North East Christmas Markets 2024
As the festive season approaches, it’s time to plan your Christmas market visits across the North East and there are plenty of them! It’s not just the main Newcastle Christmas market around Monument, many of the towns and villages outside of the city centre and up into Northumberland hold their own North East Christmas markets too, as well as some of the stately homes and even museums. From as early as the end of October right through the festive season there are plenty of opportunities to get into the Christmas spirit, find unique gifts, and enjoy local festive food and drink. Here’s a roundup of the best Christmas markets and fairs happening in the region for 2024.
Newcastle Christmas Market: 16th Nov – 22nd Dec
Newcastle’s Christmas market returns from 16th November in its usual spot around Monument and Grainger Street, and stretching up to old Eldon Square. The last few years they’ve opened stalls out to local businesses which I love, but it has been on the small side and this year we can expect it to be bigger and better. The council and NE1 announced that there will be a family friendly Christmas village taking up Old Eldon Square, with new activities and experiences. Moosenwirt will be returning on Grey Street, and a North Pole inspired area around Monument including heated igloos.
Have a read of NE1’s article here for all the details!
Living North Fair, Newcastle Racecourse: 24th – 27th October
Tickets: £7 online, £9 on the door, £6 over 60 and kids under 12 go free.
Living North’s Christmas Fair is the perfect early start to your festive preparations, as it’s the only one in October. They have over 250 exhibitors, artisan gifts, Christmas decorations, and local food and drink. Held at Newcastle Racecourse, this event is one for those who want to get their Christmas shopping done early.
Book Living North Fair tickets for Newcastle here.
Gateshead Stadium Christmas Market: 10th Nov
Gateshead Stadium’s Christmas market offers a huge selection of stalls, over 200 to be exact made up of local vendors, and festive goods. It’s a great early-bird market to get into the Christmas mood and will be both inside or outside so you dont need to worry about the weather. Some of the food sounds great with a hog roast and log fired pizza up for grabs.
From what I can see you get tickets but they are free.
Brocksbushes Christmas Fayre: 14th – 17th Nov
Tickets: £2per person
Brocksbushes Farm Christmas Fayre is going to be bigger and better than ever this year after their new farm shop opened. It’s huge and has some amazing food, fruit and veg, as well as some homeware and gifts. The Christmas fayre is a four day event, and you get a ticket with a time slot, then you can stay as long as you like.
Tickets were released today (7th Oct) and will sell out very quick so book fast.
Wynyard Hall Christmas Market & Festive Tipi: 22-24th Nov
Tickets: From £7
Wynyard Hall is a stunning venue and it becomes even more magical during Christmas. Last year I really enjoyed their normal gift shop at the Glasshouse, it had some gorgeous Christmas decorations and gifts. The specific Christmas market at Wynyard Hall is a ticketed event in November open from 10am-6pm, but there is also a later entry of 6:30pm which is for their festive tipi only, priced at £12 including a welcome drink. The market will have a selection of seasonal stalls, festive treats, food and drink.
The Saturday is already limited availability so book your tickets here.
Alnwick Castle Christmas Fair: 21st – 22nd Nov
Tickets: £15
This one, although expensive looks so good and is actually being held inside Alnwick Castle so a really unique experience. As part of a charity event, canapés and arrival drinks will be provided by the castle and Hepple Spirits on the Thursday evening, and you’ll be able to browse the brands listed on their website who will have stalls for the event – tickets for this must be pre booked. It is also being held on the Friday through the day and you can pay on the door for these.
See more information on the Alnwick Castle website here.
Spanish City Christmas Market: 22-24th Nov
Tickets: £3 early bird, £4 online from 1st Nov, £6 on the door
Head to Whitley Bay’s famous Spanish City for a festive market packed with local crafts, food stalls, and music entertainment in the champagne bar. One of my favourites every year as the Dome is so festive with the big tree under it, it’s such a unique setting. They have a late night finishing at 9pm on the Friday, and then open on both the Saturday and Sunday. It gets really busy so my advice would be to go early.
Find more info and book your tickets here.
Ford & Etal Christmas Market: 23-24th Nov
The Ford & Etal Christmas market has stalls in Ford, Etal and Heatherslaw so you can go to all of them in one day to enjoy the entertainment, o
ver 80 stalls and Ford Castle. You can even buy tickets to ride between Heatherslaw and Etal on Heatherslaw Light Railway to get from one to the other, or enjoy one of the vintage double-decker buses running between Etal, Heatherslaw and Ford.
As well as the big selection of market stalls, there will be entertainment, activities for kids and the local venues to enjoy too. A great one for a day out in Northumberland.
South Causey Inn Christmas Markets: 26th Nov, 3rd, 10th, 17th Dec
Times: 10:30 am – 2 pm, 4 pm – 8 pm
South Causey Inn offers multiple Christmas markets throughout the season, perfect for browsing local crafts and enjoying some festive cheer in a relaxed countryside setting. There are two sets of opening times for each one to give the traders a lunch break, and it’s always a really cute festive atmosphere, and some amazing stalls to browse. With free entry I enjoy this one every year.
Raby Castle Christmas Market: 30th Nov – 1st Dec
Entry: Standard ticket entry for Raby Castle
Raby Castle hosts a festive market in its picturesque grounds, offering a range of local gifts, seasonal food, and Christmas decorations. It will be extra special this year with the new Rising Development that includes a bigger and better gift shop. Enjoy a day out exploring both the Raby Castle market, the historic castle and Deer Park.
See more on the Raby Christmas market here.
Jesmond Dene House Christmas Market: 1st Dec
Tickets: £8
The annual Jesmond Dene House Christmas market is held on one Sunday only in their gorgeous Great Hall. A boutique type market, it will have luxury gifts, festive food, and handcrafted items to buy. It’s a great choice for those looking for something a little more exclusive. Your ticket price includes a mulled wine, hot chocolate, or tea or coffee on arrival.
Durham Christmas Festival: 6th – 8th Dec
The Durham Christmas Festival spans across three days over the 6-8th December, and as well as the markets across Durham Market Place and Hall, it also includes a lantern parade, family entertainment, and the Craft & Producers’ Marquee on Palace Green which does charge a fee.
Take a look at the website here for full details and tickets.
North Shields Christmas Market: 7th – 8th Dec
North Shields’ Christmas market is a community favourite, With over 75 stalls selling local crafts, food stalls, and live entertainment. It’s a family-friendly market with fairground rides, lots of seating and is often really busy.
Made Up North Winter Market, Boiler Shop: 8th Dec
The Boiler Shop in Newcastle plays host to this curated market of independent sellers from across the North East, and their winter market will be on 8th December from 10am – 4pm.
Berwick Christmas Market: 8th Dec
If you’re as far north as Berwick over the festive season, or fancy a stop off on the train if you’re heading to Scotland then Berwick are hosting their Christmas market in the Guild Hall on 8th December.
Hexham Christmas Market: 14th Dec
Hexham Christmas market is both inside and outside of Hexham abbey. The market square comes alive on market day each with with the Farmers Market but at Christmas it’s even more festive. Enjoy the market in and outside, and enjoy the rest of the towns boutique shops and cafes.
FInd more details and tickets here.
Bowes Museum Christmas Market, Barnard Castle: 13th – 15th Dec
Tickets: £6.50 children free. After 6th December tickets will go up to £7.50
The Bowes Museum at Barnard Castle offers a stunning backdrop for their Christmas market, as they’ll be turned into a winter wonderland of stalls selling a range of local and artisan products, festive food, and live entertainment. There will also be carol singers, mulled wine and cider, themed tours and museum entry is included in the ticket price.
See more information and tickets on the Bowes Museum website here.
Slaley Hall Festive Fayre: 2nd Nov and 15th Dec
Theres’s not much information about Slaley Hall’s Festive Fayre other than the dates above, but I’ve been to Slaley Hall a few times over the festive season including for their Christmas afternoon tea and it is a lovely venue, with huge roaring fires. Keep an eye on their channels for more information.
Northumberland Christmas Fair at Healey Barn: 19th – 20th Nov
Tickets: £8
The Northumberland Christmas fair in aid of the British Red Cross is held at Healey Barn near Riding Mill, and will be held on 19th and 20th November. Find information here.
These are the dedicated North East Christmas Markets, but of course some of the usual weekly and month markets across the region will have a festive twist in the run up to Christmas. Some of my favourites include Tynemouth Market, held every Saturday and Sunday in Tynemouth metro station, the Quayside market held every Sunday, and Jesmond Food Market held on the first and third Saturday of every month.
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