Spend Christmas in Newcastle

In 2024 the city’s Christmas Market will run from Saturday 16th November until Sunday 22nd December, open until 8pm Monday to Saturday and 5pm on a Sunday.

Take a stroll around Grey Street and Grainger Street, with plenty of bustling stalls from local traders selling everything you need, such as gifts, decorations and tasty treats. Enjoy the live music and entertainment by Grey’s Monument, and a family fun area in Old Eldon Square, perhaps while sampling a tipple from the Alpine Bar!

Newcastle’s Christmas lights officially get switched on the 12th November, so visitors to the fair will have a real winter wonderland experience!

Anyone who knows Newcastle will know the institution that is department store Fenwick. It’s famous for its Christmas window displays, so they’re always worth a visit. But that’s not the only Yuletide treats they have in ‘store’!

How about enjoying afternoon tea with Santa? Luckily he’s in the toon visiting from Saturday 9th November to Monday 23rd December 2024. But that’s not all! Fenwick’s rooftop is going to be transformed into a snowy wonderland, complete with Santa, his elves and the spirit of the Christmas from 4th November to 24th December. Be sure to enjoy the singing reindeer and take a trip to Santa’s cabin to see the big man himself!

There’ll be a brilliant outdoor skating rink at the Life Science Centre in 2024, running from 9th November to 5th January. It’s made with real ice, so wrap up warm, and get your skates on!

On 25/26th November, there’ll even be a silent disco on the ice, which should be lots of fun.

If you’re popping to the Metrocentre to do a spot of shopping you might want to visit Santa’s Elf Academy. Get trained on how to become a super-efficient elf, including learning present placement and Northern Lights laser training! It’ll be in situ from 16th November to 24th December.

Just a short walk from the city centre is Leazes Park, which is running the Northern Lights experience this year. Embark on a one-mile magical journey as you explore the brand-new light installations and enchanting zones set against the stunning backdrop of the park. There’s plenty of places to stop for a warming mulled wine or hot chocolate – or to toast a marshmallow!

Enjoy the vintage fairground rides and the Christmas village, full of local food and drink offerings – you can make an evening of it.

No festive season would be complete without a pantomime! This year you can enjoy Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Tyne Theatre and Opera House. Running from 6th December to 5th January, you may spot some familiar faces: Britain’s Got Talent’s Twist & Pulse are starring!

For those exploring further afield the Alnwick Gardens and Lilidorei are about 45-minute drive away, and they are featuring a magical Winter Light Trail this year from 13th November to 7th January. It promises to be bigger and better than ever - an immersive experience of light and sound. It’s sure to be a Christmas experience never to be forgotten.

Beamish is about 30-minute drive from Newcastle but it offers a brilliant Christmas experience of days gone by! From the Georgian period through to the 1950s, you’ll be treated to traditional decorations, tasty festive treats, and plenty of music and fun activities.

The Tyneside cinema on Pilgrim Street puts all your favourite Christmas movies on as the holiday season approaches! From Home Alone and Love actually to Elf and It’s a Wonderful Life – see all the classics on the big screen! Some even include special treats like ‘The Holiday with Prosecco and Popcorn'.

If you’re staying in the city to welcome in 2025, don’t forget Newcastle's Laser Light City on New Year’s Eve - a free, annual light and music show. It’s a dazzling display of lasers, lighting, and pyrotechnics projected onto the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Arts. You don’t need to book – you can view from the North Riverbank and there’s a free 12-minute show at 6pm, 9pm and midnight.