Saturday 22 November, 9.30am – 10.15am, 10.30am – 11.15am, 11.45am – 12.45pm (including the draw along session)
Come and say hello and enjoy a fully interactive session with the fantastically funny duo – poet Paul Cookson and whacky illustrator Liz Million. Paul will be performing his funny poems with his ukulele which includes LOTS of audience participation. While Liz will be creating lots of big, fast-paced drawings and will show YOU how to draw some amazing artwork at the end. Free events, just turn up.
Character Appearances
Wallsend Community Hub and Library
Saturday 29 November, 9.30am – 12.30pm
Meet some magical friends this Christmas – say hello and have your photo taken. There will also be Christmas crafts to enjoy. Free event, just turn up.
Red Riding Hood - Christmas Theatre
Wallsend Community Hub and Library
Saturday 13 December, 10am
A fresh, feisty twist on a forest tale for all ages! Theatre Space North East return with their vibrant brand of fairytale telling. Free event – book here: https://bookwhen.com/ntclibraries/
Town Centre Character Appearances
Special appearances from THE
Grinch
Saturday 22 November 11am – 3.30pm, at intervals
Come and say hello at Park View Shopping Centre in Whitley Bay.
Town Centre Character Appearances
Special appearance from
The Gruffalo & The Gruffalo’s Child
Saturday 29 November 2025
11am – 3.30pm at intervals
Come and say hello at the Killingworth Shopping Centre.
Town Centre Character Appearances
Special appearance from
Stick Man
Saturday 6 December 2025 11am – 3.30pm at intervals
Come and say hello at the Forum Shopping Centre in Wallsend.
Selected Tynemouth businesses will be opening late and offering discounts, mulled wine, mince pies and a raffle with proceeds going to charity.
Search for Tynemouth Village Christmas Shopping Night on Facebook.
Spanish City Christmas Market
21 - 23 November
Spanish City, Whitley Bay
A variety of traditional, craft, gift and food stalls. www.spanishcity.co.uk
Whitley Lodge Christmas Tree Lighting
26 November, from 3.30pm
Whitley Lodge Shops
Tree lighting, local school choir and a visit from Santa.
Whitley Bay Late Night
Christmas Shopping
27 - 28 November
Whitley Bay town centre, selected businesses
Festive shopping, food, drink and offers. www.whitleybaychamber.co.uk
Elf Express
29 November – 22 December (selected dates/times)
Stephenson Steam Railway Take a trip on board the Elf Expressmeet Chief Elf as well as Santa Claus himself before boarding a festive themed heritage train ride. There will be live entertainment, refreshments and a gift from Santa. www.stephensonsteamrailway.org.uk
Newcastle Quays
Christmas Market
Santa in the Mall
29 – 30 November, 11am – 5pm Newcastle Quays Retail Park, North Shields Stalls, entertainment, food and drink, and a chance to meet Santa. www.newcastlequays.com
Park View Shopping Centre, Whitley Bay
29 November and 6 / 13 / 20 December, 10.30am – 2.30pm
Shoppers can get in the Christmas spirit and visit Santa on selected days throughout December. These events are organised by the Rotary Club of Whitley Bay who will be raising funds for local causes.
Christmas Fayre
29 November, 11am - 3pm
The Rising Sun Countryside Centre Fairground rides, stalls, Christmas carols, live music, walkabout Santa (12pm – 3pm), Mrs Claus and make a wish tree and a firepit with marshmallows and hot chocolate. Free entry, some activities payable.
For further information follow North Tyneside Parks on Facebook.
Tynemouth Station Christmas Market
Weekends in December, 9am – 3.30pm
Visitors to the popular market can shop for Christmas gifts from unique, independent stalls. www.tynemouthmarkets.com
Cullercoats Community Advent
1 – 30 December
Throughout December, residents and businesses in Cullercoats will host festive window or garden displays. Each evening a new display will be illuminated and revealed in the style of a ‘living’ advent calendar.
Search for Cullercoats Community Advent on Facebook.
3 December, 11am – 2pm
Quorum Park, Benton
Over 40 stalls, street food, live entertainment and mulled wine. www.quorumpark.com
4 December
Cobalt Business Park
Local traders and free Santa’s grotto. www.morecobalt.co.uk
Blue Genie Entertainment presents ‘Beauty and the Beast’
5 December – 3 January
Playhouse Whitley Bay
Starring North East comic Steve Walls, this year’s all-singing and all-dancing panto will be packed with lots of laughs. www.playhousewhitleybay.co.uk
NORTH SHIELDS MARKET
6 - 7 DECEMBER
10AM – 5PM SATURDAY 10AM – 4PM SUNDAY
NORTHUMBERLAND SQUARE AND HOWARD STREET, NORTH SHIELDS TOWN CENTRE
The popular, annual market returns with around 70 stalls along Howard Street offering a wide variety of goods including gifts, homeware, crafts and artisan produce. There will also be entertainment, live music and fairground rides for children.
A pop-up food and drink village can be found in Northumberland Square – there will be lots of seating as well as mulled wine and a wide selection of tasty street food.
Search for North Shields Christmas Market on Facebook.
Supported by: Organised by:
Santa at St Mary’s
6, 21, 22 December (various times)
St Mary’s Lighthouse, Whitley Bay
A visit to Santa in his grotto including gift and creative crafts. Booking essential. £15 per child. To book, visit https://bookwhen.com/ntc-lighthouse
Festive Fun at the Beacon Centre
6 December, 10am – 12pm
7 December, 12pm – 2pm
The Beacon Centre, North Shields
Character appearances with photos, dancing, colouring and games.
White Swan Christmas Party
6 December, 10am–12pm
White Swan Centre, Killingworth
A festive celebration with a magic show, balloon fun and face painting. Free event.
Fiesta Whitley Bay
7 December, 11am - 3pm
Whitley Bay town centre
Market stalls, street food, fun activities and live music. www.fiestawb.com
12 – 24 December
The Exchange Theatre, North Shields
Join a whole host of hilarious and colourful characters on an enchanted journey of magic. www.theexchange1856.com
Boxing Day Pudding Run
26 December, 10.30am Links, Whitley Bay Work off Christmas Dinner with this annual charity fun run, organised by Woodlawn School and North Shields Polytechnic Club. www.nspoly.co.uk
Winter Warmers
27 – 28 December, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3pm Stephenson Railway Museum
Beat the post-Christmas blues with a journey on a heritage train. www.stephensonsteamrailway.org.uk
1 January, 12noon
Ship Inn, Monkseaton
The award-winning morris dancers return with their traditional annual dance. www.monkseatonmorrismen.co.uk
9 – 18 January
Tynemouth Priory Theatre
A traditional pantomime at the charming Priory Theatre.
www.tynemouthpriorytheatre.co.uk Whitley Bay Panto Society present Robin Hood
13 – 18 January
Playhouse Whitley Bay
The award-winning Whitley Bay Pantomime Society are back with their annual production. www.playhousewhitleybay.co.uk
