 24 November
Christmas Market – Thursday 1 December – Sunday 4 December
Christmas Lantern Parade – Sunday 4 December
Where is it? Stockton Hight Street from 5.30pm 24th November
Cost? Free
FREE Christmas events at Royal Quays
What is is it? A series of festive events at Royal Quays, including a Reindeer Parade, Late night Santa meet & Greet, The Gruffalo meet & greet, Alpaca petting zoo and the chance to visit Santa at Garden World. Various dates from 3rd - 23rd December.
Where is it? Royal Quays Outlet and Independent Centre, Coble Dene, North Shields. NE29 6DW
Cost? FREE
Santa at Jingle Bell Square
What is it? Join Santa as he shares tales from the North Pole about his workshop and what the reindeer get up to.
Where is it? South Shields Museum 3rd & 10th December
Cost? £7.50 per child. Each child will receive a gift
What is it? The Last Snowflake – a 50-minute show targeted at under 7’s.
Where is it? The Customs House
Cost? From £12
What is it? Santa's favourite Elf, Glitterberry will be making a very special visit to the Museum
Where is it? South Shields Museum 17th December
Cost? £7.50 per child. Each child will receive a gift.
What is it? Rides, Attractions, Market, Street food, Ice skating and more.
Where is it? Newcastle Racecourse, 17th November - 24th December
Cost? Prices vary, for a family of 4 £20. Extra costs for Ice skating, rides etc
White Christmas - Sunderland *Please head to the bottom of this guide for Panto*
What is it? A festive family friendly Musical
Where is it? Sunderland Empire
Cost? Tickets start from £13 each
The Snowman including Shaun The Sheep: The flight before Christmas
What is it? Presented by Carrot Productions – the world's leading performers of The Snowman film with live orchestra you can sit back and watch this all time classic with the whole family. We saw this last year and it was absolutely fantastic.
Where is it? Durham Cathedral, 21st December
Cost? Tickets start from £16.50
A Christmas Carol
What is it? Charles Dickens’ classic ghost story is brought alive in this wonderfully traditional production, complete with beautiful period costume, song, dance, and a magnificent original musical score
Where is it? Durham Cathedral, 13th December
Cost? Family of 4 £54
What is it? An all day Outdoor Christmas Experience
Where is it? Hardwick Hall, 3rd December - 23rd December
Cost? £162 for 2 Adults & 2 kids
What is it? Loads of festive activities, indoors and outdoors, including Santa’s grotto, story telling with Father Christmas, festive crafts with Mrs Claus, reindeer food making, elves sweet shop and toy shop, festive barrel ride, letter writing to Father Christmas, and festive food and drinks in the Hungry Monk Café. Running Thursday - Sunday in December.
Where is it? Monk Park Farm, Near Thirsk
Cost? from £7.95
What is it? Enjoy a festive 2 mile carriage ride with hot drinks and a cupcake.
Where is it? South Causey Inn
Cost? £100 per carriage from 3rd December
What is it? Food, Santa, Live music & Entertainment
Where is it? South Causey Inn 24th December
Cost? £35 per adult, £25 per child this includes a full festive lunch, entertainment and Santa
What is it? Illuminated Trail
Where is it? Beamish Hall From 11th November
Cost? £8 each
What is it? Enjoy Beamish decorated for Christmas with activities running throughout
Where is it? Beamish Museum 26th November- 24th December
Cost? Included in your annual pass (All tickets last the full year)
*Christmas evenings is now sold out*
What is it? Enjoy Preston Park's Victorian Street decorated for the festive season, meet the reindeer and visit Santa (Santa tickets need to be pre booked) Also various workshops.
Where is it? Preston Park Museum
Cost? Included in admission ( Santa charges apply)
Oh yes it is! A fairytale Christmas
What is it? Lights, Decorations, Treats , Kids trails and more. This year is Panto themed!
Where is it? Ormesby Hall National Trust from 25th November ( One of my absolute favourites)
Cost? Included in admission price
What is it? Special Screening of festive classic Polar express, with treats and santa
Where is it? St James Park 21st December
Cost? £11.37
Check out the website for more fab events through out the festive season
What is it? Light Trail around Alnwick Garden
Where is it? Alnwick Garden
Cost? TBC
What is it? Enjoys various trails throughout the festive period
Where is it? Raby Castle from 24th November *See the website for more details*
Cost? £17 for a family ticket
*Fireside stories is now sold out*
What is it? Festive tales about nature
Where is it? Northumberlandia 17th December
Cost? £5 per child, Adults - free
What is it? Join Mrs Claus for lots of festive fun including gingerbread decorating, make a tree decoration and lots lots more.
Where is it? Adventure Valley starts on 26th November -17th December weekends only and then 17th - 24th everyday
Cost? £100 for a family of 4
What is it? Listen to a festive story and make a decoration for your Christmas tree. Join in with a singalong and a party game before a snack in the kitchen, then gather in the Central Hall to meet Father Christmas. Capture the special moment with a photo beside the stunning Central Hall Christmas tree and take home a seasonal goodie bag.
Where is it? Wallington Hall NT Starting 2nd December
Cost? Tickets start from £25
What is it? Original live music, puppetry and a tale you thought you knew
Where is it? Arts centre Washington
Cost? £8.50 per ticket
What is it? Meet Santa, Present from Santa for children, Elves workshop - make your own decoration , Santa's Tractor Ride, See the animals in their winter stables, Meet Dasher the talking Reindeer
Where is it? Hall Hill Farm starts 3rd December
Cost? family of 4 £45 (includes a gift from Santa)
Check out these related posts for more ideas
Where to book Lunch, Breakfast & Afternoon tea with Santa 2022
What is it? Lantern Parade
Where is it? Durham Market Place 3rd December
Cost? £5.50 Per lantern
What is it? Festive markets and entertainment
Where is it? Durham Palace green 2nd-4th December
Cost? £3.50
What is it? A magical festive even. Full programme will be released soon
Where is it? Bishop Auckland Christmas Town 18th November - 20th November
Cost? TBC
What is it? Meet Santa in his magical grotto, live entertainment, lots of crafts and more.
Where is it? Head Of Steam Darlington 11 December
Cost? Adults £4 Kids £8
What is it? Enchanting puppet adaptation of Oliver Jeffers' best-selling picture book
Where is it? Hullabaloo Darlington 2nd - 24th December
Cost? Prices start from £9
What is it? Meet Santa & The Donkeys
Where is it? Plants Plus, Blagdon
Cost? Free to see the donkeys, Santa Grotto tickets are chargeable
What is it? Beginners Christmas Bear Making workshop
Where is it? Lanchester Garden Centre (One for the older children)
Cost? £55
Santa's Enchanted Garden Grotto
What is it? Visit Santa, Crafts,
Where is it? Lanchester Garden Centre
Cost? £12.95 per child ( Santa is fully Makaton & SEN Trained)
Festive woodland Decorations Forest School
What is it? Enjoy a themed story, create a variety of festive woodland decorations, go on a festive trail and finish off with marshmallows round the fire
Where is it? Lanchester Garden Centre
Cost? £13.95 per child
What is it? Enjoy a delicious breakfast and fireside story complete with a visit from father christmas
Where is it? Lanchester Garden Centre
Cost? £21.95 per child, £13.95 per adult (includes breakfast)
What is it? An evening of dancing and music. Suitable for older children
Where is it? The Great North Hancock Museum
Cost? £8 per person
What is it? Fun filled Disco!
Where is it? George Washington, Washington
Cost? Adult Price: £20.00 | Children's Price: £15.00 | Under 3's go free Includes food, disco & visit to Santa
What is it? Elf school, Santa visit and food
Where is it? George Washington Hotel, Washington
Cost? Adult Price: £20.00 | Child's Price: £15.00 | Under 3's go free
Includes food, activities and Santa visit
What is it? Walking nativity from Newcastle central to Newcastle Cathedral
Where is it? Newcastle Cathedral, starts at central station 16th December 5pm
Cost? Donations welcome
What is it? Illuminated Elf village, Santa, Look out for the gr..gr..GRINCH! Lots more.
Where is it? Holmeside Park
Cost? Various
What is it? Festive Family Film Day
Children are encouraged to come in their most festive Xmas Jumpers to watch The Santa Clause with all the family.
Hotdog & Sweet snacks provided.
Where is it? Nissan sport & leisure complex
Cost? £18 for family of 4
What is it? Children can create their ideal pizza before handing them over to our Santa-chef to cook in our stone bake oven
Where is it? Holiday Inn - Jesmond
Cost? Kids £14.50 Adults £10
What is it? Visit Santa in his Festive Forest experience! Santa's elves will guide you through the forest where your little one will get the chance to decorate a Christmas cookie before they meet the big man himself
Where is it? MetroCentre
Cost? £5 per child £3.50 per adult
Journey Through Santa's Workshop
What is it? A journey through a magical trail to meet Santa
Where is it? Redfox Garden Centre
Cost? £19.99 per child
What is it? Self Lead Trail
Where is it? Botanic Garden Durham
Cost? Normal Admission costs
What is it? Enjoy the festive decorations featuring 30k flowers
Where is It? Auckland Castle
Cost? £35 for family of 5
What is it? Interactive show and meet Santa on the train
Where is it? Stephensons Railway
Cost? Prices from £21 (Not many tickets left)
For more great ideas, check us out on Facebook, Instagram or twitter
Don't forget to bookmark/save this post to come back too. I will be regularly updating this post right up until Christmas.
If you are holding a Christmas Market/fair please get in touch and I will add your event (Free of charge) Kelly@northeastfamilyadventures.comor add your event here
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Check out these related posts for more ideas
Where to book Lunch, Breakfast & Afternoon tea with Santa 2022