Elba Castillo San Jorge Review

This is an advert for December 2022. Any shares / edits beyond this date have not been asked or paid for. This review is based on our personal holiday which we paid for in October 2022. As always, check with venues direct for the most up-to-date information. 

We stayed at Elba Castillo San Jorge in Caleta de Fuste (Fuetaventura) with a 16, 13 and 11 year old in October Half Term 2022. My main reasons for booking this holiday were: 

• Weather (usually 25-28C per day) 
• I managed to get a good price   
• 15 minutes from the airport 
• Small resort where I could allow the kids some freedom
• Convenient all inclusive hotel with a room which sleeps up to 6 
• Good reviews  

Drummohr Glamping & Camping near Edinburgh

 This is an advert for December 2022. Any shares / edits beyond this date have not been asked or paid for. 

Overview & Location 

Drummohr Glamping and Camping is a sister site to Herding Hill Campsite on Hadrian's Wall which I know is a super popular staycation destination amongst this blog's readers. Located just off the A1 near Edinburgh and just over a 2 hour drive from Newcastle, you can expect the same high quality and warm welcome.  

It is a 4* Scottish Tourist Board Site and I was pleased to see that they're a living wage employer. 

Dummohr is a quiet site, meaning you need to be out of your hot tub by 10pm and cannot play music outdoors. Ideal for those with small children or who are looking for a good night's sleep but if you're looking for a party site, this isn't the one for you. 

Tips For A Good Night's Sleep

This post is an advert for December 2022. Any shares / edits beyond this date have not bee asked or paid for. 

One of our priorities when Steve joined North East Family Fun as a partner back in May was for us to both improve our overall health and wellbeing. 

We have made a number of changes over the past few months including joining a gym and lifting weights/completing cardio workouts three or four times per week, taking out a spa membership and eating more nutritious home cooked meals. 
 

But did you know that a good night's sleep plays a huge part in your overall health and wellbeing too? Good sleep improves brain performance, mood, health, attention span, reaction times and clear thinking.

It can also help to reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure and heart problems, keep your immune system strong and reduce stress / look after your emotional health and wellbeing. 

Visiting Santa & Christmas at Beamish

Thanks to our writer Gaia for this post. Photo credits Toon Fun Club and Andy Hudson. This post is based on a visit in December 2022. Please check with Beamish for the most up to date information before visiting. 

• One of the best value Santa visits in the North East at £6 (plus entry to Beamish) 
• Santa was very chatty, had lots of time for the kids and really put them at ease
• Good quality traditional toys
• Beautiful traditional grotto
• Lots of other fun festive things to do
• Tickets don’t sell out immediately
• Entry ticket to Beamish lasts a year so if you time it right, you can use it for two festive visits  
• Under 5’s get free entry to Beamish

Believe Christmas at Hardwick Hall Review & Tips

AD - Thanks to our writer Cat for this post based on a visit in December 2022. Any shares / edits beyond this date have not been asked or paid for. Believe is set in the grounds of Hardwick Hall Hotel at Sedgefield. It's an immersive, premium Christmas event suitable for the whole family.

There is plenty of free parking in the hotel car park and the walk from the car park to the event space is very short. The grounds and teepees were all accessible and we did see someone using a wheelchair and quite a few pushchairs being used.

Disney On Ice Newcastle Tips

AD - Thanks to our writer Gaia for this post based on a visit to Disney On Ice at Utilita Arena on 7 December 2022. Please check with venue direct for up to date info regarding 2023's show.

We had a brilliant time at Disney on Ice tonight, it was a magical experience for the little ones aged 4 and 6 and for us grown ups too! It was all so well organised and we didn't have to queue for ages which is a big plus when you've got little kids staying up past their bedtime. Here are our top tips.

Nightfall Festival - Review, Tickets & Tips

 AD - This is an advert for December 2022 and based on a visit in December 2022. Any edits / shares after this date have not been asked or paid for. 

What is Nightfall Festival? 

Nightfall is a family friendly light trail by Stellar Projects. The event takes place in Stewart Park in Middlesbrough on 1-4 December 2022. The theme changes every year. This year's theme is 'Brighten Our Northern Skies'. 

You can expect almost two hours of light shows, interactive elements, live music, storytelling, poetry, art work and installations based around the theme. It's playful, magical and lots of fun. The festival is super inclusive and accessible - all are welcome. 

My Top 5 Christmas Films

 Welcome to my next '12 Days of Blogmas' post. Today I'm going to share a little about my favourite Christmas films and why I love them. 

If you missed yesterday's post, you can read it here (it's a real nostalgia trip): My favourite Christmas Gifts from the 90s

My tastes have definitely changed over the years - when I was younger I always loved Santa Claus the Movie and Miracle on 34th Street but although I still like them, they no longer make my top 5 films. It's also interesting that although I do enjoy some of the newer films like The Christmas Chronicles, they aren't my absolute favourites either. 

My Top 5 Christmas Films

It's A Wonderful Life

Homemade Festive Bakes Recipe

This post has been published by Steve. 

Everyone is always excited when a certain North-East Bakery starts selling the Festive Bakes. It is the new signal for the start of Christmas. 

This year I decided to make my own to see if I can make one just as good. I've used a few short cuts and this has made them super easy to make. This recipe will make 6 large bakes or 12 small bakes.

6 Reasons to Visit The Woodmans Arms this Winter

This is an advert for November 2022 and based on a visit in November 2022. Any edits / shares after this date have not been asked or paid for. 

The Woodmans Arms in Whickham is one of our favourite restaurants / pubs in North East England. It is one of our go-to places to dine as a family where we consistantly receive great service and I know there is something on the menu to suit everyone. 

Here are six reasons to visit this winter: 

1 - It's a Beautiful Festive Setting 

My Favourite Childhood Christmas Presents

 Happy 1st December! You may have noticed that some bloggers take part in Blogmas. It's usually 24 different prompts that you have to write about, one for each day between 1-24 December. I do love the idea of Blogmas but I know for a fact I won't stick to it so I won't be taking part officially. 

However instead, I'm going to share a different kind of Christmas post in December - ones where I just sit down and write a little about Christmas and then just publish straight away. I'm hoping to publish 12 posts like this altogether so I'm going with the original series title of '12 Days of Blogmas'.  They won't be in any order and sometimes there may be more than one per day and other times there may be a few days between posts. 

5 Places to Visit in Northumberland in 2023

Thanks to our writer Bethanie for this post.

As we swiftly make our way out of 2022 and head towards the new year, I thought it might a nice idea to share a few places we have enjoyed in the last year across Northumberland.

As well as this there is also a brand new, exciting venture which has slowly been coming together the past few years and is nearly ready to be opened. Find out more in this blog post of 5 exciting places to visit in 2023 so you can start looking forward to the year ahead. 

These are all locations that we have enjoyed as a family, within Northumberland. 

Lilidorei: new play adventure at The Alnwick Garden 

The highly anticipated “Lilidorei” is set to be opening in Spring 2023. This brand new adventure playground has cost in the region of £15million so there are going to be some high expectations for it.

Credit : Monstrum 

However, from the photos that are currently being released it does look very impressive. You can also catch a glimpse of the progress when driving past the Alnwick Garden. 

Step Into Xmas Cramlington & Metrocentre

This is an advert for November 2022. Any shares / edits beyond this date have not been asked or paid for. This post is based on a visit to Step Into Xmas Cramlington in November 2022 which is also when the photos in this post were taken.  

Step Into Xmas is a premium Christmas Tree Buying Experience set across two convenient locations in North East England. I absolutely LOVE our tree from here and will actually go as far as to say that it is genuinely the best tree we've ever had. 

Like many, I struggled to get into the festive spirit this year but I can hand on heart say that going to pick out a lovely real tree with the family and then decorating it at home with our festive playlist playing and a Christmas buffet afterwards really got us all feeling Christmassy. FINALLY! 

Christmas Tree Brownies Recipe

This post has been published by Steve. 

Brownies are one of my favourite bakes. The are very easy, super quick and so delicious. For Christmas I decided to jazz them up a bit and turn them into happy little christmas trees. This recipe will make 6 large brownies which are ideal for leaving out for Santa, as a Christmas Movie Night Snack or after school treat. 

What's On in December for Kids & Teens

 AD - This post contains adverts and affiliate links. 

Welcome to my What's On in December Post. It has been a bit of a labour of love so I hope you find it useful. 

I have broken the post into sections with weekend dates and bookable / drop in events. As always, it's super important that you check with venues direct for the most up to date info before heading out. 

If you are viewing this on a desktop, apologies for the random text size changes in this post. I am trying to fix it. 

Christmas Daytimes at Beamish 

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• The Best Child Friendly Restaurants in Newcastle 
  
  
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• Where is the Cheapest Place to go Ice Skating in the North East? 
  
  
• 30+ FREE and Low Cost Christmas Events with No Booking Required 
  
  
• Child friendly New Year's Eve Parties 
  
  
• The Ultimate Guide to North East Christmas Markets 
  
  
• Christmas Days Out for Teens 

3 & 4 December 

Bookable Events 

2 December - Fools Fest Ashington 

An evening of folklore, fairytales, creativity and fun as the tables are turned and young people are in charge. Anything goes! Tickets are an absolute bargain at £3/£5 and everyone / all ages welcome. If you fancy a Friday night out with a difference, you can find out more and buy tickets here. 

2, 3 & 4 December - Christmas at Spilmans Farm 

Christmas at Spilmans

3 December - Newcastle Cat & Dog Shelter Christmas Market 

3 & 4 December - Believe Christmas (full day event including Santa visit) 

Believe Christmas 

3 & 4 December - VR Santa Sleigh Rides at Dorman Museum 
3 & 4 December - Storytime with Mrs Claus at Brocksbushes

3 & 4 December - Breakfast with Mrs Claus at Seven Stories 
3 & 4 December - 'Naughty or Nice' Seven Stories Christmas Performance 
3 & 4 December - Letter to Santa and Christmas Story Time at Seven Stories 


3 & 4 December - Christmas at Holmside Park 
3 & 4 December - Little Elves Workshops at Seven Stories

4 December - Beauty and the Beast Panto at Ramside Hall 
4 December - Alternative Christmas Market at Wylam Brewery 

Light Trails (apologies if these have sold out): 

3 & 4 December - Nightfall 
3 & 4 December - Illuminating Ushaw
3 & 4 December - Alnwick Garden Light Trail 
3 & 4 December - Beamish Hall Forest of Light 
3 & 4 December - Christmas at Gibside Light Trail 



Drop In Events

1 - 20 December - FREE Meet the Donkeys at PlantsPlus
1 - 24 December - FREE Cullercoats Community Advent
7 Nov - 24 Dec - FREE (with sign up) Skating & Arctic Experience at Metrocentre 
17 Nov - 24 Dec - £2 Drop In Grotto at The Bridges Shopping Centre, Sunderland 

2 December - FREE Festival of Flame at Hexham Abbey
2 December - FREE La Flamo Fire Show at Stockton Sparkles 

2 - 4 December - Durham Christmas Festival 

3 December - FREE Make Snowflake Bunting at Oriental Museum, Durham 
3 December - FREE Create Upcycled Christmas Decorations at Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens 
3 December - Tree Planting at Wallington (included with NT membership / admission) 

3 December - FREE Santa Parade and Light Switch On in Saltburn
3 December - Wintry Tales Storytelling with Chris Bostock at Seaton Delaval Hall (included with NT membership / admission) 
3 December - FREE Redcar Christmas Family Fun Day 

3 December - FREE Entry Ridley Park Christmas Fayre & Funfair 
3 December - FREE Darlington Ice Sculpture Trail 
3 December - FREE Santa's Grotto at Keel Row Blyth 
3 December - Santa's Christmas Bus, Special Post Box & Grotto (entry with a donation to Daft as a Brush) at Asda South Shields

3 & 4 December - Christmas Daytimes at Beamish (booking a time slot is no longer required)
3 & 4 December - £1 Football Fun Trail at Sunderland Winter Gardens 
3 & 4 December - FREE Visit Santa's Grotto at Garden World Royal Quays 
3 & 4 December - FREE Entry Raby Castle Christmas Market 

3 & 4 December - FREE Entry Georgian Christmas Weekend at Kirkleatham Museum 
3 & 4 December - FREE Drop In Santa's Grotto at Manor Walks, Cramlington 

3 & 4 December - Daytime Christmas Trail at Ushaw 

3 & 4 December - £5 Entry to Life Science Centre 
3 & 4 December - Elf Crazy Christmas Crafts at Ormesby Hall
3 & 4 December - Winter Wanderer Spotters' Trail at Seaton Delaval Hall (included with NT membership/admission)


3 & 4 December - A Fairytale Christmas at Ormesby Hall (included with NT membership/admission)
3 & 4 December - Christmas Present Hunt at Cragside (included with NT membership / admission)
3 & 4 December - T'was the Night Before Christmas at Cragside House

3 & 4 December - Christmas through the eras at Wallington (included with NT membership / admission)
3 & 4 December - Mrs Christmas Storytelling at Wallington (included with NT membership/admission)


3 & 4 December - Ollie Owl's Winter Trail at Wallington (included with NT membership / admission)
3 & 4 December - FREE Frost Fest Live at Land of Oak and Iron 

3 & 4 December -  A Magical Victoria Christmas at Preston Park (includes letter writing to the North Pole, an Elf Trail, Family Crafts & Christmas Choirs) 
3 & 4 December - Twelve Days of Christmas at Bamburgh Castle

3 & 4 December - FREE Entry Christmas Market at Dorman Museum 
3 & 4 December - FREE Entry Christmas Extravaganza at Dorman Museum 

3 & 4 December - Winter Wonderland at Durham Botanic Garden 

4 December - FREE Bauble Making at IKEA Gateshead
4 December - FREE Stockton Sparkles Illuminated Parade 

4 December - FREE Santa Train Rides in Exhibition Park
4 December - Santa's Christmas Bus, Special Post Box & Grotto (entry with a donation to Daft as a Brush) at Trinity Square, Gateshead 

Until 6 Jan - FREE Christmas in the City AR Trail in Sunderland 

10 & 11 December 

Bookable Events: 

7 - 11 December - Disney On Ice at Utilita Arena 
9, 10 & 11 December - Christmas at Spilmans Farm 

10 December - Fools Fest Tyne Valley 

Part of the Hadrian's Wall 1900 Festival. 

An evening of folklore, fairytales, creativity and fun in Prudhoe as the tables are turned and young people are in charge. Anything goes! Tickets are an absolute bargain at £3/£5 and everyone / all ages welcome. If you fancy a Saturday night out with a difference, you can find out more and buy tickets here. 

10 December - Candlelit Tours of Arbeia Roman Fort 
10 December - VR Santa Sleigh Rides at Dorman Museum 

10 December - The Snowman Live Orchestra at Ushaw

10 & 11 December - Believe Christmas (full day event including Santa visit) 
10 & 11 December -  Storytime with Mrs Claus at Brocksbushes
10 & 11 December - Breakfast with Santa at Tynemouth Aquarium 
10 & 11 December - The Three Bears at Washington Arts Centre 
10 & 11 December - Breakfast with Mrs Claus at Seven Stories 
10 & 11 December -  - Little Elves Workshops at Seven Stories

10 & 11 December - Aladdin at Sunderland Empire. Tickets available from just £13.


10 & 11 December - 'Naughty or Nice' Seven Stories Christmas Performance


11 December - Letter to Santa and Christmas Story Time at Seven Stories 
11 December - Relaxed Performance of Cinderella at Newcastle Theatre Royal 
11 December - Discounted Sleeping Beauty Panto Tickets at Rainton Arena. Save 60%. 

Light Trails (apologies if these have sold out): 

10 & 11 December - Illuminating Ushaw
10 & 11 December - Alnwick Garden Light Trail 
10 & 11 December - Beamish Hall Forest of Light 
10 & 11 December - Christmas at Gibside Light Trail 


Drop In Events: 

1 - 20 December - FREE Meet the Donkeys at PlantsPlus

1 - 24 December - FREE Cullercoats Community Advent

7 Nov - 24 Dec - FREE (with sign up) Skating & Arctic Experience at Metrocentre 

17 Nov - 24 Dec - £2 Drop In Grotto at The Bridges Shopping Centre, Sunderland 

10 December - FREE Peg Doll Workshop at Oriental Museum Durham 
10 December - £2 Make A Snowglobe at The Word, South Shields 


10 December - FREE Santa's Grotto at Keel Row Blyth 
10 December - Santa's Christmas Bus, Special Post Box & Grotto (entry with a donation to Daft as a Brush) at Blyadon Morrisons


10 December - FREE Drop In Christmas Market & Family Crafts at Shipley Art Gallery (donations welcome) 


10 December - Wintry Tales Storytelling with Chris Bostock at Seaton Delaval Hall (included with NT membership / admission) 

10 & 11 December -Elf Crazy Christmas Crafts at Ormesby Hall
10 & 11 December - A Fairytale Christmas at Ormesby Hall (included with NT membership/admission)

10 & 11 December - Winter Wanderer Spotters' Trail at Seaton Delaval Hall (included with NT membership/admission)


10 & 11 December - Christmas through the eras at Wallington (included with NT membership / admission)
10 & 11 December - Ollie Owl's Winter Trail at Wallington (included with NT membership / admission)
10 & 11 December - Mrs Christmas Storytelling at Wallington (included with NT membership/admission)

10 & 11 December - Christmas Present Hunt at Cragside (included with NT membership / admission)
10 & 11 December - T'was the Night Before Christmas at Cragside House


10 & 11 December - Hetton Lyons Country Park Christmas Market 
10 & 11 Decemebr - FREE Entry North Shields Victorian Christmas Market 

10 & 11 December - £5 Entry to Life Science Centre 

10 & 11 December - Twelve Days of Christmas at Bamburgh Castle
10 & 11 December -  Christmas Daytimes at Beamish (booking a time slot is no longer required)
10 & 11 December - Winter Wonderland at Durham Botanic Garden 
10 & 11 December - £1 Football Fun Trail at Sunderland Winter Gardens 

10 & 11 December - Snowflake Trail at Northumberlandia 

10 & 11 December - Daytime Christmas Trail at Ushaw 

10 & 11 December - FREE Visit Santa's Grotto at Garden World Royal Quays 
10 & 11 December - FREE Drop In Santa's Grotto at Manor Walks, Cramlington 


10 & 11 December -  A Magical Victoria Christmas at Preston Park (includes letter writing to the North Pole, an Elf Trail, Family Crafts & Christmas Choirs) 

11 December - FREE Bauble Making at IKEA Gateshead
11 December - Santa's Christmas Bus, Special Post Box & Grotto (entry with a donation to Daft as a Brush) at Tynemouth Morrisons

11 December - FREE Entry Berwick Christmas Market 



Until 6 Jan - FREE Christmas in the City AR Trail in Sunderland 

Add events from Christmas market post, low cost post 

17 & 18 December 

Bookable Events: 

16, 17 & 18 December - Christmas at Spimans Farm 
16 - 18 December - Bowes Museum Christmas Market 

17 December - Santa's Elf at Jingle Bell Square (South Shields Museum)
17 December - Ghost the Christmas Stag Event at Walltown Country Park 
17 December - Festive Storytelling in the Woodland at Northumberlandia 

17 & 18 December - VR Santa Sleigh Rides at Dorman Museum 
17 & 18 December - Believe Christmas (full day event including Santa visit) 
17 & 18 December -  Storytime with Mrs Claus at Brocksbushes

17 & 18 December - Breakfast with Santa at Tynemouth Aquarium 

17 & 18 December - Elf Academy at Ushaw Historic House 

17 & 18 December - Breakfast with Mrs Claus at Seven Stories 
17 & 18 December - 'Naughty or Nice' Seven Stories Christmas Performance 
17 & 18 December -  Letter to Santa and Christmas Story Time at Seven Stories 
17 & 18 December -  - Little Elves Workshops at Seven Stories

17 & 18 December - Aladdin at Sunderland Empire. Tickets available from just £13.

18 December - Movie Sing a long Family Show at Ramside Hall 
18 December - Discounted Sleeping Beauty Panto Tickets at Rainton Arena. Save 60%. 

Light Trails (apologies if these have sold out): 

17 & 18 December - Illuminating Ushaw
17 & 18 December - Alnwick Garden Light Trail 
17 &18 December - Beamish Hall Forest of Light 
17 & 18 December - Christmas at Gibside Light Trail 

Drop In Events: 

7 Nov - 24 Dec - FREE (with sign up) Skating & Arctic Experience at Metrocentre 

1 - 24 December - FREE Cullercoats Community Advent

17 Nov - 24 Dec - £2 Drop In Grotto at The Bridges Shopping Centre, Sunderland 

17 December - £2 Drop In Bauble Painting at The Word South Shields
17 December - FREE Saltburn Ice Sculpture Trail
17 December - FREE Santa's Grotto at Keel Row Blyth 
17 December - FREE Make Christmas Decorations from Around the World at Oriental Museum, Durham
17 December - Santa's Christmas Bus, Special Post Box & Grotto (entry with a donation to Daft as a Brush) at West Denton Morrisons 


17 & 18 December -  Christmas Daytimes at Beamish (booking a time slot is no longer required)

17 & 18 December - Elf Crazy Christmas Crafts at Ormesby Hall
17 & 18 December - A Fairytale Christmas at Ormesby Hall (included with NT membership/admission)
17 & 18 December - Christmas through the eras at Wallington (included with NT membership / admission)

17 & 18 December - Snowflake Trail at Northumberlandia 

17 & 18 December - Mrs Christmas Storytelling at Wallington (included with NT membership/admission)
17 & 18 December - Ollie Owl's Winter Trail at Wallington (included with NT membership / admission)
17 & 18 December - Christmas Present Hunt at Cragside (included with NT membership / admission)
17 & 18 December - T'was the Night Before Christmas at Cragside House

17 & 17 December - Winter Wanderer Spotters' Trail at Seaton Delaval Hall (included with NT membership/admission)

17 & 18 December - Daytime Christmas Trail at Ushaw 

17 & 18 December - £5 Entry to Life Science Centre 
17 & 18 December - Winter Wonderland at Durham Botanic Garden 
17 & 18 December - £1 Football Fun Trail at Sunderland Winter Gardens 
17 & 18 December - FREE Drop In Santa's Grotto at Manor Walks, Cramlington 

17 & 18 December - A Magical Victoria Christmas at Preston Park (include an Elf Trail, Family Crafts & Christmas Choirs) 

17 & 18 December - Twelve Days of Christmas at Bamburgh Castle

18 December - FREE Bauble Making at IKEA Gateshead
18 December - Santa's Christmas Bus, Special Post Box & Grotto (entry with a donation to Daft as a Brush) at Killingworth Shoping Centre
18 December - Wintry Tales Storytelling with Chris Bostock at Seaton Delaval Hall (included with NT membership / admission) 

18 December - Hay Farm Heavy Horse Christmas Market 

18 December - FREE Entry Christmas in the Woods at Plessey Woods 

Until 6 Jan - FREE Christmas in the City AR Trail in Sunderland 

19 - 23 December 

Just a quick note to say - most schools are breaking up towards the end of this week however some do break up earlier. Make sure you double check your school holiday dates and teacher days before planning / booking anything. 

Bookable Events: 

19 December - 'Naughty or Nice' Seven Stories Christmas Performance 
19, 20 & 22 December - Discounted Sleeping Beauty Panto Tickets at Rainton Arena. Save 60%. 

19 - 23 December - Believe Christmas (full day event including Santa visit) 
19 - 23 December - Christmas at Spimans Farm 

20 - 23 December - Aladdin at Sunderland Empire. Tickets available from just £13.

20 - 23 December - VR Santa Sleigh Rides at Dorman Museum 

21 December - Elf Screening at The Common Room Newcastle 

Book tickets to watch festive favourtie Elf at The Common Room in Newcastle. Mulled wine, mince pies and festive treats will be available to purchase. Find out more and book here. 

21 & 22 December - Cheap Panto Deal - £4 Tickets for Beauty and the Beast in Newcastle 

22 December - Treasure Island Family Show at Ramside Hall 

23 December - Movie Sing a long Family Show at Ramside Hall 
23 December - Breakfast with Mrs Claus at Seven Stories 

Light Trails (apologies if these have sold out): 

19 - 23 December - Alnwick Garden Light Trail 
19 - 23  December - Beamish Hall Forest of Light 
19 - 23 December - Christmas at Gibside Light Trail 

Drop In Events: 

FREE Drop In Events at Royal Quays

7 Nov - 24 Dec - FREE (with sign up) Skating & Arctic Experience at Metrocentre 

17 Nov - 24 Dec - £2 Drop In Grotto at The Bridges Shopping Centre, Sunderland 

1 - 24 December - FREE Cullercoats Community Advent

19 December - FREE Late Night Meet & Greet with Santa at Royal Quays 6pm-8pm
19 December - FREE Alpaca Petting at Royal Quays Late Night Shopping Event 4pm-8pm

19 - 22 December -Elf Crazy Christmas Crafts at Ormesby Hall
19 - 22 December - A Fairytale Christmas at Ormesby Hall (included with NT membership/admission)
19 - 22 December - Winter Wonderland at Durham Botanic Garden 
19 - 23 December -  Christmas Daytimes at Beamish (booking a time slot is no longer required)
19 - 23 December - £1 Football Fun Trail at Sunderland Winter Gardens  (please check seasonal opening hours for this one as they were not available on publication)
19 - 23 December - £5 Entry to Life Science Centre 

19 - 23 December - Christmas through the eras at Wallington (included with NT membership / admission)
19 - 23 December - Ollie Owl's Winter Trail at Wallington (included with NT membership / admission)
19 - 23 December - Christmas Present Hunt at Cragside (included with NT membership / admission)
19 - 23 December - T'was the Night Before Christmas at Cragside House

19 - 23 December - Twelve Days of Christmas at Bamburgh Castle

19 - 23 December - Daytime Christmas Trail at Ushaw 


20 December - FREE Flaming Lily Christmas Light Show at Royal Quays Late Night Shopping Event 5:30pm - 7:45pm 

21 December - FREE Meet & Greet with The Gruffalo at Royal Quays Late Night Shopping Event 3:30pm-8pm 

22 December - FREE Meet & Greet The Snowman and the Snow Dog at Royal Quays Late Night Shopping Event 3:30pm - 8pm 
22 December - FREE Magical Christmas in Darlington Market Square 

22 - 24 December - FREE Drop In Santa's Grotto at Manor Walks, Cramlington


23 December - FREE Activities with the Frozen Sisters at Royal Quays Late Night Shopping Event 3:30pm-8pm

Until 6 Jan - FREE Christmas in the City AR Trail in Sunderland 

Christmas Eve 

Bookable Events 

24 December - Arthur Christmas Film & Santa Visit at The Common Room Newcastle (next to Newcastle Central Station). Tickets are now available for just £10 (admits one adult and one child - extra people are charged at £3.50 pp). This is an absolute bargain! Find out more and book here. 

24 December - Breakfast with Mrs Claus at Seven Stories 
24 December - 'Naughty or Nice' Seven Stories Christmas Performance 
24 December -  - Little Elves Workshops at Seven Stories

24 December - Aladdin at Sunderland Empire. Tickets available from just £13.

24 December - Discounted Sleeping Beauty Panto Tickets at Rainton Arena. Save 60%. 

24 December - VR Santa Sleigh Rides at Dorman Museum 

Light Trails (apologies if these have sold out): 

24  December - Beamish Hall Forest of Light 
24 December - Christmas at Gibside Light Trail 

Drop In Events 

7 Nov - 24 December - FREE (with sign up) Skating & Arctic Experience at Metrocentre 

17 Nov - 24 December - £2 Drop In Grotto at The Bridges Shopping Centre, Sunderland 

24 December - Twelve Days of Christmas at Bamburgh Castle

24 December - FREE Drop In Santa's Grotto at Manor Walks, Cramlington 

24 December -  Christmas Daytimes at Beamish (booking a time slot is no longer required)
24 December - £5 Entry to Life Science Centre 

Until 6 Jan - FREE Christmas in the City AR Trail in Sunderland 

Boxing Day 

Bookable 

• Aladdin at Sunderland Empire. Tickets available from just £13.
  
  

Drop In

• FREE (with sign up ) Skating and Arctic Experience at Metrocentre 
• FREE Christmas in the City AR Trail in Sunderland 
• Christmas Present Hunt at Cragside (included with NT membership / admission)

• T'was the Night Before Christmas at Cragside House
  
  

27 - 31 December 

• 26 - 30 December - FREE (with sign up) Skating and Arctic Experience at Metrocentre
• 27 - 31 January - Christmas through the eras at Wallington (included with NT membership / admission)
  
• 27 - 31 December - Ollie Owl's Winter Trail at Wallington (included with NT membership / admission)
  27 - 31 December - £5 Entry to Life Science Centre 
• 27 - 31 December -  Christmas Present Hunt at Cragside (included with NT membership / admission)
• 27 - 31 December - T'was the Night Before Christmas at Cragside House
• 27 - 31 December - 12 Days of Christmas at Bamburgh Castle 
  28 - 31 December - VR Santa Sleigh Rides at Dorman Museum 
• Aladdin at Sunderland Empire. Tickets available from just £13.
• Until 6 Jan - FREE Christmas in the City AR Trail in Sunderland 
  

You may also enjoy the following posts: 

• The Best Child Friendly Restaurants in Newcastle 
  
  
• What to do in Newcastle after seeing Fenwick's Window 
  
  
• Where is the Cheapest Place to go Ice Skating in the North East? 
  
  
• 30+ FREE and Low Cost Christmas Events with No Booking Required 
  
  
• Child friendly New Year's Eve Parties 
  
  
• The Ultimate Guide to North East Christmas Markets 
  
  
• Christmas Days Out for Teens