- Christmas
- 12th Nov 2025
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Christmas light trails across the North East in 2025
If there’s one thing that makes the North East sparkle brighter than a freshly poured glass of fizz, it’s our region’s obsession with Christmas light trails.
From illuminated castles to enchanted forests, this year’s festive line-up is a shining excuse to swap the sofa for your scarf and soak up the festive cheer.
Here’s where to get your glow on this winter.
AGLOW
When: 21st November – 31st December
Where: Auckland Castle, Bishop Auckland
Tickets: from £13.50
Promised to be one of the most spectacular Christmas light trails in the North East for 2025, Auckland Castle transforms once again into a storybook of light and colour. Expect illuminated deer, tunnels of twinkle and a lakeside glow that will undoubtedly fill your camera roll. Pair it with a hot chocolate from The Auckland Project’s cosy café and you’ve got yourself a perfect winter’s evening.
Northern Lights Newcastle
When: 27th November – 31st December
Where: Leazes Park, Newcastle upon Tyne
Tickets: from £15.00
The Toon’s answer to Lapland. Leazes Park turns into a glowing playground of lasers, lanterns and interactive displays. Wander beneath glittering trees, catch the synchronised light show over the lake, and end the night with street food and mulled wine under the stars.
Bamburgh Castle: Twilight Opening – Treasured Tales
When: Every Thursday, 13th November – 18th December
Where: Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland
Tickets: £19.95
Few backdrops beat Bamburgh Castle for festive drama. Inside, rooms are dressed to the nines with themed décor, while outside, the grounds are lit up in golden hues that rival any fairy tale. This year’s theme is rumoured to be “Celestial Christmas” – expect starlit corridors and shimmering surprises at every turn.
The Plotters’ Forest Enchanted Christmas Trail
When: 15th November – 4th January 2026
Where: Raby Castle, County Durham
Tickets: from £9.00
By day it’s a charming woodland walk – but when night falls, The Plotters’ Forest at Raby Castle becomes something straight out of a winter fairy tale. Follow the twinkling trail through towering pines and glowing archways as the forest hums with festive music. It’s a little slice of Christmas magic hidden in the Durham countryside – and absolutely worth timing your visit after dark.
Forest of Light 2025
When: Various dates throughout November, December & January 2026
Where: Beamish Hall, County Durham
Tickets: from £12.00
As night falls, the woods surrounding Beamish Hall transform into a beautifully lit trail of glowing pathways, interactive installations and atmospheric soundscapes. It’s an enchanting wander through nature at its most dramatic – equal parts cosy and cinematic. Tickets are timed and limited, so plan ahead to secure your spot.
Winter Lights at Alnwick Garden and Lilidorei
When: 15th November – 6th January 2026
Where: Alnwick Garden, Northumberland
Tickets: from £10.45
Returning bigger and brighter, Alnwick Garden’s trail is a kaleidoscope of colour – glowing fountains, interactive projections, and the famous illuminated tunnel that’s pure Instagram gold. Add a pit stop at their winter village for festive bites and local tipples. Tickets are disappearing fast, so book soon!
Whether you’re five or fifty-five, there’s something about wandering through a forest of fairy lights that melts away December stress faster than a mince pie in mulled wine. Grab your gloves, charge your camera, and get ready to light up your winter across the North East.
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