The much-anticipated window reveal for this year has been officially announced for Sunday 3rd November. Fenwick, Newcastle’s answer to Harrods in the North-East, has been bringing the community together during the festive period for over 50 years. With previous years having brought us window displays featuring characters from The Chronicles of Narnia, Shaun the Sheep and Clarice Bean, it’s anyone’s guess as to who will be bringing us our Christmas joy in 2024. If you can’t make it into town for the reveal, don’t worry, it will be streamed on Fenwick’s social media channels.
The observant amongst us will certainly have seen the preparations going on in the city centre to put up this year’s Christmas light display. With light displays across the centre, including down Northumberland Street, Grey Street and Bigg Market, the official turn on is going to take place on Tuesday 12th November. The event is a great way to kickstart your festive season, with friends or family, and see the city lit up in one of its most beautiful times of the year.
A different approach to Christmas lights, this year Leazes Park is home to Northern Lights Newcastle, a trail with lots of different light installations to enjoy. The event is going to take place from November 22nd until December 31st (with the exceptions of December 2nd, 3rd, 9th and 10th and of course, Christmas day). The trail sold out last year, so run to get your tickets from the official Northern Lights website before they go.
What better a plan than a stroll around the Christmas markets? What Newcastle’s markets may lack in size, they certainly make up for in charm and representation of local sellers, with the council continuing to commit to supporting an inclusive economy. From Saturday 16th November until Sunday 22nd December there will be festive stalls across Monument, Grey Street, Grainger Street with Old Eldon Square hosting a great selection of food vendors and a new section of family-focused stalls. This includes a new Santa’s Stories Tipi, an Elf Workshop and the ‘Rockin’ Reindeer Stage’. There will be plenty of activities throughout the five weeks, so pop down and have a go on the traditional carousel or check out the ten-metre tall illuminated Christmas tree. Additionally, Grainger Market will also be opening especially on Sundays, offering a further range of local traders and art and craft workshops led by a range of the city’s own.
If you need a break from all the shopping, Moosenwirt is back by popular demand for another year. The bar will whisk you away to the North Pole with luxury igloos and its iconic yurt equipped with fire pits and cosy seating serving up mulled wine and cider, hot chocolate, local ales and much more from Monday 18th November right up until the Thursday 2nd January. There will be an additional array of local bands playing every day from 3-6pm to sip along to. You can’t miss it!
A well established feature of Newcastle’s festive calendar, the Life Centre’s ice rink is also back. Located in Times Square next to Newcastle Central Station, the open-air rink is open from Saturday 9th November until Sunday 5th January. Tickets are a little bit more pricey at £15 for an adult ticket and skate sessions running for an hour each, but it is well worth a trip. Just wrap up warm…
(Booking online is recommended so that you don’t miss out, especially during peak periods)
