I love hearing about Christmas Eve traditions. We love to stay at home, eat loads of food and drink plenty of fizz whilst watching Christmas TV but I know lots of you like to plan a special outing so I thought I would put together a little guide to a few Christmas Eve events taking place this year.
THIS POST IS FROM 2019. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ OUR GUIDE TO CHRISTMAS EVE EVENTS IN 2020.
If you like this post, don't forget to come back and check out the following:
- 10 Magical Winter Walks
- A Guide to North East Christmas Markets
- 50+ Christmas Events across North East England
- A Guide to Christmas Days Out with Teens
20 Christmas Eve Events for Kids in North East England
1 - Panto
There are limited tickets available to some of our region's best pantos on Christmas Eve. Check out my previews/reviews below:
- Beauty & the Beast at Theatre Royal
- Aladdin at Gala Durham
- Snow White at The Customs House
- The Snow Queen at Northern Stage
2 - Alnwick Garden Winter Playground - book here
![]() |
Credit - Alnwick Garden |
Alnwick Garden is open on Christmas Eve from 10am-4pm. Guests can enjoy the Winter Garden Trail, Winter Bumpers, Poison Garden Tours and The Winter Playground.
3 - The Snowman at Sage Gateshead - book here
4 - Christmas at Beamish - book here
Beamish is open from 10am - 4pm on Christmas Eve. You can enjoy Father Christmas, the Beamish Bazaar, Ice Rink, Festive Decorations, a 1950s Christmas in the Welfare Hall, Fairground & more.
5 - Christmas Eve Carol Concert at Matfen Hall - book here
![]() |
Credit - Matfen Hall |
6 - Christmas Eve Skating in Times Square Newcastle - book here
![]() |
Credit - Life |
Fancy ice skating on Christmas Eve? You can pre-book a session at Times Square outside Life Science Centre between 10am - 6pm.
7 - Santas Grotto at Liberty Brown - find out more here
Why not book a family meal and a trip to Santas Grotto at Liberty Brown? The experience includes 30 minutes with Santa and his elves , a gift and festive face painting.
Bring the kids along in their PJs to enjoy a meal as they watch The Polar Express on the big screen. Tickets are just £7.99 per person.
Holmside Park is open on Christmas Eve and will be offering a full day of fun. Tickets include admission & activities at Holmside Park, a visit to Santas Grotto with gift, Hot Chocolate & Cookies with Mrs Claus and more....
A Christmas Eve Breakfast at Spanish City looks lovely. Expect a visit from the main man himself, a waffle and pancake station for kids and a Christmas Disco. Tickets are just £11.95 each.
10 - Christmas Eve Breakfast with Santa at Spanish City - book here
11 - Winter Wonderland at Whitehouse Farm - find out more here
Whitehouse Farm is open on Christmas Eve. There is no need to pre-book (simply pay on the door) and lots of fun to be had including Elf School, Christmas Cookie Decorating, Winter Wonderland Walk-Through Experience, Christmas Pony Grooming & more.
Also known as The Astley Arms, the Stonehouse Pizza & Carvery has organised a lovely event on Christmas Eve. Tickets include Pizza, Hot Chocolate & Ice Cream, Festive Arts & Crafts, Reindeer Dust, Letters to Santa and The Polar Express Story in Santas Grotto.
12 - The Polar Express Pyjama Party at Stonehouse Pizza & Carvery, Whitley Bay - book here
13 - Fireside Stories with Santa & Afternoon Tea at The Black Horse Beamish - book here
![]() |
Credit - Black Horse Beamish |
Visit Santa in his enchanting 300 year old grotto and listen to magical tales from the North Pole before a visit with Santa (and gift) and a beautiful festive afternoon tea. Sounds blissful.
14 - Christmas Eve Party at Kikis Kabin North Shields - book here
Let the kids burn off some energy with this special Christmas party at Kikis Kabin. Ticket includes a picnic and a visit to see Santa in his grotto.
15 - Christmas Eve Disco at The Shire Horse Killingworth - book here
Book a table at The Shire Horse between 3-7pm on Christmas Eve and you will be treated to some extra festive entertainment including a festive disco and party games, Christmas crafts and letter writing to Santa.
16 - Starlight with Chris Bostock at The Exchange North Shields - book here
Starlight is gentle storytelling for children aged 2-6 and their families. Enjoy this magical Christmas Eve show featuring live music and props.
Enjoy a 2 course lunch, festive mini disco and a trip to see Santa in his grotto with the family this Christmas Eve. The menu features traditional Christmas Lunch and Yule Log.
18 - Polar Express Movie Day at Gigglewicks Cramlington - book here
Watch the Polar Express in the Gigglewicks Party Room with Hot Chocolate and Popcorn.
![]() |
Credit - Woodhorn |
Enjoy a 30 minute storytelling session with Father Christmas, photo opportunities and a seasonal gift at Woodhorn in Northumberland. Skating will also be available.
20 - Christmas Eve Afternoon Tea at Lumley Castle - book here
![]() |
Credit - Lumley Castle |
Festive Afternoon Tea is priced at £21.50 for adults and £13.50 for children. The menu includes festive treats and mulled wine for the grown-ups to the backdrop of live carols. Beautiful.
If you have enjoyed this post and found it useful, here are some ways you can say thanks and support North East Family Fun:
1 - Click here to sign up to our FREE monthly guide to what's on. This monthly email will feature lots of ideas for things to do for the month ahead plus exclusive deals.
2 - Join our Days Out Facebook Group here which includes lots of ideas for things to do - you can post your own recommendations too.
1 - Click here to sign up to our FREE monthly guide to what's on. This monthly email will feature lots of ideas for things to do for the month ahead plus exclusive deals.
2 - Join our Days Out Facebook Group here which includes lots of ideas for things to do - you can post your own recommendations too.
4 - Share this post with your friends
5 - Follow North East Family Fun on the following platforms :
Thank you for your support as always.
Please follow social distancing rules & Government guidelines , respect the local area. leave no trace, take litter home, park responsibly and if somewhere is busy on arrival, please consider leaving and returning at a later date.
Always check updated opening hours / protocols with venues direct before setting off as things may have changed since this post was published.
Always check updated opening hours / protocols with venues direct before setting off as things may have changed since this post was published.
If you like this post, don't forget to come back and check out the following:
We always stay in too but there are so many great ideas here it's enough to tempting anyone out!
ReplyDelete