Christmas is fast approaching, and so comes the responsibility and pressure of organising a festive season to remember!
Well, don’t despair as we’ve got a list of 14 fantastic festive events and places around Newcastle and the wider region to visit this winter. It's time to get planning!
1. Horton Grange Country House Hotel
Horton Grange is the perfect place to celebrate the festive season in style!
The hotel’s Christmas party nights - on December 6, 7, 13, 14 and 20 - are a fantastic way to celebrate, whether with family, friends, or work colleagues, and are priced at just £29.50 pp for three delicious courses and a fabulous disco!
Where to go: Berwick Hill Road, Ponteland, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE13 6BU
Get in touch: Visit www.hortongrange.co.uk or call 01661 860 686
2. The Little Haven Hotel
Have a lovely Christmas break at Little Haven, with a three night stay from Christmas Eve, a fabulous dinner each day, Christmas Day breakfast and Boxing Day brunch - all for £399.95 for two.
Also, enjoy the NYE Gala Night with vocalist and saxophonist Simon Garcia, a three course buffet, disco and fireworks display to bring in 2020!
Where to go: River Drive, Littlehaven, South Shields, Tyne & Wear, NE33 1LH
Get in touch: Visit www.littlehavenhotel.com or call 0191 455 4455
3. Charts Newcastle
Enjoy Christmas on the Quayside as Charts is promising to be ‘Nautical but Nice’ this festive season.
From traditional Christmas dinners to turkey and wensleydale sliders, vegan nut lollipops, and sweet boards to satisfy any sweet tooth, take your taste buds on a Christmas trip of their own while you sit back and watch the Tyne go by.
Where to go: 63 Quayside, Newcastle, NE1 3DE
Get in touch: Visit www.pubculture.com/charts
4. Wynyard Hall
For a truly special way to celebrate Christmas, visit Wynyard Hall, where, every year, the stunning historic venue is transformed into a winter wonderland.
Enjoy the annual Festive Shopping Fayre from November 21 to 24 and explore a treasure trove of more than 150 stalls filled with beautiful gifts, fashion, food and wine - all to the sound of carolling!
Where to go: Wynyard, Stockton-on-Tees, Billingham, TS22 5NF
Get in touch: Visit www.wynyardhall.co.uk
5. Barrasford Arms
Voted the North East Tourism Pub of the Year 2018, where better to relax and treat yourself to delicious food and drinks this Christmas than quaint country pub, Barrasford Arms.
From November 26 until December 29, feast on festive favourites like the twice-baked cheese souffle, traditional turkey, succulent blade of beef, and sloe gin and cherry brandy trifle.
Where to go: Hexham, Northumberland, NE48 4AA
Get in touch: Visit www.barrasfordarms.co.uk or call 01434 681 237
6. Brinkburn St Bar and Kitchen
Enjoy the taste of warm home comforts at Brinkburn St this Christmas.
From December 1 to 24, the bar will be offering a three course festive lunch or dinner, glass of homemade mulled wine, a glass of fizz or a Brinkburn beer upon arrival - all for £30 pp.
Pre-booking is essential, with a deposit of £10 per person.
Where to go: Unit 1A, Ford Street, Ouseburn Valley, Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 1LN
Get in touch: Visit www.brinkburnbrewery.co.uk or call 0191 338 9039
7. Live Theatre
Live Theatre is putting on two fantastic festive shows this Christmas: cabaret comedy Bonnie and Fanny’s Christmas Spectacular, and cult comedy music quiz Mixtape Xmas - suitable for ages 14 and above and priced from £10.
Groups can also upgrade their ticket to include pre-show drinks and a buffet, with a free bottle of prosecco for groups of 10 or more.
Where to go: Live Theatre, Broad Chare, Quayside, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3DQ
Get in touch: Visit www.live.org.uk/venue-hire/christmas-party-nights or call 0191 269 3493
8. Maldron Hotel
With festive afternoon tea, wreath making, party nights and a lunch with Santa himself on offer, the whole family can celebrate Christmas from as little as £12.95 pp at Maldron Hotel.
You can also stay in one of the hotel’s four-star deluxe bedrooms, and really make a night of it - from just £69.
Where to go: Newgate Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 5RE
Get in touch: Visit www.maldronhotelnewcastle.com or call 0191 640 9500
9. The 737 Experience
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to fly a plane? This Christmas, have your chance and fly to a destination of your choice at The 737 Experience - a flight training and simulation centre.
With a five star TripAdvisor rating, the simulator is 1:1 scale and used for real world pilot training. Experiences are by appointment only.
Where to go: Unit 5, MGM House, Newburn Bridge Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE15 8NR
Get in touch: Visit www.the737experience.co.uk or call 0191 283 7977
10. South Tynedale Railway
Santa Specials at South Tynedale Railway really are special!
With the help of elves, board a heritage steam train, and receive a spotter sheet with things to look out for while travelling, before visiting Santa’s Grotto for crafting, refreshments and an audience with the man himself!
Tickets are £11 for children aged one to 14, and £14 for above 15.
Where to go: The Railway Station, Alston, Cumbria, CA9 3JB
Get in touch: Visit www.south-tynedale-railway.org.uk or call 01434 382 828
11. Whitehouse Farm Centre
Make memories with the whole family this Christmas at Whitehouse Farm Centre’s The Santa Experience.
From November 23 and December 24, visit the centre’s beautifully decorated Grotto, meet the man himself, create Christmas decorations, cards and calendars, and see elves up close!
Children can also make their own furry friend to take home in Santa’s toy workshop!
Where to go: North Whitehouse Farm, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 6AW
Get in touch: Visit www.whitehousefarmcentre.co.uk or call 01670 789 998
12. Britannia Hotel Newcastle Airport
The most wonderful time of the year is coming, so spend it with the perfect host: Britannia Hotel Newcastle Airport, which promises exclusive parties, tasty food and quality festive entertainment.
Priced from only £21.95 pp, the hotel’s Christmas party nights are an experience to remember. You can also book a Christmas Day lunch, Sunday lunch with Santa or a NYE evening meal.
Where to go: Ponteland, Newcastle, NE13 8DJ
Get in touch: Visit www.britanniahotels.com/hotels/the-britannia-hotel-newcastle-airport, call 0191 401 9933 or email conf716@britanniahotels.com
13. Lightwater Valley Theme Park
Embark on a fantastical illuminated Christmas trail at Lightwater Valley, where numerous giant light sculptures illustrate Alice in Wonderland.
Watch the Mad Hatter prepare for his crazy tea party, marvel at a four-metre tall Alice, see the Cheshire Cat, and come face to face with the infamous Queen of Hearts!
Limited availability – Book online to SAVE!
Where to go: North Stainley, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 3HT
Get in touch: Visit www.lightwatervalley.co.uk
14. Raby Castle
There’s so much to see and do at Raby Castle this Christmas! Meet Father Christmas for songs, stories and gift-giving; discover new trails in the Enchanted Festive Forest; and choose your ideal Christmas tree from the range grown on the estate.
There’ll also be the annual Christmas Market, several craft workshops, astrophotography workshops, and the return of festive afternoon tea.
Christmas tickets are now available online.
Where to go: Raby Castle, Staindrop, Co. Durham, DL2 3AH
Get in touch: Visit www.raby.co.uk/Christmas or call 01833 660 202
