11 Festive Activities to Get You into the Christmas Spirit
With Christmas just around the corner, we’ve rounded up the best events and markets to get you in the mood
LIVING NORTH CHRISTMAS FAIR
10TH–13TH NOVEMBER
York Racecourse
0191 261 8944
Join us for a jam-packed day out as our Christmas Fair once again returns to York Racecourse – this weekend! Head to the Shopping Halls for great gifts from artisan designers and makers you won’t find anywhere else, and our fantastic food producers will not disappoint either, with a huge range of artisan treats from sweets to local meats, spirits and cheeses. Plus, some of Yorkshire’s top chefs will be cooking live in our Demo Kitchen. Tickets are available on the door. We’ll see you there!
CHRISTMAS MARKET
18TH–20TH NOVEMBER
Spanish City, Whitley Bay
spanishcity.co.uk
Spanish City’s Christmas Market (which attracts 8,000 visitors annually) hosts a variety of traditional stalls where you can browse unique, hand-crafted gifts and stock up on local delicacies. There’ll be festive food to sample too. On 18th November, you’re invited to join Spanish City for their first-ever Christmas shopping and Prosecco evening.
INTO THE WOODS: A FAIRYTALE CHRISTMAS
FROM 12TH NOVEMBER
Castle Howard, York
castlehoward.co.uk
Following the sell-out success of last year’s Christmas in Narnia experience at Castle Howard, Charlotte Lloyd Webber Event Design and The Projection Studio have once again been invited to transform the rooms here into magical forests and faraway kingdoms. Theatrical installations and projections will bring to life your favourite fairytales, and watch out for Father Christmas who will pay special visits throughout December.
Read More: Christmas Events, Musicals and Comedy: What's On in November
LIGHT TRAIL
FROM 28TH NOVEMBER
The Alnwick Garden
alnwickgarden.com
This Christmas, the North East’s biggest light trail returns to The Alnwick Garden. Immerse yourself in this stunning light and sound display, with magic awaiting on every corner, but don’t forget to wrap up warm! Fun for all the family, you’ll want to snap photos as you follow this trail which promises to spread the joy of Christmas.
FORD & ETAL CHRISTMAS MARKET
26TH & 27TH NOVEMBER
Ford & Etal Estates
ford-and-etal.co.uk
Ford & Etal’s new-style Christmas Market has stalls in Ford, Etal and Heatherslaw, with entertainment, activities and decorations in all three hubs– so you’re spoilt for choice. You can enjoy browsing food and drink, local crafts, gifts, pottery, presents for your pets and confectionery. Follow the free Christmas Tree Trail and you’ll be entered into the prize draw; one adult and one child can each win a fantastic hamper of goodies. Plus, Santa will be visiting and there will be delicious food on offer – as well as free tastings.
THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
FROM 12TH NOVEMBER
Bamburgh Castle
bamburghcastle.com
Award-winning theatrical designer Charlotte Lloyd Webber and her team at CLW Event Design have once again created a masterpiece. This year, the castle’s staterooms will be transformed into an enchanting world of lords-a-leaping, swans-a-swimming and gold rings (you get the idea), as they present The Twelve Days of Christmas. See stunning theatrical sets and lighting, floral displays, thousands of baubles and twinkling lights as well as a fantastically festive Christmas tree.
Read More: How Darlington's Theatre Hullabaloo is Giving Children a Chance to Experience Creativity
THE PLOTTERS’ FOREST ENCHANTED CHRISTMAS TRAIL
THROUGHOUT NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER
Raby, Staindrop
raby.co.uk
The whole family can get involved in Raby’s Enchanted Christmas Trail in The Plotters’ Forest, which will be decorated in twinkling lights. Follow the sound of Christmas music as you wander around the winter wonderland, where a special treat awaits. Day tickets also include use of The Plotters’ Forest play equipment.
SANTA’S GROTTO
FROM 24TH NOVEMBER
Thorp Perrow, Bedale
thorpperrow.com
Follow Thorp Perrow’s festive trail through the Arboretum until you reach the grotto in the woods. The elves there will guide you through the winter wonderland to Santa’s log cabin. He’ll be waiting in his cosy sitting room for a chat and a photo with you – and, forget the nice list, he has a gift for every child!
BIVOUAC CHRISTMAS TRAIL
16TH–26TH DECEMBER
Swinton Bivouac
swintonestate.com
Follow Swinton Bivouac’s Christmas trail around the woodland and discover the hidden secrets of the Druid’s Temple along the way. Don’t forget to stop by the Bivouac’s Bistro Café where a selection of seasonal warming tipples are on the menu (mulled wine is taking our fancy, but you might want to try the mulled cider for something a little different).
Read More: Three Last-Minute Family Holidays Everyone Will Love
SANTA’S FESTIVE FOREST
UNTIL CHRISTMAS EVE
Metrocentre, Gateshead
themetrocentre.co.uk
This Christmas, in between stocking up on the allimportant presents at the Metrocentre, you can visit Santa in his Festive Forest. His elves will guide you through the forest where your children will get the chance to decorate a Christmas cookie before they meet the main man.
THE HEPWORTH WAKEFIELD FESTIVE MARKET
26TH & 27TH NOVEMBER & 3RD & 4TH DECEMBER
The Hepworth Wakefield
hepworthwakefield.org
Support independent makers at The Hepworth Wakefield’s popular festive market where you’ll find more than 60 stalls selling candles, ceramics, gifts for children, homeware, prints, textiles and stationery. This will be the first major event to take place in the newly-created event space at Tileyard North (the refurbished textile mill opposite the gallery) and they’ll also be staging an outdoor illumination as part of Wakefield’s Light Up Festival.
