What's On in North East England - December 2023

 This post contains adverts. Please always check information with venues direct before heading out as event info can change. Apologies if an event has sold out - they were checked and available on publication. I leave events live in case of cancellations.  Top Tip - If you are looking for FREE / LOW Cost Drop In Events only, scroll right to the bottom of this post for a big list of just that.  Keep scrolling to see what's on by date......  Christmas at Beamish Daytimes  Beamish is open daily across the festive period from 25 Nov - 24 Dec. There is no need to book when visiting during the day, simply turn up during normal opening hours. There's lots going on and it's all included with the Beamish Unlimited Pass (unless stated otherwise). Here are some highlights:  Join in with the Georgian festivities at Pockerley Old Hall with traditional crafts at weekends  Stroll down the cobbled street in the 1900s town, admire the decorations and tuck into some delicious festive treats (I recommend the mulled wine and spiced apple cake from the bakery)  Stop for a festive photo in the 1900s photography studio with their new winter costumes (small charge) Visit the 1900s Pit Village, enjoy the traditional decorations in the cottages and listen to local choirs / enjoy crafts over weekends  Walk through ElfWood and check out what mischief the elves are getting up to. Look out for some mini replicas of your favourite Beamish buildings  Try the Elf Trail around the Museum - can you find all the elves?  At the 1940s Farm you can make paperchains and postcards on weekends In the 1950s Town, discover how Christmas was celebrated in the 1950s. There will be Christmas Crafts in the Welfare Hall every weekend Spain's Field Farm will be open over weekends and you can discover how farming communities celebrated Christmas Look out for Father Christmas or Mrs Claus travelling around the museum in traditional transport on weekends and school holidays. Make sure you give them a wave!  There is a packed programme of choirs, brass bands and concert bands planned - check out what's on here.  Limited Santa's Grotto tickets are available - make sure you book ahead to avoid disappointment (additional charge) Find out more about Christmas at Beamish Daytimes here: Christmas at Beamish Website  Why not make the most of your Beamish Unlimited Pass and return again between 27 December and 7 January and enjoy the Twelfth Night Celebrations? When you need to get out of the house and away from the TV, a walk around the museum is just perfect. December Family Walk Ideas  Woodland Fairy Trail at Gibside  (included with National Trust Membership on selected dates) Robins Winter Trail at Seaton Delaval Hall  (included with National Trust Membership on selected dates)  Merry Maze Trail at Cragside (included with National Trust Membership on selected dates)  Elf Trail at Beamish (included with admission during usual opening hours until 24 Dec)  Plotters' Forest Enchanted Christmas Trail (18 Nov - 7 Jan during usual opening hours)  Father Christmas Has Lost His Presents Trail at High Force Waterfall (18 Noc - 31 Dec during usual opening hours)  Decorate the Tree Trail at Raby Castle Deer Park (18 Nov - 24 Dec during usual opening hours)  3 Dec -  Mental Elf Family Fun Run / Walk at Exhibition Park  Daily until 18 Dec -  FREE More in Morpeth Christmas Quiz Trail  (for adults) or Elf Trail (for kids) Daily Until 18 Dec -  FREE Hexham Magical Music Trail.  71 local businesses have decorated their window to the theme of a Christmas Song. Can you guess them all? Complete the trail for your chance to win one of three hampers.  Weekends in December (until 24 Dec) - Elf Trail at Preston Park Museum  19 Jan - 7 Jan - Walking with the Snowman Trail in Middlesbrough  9 Dec - FREE Darlington Ice Trail  16 Dec - FREE Sunderland Ice Trail  9, 10, 16 & 17 Dec - Snowflake Trail at Northumberlandia  4 - 23 Dec - FREE St Nicholas' Trail at Newcastle Cathedral  26 Dec - 7 Jan -  FREE Weetslade Winter Trail  Daily from 16 Dec (closed Christmas Day) -   Quentin Blake Winter Trail & Activities at WWT Washington   The Best Coastal Walks with Kids  Craster to Dunstaburgh Castle Walk (with playground)   Blyth to Seaton Sluice Walk (with two playgrounds)  Roker to Seaburn Pushchair Friendly Walk (with two playgrounds)  Hardwick Park Walk (with FREE AR Dinosaurs)  How to Find the Cramlington Spoon  Bolam Lake Wheelchair Accessible Walk  Consett Telescopes Walk  Teessaurus Park Dinosaur Walk  10 Fabulous Hot Chocolate Spots with a Walk Nearby  What's On in the North East - 2 & 3 December  Northumberland Daily Until 18 Dec -  FREE More in Morpeth Christmas Quiz Trail  (for adults) or Elf Trail (for kids) Daily Until 18 Dec -  FREE Hexham Magical Music Trail.  71 local businesses have decorated their window to the theme of a Christmas Song. Can you guess them all? Complete the trail for your chance to win one of three hampers.  2 Dec - Christmas Choirs at Seaton Delaval Hall (included with NT membership)  2 & 3 Dec - Saturnalia Light Festival at Vindolanda  2 & 3 Dec -    Pavillion Tipi in Morpeth 2 & 3 Dec -  FREE Santa's Grotto at Manor Walks Cramlington 2 & 3 Dec - Winter Light Trail at Alnwick Garden  2 & 3 Dec - Decorate a Ceramic Winter Heart at Woodhorn Musuem (included with admission and KIDS GO FREE)  2 & 3 Dec -  Robins Winter Trail at Seaton Delaval Hall  (included with National Trust Membership) 2 & 3 Dec - Christmas Decoration Making, Merry Maze Trail, Mischevious Mice Trail & Wish Upon a Star at Cragside (included with National Trust Admission)  2 & 3 Dec - Father Christmas Experience at Wallington  2 & 3 Dec. - Walkaround Father Christmas at Wallington  (included with National Trust Membership) 2 & 3 Dec -  Mrs Christmas Storytelling at Wallington  (included with National Trust Membership) 2 & 3 Dec -  Festive Live Music at Wallington Hall  (included with National Trust Membership)   2 & 3 Dec - Festive Storytelling with Father Christmas at Belsay Hall  2 & 3 Dec - Northumberland Myths and Legends | Christmas at Bamburgh Castle  3 Dec - Aurora Strings (String Quartet) at Seaton Delaval Hall  (included with National Trust Membership)  3 Dec - Northumberlandia Food & Craft Market (free entry) County Durham  Cinderella at Gala Theatre has opened to absolute rave reviews. Tickets are available from just £8 per person which is super reasonable! The production is nice and relaxed with lots of laughs and magic which are leaving audiences mesmorised. Find out more and book here:   https://galadurham.co.uk/galapost/cinderella/ 2 Dec - Plotters' Forest Enchanted Christmas Trail  2 Dec - FREE Make Your Own Red Art at Oriental Museum Durham  2 Dec - Family Christmas Crafts at Ushaw Historic House  2 Dec - Father Christmas Tales and Treats at Ushaw Historic House  2 & 3 Dec -  Christmas Daytimes at Beamish   2 & 3  Dec -  Father Christmas Has Lost His Presents Trail at High Force Waterfall  2 & 3 Dec - Decorate the Tree Trail at Raby Castle Deer Park  2 & 3 Dec - FREE Entry Raby Castle Christmas Market  2 & 3  Dec -  AGLOW at Auckland Castle   2 & 3 Dec - Christmas Adventure + Santa's Grotto + Day Admission at Holmside Park  2 & 3 Dec - Winter Wonderland at Adventure Valley  2 & 3 Dec - Christmas at Hall Hill Farm  2 & 3 Dec - Durham Christmas Festival  NewcastleGateshead  The Common Room is located next to Newcastle Central Station and they've planned a whole host of festive events this year. From STEM Christmas Activities to Film Screenings, you can see what's on and book here:  https://thecommonroom.org.uk/programme/whats-on/ 2 Dec -  Breakfast with Mrs Claus at Seven Stories 2 Dec - FREE Silk Painted Bauble Workshop at Grainger Market  2 Dec - FREE Noticing Nature in Winter Event at Jesmond Dene  2 Dec - Newcastle Cat & Dog Shelter Christmas Market  2 & 3 Dec - The Three Bears at Northern Stage  2 & 3 Dec -  FREE Gingerbread Decorating & refreshments at BALTIC 2 & 3 Dec - What Santa Sees Planetarium Show and Ice Skating at Science at Life  2 & 3 Dec - Jack and the Giant Mystery Panto at Seven Stories  2 & 3 Dec - Christmas Crafts (stocking making) at Seven Stories 2 & 3 Dec - Christmas Crafts (toy making) at Seven Stories  2 & 3 Dec - Christmas Storytime at Seven Stories  2 & 3 Dec - Pinocchio at Newcastle Theatre Royal  2 & 3 Dec -  Woodland Fairy Trail at Gibside  (included with National Trust Membership) 2 & 3 Dec - WinterWonderscape at Metrocentre  2 & 3 Dec - Northern Lights Newcastle  2 & 3 Dec -  Book a family Christmas meal in Narnia at The Woodmans Arms  2 & 3 Dec - Peter Pan at Tyne Theatre and Opera House  3 Dec -  St Nicholas : The Original Santa Claus Guided Tour at Newcastle Cathedral  (ages 12+). Pay at you feel 3 Dec - Mental Elf Family Fun Run / Walk at Exhibition Park  3 Dec - Jesmond Dene Christmas Market  3 Dec - Made Up North Christmas Market  Read 50+ festive things to do in Newcastle here: https://www.northeastfamilyfun.co.uk/2021/11/what-to-do-after-visiting-fenwicks-window-newcastle.html North Tyneside  2 Dec -  FREE Character Appearances by The Gruffalo  at The Forum Shopping Centre, Wallsend plus FREE Creative Workshop with Lucy Farfort and FREE Christmas Crafts with the Frozen Sister (both at Wallsend Customer First Centre)  2 Dec - FREE Entry PlantsPlus Christmas Market  2 & 3 Dec - Santa's Sleigh VR Ride at PlantsPlus  2 Dec - Santa Workshop at Secret Garden Seaton Delaval  3 Dec -  Santa Quiz at Secret Garden Seaton Delaval  South Tyneside & Sunderland  2 Dec - Clay Bauble Making at Souter Lighthouse  2 Dec - North East Festive Fayre at Beacon of Light  2 & 3 Dec - Ice Skating at Ocean Beach  2 & 3 Dec - The Enchanted Snow Globe at Customs House (under 7s)  2 & 3 Dec - Aladdin at Customs House  2 & 3 Dec - Lapland Adventure VR Ride at The Bridges  Teesside & North Yorkshire  Nightfall returns to Stewart Park this weekend. It's my absolute favourite Light Trail with interactive displays, a live music area, pop up storytelling & craft workshops all included in your ticket price. Limited tickets are available. Find out more and book here:  https://stellarprojects.co.uk/product/nightfall/ 2 Dec - FREE Christmas Parade, Light Swith On & Santa's Grotto in Saltburn  2 Dec - FREE Pinecone Christmas Fairy Craft at Darlington Hippodrome 2 Dec -  FREE Snow Play at DLI Feethams Complex  2 & 3 Dec - Nightfall at Stewart Park  2 & 3 Dec -  Christmas at Spilmans (includes Santa visit) 2 & 3 Dec - Christmas at Preston Park including Elf Trail, Festive Arts & Crafts, Pop Up Panto (selected dates), Festive Family Games, Letter Writing to Father Christmas, Christmas Choirs and more 2 & 3 Dec - Santa's Sleigh VR Ride at Dorman Museum  2 & 3 Dec - Christmas Extravaganza at Dorman Museum   2 & 3 Dec -  A Fairytale Christmas at Ormesby Hall  (included with National Trust Membership) 2 & 3 Dec -  FREE Walking with the Snowman Trail in Middlesbrough Town Centre  2 & 3 Dec -  FREE Entry A Georgian Christmas at Kirkleatham Museum  2 & 3 Dec - Christmas at Tweddle Farm  3 Dec -  FREE Stockton Sparkles Lantern Parade,  FREE Glitter Facepainting, FREE Eco Reindeer Dust Making, FREE Christmas Card Making plus FREE Live Music & Pop-UP Theatre  What's On in the North East - 9 & 10 December  Northumberland  National Trust's Seaton Delaval Hall is open daily Wed-Sun across December (also closed Christmas Eve) and then daily from 1-7 Jan. There's no need to book, just drop in. You'll find a range of festive activities included with your National Trust Membership. Highlights include Robin's Winter Trail, a String Quartet and Christmas Choirs.  Find out what's on, when here:  https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/seaton-delaval-hall/christmas-at-seaton-delaval-hall Daily Until 18 Dec -  FREE More in Morpeth Christmas Quiz Trail  (for adults) or Elf Trail (for kids) 9 Dec - FREE Entry Hexham Christmas Market  9 Dec - Snow White at Queens Hall Hexham  9 Dec -  Father Christmas Experience at Wallington  9 Dec -  Christmas Choirs at Seaton Delaval Hall  (included with NT membership)  9 Dec -  FREE Ice Trail in Darlington Town Centre  9 & 10 Dec -  Saturnalia Light Festival at Vindolanda  9 & 10 Dec -  FREE Hexham Magical Music Trail.  71 local businesses have decorated their window to the theme of a Christmas Song. Can you guess them all? Complete the trail for your chance to win one of three hampers.  9 & 10 Dec -  FREE Santa's Grotto at Manor Walks Cramlington 9 & 10 Dec -  Northumberland Myths and Legends | Christmas at Bamburgh Castle  9 & 10 Dec -  Winter Light Trail at Alnwick Garden  9 & 10 Dec -  Decorate a Ceramic Winter Heart at Woodhorn Musuem  (included with admission and KIDS GO FREE)  9 & 10 Dec -  Pavillion Tipi in Morpeth 9 & 10 Dec -  Robins Winter Trail at Seaton Delaval Hall  (included with National Trust Membership) 9 & 10 Dec -  Merry Maze Trail, Mischevious Mice Trail & Wish Upon a Star at Cragside  (included with National Trust Membership)  9 & 10 Dec -  Walkaround Father Christmas at Wallington  (included with National Trust Membership  9 & 10 Dec -  Mrs Christmas Storytelling at Wallington  (included with National Trust Membership 9 & 10 Dec -  Festive Live Music at Wallington Hall  (included with National Trust Membership) 9 & 10 Dec -  Festive Storytelling with Father Christmas at Belsay Hall  9 & 10 Dec - Snowflake Trail at Northumberlandia (£3)  10 Dec -  Aurora Strings (String Quartet) at Seaton Delaval Hall  (included with National Trust Membership)  10 Dec - FREE Entry Berwick Christmas Market County Durham  9 Dec -  FREE Letter Writing to Santa & Face Painting at Byron Place Shopping Centre  9 Dec - FREE Mandala Making at Oriental Museum Durham  9 Dec - The Snowman with Live Orchestra at Ushaw Historic House  9 & 10 Dec -  Christmas Daytimes at Beamish   9 & 10 Dec -  Plotters' Forest Enchanted Christmas Trail  9 & 10 Dec -  Father Christmas Has Lost His Presents Trail at High Force Waterfall  9 & 10 Dec -  Decorate the Tree Trail at Raby Castle Deer Park  9 & 10 Dec -  AGLOW at Auckland Castle   9 & 10 Dec -  Christmas Adventure + Santa's Grotto + Day Admission at Holmside Park  9 & 10 Dec - Adventure Valley Winter Wonderland  NewcastleGateshead  There's a brand new Christmas Planetarium Show at Science at Life this December. What Santa Sees is just the sweetest show! It takes us on a journey around Earth with Santa and his reindeer as he uses the stars to navigate and deliver presents. It's included with centre admission along with a Winter Skies Planetarium Show, Christmas Crafts, Christmas Experiments + loads more.  Plus Newcastle's Open Air Ice Rink is just outside too. Find out more and book:  https://www.life.org.uk/whats-on/festive-fun-this-winter/ 9 Dec -  Light Up Christmas Card Making / STEM Activity at The Common Room 9 Dec - FREE Entry Christmas Craft Market at Shipley Art Gallery   9 Dec - Puddle at Alphabetti Theatre (4+) 9 Dec -  Children's Paper Wreath Making at The Stables, Gibside  (included with National Trust Membership) 9 Dec - Elf Movie at Newcastle Castle  9 Dec - FREE Eco Christmas Crafts at Grainger Market  9 Dec - FREE Christmas Music at Paddy Freemans Park  9 Dec - Cinderella at Northern Stage  9 & 10 Dec -  The Three Bears at Northern Stage  9 & 10 Dec -  What Santa Sees Planetarium Show and Ice Skating at Science at Life  9 & 10 Dec - Disney On Ice at Utlilta Arena  9 & 10 Dec -  FREE Gingerbread Decorating & refreshments at BALTIC 9 & 10 Dec - Breakfast with Mrs Claus at Seven Stories 9 & 10 Dec -   Jack and the Giant Mystery Panto at Seven Stories  9 & 10 Dec -  Christmas Crafts (stocking making) at Seven Stories 9 & 10 Dec -  Christmas Crafts (toy making) at Seven Stories  9 & 10 Dec -  Christmas Storytime at Seven Stories  9 & 10 Dec - FREE Entry Frost Fest Weekend with Live Music and Elf Trail at Land of Oak and Iron  9 & 10 Dec -  Northern Lights Newcastle  9 & 10 Dec -  Book a family Christmas meal in Narnia at The Woodmans Arms  9 & 10 Dec - Peter Pan at Tyne Theatre and Opera House  9 & 10 Dec  Pinocchio at Newcastle Theatre Royal  9 & 10 Dec -  Woodland Fairy Trail at Gibside  (included with National Trust Membership) 9 & 10 Dec -  FREE St Nicholas Crafts & Trail at Newcastle Cathedral  9 & 10 Dec -  WinterWonderscape at Metrocentre  10 Dec -  FREE Winter Pinata Workshop at Grainger Market  10 Dec -  St Nicholas : The Original Santa Claus Guided Tour at Newcastle Cathedral  (ages 12+). Pay at you feel 10 Dec -  FREE Mini Train Rides in Exhibition Park  Read 50+ festive things to do in Newcastle here:  https://www.northeastfamilyfun.co.uk/2021/11/what-to-do-after-visiting-fenwicks-window-newcastle.html North Tyneside  9 Dec -  Santa Workshop at Secret Garden Seaton Delaval  9 & 10 Dec - FREE Entry North Shields Christmas Market  9 & 10 Dec - Breakfast / Afternoon Tea with Santa at Tynemouth Park  9 & 10 Dec - Cinderella at Whitley Bay Playhouse  9 & 10 Dec - Santa's Sleigh VR Ride at PlantsPlus 10 Dec -  Santa Quiz at Secret Garden Seaton Delaval  South Tyneside & Sunderland  Beauty and the Beast Panto opens at Sunderland Empire this weekend. This AWARD WINNING script and star-studded cast is guaranteed to provide lots of laughs with larger than life characters and a transformation scene that's not to be missed! Tickets are available from £13 here:  https://prf.hn/l/554RowZ &l