What's on in Northumberland in December 2026

Tuesday 1 December 2026

• Festive wreath making

  10:30 Bamburgh Castle, Bamburgh

  Florist Rachel from The Blossom Bee helps you make a traditional wreath to take home, with a festive drink, castle admission and the Christmas installation included. No floristry experience needed and spaces are limited. Organiser

• Rock Choir Christmas Show

  19:00 Hexham Abbey, Hexham

  Rock Choir's Christmas show in Hexham Abbey. Check the Abbey website for ticket prices. Organiser

• Ponteland Wildlife Group talk: Hepple Wilds: a walk on the wild side

  19:30 St Mary's Parish Centre, Ponteland · £3

  An evening talk by Hepple Estate ecologist Richard Thompson for Ponteland Wildlife Group, a local group of Northumberland Wildlife Trust. Everyone is welcome. Organiser

• Royal Northern Sinfonia Winter Tour

  19:30 Berwick Parish Church (Holy Trinity), Berwick-upon-Tweed · £21 adults, £6 children

  A candlelit evening of Scandinavian and Czech string music by Gade, Grieg, Atterberg and Dvořák, led by violinist Jonathan Stone. Organiser

Wednesday 2 December 2026

• Ship Inn Christmas Fair

  11:00 The Ship Inn, Low Newton-by-the-Sea

  The Ship's annual charity Christmas fair with local craft stalls and a festive food menu. Details are to be announced nearer the day. Organiser

• Guided walk: River Walk

  11:15 Wallington, Cambo · Included with normal admission (National Trust members free)

  An easy 2.6 mile volunteer-led walk through the formal gardens and along the River Wansbeck, with stepping stones or a bridge. Meet at the Clocktower; dogs on leads are welcome. Organiser

• Music in the Café

  12:30 Woodhorn Museum, Ashington · Included with Woodhorn Annual Pass (£11 adults, £10 concessions, under 18s free)

  Three's a Crowd play easy listening songs from the 60s and 70s in the Winding House Café. Drop in with a cuppa. Organiser

• Guided walk: Winter walk

  13:30 Wallington, Cambo · Included with normal admission (National Trust members free)

  A gentle 2.3 mile volunteer-led walk through the West Woods and Wellbeing Woods, with talk of how the woods are managed. Wear boots and waterproofs. Organiser

• NT Live: Golden Boy

  19:00 Alnwick Playhouse, Alnwick · £17, concessions £15

  Josh O'Connor stars in the Almeida's Golden Boy, screened. Also shown Thursday 3 December at 12.30pm. Organiser

Thursday 3 December 2026

• Can You Catch a Serial Killer?

  19:30 Alnwick Playhouse, Alnwick · £23

  An interactive true crime show where the audience votes on the evidence. Contains graphic reconstructions. Organiser

Friday 4 December 2026

• Digging Deep creative writing group

  14:00 Woodhorn Museum, Ashington · Included with Woodhorn Annual Pass (£11 adults, £10 concessions, under 18s free)

  A friendly, volunteer-led monthly writing group in the museum's Learning Room, writing about our lives and landscapes. Beginners and experienced writers are both welcome; just drop in. Organiser

• Stop! In the Name of Love

  19:45 Alnwick Playhouse, Alnwick · £20

  The Kitsch Kittens sing 1960s girl group hits in a retro cabaret. Organiser

Saturday 5 December 2026

• Breakfast with Father Christmas

  The Treehouse, The Alnwick Garden, Alnwick · £24.95 children, £15.95 adults (includes Lilidorei entry)

  Breakfast in The Treehouse restaurant while Father Christmas visits each table with a gift for the children, followed by play at Lilidorei. Tables are shared. Organiser

• Forage Christmas Market

  Rigg and Furrow Brewery, Acomb

  A weekend Christmas market of local food, drink and makers at the Rigg and Furrow brewery near Hexham. Organiser

• Heatherslaw Light Railway Christmas Special

  Heatherslaw Light Railway, Ford Forge, Heatherslaw · Up to £20; under 2s travel free

  Festive trains run from Heatherslaw to Etal, where Santa comes aboard with seasonal treats for the children; under 2s travel free and get a present. Booking is essential as these sell out. Organiser

• Morpeth Farmers' Market

  Market Place, Morpeth · Free

  The monthly farmers' market fills the Market Place on the first Saturday of the month, with local food and produce stalls. Good for a browse before a walk along the Wansbeck in Carlisle Park. Organiser

• The Cheviot Goat Ultra

  Ingram Village Hall, Ingram · Entry from £160 plus fee

  A 59 mile winter ultra through the Cheviot Hills with around 13,000 feet of climbing and a 24 hour cut-off, starting and finishing at Ingram in the Breamish Valley. Organiser

• Willow Christmas Wreath Workshop

  Queen's Hall Arts Centre, Hexham · From £45

  Make a natural willow wreath with Liz Beech in a two-hour session, with materials and refreshments included. Sessions at 10am and 1pm on both days. Organiser

• Bell View community Christmas market

  10:00 Bell View, Belford

  A community Christmas market at Bell View in Belford, on the same day as the village lights switch-on. Organiser

• Creative and Holistic Market

  10:00 Hexham Racecourse, Hexham

  The December edition of the monthly creative and holistic market at Hexham Racecourse, handy for Christmas gifts. Organiser

• Metal embossed Christmas ornament workshop

  10:00 Wark Town Hall and Mechanics Institute, Wark · £35

  A three-hour workshop making your own embossed metal Christmas tree ornament. Organiser

• Santa's Christmas Cakes

  14:00 The Hearth, Horsley · £10 adults, £5 children, £25 family

  Badapple Theatre's family Christmas comedy about an elf who has to bake Santa's cakes, with songs, puppets and comic cooking. Organiser

• The Unthanks in Winter

  15:00 Hexham Abbey, Hexham · £32 full price, £22 under 16s, £20 restricted view

  The Northumbrian folk group perform their winter album of carols and new seasonal songs in Hexham Abbey. Two shows, at 3pm and 7.30pm. Organiser

• Belford Christmas lights switch-on

  16:00 Market Square, Belford · Free

  Belford's festive lights are switched on in the Market Square late on Saturday afternoon. Organiser

• Space Kids: Searching for Stars

  16:30 Kielder Observatory, Kielder · £25 adults, £15 under 16s, £72 family (2 adults, 2 children)

  An early-evening session for children: a short talk, making constellations the way the ancient Greeks did, then a tour of the observatory and the telescopes. It finishes in time for tea, and everyone needs a ticket. Organiser

• Stargazing for Kids

  18:30 Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory, Wark · £22.50 adults, £19.50 concessions, £55.50 family (2 adults, 2 children)

  A two-hour family session learning to find constellations, planets and the Moon's phases, with telescopes, binoculars, real space rocks from the Moon and Mars, and free hot drinks. Children take home activity sheets. Organiser

• Light in the Darkness

  19:00 The Cheviot Centre, Wooler · £15

  The Cumbria Tatie Pot Collective welcome winter with music and wintry tales, brought to Wooler by the Highlights rural touring scheme. Organiser

• Parade of Planets

  23:15 Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory, Wark · £22.50 adults, £19.50 concessions, £55.50 family (2 adults, 2 children)

  A late session to see Mars, Jupiter and Saturn by eye and pick out Uranus and Neptune through high-magnification telescopes. Organiser

Sunday 6 December 2026

• Learn to Nordic walk

  10:15 Wallington, Cambo

  An introductory Nordic walking session on the Wallington estate paths, covering the pole technique before a practice walk. Further dates are listed on the event page. Organiser

• Festive bauble workshop

  10:30 The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre, Once Brewed

  Paint two ceramic baubles with festive designs in gouache, guided by local artist Charlotte Thompson. No experience needed and they come boxed for giving. Organiser

• Festive wreath making

  10:30 Bamburgh Castle, Bamburgh

  Florist Rachel from The Blossom Bee helps you make a traditional wreath to take home, with a festive drink, castle admission and the Christmas installation included. No floristry experience needed and spaces are limited. Organiser

• Space Kids: Searching for Aliens

  17:00 Kielder Observatory, Kielder · £25 adults, £15 concessions, family ticket £72 (4 people)

  A family session asking whether there is life out there and how scientists might find it, with space rocks to look at and the telescopes pointed at the Moon, planets and stars when the sky allows. Organiser

Monday 7 December 2026

• Christmas at the Musicals

  19:00 Hexham Abbey, Hexham

  An evening of musical theatre and Christmas songs in the Abbey. Check the Abbey website for ticket prices. Organiser

Wednesday 9 December 2026

• Christmas Jumper Raceday

  Hexham Racecourse, Hexham

  Hexham's December jump meeting, with racegoers encouraged to wear a Christmas jumper. Gate and race times are still to be confirmed. Organiser

• Ship Inn winter supper

  The Ship Inn, Low Newton-by-the-Sea

  A set winter supper menu pairing the Ship's kitchen with its own brewery. Book by phone on 01665 576262. Organiser

• Buddy Holly and the Cricketers

  19:30 Alnwick Playhouse, Alnwick · £28

  Five actor-musicians play 1950s rock and roll hits plus Christmas songs. Organiser

Thursday 10 December 2026

• Festive Feast in The Pavilion

  12:00 The Pavilion, The Alnwick Garden, Alnwick · £34.95

  A two-course festive lunch overlooking the Grand Cascade with live music from Amy Greer, including garden entry from 10am. Tables are shared. Organiser

• Motown Christmas by Candlelight

  18:00 Hexham Abbey, Hexham

  Singers and a live band mix Motown hits with Christmas songs in the candlelit Abbey. Organiser

• Christmas candle making at the Haunted Museum

  19:00 Northumberland Haunted Museum, Amble

  A Christmas candle-making evening at the Northumberland Haunted Museum in Amble. Organiser

Friday 11 December 2026

• Stargazing for Kids

  18:30 Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory, Wark · £22.50 adults, £19.50 concessions, £55.50 family (2 adults, 2 children)

  A two-hour family session learning to find constellations, planets and the Moon's phases, with telescopes, binoculars, real space rocks from the Moon and Mars, and free hot drinks. Children take home activity sheets. Organiser

• Bootleg Eagles: One of These Festive Nights

  19:30 Alnwick Playhouse, Alnwick · £27.50

  An Eagles tribute covering the band's country rock roots through to the big anthems. Organiser

Saturday 12 December 2026

• Breakfast with Father Christmas

  The Treehouse, The Alnwick Garden, Alnwick · £24.95 children, £15.95 adults (includes Lilidorei entry)

  Breakfast in The Treehouse restaurant while Father Christmas visits each table with a gift for the children, followed by play at Lilidorei. Tables are shared. Organiser

• Hexham Abbey Christmas Fair

  09:00 Hexham Abbey, Hexham · Free

  Stalls of handmade gifts, crafts and local produce, with mince pies, hot chocolate, carols and activities for children. Runs alongside the town's Christmas fair. Organiser

• Hexham Farmers' Market

  09:00 Hexham town centre, Hexham · Free

  Local food producers at Hexham's farmers' market in the heart of the town, usually held on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month. The Queen's Hall hosts a free Meet the Makers craft market in its foyer the same morning. Organiser

• Christmas wreath making

  09:30 Wallington, Cambo · £60

  Make a rustic wreath from natural materials with Wallington's Head Gardener. Materials, tea and coffee are included. Organiser

• Space Kids: Searching for Aliens

  16:30 Kielder Observatory, Kielder · £25 adults, £15 concessions, family ticket £72 (4 people)

  A family session asking whether there is life out there and how scientists might find it, with space rocks to look at and the telescopes pointed at the Moon, planets and stars when the sky allows. Organiser

• Sankta Lucia

  19:00 Hexham Abbey, Hexham · £5.50 to £13.50

  The Edinburgh Luciakor sings Scandinavian seasonal songs as Lucia processes with her crown of candles. A calm, candlelit hour. Organiser

• The Suggestibles: Impro Pantso

  19:30 Queen's Hall Arts Centre, Hexham · From £30

  Newcastle improvisers make up a musical pantomime on the spot from audience suggestions. Strictly for adults. Organiser

Sunday 13 December 2026

• Berwick Christmas Market

  Berwick town centre, Berwick-upon-Tweed · Free

  Berwick's Christmas market in the town centre. Check the organiser's event page for times and stalls. Organiser

• Christmas wreath making

  09:30 Wallington, Cambo · £60

  Make a rustic wreath from natural materials with Wallington's Head Gardener. Materials, tea and coffee are included. Organiser

• Quiet Father Christmas Experience

  10:00 Wallington, Cambo · £32 per child, adults free

  A calmer Father Christmas visit for children with additional needs, with no music, more space and a maximum of 15 children. A second session runs on 22 December. Organiser

• Guided Walk: The North Cheviot Circuit

  10:30 Wooler Common car park, Wooler

  An 8.5-mile moorland round from Wooler Common via Hell Path, Carey Burn and Broadstruther, returning on St Cuthbert's Way. Strenuous; no dogs. Organiser

• Simonside Cairns Fell Race

  11:00 Jubilee Hall, Bridge Street, Rothbury · £10 on the day

  An 11-mile fell race from Rothbury over the Simonside cairns with around 1,770 feet of climbing. Entry on the day only. Organiser

• The Royal Ballet: The Nutcracker

  14:00 Maltings Cinema at Berwick Barracks, Berwick-upon-Tweed · £15 adults, £14 concessions, £8 children

  Peter Wright's festive production of The Nutcracker from the Royal Opera House, a Sunday afternoon Christmas treat. Organiser

• Astrophotography evening

  20:00 Kielder Observatory, Kielder · £39 adults, £33 concessions

  A talk on photographing the Milky Way, aurora and star trails, then practical shooting under the dark sky if the weather allows. Bring a camera with a wide-angle lens and a tripod; phones can be used too. Organiser

• Shooting Star Supper: Geminids meteor shower

  21:00 Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory, Wark · £27.50 adults, £24.50 concessions, £75.50 family of four

  Soup and sandwiches in the Battlesteads restaurant, then the observatory to learn where shooting stars come from, handle meteorites and watch for the Geminids. Indoor activities run if it is cloudy. Organiser

Monday 14 December 2026

• The Dark Cosmos

  20:00 Kielder Observatory, Kielder

  A specialist evening on dark matter, dark energy and the questions cosmology has not yet answered, with telescope observing if the sky is clear and hot drinks included. Organiser

• Shooting Star Supper: Geminids meteor shower

  21:00 Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory, Wark · £27.50 adults, £24.50 concessions, £75.50 family of four

  Soup and sandwiches in the Battlesteads restaurant, then the observatory to learn where shooting stars come from, handle meteorites and watch for the Geminids. Indoor activities run if it is cloudy. Organiser

Tuesday 15 December 2026

• Pre-school Father Christmas Experience

  10:30 Wallington, Cambo · £32 per child, up to two adults free

  Festive games, a craft and photos with Father Christmas for under fives, with a gift for each child. Arrive by 10.15am and allow 15 minutes to walk from the car park. Organiser

• Vivaldi Four Seasons at Christmas by Candlelight

  19:30 Hexham Abbey, Hexham

  The Piccadilly Sinfonietta plays The Four Seasons with Corelli's Christmas Concerto and Pachelbel's Canon. Organiser

Thursday 17 December 2026

• Festive Feast in The Pavilion

  12:00 The Pavilion, The Alnwick Garden, Alnwick · £34.95

  A two-course festive lunch overlooking the Grand Cascade with live music from Amy Greer, including garden entry from 10am. Tables are shared. Organiser

• Morpeth Music Society: Corvus Consort with Louise Thomson, harp

  19:30 Morpeth Methodist Church, Morpeth · £20; season ticket £80 for six concerts; under 18s free

  The singers of Corvus Consort join harpist Louise Thomson for the society's December concert. Tickets online, from the Chantry tourist information centre or on the door if any are left. Organiser

Friday 18 December 2026

• ABBA Christmas by Candlelight

  18:00 Hexham Abbey, Hexham

  Tribute band ABBA Reunion lead a festive sing-along of ABBA hits. Organiser

• Queen's Hall Big Quiz of the Year

  19:00 Queen's Hall Arts Centre, Hexham · £6 per person, £5 each for groups of 6

  Comedian Si Beckwith hosts a four-round quiz on the year's news, with theatre tickets among the prizes. Doors open at 6.30pm. Organiser

• Cosmology for Beginners

  21:00 Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory, Wark · £22.50 adults, £19.50 concessions, £55.50 family (2 adults, 2 children)

  An introduction to the story of the universe for newcomers, with stargazing through the telescopes if the weather allows, meteorites to handle and tips on astronomy apps. Organiser

Saturday 19 December 2026

• Breakfast with Father Christmas

  The Treehouse, The Alnwick Garden, Alnwick · £24.95 children, £15.95 adults

  Breakfast in The Treehouse with a visit and gift from Father Christmas, then play time at Lilidorei. Tables are shared. This date was sold out when checked. Organiser

• Hexham Farmers' Market

  09:00 Market Place, Hexham · Free

  Producers from within 50 miles sell meat, cheese, bread, vegetables and baking in the heart of Hexham. In December it can run on to 3pm when it coincides with the Christmas market. Organiser

• Berwick Male Voice Choir concert

  14:00 St Andrew's Church, Wallace Green, Berwick-upon-Tweed

  A Saturday afternoon concert from Berwick Male Voice Choir, a week before Christmas. Organiser

• Crib and Christingle service

  15:00 St Mary's Church, Belford · Free

  Belford's annual family Christmas service with the crib and Christingles. Organiser

• Vivace Vocal Collective: Somewhere in My Memory

  16:00 The Guildhall, Marygate, Berwick-upon-Tweed

  A December show by Berwick choir Vivace Vocal Collective, with a relaxed performance at 4pm and an evening show at 7pm. Organiser

• Space Kids: Searching for Stars

  16:30 Kielder Observatory, Kielder · £25 adults, £15 under 16s, £72 family (2 adults, 2 children)

  An early-evening session for children: a short talk, making constellations the way the ancient Greeks did, then a tour of the observatory and the telescopes. It finishes in time for tea, and everyone needs a ticket. Organiser

• Christmas by Candlelight

  18:00 Hexham Abbey, Hexham

  West End singers and a live band perform Christmas favourites such as White Christmas and Winter Wonderland. Organiser

• Stargazing for Kids

  18:30 Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory, Wark · £22.50 adults, £19.50 concessions, £55.50 family (2 adults, 2 children)

  A two-hour family session learning to find constellations, planets and the Moon's phases, with telescopes, binoculars, real space rocks from the Moon and Mars, and free hot drinks. Children take home activity sheets. Organiser

• Strictly Smokin' Big Band's Christmas

  19:00 Alnwick Playhouse, Alnwick · £23.50

  The jazz big band's annual Christmas concert with guest singer Alice Grace. It usually sells out. Organiser

• Christmas Concert at the Pavilion

  19:30 Market Pavilion, Blyth

  West End performers, a live band and a specially formed children's choir sing Christmas classics and musical theatre favourites. Organiser

Sunday 20 December 2026

• Carols with mulled wine

  15:00 St Mary's Church, Belford · Free

  A carol service at St Mary's, Belford, with mulled wine. Organiser

• The Great Baldini's Christmas Magic

  16:00 Alnwick Playhouse, Alnwick · £16, children £8

  A festive magic show with illusions, puppetry and escapology from a stage magician and his dog. Organiser

• Space Kids: Searching for Aliens

  17:00 Kielder Observatory, Kielder · £25 adults, £15 concessions, family ticket £72 (4 people)

  A family session asking whether there is life out there and how scientists might find it, with space rocks to look at and the telescopes pointed at the Moon, planets and stars when the sky allows. Organiser

• Christmas Concert at the Pavilion

  17:30 Market Pavilion, Blyth

  West End performers, a live band and a specially formed children's choir sing Christmas classics and musical theatre favourites. Organiser

Monday 21 December 2026

• Breakfast with Santa

  Crabbies Berwick Garden Centre, East Ord

  A home-cooked breakfast with festive activities, a visit from Santa and a gift for the children. Organiser

• Accessible Carol Service

  11:00 Hexham Abbey, Hexham · Free

  A short, adapted carol service for people with additional and complex needs, with less sensory stimulation and flexible seating. Organiser

• Dementia Friendly Carol Service

  13:00 Hexham Abbey, Hexham · Free

  Familiar carols and refreshments in a gentle service for people living with dementia and their families. Organiser

• Lucker nativity trail

  16:00 St Hilda's Church, Lucker · Free

  Lucker's annual nativity trail at St Hilda's. The church says the date and time may still move within that week, so check nearer the time. Organiser

• Bootleg Eagles at Christmas

  19:30 Hexham Abbey, Hexham · £28.75

  Eagles tribute band Bootleg Eagles play a Christmas concert in Hexham Abbey. Organiser

• Our Celestial Neighbourhood

  20:00 Kielder Observatory, Kielder · £39 adults, £33 concessions (under 16s, over 65s)

  A tour of the solar system from Mercury to Neptune with the observatory's astronomers, meteorites to handle and planets through the telescopes when the sky is clear. Organiser

• Shooting Star Supper: Ursids meteor shower

  21:00 Battlesteads Dark Sky Observatory, Wark · £27.50 adults, £24.50 concessions, £75.50 family of four

  Soup and sandwiches in the Battlesteads restaurant, then the observatory to learn where shooting stars come from, handle meteorites and watch for the Ursids. Indoor activities run if it is cloudy. Organiser

Tuesday 22 December 2026

• Breakfast with Santa

  Crabbies Berwick Garden Centre, East Ord

  A home-cooked breakfast with festive activities, a visit from Santa and a gift for the children. Organiser

• Carols by Candlelight

  Hexham Abbey, Hexham · Free

  The Abbey's candlelit service of readings, choir pieces and carols for everyone, held four times over two evenings. Free, but tickets are needed. Organiser

• Quiet Father Christmas Experience

  10:00 Wallington, Cambo · £32 per child, up to two adults free

  A calmer session with no music, more space and a maximum of 15 children: a story with Mrs Christmas, a craft, a gift and time with Father Christmas. Organiser

• Space Kids: Searching for Stars

  17:00 Kielder Observatory, Kielder · £25 adults, £15 under 16s, £72 family (2 adults, 2 children)

  An early-evening session for children: a short talk, making constellations the way the ancient Greeks did, then a tour of the observatory and the telescopes. It finishes in time for tea, and everyone needs a ticket. Organiser

• Christmas jumper carol service

  18:00 St Mary's Church, Belford · Free

  Carols at St Mary's, Belford, with everyone invited to wear a Christmas jumper. Organiser

• A Jazzy Christmas: Paul Edis and Friends

  19:30 Queen's Hall Arts Centre, Hexham · From £22

  Pianist Paul Edis leads a nine-piece band turning Christmas favourites into swinging big band numbers and sambas. Organiser

Wednesday 23 December 2026

• Our Moon

  20:00 Kielder Observatory, Kielder

  An evening devoted to the Moon, with craters and mountains through the big telescopes and a chance to photograph it on your phone. If it is cloudy the team use their radio telescope instead. Organiser

Thursday 24 December 2026

• Christingle carol service

  16:00 St Aidan's Church, Bamburgh · Free

  Bamburgh's popular Christmas Eve Christingle and carols, a good one for families staying on the coast. Organiser

Saturday 26 December 2026

• Boxing Day Dip at Seahouses

  Beach House Hotel and Seahouses beach, Seahouses

  A charity dip in the North Sea off Seahouses beach, raising money for the RNLI and Northumberland Hospice. Come to take the plunge or just to cheer on the dippers; check the listing for the start time. Organiser

• Boxing Day walk: the Drake Stone and Harbottle Castle

  11:00 Harbottle Forestry England car park, Harbottle

  A five mile guided walk through woodland to the Drake Stone and its legends, past the lough, then down to Harbottle village, the lime kiln and the castle. Parking charges may apply; no dogs. Organiser

Sunday 27 December 2026

• Sound Down Sunday

  10:00 Woodhorn Museum, Ashington · Included with Woodhorn Annual Pass (£11 adults, £10 concessions, under 18s free)

  A quieter morning at the museum with fewer visitors and the sound turned down in the displays, with ear defenders to borrow. Good for anyone who finds busy museums overwhelming. Organiser

• A Christmas Carol (one-man show)

  19:00 Alnwick Playhouse, Alnwick · £22, children £16

  Charles Dickens himself tells his famous ghost story in this one-man show. Organiser

• G4 at Christmas

  19:30 Hexham Abbey, Hexham

  The vocal group G4 sing traditional carols and modern Christmas songs in close harmony. Organiser

Monday 28 December 2026

• Sherlock Holmes Christmas Casebook

  14:30 Alnwick Playhouse, Alnwick · £22, children £16

  Jonathan Goodwin plays Holmes in a festive show based on The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle. Also at 7pm. Organiser

• Space Kids: Searching for Aliens

  17:00 Kielder Observatory, Kielder

  A family session asking whether there is life out there and how scientists might find it, with space rocks to look at and the telescopes pointed at the Moon, planets and stars when the sky allows. Organiser

Tuesday 29 December 2026

• Space Kids: Searching for Stars

  17:00 Kielder Observatory, Kielder · £25 adults, £15 under 16s, £72 family (2 adults, 2 children)

  An early-evening session for children: a short talk, making constellations the way the ancient Greeks did, then a tour of the observatory and the telescopes. It finishes in time for tea, and everyone needs a ticket. Organiser

• Newcastle Magic Circle Christmas Show

  18:00 Market Pavilion, Blyth · £16 including booking fee

  The Newcastle Magic Circle bring some of the North East's best magicians to Studio 2 for a family evening of tricks and laughs between Christmas and New Year. Organiser

Thursday 31 December 2026

• New Year's Eve at The Kirkstyle

  17:00 The Kirkstyle Inn, Slaggyford

  A New Year's Eve dinner at the country inn in Slaggyford in the South Tyne valley. Organiser

• Allendale Tar Bar'l

  23:00 Allendale town centre, Allendale · Free

  Guisers in fancy dress carry blazing whisky barrels on their heads around the town and light the New Year bonfire in the Market Place at midnight. Crowds gather from 11pm and no booking is needed, but arrive early as parking is limited. Organiser