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  • Writer's pictureKelly

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


Stockton Sparkles

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


The Last Snowflake

What is it? The Last Snowflake – a 50-minute show targeted at under 7’s.

Where is it? The Customs House

Cost? From £12


Elf At Jingle Bell Square

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.


Winter Wonderland - Newcastle

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


Believe!

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


Christmas at Monk Park Farm

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


Christmas Carriage Rides

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


Christmas Eve Family Funday

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


Forest Of Lights

What is it? Illuminated Trail

Where is it? Beamish Hall From 11th November

Cost? £8 each


Christmas Daytimes

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*


Victorian Christmas

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


Polar express experience

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


Light Trail

What is it? Light Trail around Alnwick Garden

Where is it? Alnwick Garden

Cost? TBC


12 days of Christmas Trail

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*


Festive Stories

What is it? Festive tales about nature

Where is it? Northumberlandia 17th December

Cost? £5 per child, Adults - free


Winter Wonderland

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


Father Christmas Experience

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

Three bears at Christmas

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


Santa & Reindeer visits

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

Christmas Markets 2022

Pantos North East 2022

Where to book Lunch, Breakfast & Afternoon tea with Santa 2022


Christmas Lantern Parade

What is it? Lantern Parade

Where is it? Durham Market Place 3rd December

Cost? £5.50 Per lantern


Christmas Festival

What is it? Festive markets and entertainment

Where is it? Durham Palace green 2nd-4th December

Cost? £3.50


Christmas Town

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


Santa At the Station

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


How to catch a star

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


Meet Santa & The Donkeys

What is it? Meet Santa & The Donkeys

Where is it? Plants Plus, Blagdon

Cost? Free to see the donkeys, Santa Grotto tickets are chargeable



Christmas Bear Workshop

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


Fireside story & breakfast

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)


Christmas Ceilidh

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


Disco with Elves

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


Elf Workshops

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


Walking Nativity

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


Christmas Adventure

What is it? Illuminated Elf village, Santa, Look out for the gr..gr..GRINCH! Lots more.

Where is it? Holmeside Park

Cost? Various


Festive Family Film Day

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


Pizza Making with Santa

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


Santa Festive Forest

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


Winter Wonderland

What is it? Self Lead Trail

Where is it? Botanic Garden Durham

Cost? Normal Admission costs


Deck The Halls

What is it? Enjoy the festive decorations featuring 30k flowers

Where is It? Auckland Castle

Cost? £35 for family of 5


Elf Express

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

Christmas Markets 2022

Pantos North East 2022

Where to book Lunch, Breakfast & Afternoon tea with Santa 2022




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