With big festive events such as Fenwick's Santa on the Roof and Beamish Museum's Christmas Evenings, it seems it's never too early to plan your family's festive treats,
Both those events annually see huge demand for tickets and, with preparations well under way for other seasonal specials around the North East, there no doubt will be many other people eager to be quick off the mark to make a booking. Even in - or maybe because of - the current financial gloom, families just like to have something to look forward to.
We have drawn up a list of 10 Christmas events across the North East which have tickets on sale now and in these cash-strapped times we also will be following up with ideas for free, or cheap, things for families to do over the festive season. For now, our round-up includes some annual favourites - where it will be a case of you snooze, you lose over tickets - and some new twists on what's gone before.
Read more: Date of Fenwick's Christmas reveal and how to watch
So, here is a pick of what is on offer around Newcastle and the wider region for families with young ones - and for anyone else who enjoys a festive treat. That's pretty much all of us then. Watch this space for upcoming additions too.
Santa's Cinema
What: Part of Fenwick's recently-announced Christmas programme, the pop-up cinema offers a programme of festive family films, such as Frozen and The Polar Express. And adults get to choose between a complimentary mulled wine or spiced apple juice while young ones have enjoy hot chocolate or juice - plus plenty of popcorn.
Where: The films are screened in a pop-up cinema on the fifth floor of the Newcastle department store. Other options include Muppets Christmas Carol and Love Actually.
When: The cinema opens on November 10 and runs until Christmas Eve.
Tickets: £17.50. See here.
The Twelve Days of Christmas
What: A new visitor attraction, following up from last year's Saints & Angels, will transform the castle as part of its Christmas Kingdom celebrations. Expect lavish sets throughout the rooms - with themes such as lords-a-leaping, gold rings and a partridge in a pear tree - all making up a glittering trail taking in baubles, floral displays, music and a giant tree.
Where: Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland
When: From November 12 until January 8.
Tickets: Entry is included in the castle admission price which is £15.50 for adults and £7.65 for children. Those aged four and under are admitted free. Meet Father Christmas experiences are also available, from November 19 until December 23, costing £19.95 per child. See here.
Gibside Christmas Trail
What: The National Trust property, which has hosted immersive festive trails in the past, has added new attractions to its after-dark trail this winter. A Snowflake Park - see here - will join the illuminations transforming the estate into a winter wonderland, with giant baubles overhead; glowing trees, flickering flames and a choreographed soundtrack. There will be food and drink stalls and look out for a glimpse of Father Christmas too.
Where: The Gibside house and grounds are at Rowlands Gill, near Gateshead
When: From December 1 , the trail that will run on selected dates up to January 1 (save for December 5-7; 12-13 and Christmas Day) from 4.30pm until 10pm, with last entry at 8pm.
Tickets: bought in advance, these cost £19.50 for adults and £14 for children. A family ticket - for two adults and two children - is available for £64 and carers and children aged two and under can have free entry. On-site parking costs £8. See here.
Kielder Winter Wonderland
What: A full-day attraction centred around helping Father Christmas get ready for the big day. The festive experience can include helping 'Mrs Christmas' in her seasonal preparations and assisting the elves in the workshop before a walk through the forest to find the main man himself in his woodland home - and there well could be encounters with his festive pals en route. Look out too for reindeer and snow tubing activities.
Where: Kielder Forest Park, Kielder Waterside, Northumberland
When: November 19-20 and 26-27 then December 3-4, 10-11, 17-18 and 21-23. Note that November 19 is set aside for relaxed visit.
Tickets: Prices start at £29.50 per person. For children under two years the cost is £5. A £5 booking fee also applies. See here.
Winter Light Trail
What: The after-dark sound and light trail, which won a gold award at the 2022 North East Tourism Awards for Experience of The Year, will be making a proud comeback with some new installations. It says to expect 'bigger, better and brighter'.
Where: Alnwick Garden, Northumberland
When: November 26 until January 8
Tickets: Prices will start at £10.50 (£13.20 with fee). Children aged four and under can attend for free. See here.
Winter Wonderland
What: Billed last year as Newcastle's biggest winter fair, the mega event will be back with ice skating, fairground rides and a visit from Santa Claus plus his elves and reindeer. There also will be a Christmas food market, German Bar and music.
Where: Newcastle Racecourse, Gosforth Park
When: From November 17 until Christmas Eve, December 24, running from 4pm-9pm on weekdays and noon to 9pm at weekends (and out-of-term dates).
Tickets: £5 see here. Ticket sessions for the real ice rink will have to be booked separately and sessions, which last around an hour, cost £9.50 for adults and those aged 12-plus; £7.50 for children aged three to 11 years. A family ticket is £29. See here.
Skating at Life
What: The seasonal open air ice rink - which has become a hugely popular tradition with families - will be making a welcome return to the city and remember those Christmas Eve sessions should be booked well in advance: special prices apply. A programme of festive events will run alongside the skating sessions.
Where: Life Science Centre, Times Square, Newcastle
When: November 12 to January 15.
Tickets: £13.50 adults; £10.50 concessions; £12 children and £10 for those aged nine and under. Family deals and skating packages containing a science centre visit are also available.To book see here or make a group booking call 0191 243 8223 on weekdays.
Forest of Light
What: An after-dark experience will be making a comeback in County Durham and promises to take families on an outdoor journey of discovery. Once the moon is out, the ancient woodland around the hotel will come to life and be transformed into a world of illumination, music and dazzling projections.
Where: Beamish Hall Hotel grounds
When: Various dates from November 11 until January 8, from 4pm to 8pm (last entry). Earlier slots are intended to suit families with younger children but the lights will be seen to their best advantage the darker it gets.
Tickets: £8. See here.
Winter Wonderland ice skating
What: More ice skating is on offer alongside a chance to enjoy a festive atmosphere. Previous ice action here has included various day-long options such as sessions in the afternoon sun, twilight and even after dark under the stars and this year promises to be just as spectacular. Over the festive season the arena is also hosting a Santa's Grotto from November 19-24; a wonderland music festival on December 3, with fair rides and a winter village, and a family wonderfest on December 4: see here.
Where: Rainton Arena, Houghton-le-Spring
When: November 19 to January 1
Tickets: £6. See here.
Christmas Daytimes at Beamish
What: While the open-air museum's Christmas Evenings may have sold out, there will be plenty festive day attractions to enjoy during the season. The setting promises to look thoroughly Christmassy and visitors will be able to experience the traditional celebrations of the past. Father Christmas will be in his grotto too and families can pre-book a slot for a visit. Tickets for this will go on sale at 10am on November 2 and they are expected to sell out fast.
Where: Beamish Museum, County Durham
When: November 26 to December 24. The museum will open Wednesday to Friday until December 16 then daily, save for Christmas Day and Boxing Day, until Christmas Eve. Father Christmas will be in his grotto in Rowley Station Goods Yard daily.
Tickets: Admission is included with the visitor Unlimited Pass which costs £21 for adults; £15.50 for concessions and £12 for children for a year's membership. Family tickets also are available. Grotto tickets will cost £6. See here.
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