FREE and Low Cost Winter & Festive Events (with no booking required)

Here is my annual list of FREE (or low cost) events which can be enjoyed with no booking required over the festive period. 

Please always double check opening times, dates and information direct with venues before heading out and when making plans as the information in this post may change over time and sadly, last minute event cancellations is not a rare occurrence in these current times.

FREE/ Low Cost Drop In Events 

• FREE Santa's Grotto at Manor Walks Cramlington (selected dates). Children will receive a nice list certificate and a small gift in this traditional grotto. Just join the queue during normal opening hours.

 

Photo from 2022 - the location is slightly different this year 

• 11 Nov - 31 Dec - FREE Arctic Experience and Ice Rink at Metrocentre. It is FREE to skate if you sign up to the metrocentre's mailing list or make a food bank donation. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• 16 Nov - 7 Jan - FREE AR Christmas Stocking Trail in Sunderland. Find four giant Christmas stockings in the town and meet 7 AR Festive Characters along the way...... 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• 18 Nov - 31 Dec - Father Christmas Has Lost His Presents Trail at High Force Waterfall (£9 for up to 2A and 3C). 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• 25 Nov - 18 Dec - FREE Hexham Magical Music Trail. 71 local businesses have decorated their window to the theme of a Christmas Song. Can you guess them all? Complete the trail for your chance to win one of three hampers. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• 19 Nov - 7 Jan - FREE Walking with the Snowman Trail in Middlesbrough Town Centre 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• From 1 Dec - Cullercoats Community Advent Trail 

• 1 - 15 Dec - Zog's Christmas Code Trail (with free Zog decoration) at Hamsterley Forest (£1.50)
  
  
  
  
• 2 Dec - FREE Christmas Parade, Light Swith On & Santa's Grotto in Saltburn 
  
  
• 2 Dec - FREE Christmas Crafts with the Frozen Sisters at Wallsend Customer First Centre 
  
  
• 2 Dec - FREE Biscuit Decorating at IKEA 
  
  
• 2 & 3 Dec - FREE Entry A Georgian Christmas at Kirkleatham Museum 
  
  
• 2 & 3 Dec - Christmas Extravaganza at Dorman Museum - FREE Entry, Elf Challenge Craft (£2), Gingerbread Trail (£1), FREE Spot Santa Walking Around the Museum, FREE Festive Music 
  
  
• 3 Dec - FREE Tree Decoration Making at IKEA Gateshead 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• 8 Dec - FREE Elf Movie Night at Beacon of Light 
  
  
• 8 Dec - FREE South Tyneside Christmas Parade 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• 9 Dec - FREE Letter Writing to Santa & Face Painting at Byron Place Shopping Centre 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• 9 Dec - FREE Ice Trail in Darlington Town Centre 
  
  
  
• 9 Dec - Brickmas at Dorman Museum - Duplo drop in (free), Arts & Crafts (£2), Trail (£1) 
• 9 Dec - FREE Tree Decoration Making at IKEA Gateshead 
  
  
• 9 & 10 Dec - FREE ENTRY Mischevious Elf Trail and Frost Weekend at Land of Oak and Iron 
  
  
  
• 9 & 10 Dec - FREE ENTRY Festive Forest Weekend & Perfect Christmas Tree Trail (£2 inc hot chocolate) at Hamsterley Forest 
  
  
• 10 Dec - FREE Biscuit Decorating at IKEA 
  
  
• 16 Dec - FREE Saltburn Ice Trail 
  
  
  
• 16 Dec - FREE Christmas Card, Tree Decoration & 2024 Calendar Making + FREE Face Painting at Byron Place Shopping Centre 
  
  
• 16 & 17 Dec - FREE Tree Decoration Making at IKEA Gateshead 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• 16 & 17 Dec - FREE Sunderland Ice Festival / Ice Trail with live Santa Sleigh Ice Sculpting, Letter Writing to Santa, Elves and more 
  
  
• 20 Dec - FREE Meet Grinchy and Cindy Lou at Byron Place Shopping Centre 
  
  
  
• 22 Dec - FREE Home Alone Film Morning at Beacon of Light 

These drop-in events are included with National Trust Membership: 

• Daily - Woodland Fairy Trail at Gibside (included with National Trust Membership on selected dates)
  
  
• A Fairytale Christmas at Ormesby Hall (included with National Trust Membership on selected dates) 
  
  
• Robins Winter Trail at Seaton Delaval Hall (included with National Trust Membership on selected dates) 
  
  
• Merry Maze Trail,  Festive Decoration Making, Mischevious Mice Trail & Wish Upon a Star at Cragside (included with National Trust Membership on selected dates) 
  
  
• Walkaround Father Christmas at Wallington (included with National Trust Membership on selected dates) 
  
  
• Mrs Christmas Storytelling at Wallington (included with National Trust Membership on selected dates) 
  
  
• Festive Live Music at Wallington Hall (included with National Trust Membership on selected dates) 
  
  
• Festive Live Music and Choirs at Seaton Delaval Hall (included with National Trust Membership on selected dates) 
  
  
• Children's Paper Wreath Making at The Stables, Gibside (included with National Trust Membership on selected dates) 
  
  
  

Kids Club or Meerkat Movies at your Local Cinema  

In the run up to Christmas, most cinema chains run kids clubs on weekends and across school holidays where tickets are typically £2.50-£3 each. Films shown are not new releases but in December there are usually Christmas films that are a couple of years old included in this offer.

We used to do this regularly when the kids were little and it was a cheap day out when the weather wasn't great. 

Alternatively, many cinemas are part of Meerkat Movies where you can enjoy 2 for 1 films on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Our local (Vue Cramlington) is £4.99 per ticket as a standard price so when combined with this deal, it's a bargain at £2.50 each, especially as it includes new releases.

Walkergate's Special Christmas Bus 

New for this year, a Christmas-themed bus will be visiting various locations across the North East. Expect it to be all decked out for Christmas, a chance to visit Father Christmas and post your letter in a special bus post box. FREE to visit but they are asking for donations and hoping to raise £20k for Daft as a Brush. Find out more and check locations here. 

Visit Fenwick's Window & Newcastle's Christmas Markets 

Both are FREE to browse. 

Other Christmas Posts you may like: 

• The Ultimate Guide to Christmas Markets Across North East England 2022 
  
  
• 20+ Ideas for Festive Things to do after Visiting Fenwick's Window 
  
  
• Where To Cut Your Own Christmas Tree in Northumberland
  
  
• Christmas Days Out for Teens 2021 (will be updated soon)
  
  
• Christmas Eve Events for Kids 2021 (will be updated soon)
  
  
• 15+ Ways to Celebrate Christmas Eve at Home 
  
  
• Bird Friendly Reindeer Food Recipe 
  
  
• How to Plan a Slow December 
  
  
• Gingerbread Tree Decoration Recipe 
  
  
• The Best Restaurants to Visit Before Panto 
  
  
• Easy Classic Christmas Cake Recipe 
  
  
• How to Host a Christmas Movie Night at Home 
  
  
• 30+ Ways to Have a Magical Christmas at Home