Don’t miss these Christmas activities with the kids
We’ve done the leg work to find out some of the magical Christmas events taking place around the region this year...
By Helen Bowman
With some of the North East’s most significant Santa events selling out in minutes, it’s easy to panic about not seeing the big man this Christmas.
But we’ve done the leg work to find out some of the magical Christmas events taking place around the region this year – and they all have tickets available (at time of publication).
St James Park Festive Fayre | 16-17 November
Spend the day at St James’ Park, browsing hundreds of independent stalls, enjoying festive refreshments and attending screenings of some of our favourite Christmas films. Visit Santa in his Grotto and let him know what you’d like for Christmas this year.
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Ticket prices: From £4.99 and family passes are available.
Location: St James’ Park, Newcastle
Believe | various weekends November – December
This full-day event, an enchanted Christmas adventure, runs on weekend days throughout November and December. The tickets, while expensive, open up a whole world of Christmas excitement and entertainment. There will be workshops, pantomime performances, a chance to go to elf school, Christmas tales with a merry elf and an adventure with Jack Frost.
Ticket prices: £18 for children and £30.50 for adults
Location: Hardwick Hall Hotel, County Durham
Durham Christmas Festival | 29 November – 1 December
Arguably the biggest Christmas festival in the North East, Durham Christmas Festival attracts thousands of visitors to browse hundreds of independent stalls in the weeks leading to Christmas. There will be children’s entertainment, street performers, Santa’s Grotto, a children’s lantern procession (booking essential) and festive refreshments available.
Tickets: Vary for different events – visit the website for more details
Location: Durham City
Festive tales with Father Christmas at Woodhorn Museum – 30 November
Explore the mining museum then pay a visit to Santa in his Grotto. Find out what he and his reindeer like to eat on Christmas Eve and listen to classic Christmas stories like ‘The Snowman’ and ‘Polar Express’.
Tickets: Available from £6.50 per child
Location: Woodhorn Museum, Northumberland
An audience with Father Christmas | 30 November – 08 December
Explore the magical Belsay Hall, quarry and gardens before visiting Santa in his Grotto. This event is open to English Heritage members and non-members alike.
Christmas in the Victoria Tunnel | 01 December – 22 December
How about a break from the traditional Christmas event? The Victoria Tunnel in Newcastle is hosting an event for families to recreate what Christmas might have been like during World War 2. Santa’s elves will guide you down into the Victoria Tunnel to meet Mary Christmas and Santa Claus himself.
Tickets: This event runs on Sundays only between these dates and tickets are available from £6.
Location: Lime Street, Newcastle
Also, if you’re a member of the National Trust or English Heritage, there are several festive events taking place throughout our region during November and December.
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