Festive events are under way; the panto season and shopping sprees are in full swing and kids' excitement levels are already switching up a gear in anticipation of the big day.
So it's no surprise that parents are feeling the pressure more than ever as they face planning for Christmas in the midst of the cost of living crisis. For many the price of a visit to Santa or to see a festive show is just too high at a time they need to watch what they spend.
Across the North East however, museums and galleries offer free entry which means they're an ideal option for a trip out to while away a few hours in warmth and comfort - and they offer a chance to become reacquainted with the treasures on our doorstep.
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In addition, with a festive theme in mind, we have come up with a list of ideas for things to do around the region that also come with zero cost - or at least a low one. Here is our round-up of suggestions for an outing which spans the region and, to ensure there's no high spend on food while you're out, they could be combined with an indoor 'picnic' to look forward to on your return home.
Great North Winterland
Three special visitors will be stopping off in Newcastle from their busy schedule to bring some festive cheer to Great North Museum: Hancock on December 17.
The museum says three reindeer will be flying in from the North Pole (actually County Durham) to meet visitors who also will be able to learn about the animals and how they have adapted to life in England. They will be in their reindeer enclosure there from 11am until 3pm and entry is free, although donations would be welcome.
There will be a vending machine to buy reindeer food if anyone wants to give the visitors a treat and this would require a £1 coin. Added attractions will be 'glaciologists' and antarctic scientists to talk about exploration in the frozen south pole while adding to the festive spirit will be seasonal music as well as the musuem's Christmas story projection; crafts such as making sustainable wrapping paper and gift tags or sowing seeds to bloom in spring. For more about what's on offer at the museum see here.
Christmas Market and Family Crafting
In the mood to make a jingle bell stick or festive picture? Those are just two of the craft options available at free drop-in sessions running at Shipley Art Gallery in Gateshead during a relaxed Christmas shopping event on December 10.
Within the gallery's atmospheric surroundings, where visitors can also take in the artworks and exhibits, the event will run from 11am unti 3pm - while stocks last - and other family activities will include making a Christmas party hat, cards, gift tags and bags and designing a Christmas jumper. Sessions are free although donations would be welcome.
Unique Christmas gifts made by local artist and crafters also will be on sale. For more information about what is on at the Shipley - which is currently running a Christmas Collection project until December 15, inviting donations of new toys and books, as well as food, for Gateshead based families in need - see here.
Santa's Grotto
The big man's grotto at Manor Walks in Cramlington, Northumberland, can be found in in Centre Mall, next to Boots, at the shopping centre and every child who visits will receive a certificate to take home. No tickets are required and admission is free, although there might be a small wait in the queue which, at very busy times, might have to be closed.
This Sunday, December 4, it will be hosting a special autism-friendly time, from 9am-10.30am, for visits to see Santa, with music and lights turned down, before it opens to everyone from 11am. Santa will be there until 4pm and then again from 11am-4pm on the December 10-11 weekend; 11am-3pm on December 16; 11am-3pm on December 17-18; 11am-3pm on December 22 and 11am-4pm on both December 22 and Christmas Eve.
Christmas Family Fun Day
A bouncy castle, 'rodeo reindeer', face-painting and crafts will be on offer this Saturday, December 3 during an afternoon of activities organised by Emmanuel Church Durham.
Santa's Grotto will be there too and entry is free, although thre will be a charge for some refreshments. It will run from 1pm-4pm at The Durham Centre in Belmont Industrial Estate and organisers say it may be possible to arrange local transport for anyone needing it. Follow the Facebook page here.
Frost Fest Weekend
The Land of Oak & Iron heritage centre in Winlaton Mill, Tyne and Wear, has free entry and it will be hosting a weekend of festive activities from December 3-4, between 10am and 4pm, to include family crafts such as free Christmas card-making.
Others include cookie-decorating for a small charge; there also will be a mischievous elf trail and a frost trail (with a suggested donation of £3) and Father Christmas will be making an appearance with visits costing £5.50 for two adults and a child, and £1.50 per extra person. Other attractions include live music and a tombola. A Winter Robin bird walk in Derwent Valley is on offer too but this costs £9.50).
Children's Christmas Crafts
At Rainton Meadows in Houghton-le-Spring, Durham Wildlife Trust and Rainton Meadows Wildlife Watch will be hosting a morning of wildlife-themed Christmas crafts and stories from acclaimed children’s story-teller Raggy Beard. The event, running from 10am on December 22, is free entry and booking is not essential.
Craft activities include making Christmas tree decorations and fat-ball bird feeders. See here.
Christmas Tree Festival
Families can pop in for free to soak up the festive atmosphere at Sunderland Minster during this December 16-19 festival. More than more 40 Christmas trees will be on display, each decorated with a different theme.
There'll be festive music too and refreshments will be available. Opening times will be 10am-4pm then 6pm-7.30pm on December 16; 10am-4pm on December 17; 1pm-4pm on December 18 followed by Christmas Carols at 6pm and then 10am-midday on December 19. See here.
Elf Express
A pricier idea but included as a treat, this train trip at Stephenson Railway Museum in North Tyneside this December will be hosted by the Chief Elf and the interactive show will see youngsters put through their paces to check they can be part of Santa’s crew before they embark upon a team train journey.
There promises to be plenty entertainment and photo opportunities along the way and Santa will give presents. Booking options include Bauble and Evergreen saloon carriages, where family groups will be seated together, while a Sparkle Carriage offers private compartments - with seating up to eight - which is available to book for exclusive use. Group tickets for this are available; otherwise the cost is £16-24 per person.
An entertainer will perform the story in the train corridor. The event will run on various time slots at weekends on December 3-4; 10-11; 17-18 and on Christmas Eve. For available time slots, including for this Saturday, see here.
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