Ice skating performers at the Sunderland Frost Village opening night.
1. The Bowes Museum
The Bowes Museum in Darlington is not only an amazing place to visit at Christmas but also all year round. After hosting the immensely popular ‘YSL Style is Eternal‘ exhibition over this year, the museum is buzzing with excitement again. They are holding a Christmas market with more than 80 stalls boasting local food and drinks, a seasonal grotto, and even Santa himself will be making an appearance. The market is on 19 and 20 December with tickets priced at £2.50 per adult.
2. Beamish at Christmas
Take a step back through time! This wonderfully historic museum village is showing us what Christmas was like in the 1800/1900s with a few modern traditions thrown in! They have various events going on over the festive period – check out their website for more details www.beamish.org.uk.
3. North Shields Victoria Christmas Market
The North Shields Victorian Christmas Market will take place over December 12 and 13. Situated in North Shields’ famous Victorian Northumberland Square, this will be the seventeenth time that the market has been staged. In addition to the stalls, there’ll be a full programme of entertainment and live music, centred around our specially build bandstand and there will also be fairground rides and other street entertainment.
4. Sunderland Frost Village
Located in Sunderland Keel Square, this amusement fair, outdoor ice skating and market is great fun for all to enjoy this festive season. What better way to celebrate than riding the waltzers or gliding across the ice? It is open daily until 8pm Monday to Wednesday and until 10pm Thursday to Sunday up until Christmas Eve.
5. The Polar Express at Weardale Railway
Join the train journey in Stanhope to see The Polar Express come alive, with music food and readings from the book; this Christmas film and story really comes to life! Train journeys are on until December 28 with tickets priced at £37 for adults.
6. Auckland Castle Ice Skating
An outdoor ice skating rink screams festive spirit right? Auckland Castle is offering you a chance to get your skates and stylish winter accessories on for this chilly event. With adults priced at £6 and children £4, it’s a great way to have fun as a family or make an idiot of yourself with friends. It is on daily 11am-7pm until January 3.
7. Alnwick Garden Christmas Market
Who doesn’t love a market at Christmas? Whether it’s mulled wine, beer or just a hot chocolate, grab your festive drink whilst exploring the market this Christmas. Entry is free and it is on every weekend in December running up to Christmas.
