Christmas in NewcastleGateshead

Feel Merry and Bright in NewcastleGateshead.

Christmas in NewcastleGateshead is typically packed full of festive activities to get everyone feeling merry and bright. Christmas in 2020 might be slightly different this year but we're here to help you find the festive fun that will be taking place in NewcastleGateshead whether virtual or 'in real life'!

(PS... find out how to have a safe New Year's Eve spectacular send off in Newcastle!)

Online Father Christmas at Beamish Museum Event page

Virtual Christmas experiences

Wherever you are in the world, you can enjoy these virtual NewcastleGateshead Christmas experiences. Settle into your favourite arm chair, pull on your sequins or Christmas jumper and experience some of NewcastleGateshead's best theatre and performances from home. Northern Stage have a new online show The Emperor's New Clothes fit for the whole family while Live Theatre hit the festive digital realm with a Christmas boxset of 5 original Christmas plays. There is also a Christmas Cracker of a concert from Sage Gateshead online from 18 December.

Even Father Christmas has figured out how to unmute himself to provide family-friendly activities in the lead up to Christmas. Over at festive favourite, Beamish Museum families can book an exclusive video call with Santa to bring an enchanting end to the year while Discovery Museum in Newcastle are hosting a Santa vs Science online event. If you're feeling peckish - build your own Gingerbread House and there may be a sweet prize in it from Life Science Centre.

If you're looking for ways to support local businesses and tourism venues then browse the online shelves of our Virtual Christmas Market to pick up some truly unique gifts and experiences.

Ignite Light Trail at Gibside Christmas Event page

Ignite at Gibside National Trust

Christmas in real life!

The Alnwick Garden will continue with their magical Christmas Light Trail this December. The enchanting outdoor experience has covid safe measures in place and is family-friendly, so wrap up and head into Northumberland to wonder as your wander around Alnwick Garden. Another festive, outdoor light trail not to miss is Ignite which weaves its way through the grounds of Gibside National Trust in Gateshead.

Order a festive Afternoon Tea to be delivered and enjoyed with friends in a park (Christmas jumpers are a must!) or tucked up with a Christmas film at home. Blackfriars and Dobson and Parnell are already thinking ahead too and will have Christmas Dinner ready for your to collect of Christmas Eve... now that's service! Find out more with Blackfriars Christmas Lunch at home or Dobson & Parnell's takeaway Christmas Day lunch.

Burn off the extra mince pies and blow away the cobwebs with a Festive Five Fun Run or GNR December challenge. Alternatively, take to the water with CBK's Adventure Co. with a kayaking Glow Tours.

If you didn't get chance earlier in the season, head to Hamley's Pop Up at Gateshead's Metrocentre too and soak in the full festive shopping experience.

Celebrate the season in Newcastle

Much-loved annual Christmas traditions in the heart of Newcastle city centre, such as Fenwick Newcastle's Christmas window display, have made a welcome return in 2020 and visitors to the Wind in the Willows themed display can safely queue along Northumberland Street to take in the details of each window. NE1's festively FABULOUS Christmas window displays are up around Newcastle City Centre too so next time you're shopping in the city - see how many your can find.

Newcastle will be sparkling with Christmas lights which are switched on to ensure the city will be illuminated for Christmas shoppers heading into Newcastle to browse Grainger Market's festive stalls or marvel at the wonders of Fenwick Newcastle's in-store Christmas Market. Pop into Eldon Square and you will find their wonderful festive train too to brighten up your Christmas shopping. The much-loved Quayside Market will also return in the lead up to Christmas to add a little cheer to your Sundays. Theatre Royal Newcastle hoped to be hosting a socially-distanced panto in December but are not able to do so under Tier 3 restrictions and due to the ongoing certain around moving tiers, they have announced it will be postponed until April 2021.

Things may be different this year, but Newcastle’s Christmas is still happening, and Newcastle City Council, NE1 and NGI are working to together to bring Christmas spirit to the city during these difficult times. We need to support each other and local businesses and celebrate the festive period safely. So please remember when you are in the city centre or any other busy outside area – hands, face, space.

Fenwick Christmas Window Christmas landing pge

Fenwick Newcastle Christmas Window from years gone by

Stay Safe this Christmas in NewcastleGateshead

We hope to welcome you back safely into NewcastleGateshead for a festive night out too and will share ways to swap your loungewear for sequinned glad rags and celebrate the season by heading 'out out' to one of NewcastleGateshead's top bars, pubs and restaurants if that becomes possible. However, this will depend on a review of government guidelines and a move into Tier 2. We will keep you updated with things to do, all the festive events, plans for New Year's Eve in NewcastleGateshead and the best places to celebrate a safe Christmas evening out with your household if this becomes possible.

Thanks for visiting safely and experiencing the festivities in NewcastleGateshead responsibly. Oh, and don't forget the main three words of 2020: Hands. Face. Space!

Just a note to our friends further afield...we love welcoming visitors from far and wide for a city break in NewcastleGateshead to celebrate the sparkle of Christmas and New Year in the toon. With fabulous hotels to choose from, great shopping, lively events and big nights out to be had - NewcastleGateshead really is THE festive place to be. But 2020 has been a challenging year and while we're navigating the ongoing coronavirus restrictions, so we'll have to make do with sending our Christmas cheer virtually! Stay safe and merry Christmas.