Best Christmas Events North East 2024

Last Updated on September 5, 2024 by Suzy McCullough

There are some magical events happening this festive period in the North East in 2024 and some are yet to be confirmed. I’ve put them into one big post so you can search for the best Christmas events near you in the North East – in County Durham, Northumberland and Tyne and Wear where you can meet Santa and more. Don’t forget to book in advance this winter so your festive cheer isn’t left feeling disappointed.

Please double-check the event descriptions on the attraction’s website as the below information could change. It is essential that you read their own information carefully, some venues require you to prebook. There’s nothing like attending an event before Christmas Day and enjoying the festive atmosphere. Plus many places have some amazing Christmas decorations, previous years have been a testament to that.

Best Christmas Events North East 2020 – Meet Santa and More

Table of Contents

Best Christmas Events County Durham 2024

Adventure Valley – Winter Wonderland – County Durham – Tickets on Sale

Our Christmas experience will create magical memories to treasure with your loved ones. We have a jam-packed programme of festive fun, the activities and show are ALL INCLUDED in the cost of your experience. Your Magical Journey begins at entry, where children receive a Winter Wonderland Passport. Within, you will have a section for your Santa meeting and a section for Elf-led activities. This passport is stamped for completion of your Santa meeting and Elf-led activities once, so keep it nice and safe! Once you have received your Passport, you are free to explore all the Activities included in this years’ Winter Wonderland Adventure Valley

Address: Union Hall Farm, The Bungalows Finchale Abbey, Durham DH1 5SG

When? Selected dates from 23rd November – 24th December

Auckland Castle – A Glow – County Durham – To be confirmed

Info from last year – One of the biggest and brightest light trails in the North of England will illuminate the skies of Bishop Auckland this Christmas. Explore AGLOW – an all-new glittering 1.5-mile trail through Auckland Castle’s gardens and grounds, with surprises around every corner…• The largest Christmas tree in the North of England, over 30 metres tall
• The longest outdoor light tunnel in the country, measuring over 100 metres long
• A captivating light show projected onto Auckland Castle
• Daring illuminations featuring real fire
• Dancing fountains making the River Gaunless spring to life
• Stunning large-scale light installations, including lasers, mirror balls, starburst trees and spheres of light
• Interactive illuminations, featuring bubbles and musical trees
• A fun show with Santa and his mischievous Elves in Santa’s Village
• Vintage fairground rides in the grounds of Auckland Castle.

Address: Market Pl, Bishop Auckland DL14 7NR

When? TBC

Beamish – Christmas Daytimes – County Durham – Tickets on sale

Step back in time and enjoy the wonder of Christmas from across our time periods. From the Georgian period through to the 1950s, delight in traditional decorations, tasty yuletide treats, festive music and lots of fun activities to help you count down to Christmas. Beamish

Address: Regional Resource Centre, Beamish DH9 0RG

When? 23rd November – 24th December

Beamish Hall – Forest of Lights – County Durham – Tickets on sale

Gather the family and join us as we open the doors to our wonderful world of magical illuminations and fantastic lighting displays this festive period. At night, when the moon takes its place in the sky our magical forest comes to life. Forest of Light is a captivating illuminated experience set within our Enchanted Ancient Woodland.

We have created a world filled with illuminations, music, interactive props and projections to dazzle and amaze with specially commissioned pieces for Forest of Light, which means that this is a unique experience not to be found anywhere else. Forest of Lights

Address: Coppy Ln, Beamish, Stanley DH9 0YB

When? Various dates throughout November and December 2024 and January 2025

Hall Hill Farm – Santa Visits – County Durham – Event to be confirmed

Meet Santa and Dasher our talking reindeer! Christmas tickets will be released at noon on Tuesday 10th September 2024. Hall Hill Farm

Address: Hall Hill Farm, Lanchester, Durham DH7 0TA

When? 30th November – 23rd December

Raby Castle – Enchanted Christmas Trail – County Durham – Tickets on Sale

Step into a world of wonder and magic this holiday season at The Plotters’ Forest Enchanted Christmas Trail, this captivating trail promises an unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages. Twinkling lights, festive decorations, and the scent of pine will transport you to a world where Christmas magic comes alive. Raby Castle

Address: Staindrop, Darlington DL2 3AH

When? Selected dates from 16th November – 24th December

Best Christmas Events North East – Meet Santa and More

Tweddle Farm – Santas Grotto – County Durham – Tickets on Sale

Tweddle Farm’s Christmas Countdown is a December to remember! Our well-known Santa’s Grotto gets bigger and better every year. Meet Santa and his friends in our unforgettable Winter Wonderland. Plus an after-dark event. Tweddle Farm

Address: Filipoke Lane, Blackhall Colliery, Hartlepool TS27 4BT

When? Selected dates from 23rd November – 24th December

Ushaw House – Illuminating Ushaw – County Durham – Event to be confirmed

Info from last year – For the first time, Illuminating Ushaw includes the stunning interior of St. Cuthbert’s Chapel. Enchantingly lit and decorated, this unique experience will be an atmospheric and captivating highlight of the route. Our gardens will be transformed by new art installations, illuminated features and decorations, creating a Winter Wonderland you won’t want to miss including…

– Catching Stars – a dome-shaped artwork located at the centre of our gardens, filled with hundreds of suspended and illuminated stars, all designed by children from local schools.
– Three large-scale installations by local artists
– Father Christmas gliding through the night sky
– Festive willow tunnel for little ones + much more! Ushaw House

Address: Woodland Rd, Durham DH7 9RH

When? TBC

Best Christmas Events Northumberland 2024

Alnwick Garden – Winter Light Trail – Northumberland – Tickets on Sale

An immersive experience of light and sound, this year is bigger and better than ever with new installations set to a brand new soundtrack. See The Garden and Lilidorei like never before and experience the perfect winter tradition this Christmas Alnwick Garden

Address: Denwick Lane, Alnwick NE66 1YU

When? 18th November 1st January

Bamburgh Castle – Christmas through time – Northumberland – Tickets on Sale

The Christmas Kingdom at Bamburgh Castle is returning and we’re excited to reveal this year’s theme is A Christmas Through Time!Prepare to embark on a magical journey as Charlotte Lloyd Webber takes you on a dazzling winter wonderland adventure through Christmases past, present and future in our 14 State Rooms.Meet merry-making characters, marvel at festive tales and Viking sails below shimmering Northern Lights and delve into Christmas traditions that delight. Plus Santa visits you can book separately.

Bamburgh Castle

Address: Bamburgh NE69 7DF

When? November 9th to January 5th

Belsay Hall Castle and Gardens – Father Christmas – Northumberland – Tickets on Sale

Father Christmas is taking time out of his busy festive schedule to tell some of his favourite seasonal stories around the Christmas tree. After the group storytelling session, you and your children will meet the man himself, with the chance to take photographs and make memories to treasure. Father Christmas will also give every child a traditional present to unwrap. Belsay Hall Plus a Festive Fun event

Address: B6309, Newcastle upon Tyne NE20 0DX

When? Weekends from 30th November until 22nd December

Kielder Winter Wonderland – Northumberland – Tickets on sale

Kielder Winter Wonderland is a full-day experience packed full of festive activities to keep you and your little ones entranced all day. Your full day will include everything from helping Mrs Christmas get ready for Christmas to helping in the elve’s workshop to walking through the forest to find Father Christmas plus lots more! With the forest home to Father Christmas and his festive friends, you never know who you could bump into! Kielder

Address: Kielder Forest Park, Kielder Waterside (Leaplish Waterside Park NE48 1BT

When? Selected dates from mid-November to 23rd December

Wallington Hall – Father Christmas Experience – Northumberland – To be confirmed

Info from last year – Welcome to Christmas at Wallington 2023, where you’re invited to enjoy festive magic and sparkle both indoors and out. Explore the House dressed from top to bottom in its seasonal splendour, enjoy live music and stories with Mrs Christmas and meet the main man himself. Wander around the courtyard with thousands of twinkling lights, take family photos in front of the huge Christmas tree and say hello to the ‘Magnificence’ the reindeer pulling the Wallington sleigh. Wallington

Address: B6342, Cambo, Morpeth NE61 4AR

When? TBC

Whitehouse Farm Centre – Santa’s Enchanted Elf Journey – Northumberland – Tickets on Sale

The Whitehouse farm elves are excited to present to you this year’s Santa’s Enchanted Elf Journey, with even more magic for 2024. This VIP Christmas experience will create magical memories to treasure with your loved ones. We have a jam-packed programme of festive fun, all included in the cost of your experience. Your festive journey begins once you arrive at elf check in, one of our friendly elves will issue the children in your party with their ELF IN TRAINING PASSPORT and set you off on your way. Whitehouse Farm

Address: Whitehouse Farm Centre, Morpeth NE61 6AW

When? Various dates between 23/11/24 – 24/12/24

Christmas Events Tyne & Wear 2024

Gibside – Christmas at Gibside – Tyne and Wear – Tickets on Sale

For Christmas 2024 we invite you to feel the spirit of Christmas at Gibside, with a traditional feast of festive celebrations full of winter magic. Find Father Christmas’s sleigh parked up in the Stables courtyard, almost ready for Christmas Eve. Make sure you snap a pic in his most important piece of gear before it’s filled to the brim with presents. Follow the stars to Gibside Stables for an enchanting encounter with Father Christmas and his elves in this immersive theatre and craft workshop experience. Plus so much more Gibside

Address: Rowlands Gill NE16 6BG

When? Selected dates from 16th November until 6th January

Leazes Park – Northern Lights – Tyne & Wear – Tickets On Sale

Take a stroll through an enchanted world of illumination, uniquely crafted by world leading lighting designers. Enjoy a truly mesmerising journey around Newcastle’s oldest city park. We design our trails with all ages, backgrounds and abilities in mind, to ensure our trail can be enjoyed by all. Our illuminations are the perfect, inclusive way to enjoy the festive season with the whole family. Northern Lights

Address: Leazes Park, Newcastle

When? Selected dates from 22nd November – 31st December