This post will share North East Light Trails taking place in 2023. I will update each section with a review once they open and reviews are available.
Just to let you know, the light trail at Gibside has now ended and they will be sharing a more traditional Christmas experience this year.
The Cheapest North East Light Trails
These prices are based on 2A, 2C (aged 5) booking the cheapest tickets I could find (from official sources) online in October 2023 and include booking fees. Obviously prices can fluctuate.
- Durham Lumiere | FREE
- Cullercoats Advent Trail | FREE
- Sunderland Festival of Light | £11 (under 2s free)
- Metrocentre Winter Wonderscape | £23.60 (under 1s free)
- Plotters' Forest Enchanted Evening Trail | £24 (under 1s free)
- Nightfall | £49 (under 2s free)
- Beamish Forest of Light | £50.50 (under 1s free)
- Alnwick Garden Light Trail | £52.80 (under 5s free)
- AGLOW | £62 (under 3s free)
- Northern Lights Newcastle | £63.23 (under 3s free)
- Liliorei Christmas Lights | £64 (under 5s free)
- Lilidorei Christmas Lights & Alnwick Garden Lights Combo Ticket | £101.20 (under 5s free)
Sunderland Festival of Light
Taking place in Roker Park this year, this light trail is one of the cheaper options on offer with tickets costing just £3.30 each (group discounts available). This trail takes place on selected evenings from 12 October - 12 November. 
It's not huge but still good value with a magical woodland glade, selfie street and light tunnels. There are fairground rides, entertainment/walkabout characters and food stalls too.
This trail is fully accessible and dogs on leads are welcome.
Read our full review and book tickets here: Sunderland Lights Review & Tickets
(AD) Northern Lights Newcastle
This brand new light trail is heading to Newcastle's Leazes Park from 23 November - 1 January. Although new, this trail is brought to us by From the Fields who have years of experience putting together showstopping events.
This trail is fully accessible and dogs on leads are welcome.
You can expect an immersive 1 mile circular walk around the park with illuminations, sculptures and surprises which ends in a Christmas Village where you can enjoy festive food and drinks from local businesses. Tickets are available from £19 per adult and £13.50 per child.
Find out more and book here: Northern Lights Trail Tickets
(AD) Nightfall
Taking place for 5 nights only in Stewart Park, Middlesbrough from 29 November - 3 December, we absolutely loved Nightfall last year (read our 2022 review here) and we're looking forward to visiting again this year.
You can expect beautiful works of art, giant sculptures, pop up theatre, music, performances and more. It really is more than just a light trail and a feast for the senses. The trail ends with a local food and drink village with a winter craft area and live music.
This trail is fully accessible and pet dogs are not permitted.
Tickets are £14.50 per adult and £9.50 per child and can be booked here: Nightfall Tickets
AGLOW at Auckland Castle
Taking place from 22 November - 31 December in the grounds of Auckland Castle, this illuminated Christmas light trail promises 17 spectacular illuminations and some of the largest light installations in the country. You can expect a mix of light, music, sound and even fire with food and drink will be available to purchase.
Dogs on leads are welcome. This trail is not accessible for wheelchairs and may be tricky for pushchairs due to the uneven terrain.
Tickets are £19.50 per adult and £13 per child (off peak) with group discounts available.
Find out more and book here: Book AGLOW Tickets
Alnwick Garden Light Trail & Lilidorei Christmas Lights
There isn't too much information about these trails online but I know the Alnwick Garden Trail is always a popular one with families and tickets are now limited. 
The trail is accessible and no pet dogs are permitted.
Alnwick Garden Light Trail - 13 November - 7 January is avaiable for £13.20 per person.
Lilidorei Christmas Lights - 13 November - 7 January is available for £16 per person.
An Alnwick Garden & Lilidorei Lights Combo Ticket is available for £25.30 per person.
Just to note, children aged 4 and under go free to both of these trails (and it's usually only under 2s that go free to Light Trails) so if you're visiting with a 2/3/4 year old, this one may work out as better value for you.
When booking, a donation is automatically added to some ticket types so if you don't wish to donate, make sure you watch out for this and remove it before checking out.
Find out more and book: Alnwick Garden & Lilidorei Light Trail Tickets
Durham Lumiere
Lumiere is a FREE light festival which takes over Durham City (and beyond with a special spotlight on Bishop Auckland) from 16-19 November. 
It's FREE to attend but you do need to book a ticket if you'd like to visit the installations in Durham City during peak hours (4:30pm-7:30pm). The event closes at 11pm if you'd like to visit later without a ticket.
Some areas are accessible but due to Durham's cobbled streets, some areas may not be fully accessible. You are asked to leave dogs & pushchairs at home.
The programme features over 40 light and art installations at key sites across the county. Find out more here: Durham Lumiere
Forest of Light at Beamish Hall Hotel Grounds
Taking place in the grounds of Beamish Hall Hotel on various dates in November, December and January , this light trail will take you through an enchanted woodland. Expect lights, music, interactive props and projections. 
This trail is in a natural woodland and unsuitable for wheelchairs. Slings are recommended over pushchairs. Pet dogs are not permitted.
Tickets are £12 per person and only under 1s go free to this one so if you're visiting with a 1 year old, there may be cheaper options available.
Find out more and book: Forest of Light Trail Tickets
Plotters' Forest Enchanted Christmas Evening Trail
Taking place on selected evenings in December, you can expect twinkling lights and christmas music under the night sky. 
Tickets are relatively cheap at £4.50 per adult and £6.50 per child (including a treat for children) and the festive tipi will be open. Access to the play equipment and deer park is not included.
Find out more and book: Plotters' Forest Enchanted Christmas Trail Tickets
FREE Cullercoats Community Advent Trail
The Cullercoats Community Advent Trail takes place in and around Cullercoats from 1 December with local residents and businesses designing creative window/advent displays and a new one being revealed each evening. A trail map will be revealed closer to the time. No need to book - just turn up and enjoy.
This trail is accessible and dogs on leads are welcome.
Find out more: Cullercoats Community Advent Trail
Metrocentre Winter Wonderscape
This light experience is indoors so ideal for those who aren't keen on the cold! The magic of Christmas will come to life with spectacular immersive projections which surround you with the beauty of the North Pole. There will be 1000s lights which will be brought to life during a special show AND you can party with the elves amongst it all.
This experience is accessible and pet dogs are not permitted.
This event takes place from 20 November - 24 December. Tickets are from £5.50 each with under 1s going free. You can add on a visit to Father Christmas for a small additional cost and the FREE Arctic Experience Skating / Snow will be available too.
Find out more and book: Winter Wonderscape Tickets
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