All Christmas events
Christmas 2025 – family events at North East Museums
Get into the festive spirit and enjoy family-friendly Christmas events at Discovery Museum and Great North Museum: Hancock in Newcastle, Shipley Art Gallery in Gateshead, Stephenson Steam Railway in North Tyneside, South Shields Museum, Woodhorn Museum in Ashington and Hexham Old Gaol.
Santa experiences
A Canny Christmas Grotto — Discovery Museum, Newcastle upon Tyne
- Families can enjoy seasonal cheer, sparkling decorations, and a magical chance to meet Santa Claus himself. With stories, photo opportunities, and plenty of Christmas spirit, this is the perfect way to celebrate Christmas in Newcastle.
11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 December | Tickets £18.99 | Good availability
Book now for A Canny Christmas Grotto at Discovery Museum
Elf Express — Stephenson Steam Railway, North Tyneside
- Enjoy a live performance from Santa and his Elves, before boarding a festive-themed heritage train ride.
13, 14, 20, 21, 22 December | Tickets from £20 | SELLING FAST
Book now for the Elf Express at Stephenson Steam Railway
Festive Tales — Woodhorn Museum, Ashington
- Enjoy a cosy festive story time, have your photo taken with Father Christmas, and take home a special gift to remember your visit to Woodhorn Museum, Northumberland.
13, 14, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 December | Tickets £9 | Good availability
Book now for Festive Tales at Woodhorn Museum
Meet Father Christmas — Hexham Old Gaol
- This festive season families can meet Santa Claus, right in the heart of Hexham, Northumberland, as the Old Gaol transforms into a magical Christmas Grotto.
11, 13, 14, 20, 21, 22, 23 December | Tickets £17 | SELLING FAST
Festive experiences
The Great Dinosaur Christmas Show — Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle upon Tyne
- Meet dinosaurs and enjoy interactive performances. Perfect for families and dino-lovers of all ages, this magical event blends science, storytelling, and seasonal sparkle.
20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 December | Tickets £12.99 | SELLING FAST
Book now for The Great Dinosaur Christmas Show at Great North Museum: Hancock
Once Upon a Christmas — South Shields Museum & Art Gallery
- Set on the festively decorated Victorian Street, you'll meet the Holly King and Ivy Queen for some Christmas fun. Each session includes a festive story and entertainment.
13, 20 December | Tickets £12 | Good availability
Book now for Once Upon a Christmas at South Shields Museum
Winter Warmers — Stephenson Steam Railway
- Beat the post-Christmas blues with a journey on a heritage train.
27 and 28 December | Tickets from £9 | Good availability
Christmas crafts and markets
Festive Fancies — Woodhorn Museum
- Make and decorate your own fabulous festive pigeon (complete with flapping wings) in this family friendly workshop.
13, 14, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 December and 2, 3, 4 January | Included with Annual Pass admission
Find out more about Festive Fancies at Woodhorn Museum
Needle Felting Christmas Decorations — Shipley Art Gallery, Gateshead
- Join us for a workshop where you'll make a needle felted snowman or gingerbread man.
12 December | £10 plus booking fee | Good availability
Book now for Needle Felting Christmas Decorations at Shipley Art Gallery
Make a Festive Centrepiece — Shipley Art Gallery, Gateshead
- Make your own festive floral arrangement to decorate your table this Christmas season.
13 December | £26 per centrepiece plus booking fee | Good availability
Book now for Make a Festive Centrepiece at Shipley Art Gallery
Relaxed sessions
The Great Dinosaur Christmas Show — Relaxed Session — Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle upon Tyne
- Meet dinosaurs and enjoy interactive performances. Perfect for families and dino-lovers of all ages, this magical event blends science, storytelling, and seasonal sparkle.
20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 December | Tickets £12.99 per person
Book now for The Great Dinosaur Christmas Show - Relaxed Session
Festive Tales — Relaxed Session — Woodhorn Museum, Ashington
- Enjoy the magic of Christmas in a calmer setting with Festive Tales Relaxed Sessions. There'll be a cosy festive story time, and children can have their photo taken with Father Christmas, and take home a special gift to remember their visit.
13, 14, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 December | 3pm on event running days | Tickets £9
Christmas opening hours
Find out when our museums and galleries are open during the festive period
| Venue | Closed |
|---|---|
| Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort | Until 30 March 2026 |
| Discovery Museum | 24 December 2025 - 1 January 2026 inclusive |
| Great North Museum: Hancock | 24, 25, 26 December 2025 and 1 January 2026 |
| Hatton Gallery | 21 December 2025 - 4 January 2026 inclusive |
| Hexham Old Gaol | 22 December 2025 - 12 January 2026 inclusive |
| Laing Art Gallery | 25, 26 December 2025 and 1 January 2026 Closed Sundays |
| Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum | 25, 26 December 2025 and 1 January 2026 |
| Segedunum Roman Fort | 30 November 2025 - 4 January 2026 inclusive |
| South Shields Museum & Art Gallery | 21 December 2025 - 11 January 2026 inclusive |
| Stephenson Steam Railway | 4 December 2025 - spring 2026 We will be open on certain dates for Elf Express and Winter Warmers |
| The Shipley Art Gallery | 21 December 2025 - 5 January 2026 inclusive |
| Woodhorn Museum | 25, 26 December 2025 and 1 January 2026. |
We look forward to welcoming you before or after the holidays.
Too cold to head out? Why not feel festive from home?
It’s beginning to sound a lot like Christmas! Songs from Fenwick’s Christmas Window
Read our blog and listen to songs from past years of Fenwick's Christmas Window, as part the Unlocking Our Sound Heritage project.
Virtual Winter Watercolours
Join artist Elizabeth Kane, as we imagine snowy scenes, dramatic skies and pops of colour from hardy plants and trees. Taking inspiration from the natural world, you will create a number of winter scenes exploring different drawing and painting techniques. Elizabeth will show you present a series of drawing challenges for you to follow alongside. These artworks could be used as homemade card toppers, gifted to those you love or proudly displayed in your home. Suitable for all ages and abilities. No experience necessary.
