Create your ultimate holiday schedule with our guide for Newcastle upon Tyne. Discover all the best festive events and activities.
Start your festive journey with a visit to the Newcastle Christmas Market, where you can enjoy seasonal treats and shop for unique gifts. The enchanting Fenwick Christmas Window Display features magical scenes that captivate both young and old. And don't forget the mesmerizing Alnwick Garden Winter Light Trail, which transforms the garden into a dazzling winter wonderland. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Newcastle upon Tyne
- Newcastle Christmas Market
- Fenwick Christmas Window Display
- Hadrian's Tipi
- Christmas Carols at Newcastle Cathedral
- Winter Wonderland at Centre for Life
- Newcastle Panto at Theatre Royal
- Jesmond Dene Christmas Fair
Newcastle upon Tyne Holiday Light Displays
Fenwick Christmas Window Display
What to Expect:
Animated storytelling through window displays
Description:
Fenwick's Christmas Window Display captivates onlookers with its intricate animated scenes. This beloved Newcastle tradition dates back to 1971, drawing crowds eager to witness the unveiling of each year's theme. The display brings stories to life through meticulously crafted figurines and moving parts. You can marvel at the attention to detail in every miniature costume and set piece. The window serves as a canvas for local artists and designers, showcasing their talent and creativity to the entire city.
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Fenwick Christmas Window Display
Newcastle upon Tyne Holiday Markets and Shopping
Newcastle Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Fusion of local and international holiday traditions
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 Geordie specialties and international treats. The market pays homage to Newcastle's rich trading history, showcasing goods from across Europe. Visitors can craft their own ornaments at dedicated workshops, adding a personal touch to their holiday decorations. The aroma of mulled wine wafts through the air, enticing you to sample the warming beverage as you explore.
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Jesmond Dene Christmas Fair
What to Expect:
Eco-friendly Christmas fair in a Victorian park
Description:
Jesmond Dene Christmas Fair celebrates the holiday season with a focus on sustainability. Set in a picturesque Victorian park, the fair showcases local artisans and their eco-friendly creations. Visitors can participate in upcycling workshops, learning to create decorations from natural materials. The event honors the vision of Lord Armstrong, who gifted the park to the city in 1884. You'll discover how traditional Christmas crafts can be adapted for modern, environmentally conscious celebrations.
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Newcastle upon Tyne Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Christmas Carols at Newcastle Cathedral
What to Expect:
Carols performed in a 14th-century cathedral
Description:
Christmas Carols at Newcastle Cathedral resonate through the ancient stone walls, creating an unforgettable acoustic experience. The cathedral's rich history, dating back to the 14th century, provides a stunning backdrop for the performances. Choirs from across the region gather to share traditional and contemporary carols. Visitors can join in singing, their voices blending with those of generations past who have celebrated within these walls. The event highlights the cathedral's role as a center of music and community for over 900 years.
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Christmas Carols at Newcastle Cathedral
Newcastle Panto at Theatre Royal
What to Expect:
Traditional British pantomime in a historic theatre
Description:
Newcastle Panto at Theatre Royal continues a beloved British tradition in a stunning 19th-century venue. The pantomime blends classic fairy tales with contemporary humor and local references, creating a uniquely Geordie experience. Audiences participate in the show, shouting out responses and singing along. The Theatre Royal, opened in 1837, provides a grand setting for this lively performance. You'll witness the evolution of pantomime, an art form that has entertained Newcastle families for generations.
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Newcastle Panto at Theatre Royal
Newcastle upon Tyne Other Holiday Activities
Hadrian's Tipi
What to Expect:
Roman-inspired winter gathering space
Description:
Hadrian's Tipi brings a touch of ancient Rome to Newcastle's winter scene. This pop-up venue, inspired by Emperor Hadrian's travels, offers a cozy retreat from the cold. Inside, the warmth of crackling fires welcomes visitors. The tipi serves locally-sourced food and drinks, including specialties from along Hadrian's Wall. You can learn about Roman winter traditions while enjoying modern comforts. The structure itself is a nod to Newcastle's Roman past, standing near the site of the ancient fort of Pons Aelius.
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Winter Wonderland at Centre for Life
What to Expect:
Science-themed winter activities and exhibits
Description:
Winter Wonderland at Centre for Life fuses holiday fun with scientific discovery. This unique event explores the science behind winter phenomena through interactive exhibits and experiments. Visitors can learn about the physics of ice skating while gliding on the outdoor rink. The center's planetarium offers special shows on winter constellations and the Northern Lights. You'll uncover the fascinating science behind snowflakes and frost patterns. The event celebrates the North East's contributions to scientific research and innovation.
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Winter Wonderland at Centre for Life
Nearby Events
Alnwick Garden Winter Light Trail (Alnwick)
What to Expect:
Interactive light installations in a historic garden setting
Description:
Alnwick Garden's Winter Light Trail illuminates the grounds of the centuries-old estate with cutting-edge light installations. The trail weaves through the garden's unique features, including the Grand Cascade and Poison Garden, casting them in a new light. Visitors can interact with some of the light displays, creating their own colorful patterns. The event blends modern technology with the garden's rich horticultural heritage, offering a fresh perspective on the historic landscape.
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Alnwick Garden Winter Light Trail
Metrocentre Christmas Events (Gateshead)
What to Expect:
Europe's largest covered shopping and leisure complex transformed for Christmas
Description:
Metrocentre's Christmas Events turn Europe's largest covered shopping complex into a winter celebration. The center's vast spaces are adorned with elaborate decorations, creating a festive atmosphere on a grand scale. Visitors can enjoy pop-up performances by local choirs and dance troupes throughout the complex. You'll find unique gift ideas from both international brands and local artisans. The events pay tribute to the North East's industrial heritage, with displays showcasing the region's past and present.
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Tynemouth Christmas Market (Tynemouth)
What to Expect:
Coastal Christmas market with sea views
Description:
Tynemouth Christmas Market combines seaside charm with holiday spirit. Set against the backdrop of the North Sea, the market offers a unique coastal Christmas experience. Stalls line the streets of the historic town, selling locally crafted gifts and seasonal treats. Visitors can sample fresh seafood with a festive twist, celebrating the area's maritime heritage. The sound of waves mingles with holiday music, creating a soothing atmosphere. You'll discover how coastal communities have celebrated Christmas for centuries.
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Christmas at Beamish (Beamish)
What to Expect:
Immersive Victorian and Edwardian Christmas experience
Description:
Christmas at Beamish transports visitors to holidays past in this living museum. Experience authentic Victorian and Edwardian celebrations as you explore restored buildings and interact with costumed interpreters. Taste traditional Christmas pudding made from historic recipes. The museum brings to life the evolution of Christmas traditions in the North East, from the 1820s to the 1950s. You can ride in vintage vehicles decorated for the season, feeling the cobblestones beneath the wheels.
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Seaton Delaval Hall Festivities (Seaton Delaval)
What to Expect:
Baroque-style hall transformed for Georgian Christmas celebrations
Description:
Seaton Delaval Hall Festivities bring 18th-century holiday traditions to life in a grand Baroque setting. The hall, designed by Sir John Vanbrugh, provides a stunning backdrop for Georgian-inspired celebrations. Visitors can learn period dances in the Central Hall, moving to the music of a string quartet. The event showcases the extravagant entertaining style of the Delaval family, known for their lavish parties. You'll experience the sights and sounds of a Christmas celebration from three centuries ago.
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Seaton Delaval Hall Festivities
Ponteland Christmas Market (Ponteland)
What to Expect:
Village green transformed into a festive marketplace
Description:
Ponteland Christmas Market turns the historic village green into a hub of holiday activity. Local producers and artisans showcase their wares, offering a taste of Northumberland's rich culinary and craft traditions. Visitors can try their hand at traditional rural crafts like wreath-making. The market celebrates Ponteland's history as a market town, dating back to the 13th century. You'll discover how small communities in the North East have maintained their unique holiday customs over the centuries.
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Durham Christmas Festival (Durham)
What to Expect:
Medieval city backdrop for contemporary Christmas celebrations
Description:
Durham Christmas Festival weaves contemporary holiday cheer through the city's medieval streets. The festival spans three markets, each with its own character, set against the backdrop of Durham's UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can ascend the cathedral tower for panoramic views of the illuminated city. The event highlights Durham's role as a center of learning and culture since the 11th century. You'll experience how modern festivities harmonize with the city's ancient architecture and traditions.
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Christmas at Tanfield Railway (Gateshead)
What to Expect:
Victorian railway journey with Father Christmas
Description:
Christmas at Tanfield Railway offers a journey through time on the world's oldest railway. Vintage steam engines, decked in holiday finery, transport visitors along a historic route. Children can meet Father Christmas in his special carriage, a tradition harking back to the early days of rail travel. The event celebrates the North East's pivotal role in the development of railways. You'll feel the rhythm of the rails and the warmth of the steam as you travel through the winter landscape.