We confirmed 15 Christmas events for kids in Newcastle for 2026. The season starts on 21 November with Santa's Grotto 2026 at Dobbies Ponteland and runs until 17 January (Jack and the Beanstalk). Every listing links straight to the host. This page is part of our guide to Christmas events for kids in the UK.
The short version
- 15 kids’ Christmas events confirmed for 2026 in Newcastle, Birtley, Ponteland and Rowlands Gill
- First: Santa's Grotto 2026 at Dobbies Ponteland, Ponteland, 21 November
- Free events: None confirmed yet
Below is every event we could confirm, grouped by area, with the date, time, price and the small things parents ask about (booking, ages, what is included).
Newcastle Christmas events for kids at a glance
- Kids’ Christmas events
- 15 confirmed for 2026
- Areas
- Newcastle, Birtley, Ponteland and Rowlands Gill
- Season
- 21 November to 17 January
- Free events
- None confirmed yet
- Last checked
Christmas events for kids in Newcastle
11 confirmed events in Newcastle, soonest first.
The Christmas Sorting Office
Panto or Christmas showNorthern Stage · Newcastle
- Host
- Northern Stage (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Northern Stage, Stage 3, Barras Bridge, Newcastle NE1 7RH
- When
- Sat 21 Nov 2026 to Sat 2 Jan 2027
- Price
- From £12
- Ages
- Under 5s
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Every year the North East Sorting Office receives thousands of letters to Santa from children across Tyne and Wear, and it is Remi's job to get them sifted, stacked and Santa-ready. But Remi is in a bit of a muddle and needs the audience's help to get every letter to the North Pole on time. This Northern Stage production, created and directed by Stan Hodgson, is full of music, silliness and chances to join in.
It is made for under 5s and their grown-ups and is billed as a perfect first theatre experience. All performances are relaxed, seating is unreserved, and the run lasts from 21 November 2026 to 2 January 2027 in Stage 3. Tickets start at £12. There are audio described shows on Mon 21 Dec and Sun 27 Dec at 10:30am and BSL interpreted shows on Sat 19 Dec at 12:30pm and 3pm.
Parent tip: If a show is sold out, email info@northernstage.co.uk or call 0191 230 5151 to join the waiting list. Add the Meet Santa option on selected 10:30am shows.
See dates and details from Northern Stage (opens in a new tab)Jack and the Beanstalk
Panto or Christmas showTheatre Royal Newcastle · Newcastle
- Host
- Theatre Royal Newcastle (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Theatre Royal, 100 Grey Street, Newcastle NE1 6BR
- When
- Tue 24 Nov 2026 to Sun 17 Jan 2027
- Price
- Prices on booking page, children 16 and under £2 off
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Jack and the Beanstalk is the Theatre Royal's festive pantomime for 2026. Danny Adams leads the cast as Jack Trot, with pantomime legends Clive Webb as Farmer Trot and Chris Hayward as Dame Trot, South Shields singer Joe McElderry as the Spirit of the Beans, and Newcastle panto favourites Mick Potts as Pat the Cow and Wayne Smith as Fleshcreep. Expect laugh-out-loud comedy, special effects and plenty of fun as Jack outwits the giant.
The pantomime runs from Tuesday 24 November 2026 to Sunday 17 January 2027 on the main stage. Children aged 16 and under get £2 off any performance, and family tickets for 3 to 6 people are available on selected shows. Relaxed performances are on Sun 6 Dec and Wed 6 Jan at 12pm, with audio described, captioned and BSL performances also scheduled.
Parent tip: Babes in arms under 2 can be added for £2.50 with an adult ticket. The show may include flashing lights, strobes, haze and loud noises.
See dates and details from Theatre Royal Newcastle (opens in a new tab)Festive Storytimes
Christmas story timeSeven Stories, The National Centre for Children's Books · Newcastle
- Host
- Seven Stories, The National Centre for Children's Books (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Seven Stories, 30 Lime Street, Ouseburn, Newcastle NE1 2PQ
- When
- Daily, Sat 28 Nov to Sun 3 Jan
- Price
- £0 to £3.99, pre-booking recommended
- Ages
- Little ones
- Booking
- Booking recommended
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Seven Stories, the national centre for children's books in Newcastle's Ouseburn valley, runs Festive Story Times every day through the Christmas season. Little ones are invited on a magical journey filled with enchanting Christmas tales and plenty of seasonal sparkle, which the centre describes as the perfect way to build excitement for the big day.
The sessions run from Saturday 28 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, and ticket prices range from free to £3.99. Seven Stories notes that its storytimes tend to sell out quickly, so pre-booking is recommended to avoid disappointment. A visit can easily be combined with the centre's exhibitions, bookshop and other festive activities, including crafts and a reading-themed panto.
Parent tip: Storytimes sell out quickly, so book ahead online. Check the booking page for each day's session times.
See dates and details from Seven Stories, The National Centre for Children's Books (opens in a new tab)Little Red Reading Hood
Christmas story timeSeven Stories, The National Centre for Children's Books · Newcastle
- Host
- Seven Stories, The National Centre for Children's Books (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Seven Stories, 30 Lime Street, Ouseburn, Newcastle NE1 2PQ
- When
- Sat 28 Nov to Sun 3 Jan
- Price
- £14.50 per person, from £7.25
- Ages
- The whole family
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Seven Stories presents a brand-new festive panto, Little Red Reading Hood. Little Red sets off to visit Grandma at Seven Stories in search of a brilliant new book, in a laugh-out-loud adventure full of joyful wordplay, slapstick silliness, mixed-up fairy tales and big, bold audience participation.
The original, inclusive and story-packed show celebrates the magic of reading and is pitched as fun for the whole family. It runs from Saturday 28 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027 at the children's book centre in Ouseburn. Tickets are listed at £14.50 per person, with prices ranging from £7.25. Book through the event page to see performance times.
Parent tip: Pair the panto with a festive storytime or craft session on the same visit. Book ahead to choose a performance time.
See dates and details from Seven Stories, The National Centre for Children's Books (opens in a new tab)Meet Santa
Meet SantaNorthern Stage · Newcastle
- Host
- Northern Stage (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Northern Stage, Stage 3, Barras Bridge, Newcastle NE1 7RH
- When
- Thu 3, Sat 5, Wed 9 and Sat 12 Dec, after the 10:30 am show
- Price
- Add-on £6 weekdays, £8 weekends, on top of show tickets
- Ages
- Recommended for under 5s but all believers welcome
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Santa Claus is returning to Northern Stage this year. On four dates, children who see the 10:30am performance of The Christmas Sorting Office can stay afterwards to meet Santa, and each child receives a finger puppet as a Christmas present from him. The show and visit together last about an hour.
Meet Santa runs on Thursday 3, Saturday 5, Wednesday 9 and Saturday 12 December 2026 in Stage 3. It is booked as an add-on when you buy tickets for the 10:30am performance on those dates, costing an extra £6 on weekdays and £8 at weekends. It is recommended for under 5s, though all believers are welcome.
Parent tip: Choose the 10:30am performance on one of the four dates and add Meet Santa during booking.
See dates and details from Northern Stage (opens in a new tab)The Snow Queen
Panto or Christmas showNorthern Stage · Newcastle
- Host
- Northern Stage (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Northern Stage, Stage 1, Barras Bridge, Newcastle NE1 7RH
- When
- Thu 3 Dec to Thu 24 Dec
- Price
- From £12
- Ages
- The whole family
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
In a town called Stifle lives Gerda, the only child in town until Kai arrives. When the cruel Snow Queen whisks Kai away, Gerda leaves home to face the icy unknown and try to rescue him and save Christmas. Written by Laura Lindow and directed by Natalie Ibu, this new production reimagines Hans Christian Andersen's classic fable as a festively frozen fairytale for the whole family, with original songs and live music.
The show runs from 3 to 24 December 2026 in Stage 1 and lasts about 2 hours 30 minutes including an interval. Tickets start at £12. Access performances include BSL on Sat 12 Dec at 1pm, a relaxed performance on Tue 15 Dec at 1:30pm, captioned on Sun 20 Dec at 1pm and audio described on Mon 21 Dec at 1pm. Northern Stage is fully accessible, with lifts, buggy parking and a Changing Places toilet.
Parent tip: At two and a half hours it suits school-age children best. Members get 20% off and priority booking.
See dates and details from Northern Stage (opens in a new tab)Aladdin
Panto or Christmas showTyne Theatre & Opera House · Newcastle
- Host
- Tyne Theatre & Opera House (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Tyne Theatre & Opera House, 117 Westgate Road, Newcastle NE1 4AG
- When
- Fri 4 Dec 2026 to Sun 3 Jan 2027
- Price
- Seats £32.20 to £44.70, family tickets £119.80 to £147.80
- Ages
- All ages, under 14s with an adult 18+
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Aladdin is the Tyne Theatre & Opera House's family pantomime for Christmas 2026. X Factor runner-up Marcus Collins plays the Genie of the Lamp and EastEnders' Michael Greco is the villainous Abanazar, with Tyne Theatre favourites Charlie Richmond as Wishee Washee and Lewis Denny as Widow Twankey. Mikki Villa takes the title role and Newcastle's own Sophie Mordey makes her professional panto debut as Princess Jasmine.
The show runs from Friday 4 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027 at various times, with songs, special effects and plenty of audience participation. Seats cost £32.20 to £44.70 and family tickets for two adults and two children, or one adult and three children, cost £119.80 to £147.80. It is suitable for all ages, and under 14s must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over.
Parent tip: There are separate adult-only performances, so check you are booking a family show. Prices include a venue levy and a £2.70 booking fee.
See dates and details from Tyne Theatre & Opera House (opens in a new tab)Festive Stocking Craft Workshop
Christmas craftsSeven Stories, The National Centre for Children's Books · Newcastle
- Host
- Seven Stories, The National Centre for Children's Books (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Seven Stories, Level 2 Event Space, 30 Lime Street, Ouseburn, Newcastle NE1 2PQ
- When
- Selected sessions, Sat 5 Dec to Sun 3 Jan
- Price
- £0 to £8.50
- Booking
- Booking recommended
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Seven Stories invites families to get creative this Christmas by designing their very own stocking, just in time for Santa's visit. The workshop is described as a festive-filled session of creativity, colour and Christmas magic, a chance to get hands-on and make something special to take home.
Workshops run throughout December, from Saturday 5 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, in the Level 2 Event Space. Session times vary, so check the bookings page for availability. Prices range from free to £8.50. Seven Stories notes that its craft workshops tend to sell out quickly and recommends pre-booking to avoid disappointment.
Parent tip: Times vary by day, so check the booking page first. Craft workshops sell out quickly.
See dates and details from Seven Stories, The National Centre for Children's Books (opens in a new tab)Wonderful Wreath & Beautiful Bauble Craft
Christmas craftsSeven Stories, The National Centre for Children's Books · Newcastle
- Host
- Seven Stories, The National Centre for Children's Books (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Seven Stories, 30 Lime Street, Ouseburn, Newcastle NE1 2PQ
- When
- Selected sessions, Sat 5 Dec to Sun 3 Jan
- Price
- £0 to £7.50
- Booking
- Booking recommended
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
At this Seven Stories workshop, families make their own Christmas decorations, from crafting a gorgeous wreath to adding a personal touch to sparkling baubles. The centre describes it as a festive-filled session of creativity, colour and Christmas magic, with something special to take home and treasure.
The event is listed from Saturday 5 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, with sessions running on selected days and times that vary, so check the bookings page for availability. Prices range from free to £7.50. As with the centre's other craft sessions, workshops tend to sell out quickly and pre-booking is recommended.
Parent tip: Check the bookings page for session times. Book early as craft sessions often sell out.
See dates and details from Seven Stories, The National Centre for Children's Books (opens in a new tab)The Canny Christmas Show
Meet SantaDiscovery Museum · Newcastle
- Host
- Discovery Museum (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Discovery Museum, Play + Invent space, Blandford Square, Newcastle NE1 4JA
- When
- Sat 12, Sun 13, Sat 19, Sun 20 Dec, shows 10am to 2:30pm
- Price
- £12 per person (all guests need a ticket)
- Ages
- Families, particularly kids aged 3 to 7
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
New for 2026, The Canny Christmas Show at Discovery Museum steps into a black-and-white world of festive fun, where three cheeky Geordie elves create Christmas chaos. The interactive show is designed especially for younger families and is packed with music, laughter and festive mischief, before Santa himself makes a very special appearance. Afterwards there are festive photo opportunities with the characters.
Shows last 40 minutes and run at 10am, 11am, 12 noon, 1:30pm and 2:30pm on Saturday 12, Sunday 13, Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 December. Tickets are £12 per person and every guest needs one. The show is aimed at children aged 3 to 7 and takes place in the Play + Invent space on the second floor at the front of the museum.
Parent tip: Late entry is only permitted up to two minutes after the start, and weekend traffic can be heavy. Head to the welcome desk at the main entrance on arrival.
See dates and details from Discovery Museum (opens in a new tab)The Great Festive Dinosaur Show
Panto or Christmas showGreat North Museum: Hancock · Newcastle
- Host
- Great North Museum: Hancock (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Great North Museum: Hancock, Exhibition Hall, Barras Bridge, Newcastle NE2 4PT
- When
- 19 to 23 and 28 to 31 Dec, shows 10am, 11am, noon, 1:30pm, 2:30pm
- Price
- £12 per person (everyone needs a ticket)
- Ages
- Families, particularly kids aged 3 to 7
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
New for 2026, the dinosaurs are back at the Great North Museum: Hancock, and this time they have brought some friends. In this festive family show, Christmas magic brings museum exhibits to life, and after the show families can stay for a meet and greet and photo opportunity with the dinosaurs and their friends.
Shows last 40 minutes and run at 10am, 11am, 12 noon, 1:30pm and 2:30pm on 19 to 23 December and 28 to 31 December 2026. On 20 December the first show starts at 11am. Tickets are £12 per person and every guest needs one. The show is designed for families, particularly with children aged 3 to 7, and takes place in the Exhibition Hall on the first floor at the rear of the museum.
Parent tip: Late entry is only allowed up to two minutes after the start, so allow extra travel time. Arrive at the main entrance and the welcome desk will direct you.
See dates and details from Great North Museum: Hancock (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Birtley
2 confirmed events in Birtley, soonest first.
Santa's Grotto 2026 - Dobbies Birtley (Birtley)
Santa’s grottoDobbies Garden Centres · Birtley
- Host
- Dobbies Garden Centres (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Dobbies Birtley, Birtley (near Newcastle)
- When
- Selected dates, Nov 22 to Dec 24
- Price
- £15 to £17 per child
- Ages
- Children
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Dobbies Birtley, south of Gateshead, is running Santa's Grotto from 22 November to 24 December 2026, and it is listed on the official NewcastleGateshead events calendar. Families journey through a North Pole village with festive activities: children make a wish at the wishing well, visit the grotto shops and finish at the Penguin Post Office before meeting Santa. Each family gets dedicated time with Santa, and every child with a ticket receives a collectable penguin soft toy.
Standard tickets are £15, with prices across the season ranging from £15 to £17. Dated sessions shown include 22 November and 5 and 6 December 2026, and further slots are bookable on the Dobbies site. Professional printed photos are available, and pre-booking a photo package saves 20 percent. Up to two adults can come with each child, and the grotto may be partly outdoors, so dress for the weather.
Parent tip: A quieter, sensory friendly version of this grotto runs on 4 and 8 December for children with additional needs.
See dates and details from Dobbies Garden Centres (opens in a new tab)Santa's Quiet Grotto 2026 - Dobbies Birtley (Birtley)
Santa’s grottoDobbies Garden Centres · Birtley
- Host
- Dobbies Garden Centres (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Dobbies Birtley, Birtley (near Newcastle)
- When
- Fri, Dec 4, 2:10 pm and Tue, Dec 8, 9:10 am
- Price
- £15 per child
- Ages
- Children with additional needs
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Dobbies Birtley offers two quiet grotto sessions in 2026 designed for children with additional needs, on Friday 4 December at 2:10pm and Tuesday 8 December at 9:10am. During these sessions the music is switched off, twinkling lights are removed or turned off, and fewer families are booked into each slot, so there is no queuing on the day. Photos of the grotto are emailed before the visit so children know what to expect.
The experience otherwise follows the standard grotto: a wishing well, a magic door into a North Pole village, grotto shops with activities, the Penguin Post Office and dedicated family time with Santa. Each ticketed child receives a collectable penguin soft toy. Tickets cost £15 per child and must be pre-booked, as there is no same day entry. A professional printed photo can be added at a reduced rate.
Parent tip: Look through the grotto photos emailed before your visit with your child to help them prepare.
See dates and details from Dobbies Garden Centres (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Ponteland
1 confirmed event in Ponteland, soonest first.
Santa's Grotto 2026 at Dobbies Ponteland (Ponteland)
Santa’s grottoDobbies Garden Centres · Ponteland
- Host
- Dobbies Garden Centres (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Dobbies Ponteland, Ponteland (near Newcastle)
- When
- Selected dates, Nov 21 to Dec 24
- Price
- £15 to £17 per child
- Ages
- Children
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Dobbies Ponteland, a short drive north west of Newcastle near the airport, is one of the English stores listed for the chain's Santa's Grotto 2026. The visit follows a North Pole village route: a wishing well, grotto shops with festive activities and the Penguin Post Office, followed by dedicated time for each family with Santa. Every ticketed child receives a penguin soft toy in a presentation bag, and there are photo opportunities throughout.
Tickets are £15 to £17 and are booked online in timed slots between 21 November and 24 December 2026. Not every store runs on every date, so choose Ponteland on the Dobbies booking page to see its calendar. Your booking time is your arrival time, a maximum of two adults may accompany each child, children must be supervised throughout, and the grotto may be outdoors, so bring coats and hats.
Parent tip: Professional printed photos with Santa are cheaper when pre-booked, with a 20 percent saving on photo packages.
See dates and details from Dobbies Garden Centres (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Rowlands Gill
1 confirmed event in Rowlands Gill, soonest first.
Visit Father Christmas at Gibside Stables (Rowlands Gill)
Story time with SantaNational Trust Gibside · Rowlands Gill
- Host
- National Trust Gibside (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Gibside Stables, Gibside, near Rowlands Gill, Rowlands Gill NE16 6BG (near Newcastle)
- When
- Selected dates, Sun 29 Nov to Wed 23 Dec, sessions from 10:35 am
- Price
- £18 per child, accompanying adult free, plus Gibside admission for non-members
- Ages
- Recommended for ages 3 to 9
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
At Gibside Stables, Father Christmas and his elf friend Holly Berry host an interactive storytelling experience. Holly greets each family and leads them to Father Christmas, who shares a brand-new festive story filled with North Pole magic. In the final 10 minutes of the roughly 20-minute session, every child receives a small gift and grown-ups can take a photo with Father Christmas.
Sessions run seven times a day, starting at 10:35, 11:15, 11:55, 12:55, 13:35, 14:15 and 14:55, on 29 November and 5, 6, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 December 2026. The 10:35 session is a relaxed, low-sensory session for families with SEND and younger children. Tickets are £18 per child, with up to two adults per booking, and non-members also pay Gibside admission on the day. It is best suited to ages 3 to 9.
Parent tip: Booking is essential, and you should bring your confirmation email to reception. Professional photos are not provided, so bring your own camera.
See dates and details from National Trust Gibside (opens in a new tab)A story for the trip home
Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents, and every page is hand-painted in watercolour. It is a cosy five-minute read after a big day out.
A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolour. Ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon.co.uk (opens in a new tab)Newcastle Christmas events for kids: questions parents ask
What Christmas events for kids are in Newcastle in 2026?
We confirmed 15 Christmas events for kids in Newcastle for 2026, each on its host’s own page, including Santa's Grotto 2026 at Dobbies Ponteland (Ponteland), The Christmas Sorting Office, Santa's Grotto 2026 - Dobbies Birtley (Birtley), Jack and the Beanstalk, Festive Storytimes, Little Red Reading Hood, Visit Father Christmas at Gibside Stables (Rowlands Gill), Meet Santa, The Snow Queen, Aladdin, Santa's Quiet Grotto 2026 - Dobbies Birtley (Birtley) and Festive Stocking Craft Workshop. Each one is listed above with times, cost and a link to the host.
Where can kids see Santa in Newcastle this year?
Santa appears at Santa's Grotto 2026 at Dobbies Ponteland (Ponteland), Santa's Grotto 2026 - Dobbies Birtley (Birtley), Visit Father Christmas at Gibside Stables (Rowlands Gill), Meet Santa, Santa's Quiet Grotto 2026 - Dobbies Birtley (Birtley) and The Canny Christmas Show. Times and booking rules are in each listing above.
Where are there Christmas story times for kids in Newcastle?
Christmas story times on this page: Festive Storytimes, Little Red Reading Hood and Visit Father Christmas at Gibside Stables (Rowlands Gill).
How do you confirm these events?
We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city, library or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on 2 November 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.
Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.
