- Christmas
- 13th Nov 2026
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Newcastle Christmas Market to Howaymanay: your 2026 Toon festivities all wrapped up
- Advertisement Feature
Image credit: Tynesight
From festive food and gifts at the Christmas Market to Santa Stories, a Ferris wheel, and a riverside New Year’s Eve party, here’s how to plan your Newcastle Christmas.
There’s a moment when Newcastle switches on for Christmas and the whole city comes alive. Lights twinkle, market stalls spill into the streets, and the smell of mulled wine and festive food drifts down Grey Street. That’s when you know it’s here.
And this year, the festive season stretches from the opening of Newcastle’s Christmas Market on 19th November right through to Howaymanay, the city’s biggest New Year’s Eve party, with plenty to fill the weeks in between.
From gift hunting and family days out to festive events, sparkling streets, and seeing in 2027 in style, here’s a flavour of what’s on offer.
NEWCASTLE’S CHRISTMAS MARKET
Thursday 19th November – Wednesday 23rd December
Newcastle’s Christmas Market is the heart of the city’s festive season, and it takes over several parts of the centre, with traders spread across Old Eldon Square, Grainger Street, Grey Street, Nelson Street, and Grey’s Monument. It’s open from Thursday 19th November to Wednesday 23rd December, 10am to 8pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 5pm on Sundays.
Each area has its own character. Grainger Street is the one-stop shop for gifts, with handcrafted accessories, sweet treats, and local art, including Matthew’s Cheese, the Christmas Accessories Cabin, and framed prints of the North East from Elemental Photography.
Grey Street is the foodie heart of the market, where you’ll find Crumbling, the viral crumble bakery that won Market Trader of the Year in 2025, as well as Geordie Banger Co and Alpine Fondue. Nelson Street is the place for stocking fillers, from Made of Crumbs’ cookies and brownies to Jianzhan ceramics from Fatfinger Atelier and creative lighting from Luminology.
Around Grey’s Monument, you’ll find handmade jewellery from Konatsu, wooden games from Khaplo, and traditional spirits and liqueurs from Foxdenton Estate. The beloved Moosenwirt Alpine pop-up bar is back too, along with The North Pole, a collection of cosy, luxe heated igloo pods around the monument that can be hired from £30.
Over at Old Eldon Square, tuck into mac ’n’ cheese from Redhead’s, Greek street food from Acropolis, or “Christmas in a bowl” loaded fries from C&C Loaded Chips.
LOCAL TRADERS TO LOOK OUT FOR
One of the joys of the market is how many of the traders are local, with a great mix of firm favourites and new businesses to discover.
“Newcastle’s Christmas Market will have an even more local flavour this year, with almost 90% of traders carefully selected from high-quality businesses within 20 miles of the city. Visitors will enjoy Christmas shopping in a wonderfully festive setting, with great gift ideas for every budget and a mouthwatering selection of festive food and drink to sample throughout the season. We can’t wait.”
Ben Whitfield, Director of Communications at NE1.
For gifts, look out for colourful, cosy statement cardigans from Cardi Craze, bright prints inspired by the North East coastline from Raw Print Shop, handmade glass from KM Glassworks, jewellery from Sopharia Jewellery and beer and brewery gifts from Firebrick Brewery.
Hungry? Lucca Pizza Company, Crepes Gourmet, The Dipping Donuts and Bites Baking Co join a host of vendors with something tasty to try. We’re aiming to try as many as possible this year.
Not every trader is there for the full run, so check the website before you go to see who’s where and when.
NEWCASTLE’S CHRISTMAS VILLAGE
Saturday 21st November – Thursday 24th December
If you’re visiting with your minis, make a beeline for Newcastle’s Christmas Village at Old Eldon Square. It’s a family-friendly destination filled with festive fun, and it opens on Saturday 21st November, with most events running until Christmas Eve.
Santa Stories invites families into a cosy Christmas tipi for a storytelling session with Father Christmas, with interactive moments, cheerful elves, and a chance to help Santa complete his Nice List. Child tickets start from £10.50 and adult tickets from £6.50, plus a booking fee.
In Mrs Claus’ Bakery, children can decorate their own cookies and make magical fairy dust, with tickets from £5. The Rockin’ Reindeer stage hosts high-energy mini shows from £7.50, and from 28th November, Festive Flix screens Christmas favourites such as Home Alone and Elf, also from £7.50.
Then there are the rides: a beautiful traditional carousel and the largest Ferris wheel the city centre has ever seen. Both stay open until New Year’s Eve, apart from Christmas Day.
ENCHANTED CITY AT THE MARKET
Friday 27th and Saturday 28th November
On Friday 27th and Saturday 28th November, the market gets a creative, after-dark twist with Enchanted City at the Market. It’s free to enjoy, and all the activity is drop-in, so you can simply stumble upon it as you browse the stalls.
On Friday, from 4pm to 6.30pm, roaming performers and pop-up surprises appear as dusk falls, alongside free artist-led workshops at Newcastle City Library for all ages. On Saturday, from 12pm, there are free, drop-in winter-themed creative workshops in the library with artists until 4pm, followed by a community lantern parade led by Moving Parts Arts at 4.30pm. From 4.30pm to 6.30pm, expect little bursts of illuminated winter magic and roving performances as the winter stars come out.
HOWAYMANAY: NEW YEAR’S EVE ON THE QUAYSIDE
Thursday 31st December
Newcastle’s big New Year’s Eve party, Howaymanay, returns on Thursday 31st December, taking over the Quayside from 8.30pm until 12.15am. Expect live music and DJs across two stages, roaming performers, street entertainment, food, and bars, before the skyline lights up with a firework finale over the Tyne at midnight to welcome in 2027.
Tickets are £8 plus a booking fee. They sold out last year and are selling well again for this year, so we’d encourage you to book now. The event is suitable for ages eight and over, and under-16s need an adult and their own ticket. There are three entrances, so check your ticket carefully before you set off.
The full programme is about to be announced, so keep an eye on the website. What we can tell you is that performers will include Cortney Dixon, the Voices of Virtue Gospel Choir, the Monster Ceilidh Band, a very special guest DJ set, an aerial circus performance, walkabout entertainment to keep the crowd in the merry spirit, and, of course, fireworks. And there’s more to come.
Got younger children? There’s also a free, family-friendly fireworks celebration on the Quayside at 6pm, with festive entertainment and street food, so you can have all the sparkle and still be home for bedtime.
AND THERE’S PLENTY MORE
The market and the Village are just the beginning. Across the city, the festive programme is packed with seasonal highlights.
NORTHERN LIGHTS
Friday 20th November–Thursday 31st December
Wrap up and explore this winter light trail at Leazes Park. A little winter magic after dark. Find out what’s new this year in our Northern Lights Newcastle 2026 guide.
HIGH LIFE NORTH TOP TIP: Don’t miss your chance to enter our competition to win a family ticket to Northern Lights worth £73.
ICE SKATING AT LIFE SCIENCE CENTRE
Saturday 7th November – Sunday 3rd January
Get your skates on at the city’s festive ice rink. For themed skate nights, the Santa Experience and more, read our guide to Christmas at Life Science Centre.
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK, THEATRE ROYAL
Tuesday 24th November – Sunday 17th January
The panto season is calling. Expect a giant-sized festive treat.
FESTIVE SCREENINGS AT TYNESIDE CINEMA
Christmas classics and seasonal favourites, with selected screenings paired with festive afternoon tea. Cinema date, but make it a whole occasion.
GLORIA LOVE & FRIENDS, THE COMMON ROOM
Friday 4th December
Newcastle’s iconic Gloria Love brings the glamour for a Christmas extravaganza. Move over, Mariah. Gloria is the new queen of Christmas.
YOUR AUNT FANNY PRESENTS YOU’RE NOT ME MA, NORTHERN STAGE
Friday 18th – Saturday 19th December
A Christmas soap opera special from a hilarious comedy troupe promising to be bold, brash, and brilliantly funny.
HOGMANHOWAY 5K
Thursday 31st December
Fancy running into the New Year? See in 2027 with a 5K around the Toon.
And that’s just the start.
From wreath-making workshops and Santa experiences to live music, festive lunches, and plenty of seasonal surprises, there’s loads happening across the city.
Explore the full Newcastle Christmas programme.
