Get pumped for festive fun, Gateshead! Our guide is packed with must-see events and activities. For Gateshead natives and newcomers alike, our guide illuminates the path to festive fun.
Experience the bustling joy of the Newcastle Christmas Market, where local vendors and mesmerising holiday lights create a winter wonderland. Explore the captivating light displays and interactive storytelling at Enchanted Belsay. And Fenwick's Christmas Window is something you definitely don't want to miss, with its stunning holiday-themed displays. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Gateshead
- Gibside Christmas Adventure
- Gateshead Christmas Lights Switch-On
- Christmas Wreath Making Workshop
- Sunday Winter Funday at Tanfield Railway
- Family Festive Fun at Baltic Centre
- Opera North Christmas Concert
Gateshead Holiday Light Displays
Gateshead Christmas Lights Switch-On
What to Expect:
Community-driven light switch-on event
Description:
Gateshead's Christmas Lights Switch-On ignites the town with community spirit. Local choirs and performers take center stage, showcasing homegrown talent. The event honors Gateshead's industrial past with a light display inspired by the iconic Angel of the North sculpture. Visitors can contribute to a collaborative art piece, adding their own light to the town's display. This switch-on ceremony has been a unifying force in Gateshead for over five decades, bringing neighbors together to celebrate.
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Gateshead Christmas Lights Switch-On
Gateshead Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Opera North Christmas Concert
What to Expect:
Fusion of classical opera and contemporary holiday music
Description:
Opera North's Christmas Concert presents a bold reimagining of seasonal favorites. World-class opera singers perform alongside a full orchestra, blending traditional carols with modern compositions. The program includes a newly commissioned piece celebrating the North East's musical heritage. Attendees can participate in a pre-concert talk about the evolution of Christmas music. This event showcases the versatility of opera, bringing fresh perspectives to familiar holiday tunes.
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Gateshead Other Holiday Activities
Gibside Christmas Adventure
What to Expect:
Nature-inspired Christmas activities in a National Trust property
Description:
Gibside Christmas Adventure offers a unique outdoor holiday experience. Explore the 18th-century landscape garden adorned with sustainable, nature-inspired decorations. The event highlights the estate's commitment to conservation, featuring upcycled art installations. Visitors can join guided owl prowls, learning about nocturnal wildlife in the Gibside grounds. This event seamlessly blends holiday cheer with environmental education, set against the backdrop of a historic Jacobean chapel.
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Christmas Wreath Making Workshop
What to Expect:
Eco-friendly wreath making using locally sourced materials
Description:
The Christmas Wreath Making Workshop in Gateshead emphasizes sustainability and creativity. Participants craft unique wreaths using materials foraged from local parks and gardens. The workshop highlights traditional wreath-making techniques dating back to ancient Rome. You'll learn about the symbolism behind different evergreen plants used in wreaths. This hands-on experience connects attendees with nature and local flora, while creating a personalized holiday decoration.
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Christmas Wreath Making Workshop
Sunday Winter Funday at Tanfield Railway
What to Expect:
Vintage train rides combined with winter-themed activities
Description:
Sunday Winter Funday at Tanfield Railway offers a journey through time on the world's oldest railway. Ride in restored Victorian carriages while enjoying views of the frost-covered Durham countryside. The event features demonstrations of traditional railway maintenance techniques. Visitors can try their hand at signaling using authentic 19th-century equipment. This unique experience combines the nostalgia of steam travel with seasonal cheer, set against the backdrop of industrial heritage.
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Sunday Winter Funday at Tanfield Railway
Family Festive Fun at Baltic Centre
What to Expect:
Contemporary art-inspired holiday activities for families
Description:
Family Festive Fun at Baltic Centre infuses holiday traditions with modern art concepts. Children can create abstract Christmas tree sculptures inspired by the centre's current exhibitions. The event includes a "sound painting" workshop, where families compose holiday melodies using colors and shapes. Visitors can explore a sensory installation that reimagines winter through various textures. This innovative approach to holiday activities encourages creative thinking and artistic expression in a world-class contemporary art setting.
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Family Festive Fun at Baltic Centre
Nearby Events
Newcastle Christmas Market (Newcastle upon Tyne)
What to Expect:
Fusion of traditional and modern Christmas market experiences
Description:
Newcastle Christmas Market transforms the city center into a bustling hub of holiday cheer. Stroll through rows of wooden chalets offering a blend of local crafts and international delicacies. The market pays homage to Newcastle's industrial heritage with unique steel-crafted decorations. Visitors can try their hand at traditional glassblowing demonstrations, creating their own festive ornaments. The aroma of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts fills the air, enticing you to indulge in seasonal treats.
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Enchanted Belsay (Belsay)
What to Expect:
Interactive light trail through historic grounds
Description:
Belsay Hall's grounds come alive with an immersive light experience. Wander through illuminated gardens and discover hidden installations that reveal the estate's rich history. The event showcases cutting-edge light technology alongside the medieval architecture of Belsay Castle. Visitors can participate in a digital scavenger hunt, uncovering facts about the Hall's 700-year legacy. This innovative approach to holiday lighting breathes new life into one of Northumberland's most treasured historical sites.
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Fenwick's Christmas Window (Newcastle upon Tyne)
What to Expect:
Animated storytelling through elaborate window displays
Description:
Fenwick's Christmas Window unveils a new chapter in Newcastle's holiday tradition. This year's display brings to life a beloved children's story through intricate animatronics and stunning set designs. The window has been a cornerstone of Newcastle's Christmas celebrations since 1971. Visitors can download an augmented reality app to interact with the display, unlocking hidden elements and backstory. The window's unveiling marks the unofficial start of the holiday season for many locals.
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Disney on Ice presents "Find Your Hero" (Newcastle upon Tyne)
What to Expect:
Disney characters perform heroic feats on ice
Description:
"Find Your Hero" brings Disney's most courageous characters to life on ice. Watch as skilled skaters execute breathtaking jumps and spins while portraying beloved stories. The show incorporates state-of-the-art projection mapping technology, transforming the ice into various Disney worlds. Audience members can participate in an interactive pre-show experience, learning simple skating moves from the pros. This performance continues the 40-year tradition of Disney on Ice in the UK, delighting new generations of fans.
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Disney on Ice presents "Find Your Hero"
Christmas at the Cathedral (Newcastle upon Tyne)
What to Expect:
Blend of sacred music and contemporary performances in a historic setting
Description:
Christmas at the Cathedral presents a harmonious mix of traditional carols and modern compositions. The centuries-old Newcastle Cathedral provides a stunning acoustic backdrop for world-class musicians. This year's program features a newly commissioned piece inspired by Northumbrian folk melodies. Attendees can explore the cathedral's recently restored medieval nave before the performance. The event continues a long-standing tradition of Christmas concerts in this 900-year-old place of worship.
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Santa's Naughty Elf Pantomime (Newcastle upon Tyne)
What to Expect:
Interactive, child-focused pantomime with a Christmas twist
Description:
Santa's Naughty Elf Pantomime brings laughter and mischief to Newcastle. This high-energy show encourages audience participation, with children helping to "save" Christmas from the naughty elf's antics. The production incorporates local Geordie humor, making it a uniquely Newcastle experience. Young attendees can join a pre-show workshop to learn pantomime techniques. This performance continues the British tradition of Christmas pantomimes, dating back to the 18th century.
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Durham Christmas Festival (Durham)
What to Expect:
Celebration of local artisans and performers in a UNESCO World Heritage site
Description:
Durham Christmas Festival showcases the best of North East England's creativity. Set against the backdrop of Durham's medieval cityscape, the festival features over 200 independent artisans and food producers. Visitors can watch live demonstrations of traditional crafts like blacksmithing and glassblowing. The event includes performances in Durham Cathedral, a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture. This festival has been supporting local businesses and preserving regional traditions for over 25 years.
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Hadrian’s Tipi (Newcastle upon Tyne)
What to Expect:
Nordic-inspired winter gathering space with a Roman twist
Description:
Hadrian's Tipi brings a touch of Scandinavian coziness to Newcastle. This pop-up venue combines the warmth of a Nordic tipi with decor inspired by Hadrian's Wall, the nearby Roman frontier. Inside, visitors can sample locally brewed meads and ales, connecting with the region's brewing heritage. The tipi hosts acoustic performances by local musicians, creating an intimate atmosphere. This unique space offers a contemporary take on ancient gathering traditions from both Nordic and Roman cultures.
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Christmas Crafts at Discovery Museum (Newcastle upon Tyne)
What to Expect:
Hands-on crafting activities inspired by Newcastle's industrial history
Description:
Christmas Crafts at Discovery Museum blends holiday creativity with local heritage education. Participants can create Victorian-inspired decorations using materials that nod to Newcastle's shipbuilding past. The museum's Science Maze provides an innovative backdrop for festive experiments. Children can design their own "steam-powered" Christmas toys, learning about the region's engineering legacy. This event brings history to life through interactive, holiday-themed activities.
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Christmas Crafts at Discovery Museum
Polar Express Experience (Newcastle upon Tyne)
What to Expect:
Immersive train journey based on the beloved children's book
Description:
The Polar Express Experience brings the classic story to life on the rails. Passengers board a real train, transformed to mimic the iconic Polar Express. Actor-guides lead interactive storytelling sessions throughout the journey. The experience includes a stop at the "North Pole," where visitors can meet Santa Claus. This event recreates the magic of Chris Van Allsburg's tale, combining live performance with the excitement of train travel.
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Snow White Pantomime (South Shields)
What to Expect:
Traditional British pantomime with local cultural references
Description:
Snow White Pantomime in South Shields puts a Geordie spin on the classic fairy tale. The show incorporates local dialects and humor, making it a uniquely North East experience. Audience members can join in with well-known call-and-response routines, a hallmark of British pantomime. The production features elaborate costumes inspired by the region's mining history. This performance continues a centuries-old British holiday tradition, adapted for modern audiences.