The festive season is almost upon us, and there are plenty of amazing Christmas events for families in the North East to look forward to, including winter wonderlands, light trails, Santa’s Grottos, train rides and more.
Some events tend to book up very quickly (and as you can see below, booking starts early for some!). There’s no need for disappointment if you miss out – we’ll keep on adding to the list so do check back, and you can also find loads of fab activities with no booking needed here.
Details are subject to change, check the latest updates and cancellation policies directly with providers using the links below.
The Alnwick Garden – Winter Light Trail & Grotto
📌 The Alnwick Garden, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 1HB
📆 Selected dates from 27th Nov 2021
❄ A Winter Light Trail with magical light and sound displays, and visit Santa Claus or Father Christmas in the Christmas Grotto and receive the exclusive book “The Forgotten Snowman” and soft toy.
👉 Light Trail: £12.10 pp. Santa’s Grotto: £22.95 pp.
Book here, from 11th Aug for Light Trail & 9am 13th Sep for Grotto (9th Sep for Members).
Beamish Hall – Forest of Light 2021
📌 Beamish Hall, Stanley, Co Durham, DH9 0YB
📆 Selected dates 12th Nov – 31st Dec 2021
❄ A captivating illuminated experience within enchanted ancient woodland, with illuminations, music, interactive props and projections and specially commissioned pieces. Fully accessible to pushchairs and wheelchairs.
👉 Early bird tickets £6 pp (under 1 years free). Book here from 8th August.
Beamish Museum – Christmas Evenings at Beamish
📌 Beamish, Stanley, Co Durham, DH9 0RG
📆 9th, 10th, 16th & 17th Dec 2021
❄ Discover how the festive season was celebrated from the 1820s-1950s, with Punch and Judy shows, reindeer, decorations, scrumptious seasonal food, crafts, music and traditional fairground rides. Separate admission to visit Father Christmas in his Grotto.
👀 Look out for details coming soon for Christmas Daytimes at Beamish, taking place from late November.
👉 Adult: £15. 2-16 years: £10. Grotto (0-16 years): £6. Book here from 10am 22nd Oct.
Beamish Unlimited Passes and Friends of Beamish memberships are not valid for evening events.
Coach & Horses – Enchanted Christmas Farm
📌 Birtley, Gateshead, DH3 1QF
📆 18th Dec 2021, 1-4pm
❄ Visit Santa and meet some of his gorgeous animals. Each child will receive a snack bag and present from Santa. Approx 45 minute time slots per 25 kids, including Santa visit. Events menu available on the day.
👉 £10 per child. Message here to book or enquire at bar.
Fenwick (Newcastle) – Santa Experiences
📌 39 Northumberland Street, Newcastle, NE1 7AS
📆 Selected dates 8th Nov – 24th Dec 2021
❄ Santa on the Rooftop: meet Santa in his magical cabin on the rooftop, help the elves in Santa’s Workshop, followed by hot drinks and treats in Café Claus.
👉 £15pp (under 2s free). Book from 10am Thurs 30th Sep.
❄ Rooftop Cinema: screening a host of festive favourites, with mince pies, mulled wine and treats.
👉 £15pp. Book from 10am Thurs 7th Oct.
❄ Santa’s Breakfast / Supper Club & Santa Sunday: festive dining with Elf entertainment, followed by a rooftop experience with more activities and a visit to Santa’s Cabin.
👉 £26.50-£31.50pp. Book from 10am Thurs 7th Oct.
Booking links will be posted on social pages when released (Facebook here).
Geo Journey Newcastle & Gateshead – Christmas Around The World
📆 Mon 15th Nov 2021, 3.45-5.15pm
St James Church Hall, Burnopfield, Co Durham (ages 2-11)
📆 Fri 10th Dec 2021, 10.30am-1pm
Raven Valley Gym Club, Gateshead (ages 2-5)
📆 Fri 17th Dec 2021, 11.30am-12.30pm
Believe & Be, Consett, Co Durham (ages 2-7)
❄ Get creative and explore Christmas traditions from around the world, with lots of fun festive props. Create your own Nutcracker decoration, Christmas crackers and Poinsettia. Followed by a special storytelling session with Santa, a sing song and a gift for each child.
👉 £12-15 per child. Book here from 3rd Sep.
*Sessions at Raven Valley Gym Club and Believe and Be also include 1.5h play session.
Gibside – Christmas at Gibside
📌 Gibside (National Trust), Rowlands Gill, Burnopfield, Gateshead, NE16 6BG
📆 Selected dates 11th – 30th Dec 2021
❄ Festive after-hours experience with a new illuminated trail amongst the splendour of the Georgian landscape garden, including tunnels of light, giant baubles, fire garden and more
👉 From £13/£18/£58 for Child/Adult/Family ticket. Book here from 16th July.
(children age 3-16, 0-2 years free)
Grainger Market – Santa’s Grotto
📌 Grainger Market, Newcastle, NE1 5QQ
📆 Daily from 15th Nov – 24th Dec 2021
❄ Meet Santa and the elves in his grotto. Maximum visit time 4 min.
👉 £11.37 per child. Book here.
Hall Hill Farm – Santa Weekends
Hall Hill Farm, Lanchester, Durham, DH7 0TA
Selected dates 27th Nov – 23rd Dec 2021
❄ Meet Santa and Dasher the talking Reindeer and receive a present. Look out for more details, in previous years as well as meeting the farm animals, there were Santa’s tractor rides and making decorations in the Elves workshop.
From £11.50/£9.45/£40.50 for Child/Adult/Family ticket. Book here from 7th Sep.
*One free Christmas Visit for Annual Pass Members
Hardwick Hall – BELIEVE Christmas
📌 Hardwick Hall Hotel, Sedgefield, Co. Durham, TS21 2EH
📆 Selected dates 4th – 23rd Dec 2021
❄ A full day outdoor interactive experience with your own elf guide, an elf tipi village, toy workshop, elf school, post office, elf style dance-off, real reindeer, Santa & more.
👉 From £18/£34.50/£36.50 for Toddler/Child/Adult ticket (under 6 months free). Book here from 3rd August.
Haven Point – Santa’s Grotto
📌 Haven Point Leisure Centre, South Shields, South Tyneside, NE33 2JS
📆 Daily from 4th-23rd Dec 2021
❄ Meet Santa and the elves in his grotto right at the heart of the seafront.
👉 FREE, booking essential, look out for updates here.
Holmside Park – Christmas Adventure & Breakfast with Santa
📌 Edmondsley, Chester le Street, Durham, DH7 6EY
📆 Selected dates from 4th-24th Dec 2021
❄ Christmas Adventure with a visit to the Elf Village and Santa’s Grotto, with mischief and games from the Holmside Grinch. Breakfast with Santa on Christmas Eve includes a cooked breakfast with a visit from Santa, then a visit to the woodland Grotto to receive a special gift. All-day park admission with 20+ activities included.
👉 Christmas Adventure: from £7/£15/£22 for Adult/Toddler/Child ticket.
Breakfast with Santa: from £16/£32 for Adult/Child ticket.
Tickets on sale 10am Mon 20th Sep for mailing list subscribers (sign up here, or book here for general release)
Kielder – Winter Wonderland
📌 Kielder Water & Forest Park, Northumberland, NE48 1BT
📆 Weekends 20th Nov – 19th Dec, & Mon 20th-Thurs 23rd Dec 2021
❄ A full day experience packed full of festive activities, including helping Mrs Christmas get ready for Christmas, helping in the elves workshop, walking through the forest to find Father Christmas plus lots more!
👉 From £29.50pp (under 2 years, £5). Book here from 8th July.
Little Movers – Sunday with Santa & Christmas Market
📌 Gateshead International Stadium, Neilson Road, Gateshead, NE10 0EF
📆 Sun 12th Dec 2021, 11am-3pm
❄ 11 AMAZING activities: meet & greets with Santa and with Princesses and Elves, plus Amanda’s Creature Comforts animal handling/experiences, Tiny Tasters, Kalma Life, Drama Tots, LullaBaby Gateshead, Little Movers, Ballers Den, Mini-Ruggers, Little Kickers, Bloom, and a festive Christmas market!
👉 Child: £8. Adult: £2. Book here.
Additional costs for Twilight Creatures and Rainbow Face Painting
Metrocentre – Santa’s Festive Forest
📌 Dunston, Gateshead, NE11 9YG (Upper Green Mall, opposite Boots)
📆 Daily 18th Nov – 24th Dec 2021
❄ Decorate your own Christmas cookies, before visiting Santa and receiving a wrapped gift. Experience lasts approx 15-20 minutes.
👉 Child: £5. Adult £3.50 (siblings under 12 months free without a gift).
Booking recommended to avoid disappointment (also small number of walk-up slots available on weekdays). Book here from 18th Oct.
North Yorkshire Moors Railway – Santa Express 12 Park Street, Pickering, YO18 7AJ Selected dates from 4th – 24th Dec 2021
❄ Festive train journey with stories from Santa’s Helpers and a visit from Santa. Receive a soft toy and NYMR Christmas backpack. Journey lasts approx. 1 hour £26 pp. Book here from 14th Sep.
Popolo Ceramico Gateshead – Christmas Prints Various venues in & around Gateshead Selected dates Nov-Dec 2021
❄ A great chance to create a special keepsake of those little hands and feet on a Christmas bauble – or capture your furry friends paw prints! Also Paint Your Own Decoration session with festive crafts and play. Products will be glazed and fired and will be ready to collect from the venue at a later date.
👉 From £16 per bauble. More info here.
Raby Castle – Christmas Events Staindrop, Darlington, Co. Durham, DL2 3NF Selected dates Nov-Dec 2021
❄ Three fantastic festive events, with Fireside Stories with Father Christmas, The Enchanted Festive Forest Trail and Festive Afternoon Tea, plus a Christmas Market will be held 4th-5th Dec. Enchanted Forest: £2/£5 per Adult/Child.
Afternoon Tea: £25/£15 per Adult/Child.
Fireside Stories: from £22.50 (combined child/adult tickets).
Book here from 25th Aug.
Rainton Arena – Winter Wonderland Mercantile Rd, Houghton le Spring, Sunderland, DH4 5PH Selected dates 26th Nov – 24th Dec 2021
❄ Fairground rides, Santa’s Grotto, ice rink and delicious food and drinks stalls from all around the world. Entry is free, charges apply for rides, grotto visits and ice skating. Plus, family panto Aladdin showing on selected dates, tickets here from £10. Grotto visit from £13 per child. Book here from 29th Aug.
RedFox Gardenworld – A Journey to Santa’s Toyshop Newcastle Road, South Tyneside, NE10 8YS Selected dates from 20th Nov 2021 – tbc
❄ Announcement made 30th Aug that info on the ‘new twist’ for 2021 will be revealed throughout the week. Previous years involved a train journey through a magical wardrobe to an Enchanted Winter Forest, with a host of special characters, toy workshop, Santa’s post office, and Father Christmas. Tickets available online from 11am Mon 6th Sep 2021, look out for updates here.
Road to the North Pole
📌 Vertu Motors Arena, Scotswood Road, Newcastle, NE4 7AF
📆 17 – 24 Dec 2021
❄ An indoor, immersive, walkthrough experience with a variety of activities and performances, high quality scenery and special effects. Join your Elf Tour Guide to visit Mrs Claus for tales of magic and wonder, decorate a Gingerbread Man, help to repair Santa’s Sleigh and more. Approx 90 min experience.
👉 From £24.50 pp. Book here from March.
Round The Twist – Santa’s Grotto North Tyne Industrial Estate, Benton, Newcastle, NE12 9SZ 13th – 24th Dec 2021
❄ Decorate a gingerbread man and Christmas tree decoration and meet Santa Claus in his magical grotto to receive a quality Christmas gift (some larger Christmas gifts will be given out at random such as a games console & more). Entry to soft play and facilities included. Suitable for all ages, on school days there will be extra sensory features for babies and toddlers. From £3/£15 per Adult/Child. Book here from 23rd Aug.
Sunderland Festival of Light Roker Park Road, Sunderland, SR6 9NB 14th Oct-13th Nov 2021 (Thurs-Sun & daily during half term)
❄ Festival of Light held in Roker Park, with a sparkling mix of lighting features old and new. Alongside it, the open-access free Sunderland Illuminations will be lit along the Roker and Seaburn seafront every night from 14th Oct. £3 pp (aged 2 and under free). Book here from 17th Sep.
Tanfield Railway – North Pole Express
📌 Old Marley Hill, Gateshead, NE16 5ET
📆 Selected dates 27th Nov – 24th Dec 2021
❄ An unforgettable Christmas experience aboard the North Pole Express, with a steam train ride from East Tanfield to the North Pole to see Santa Claus in his magical grotto. Includes refreshments and children receive a small gift and a North Pole Express passport.
👉 From £16-17 pp. Tickets on sale from 7pm Mon 18th Oct 2021, look out for booking details here.
Tynemouth Park – Winter Wonderland Maze
📌 Grand Parade, Tynemouth, North Tyneside, NE30 4JL
📆 Selected dates 4th Nov – 22nd Dec 2021
❄ Winter Wonderland maze with festive characters, music and lights. Meet Santa’s in his Grotto to receive a present and certificate. Hot chocolate included. Dino themed adventure golf also available to make a day of it, along with The Greenhouse restaurant and takeaway.
👉 £15/£5 per child/adult (siblings under 1 free). Book here from 15th Sep.
Wensleydale Railway – Polar Express Train Ride
📌 Wensleydale Railway, Leeming Bar Station, Northallerton, Yorkshire, DL7 9AR
📆 19th Nov – 23rd Dec 2021 (selected dates)
❄ Authentic heritage train ride with a host of Polar Express characters including the conductor, the singing chefs, the hobo and Father Christmas. PJs welcome! Receive a gift and enjoy cookie and hot chocolate, then write a letter to Santa. Approx 2–2.5 hour experience.
👉 From £24.95 pp (Under 2 years: £3). Book here from 24th May.
Whitehouse Farm – Santa’s Enchanted Elf Journey
📌 Whitehouse Farm Centre, Morpeth, Northumberland NE61 6AW
📆 Selected dates 27th Nov – 24th Dec 2021
❄ A Christmas experience with Winter Wonderland, Mrs Claus’ Bakery, Elf School, Winter Stables, Christmas tractor sleigh rides, real reindeer, Father Christmas and more. Experience lasts approx 2.5 hours, plus enjoy the adventure play area, jumping pillows, trampolines, outdoor play area and indoor softplay.
👉 From £12.15 – £31.95 pp (discounts for seasonal pass holders, siblings under 12 months free).
Book here from 31st July, 9am for pass holders, 10am regular sale.
Winter Wonderland Newcastle
📌 Newcastle Race Course, High Gosforth Park, Newcastle, NE3 5HP
📆 19th Nov 2021 – 2nd Jan 2022
❄ Santa’s grotto, characters, reindeer, ice-skating, fairground rides, Christmas tree maze, Christmas market, crafts, games, food stalls, bars, and much more. No booking is required for Santa (queues will be closed 1 hour prior to closing), booking recommended for ice skating to avoid disappointment.
👉 Entry £3.50 pp* in advance (under 1 year free).
£5 when bought at gate – includes ONE free re-entry each (exc weekends/hols).
Book here from 25th Oct.
*Grotto visit £5.99 per child. Separate charges for some other activities.
There’s plenty on Gateshead Mumbler to help keep little ones (and big ones!) busy, check here for more ideas and info for playgroups, classes and fun days out from tots to teens!
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