10 best activities for Christmas in Newcastle that’ll sleigh your holiday spirit
Most people associate Newcastle with arts and culture, perhaps a visit to a museum or a night at the theatre. But Christmas in Newcastle? The city flips the switch and becomes fully in the holiday spirit.
It all started when we tried to avoid FOMO and find fun things to do without going broke. One market trip turned into a light trail, then a cheeky hot chocolate, and suddenly we were full-on festive.
Now, it’s kind of our thing. Ice skating, sausage rolls, late-night shopping in mittens—we’re back at it every year like holiday elves. And we’re not that greedy not to share our favourite Christmas activities in Newcastle.
1. Visit Fenwick’s Christmas Window
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Website: https://www.fenwick.co.uk/pages/newcastle
Location: 39 Northumberland St
Contact: [email protected]
Hours: Monday to Saturday: 9 AM – 7 PM | Sunday: 10:30 AM – 5 PM
Pricing: Free
We won’t lie—this is the first thing we look forward to every single year. Fenwick’s Christmas Window is a full-blown holiday tradition that makes us feel like kids again.
In 2024, they brought the story of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” to life with handcrafted moving scenes. The Unthanks provided the bespoke soundtrack, and charming details were in every pane.
It’s completely free to view and stretches across the Northumberland Street side of Fenwick. We found that the sweet spot was around 5 PM, after the streetlights came on but before the after-work crowd built up.
If you have little ones, they’ll love the interactive QR codes on the window frames. Scanning them unlocks bonus animations and behind-the-scenes clips.
Pro Tip:
Don’t miss the chance to visit Santa on the Roof inside Fenwick. Tickets are £15 per child and sell out quickly, so it’s highly recommended that you book online in advance.
2. Skate at Life Science Centre’s Ice Rink
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Website: https://www.life.org.uk/whats-on/
Location: Life Science Centre, International Centre for Life, Times Square
Contact: 0191 243 8210
Hours: Monday to Wednesday and Friday: 10 AM – 3 PM | Thursday: 10 AM – 2 PM | Saturday and Sunday: 10 AM – 5 PM
Pricing: ££
There’s something hilarious about watching your friends wipe out on skates. That’s exactly how we spent our evening at the Times Square Ice Rink by the Life Science Centre one December (you can come here November through the first week of January, by the way).
Just note that it’s closed on Christmas Day, so make sure to check the dates before you go.
We paid around £13 each, including skate hire, which felt fair considering the whole session lasted nearly an hour. It was also surprisingly well-organised, with friendly staff, lockers for your bags, and penguin skating aids for beginners.
We even spotted a few groups on Christmas jumper pub crawls passing by, so you know it’s clearly a city favourite. And the nearby bars make it easy to warm up straight after.
Pro Tip:
Visit during weekday mornings for a quieter experience, and consider combining your skate with a visit to the Life Science Centre’s festive events.
3. Experience Winter Wonderland at Utilita Arena
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Website: https://www.utilitaarena.co.uk/
Location: Arena Way, NE4 7NA
Contact: [email protected]
Hours: Monday to Friday: 10 AM – 4 PM
Pricing: £
Winter Wonderland at Utilita Arena transforms the space around Newcastle’s biggest events venue into a pop-up Christmas village. We came for the rides, but left talking about the atmosphere, which felt genuinely festive without being overdone.
The Alpine Bavarian Lounge Bar was one of our highlights—warm, covered, and serving hot cider in proper mugs. There’s also an ice bar, a ferris wheel, and an open-air market with festive treats like Yorkshire pudding wraps and churros.
Rides and attractions have separate fees, ranging from £2 to £5. Santa’s Grotto visits are available for £8 per child, including a wrapped gift and a chance to meet Santa.
We also spotted roving performers during the evening, including a stilt-walking elf, Disney princesses, and the infamous “TikTok Grinch,” who roams around for selfies and comedic photo ops.
Pro Tip:
Visit during weekday evenings (5 PM to 9 PM). They are generally quieter, making for a more relaxed experience with shorter queues for rides and food stalls.
4. Discover the Northern Lights Trail at Leazes Park
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Website: northernlightsnewcastle.com
Location: Richardson Road, NE2 4BJ
Hours: Open 24 hours
Pricing: ££
At Leazes Park, we followed a mile-long illuminated trail called the Northern Lights, and it genuinely felt like stepping into a fantasy forest. The lights weren’t just still; they moved, changed colours, and pulsed to music.
The installations are choreographed to music and spread across the park, so every turn feels like discovering a new chapter.
There are whimsical creatures, colour-changing canopies, and even a floating “lily” that shimmers over the lake. We love that local street food vendors are set up near the end so that you can reward yourself with churros or gourmet grilled cheese after the trail.
You can book your timed entry slot online (about £26 per adult).
Pro Tip:
For the best experience, arrive 10 minutes early and book one of the earlier slots (around 4:30 PM) to enjoy twilight and full light-up moments.
5. Enjoy Christmas specials at Tyneside Cinema
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Website: https://tynesidecinema.co.uk/
Location: 10 Pilgrim St, NE1 6QG
Contact: 0191 227 5500
Hours: Monday to Sunday: 8 AM to 9 PM
Pricing: ££
The Christmas film night at Tyneside Cinema is something you can’t miss annually. Plush seating, an old-school red curtain, and “It’s a Wonderful Life” on the big screen evoke the feel of stepping into the 1940s.
It’s operated by the Tyneside Cinema Trust, a registered charity that also supports local filmmakers and arts education. Additionally, it’s just off Pilgrim Street, making it easy to pair with dinner before or after.
They show festive favourites all December, with tickets around £10. My friend picked an evening screening and got mulled wine from the bar downstairs.
We especially love catching a film on the Electra screen—it’s cosy, softly lit, and has a slightly smaller crowd than the main screen. If you’re pairing it with dinner, you’re a 3-minute walk from Grey’s Quarter or High Bridge’s indie restaurants.
Pro Tip:
Book midweek evening screenings. They’re less crowded and cheaper, and you might just score the comfy corner seats in the classic screen, which feel like a festive little den.
6. Attend a Christmas concert at Newcastle Cathedral
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Website: https://newcastlecathedral.org.uk/
Location: St. Nicholas Square
Contact: 0191 232 1939
Hours: Monday to Friday: 8 AM – 5 PM | Saturday and Sunday: 8 AM – 6 PM
Pricing: ££
Every December, Newcastle Cathedral hosts “Christmas at the Cathedral.” It’s a festive concert blending music, comedy, and readings.
The event features surprise performances by local celebrities—past guests have included Stephen Tompkinson, Tim Healy, Melanie Hill, and Jimmy Nail. The lineup remains confidential until the night, adding an element of surprise.
Typically, tickets sell out quickly in early December. Ours were £22 and worth every penny.
Best of all, proceeds from the event support The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, which contributes to cancer research and patient care in the North East. So it’s like hitting two birds with one stone: you get to enjoy the night and do some good.
Pro Tip:
Arrive 30 to 45 minutes early to enjoy the cathedral’s festive ambience and secure a good seat, as some areas may have obstructed views.
7. Visit the Winter Makers Market at BALTIC
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Website: https://baltic.art/
Location: S Shore Rd, Gateshead NE8 3BA
Hours: Wednesday to Sunday: 10 AM – 6 PM
Pricing: Free
BALTIC’s Winter Makers Market feels like an indoor Etsy coming to life, and we’re not even joking. We spent hours exploring over 60 stalls with prints, jewellery, and mass-produced goods.
We were genuinely impressed by the variety of stalls, from vegan skincare and locally dyed textiles to handmade jewellery.
One of the most memorable finds was a stand offering hot chocolate-scented soy candles in recycled espresso cups—perfect for gifting and eco-friendly.
Plus, the gallery’s viewing deck gave us a stunning view of the Tyne and the bridges all lit up. It’s a calm, creative break from the louder festive chaos in the city centre.
The market typically takes place on one Saturday in late November, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Entry is free, and it’s held across multiple floors of the BALTIC art gallery on the Quayside.
Pro Tip:
Head straight to the top floor first. The best stalls (and least crowded ones) are often the ones people get to last. And take cash; not all vendors take cards.
8. Cosy up with afternoon tea at Jesmond Dene House
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Website: https://jesmonddenehouse.co.uk/
Location: Jesmond Dene Rd, NE2 2EY
Contact: 0191 212 3000
Hours: Wednesday to Sunday: 12 PM – 9:30 PM
Pricing: £££
Treat yourself to an afternoon tea on a cold Christmas day. And one of the best places to do it is at Jesmond Dene House. It’s set inside a grand country house just minutes from the city, surrounded by woodland trails and wintry views.
Their Christmas-themed afternoon tea runs from late November to December and includes turkey and cranberry finger sandwiches, as well as mini mince pies. For a little sparkle, you can even upgrade to prosecco or mulled wine.
They also accommodate vegetarians and gluten-free guests, which was great for our group. Prices start at around £35 per person. Booking ahead is essential, as it fills up weeks in advance.
Afterwards, you can stroll through Jesmond Dene Park, which looks especially magical under frost.
Pro Tip:
Book a weekday afternoon slot for a quieter atmosphere and better window seats. They also offer free on-site parking, but spots are limited, so arrive a bit early.
9. Walk along the illuminated Quayside
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Website: https://newcastlegateshead.com/explore/quayside
Location: S Shore Rd, Gateshead NE8 3BA
Hours: Open 24 Hours
Pricing: Free
Some nights, just walking along Quayside is all you need. The bridges glow with festive colours, and the reflections on the River Tyne? They’re absolutely stunning.
We started at the Millennium Bridge and made our way towards the Ouseburn. Along the way, you’ll find light installations and street performers, also known as buskers. Just take note that the lights look best just after sunset (around 4 PM in December).
And on Sundays, the Quayside Market adds to the charm. We tried the handmade truffles from Awesome Chocolates. They’re also known for their artisanal creations, such as chocolate Lego pieces and festive lollies.
There is also a stall, The Doughnut Guy, that offers homemade doughnuts in flavours like rhubarb and custard. This spot is such a local favourite.
Pro Tip:
Head to the Baltic Square side for some of the best Tyne Bridge and Sage Gateshead photo spots. It’s usually quieter there too, which means better Instagram shots with fewer photobombers.
10. Watch a Christmas pantomime at Theatre Royal
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Website: https://www.theatreroyal.co.uk/
Location: 100 Grey Street, NE1 6BR
Contact: 0191 232 7010
Hours: Monday to Saturday: 10 AM to 8 PM
Pricing: ££
What’s a British Christmas without a pantomime? The Theatre Royal ensures plenty of laughs that don’t stop.
We love how the Theatre Royal feels like stepping into a different time, with its golden balconies, chandeliers, and plush velvet seats. It’s a Grade I-listed venue with 1,247 seats spread across four levels, and it genuinely adds sparkle to any night out.
In 2024, they staged Aladdin. We paid between £12 to £38 for our tickets. The cast usually features Geordie comedy legends like Danny Adams and Clive Webb, and the whole thing feels like a wild, glitter-soaked fever dream in the best way.
Additionally, the venue hosts a range of performances. It includes ballet, contemporary dance, drama, musicals, and opera, often featuring national British tours and productions by the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Pro Tip:
Matinee shows often have better seat availability. If you’re under 25, check for discounted “Young Person” tickets. These can offer significant savings, making it more affordable to enjoy this festive tradition.