Looking for something at the end of December 2025 in the North East? I’ve got you covered with this list. As part of my feature on BBC Tees and Newcastle, I select my top picks of things happening across the North East, and here’s what I’ve chosen for Saturday 20th to Wednesday 31st December.
A Christmas Night at the Museum – Hopetown Darlington – Sat 20th Dec
On Saturday 20th from 6pm to 8:30pm, A Christmas Night at the Museum lights up Hopetown Darlington as part of its Ho-Ho-Hopetown festive season. As dusk falls, the historic railway site becomes a glowing winter wonderland filled with twinkling lights and the scent of seasonal treats. Wander through the North Road Station Museum, enjoy the immersive Experiment! ride, and explore illuminated the play area. There’s even a silent disco Jingle Bell Ball, Victorian carousel rides and The Elves’ Giftworks to visit. Mulled wine, hot chocolate and mince pies add extra cheer to this magical family evening. This is free for kids and £5 per adult to go along to, but tickets must be pre-booked on the Hopetown Darlington website.
The Great Dinosaur Christmas Show – Great North Museum Hancock – Sat 20th to Wed 31st Dec
From Saturday 20th to Wednesday 31st, the Great North Museum: Hancock in Newcastle transforms into a prehistoric winter wonderland with The Great Dinosaur Christmas Show. Step into a roaring festive experience where families can meet dinosaurs and enjoy interactive performances that blend science, storytelling and seasonal sparkle. With multiple shows each day, including relaxed sessions for a quieter experience, this 45 minute event is perfect for dino lovers of all ages. Advance booking is required, and tickets are flying fast, so be sure to pre-book for this unforgettable Jurassic Christmas adventure!
Christmas Activities at National Trust Wallington – Sat 20th Dec to Sun 4th Jan
From Saturday 20th December to Sunday 4th January, National Trust Wallington near Morpeth is brimming with festive cheer for all ages. Wander through the beautifully decorated house, complete with a towering Christmas tree in the Central Hall and seasonal music filling the air, and look out for Father Christmas meeting visitors on selected days. Outdoors, the new Robin’s Lantern Quest AR trail adds magical adventure around the China Pond and the Robin Trail inside the house will have you hunting high and low for little birds. There are cosy places for a warming drink or mince pie, Mrs Christmas storytelling sessions, live music days and plenty of photo opportunities. This is all included with day admission or National Trust membership, so check out the website to start planning your visit.
S&DR200 Memories – Locomotion Shildon – Sat 20th Dec to Sun 4th Jan
From Saturday 20th December to Sunday 4th January, S&DR200 Memories at Locomotion Shildon offers a fun festive twist on railway history. Celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Stockton & Darlington Railway, this seasonal event invites families to create their own Christmas memories on site, from adding drawings and stories to the special memory booklet to taking part in arts and crafts with local artists. On selected days you can drop in to make your own memory box or have a go at recreating a steam roller print. With interactive activities and plenty of hands on fun, it’s a great holiday outing for all ages. This is all free to enjoy with no need to book!
The Snowman in Concert – The Glasshouse, Gateshead – Mon 22nd to Wed 24th Dec
From Monday 22nd to Wednesday 24th, experience Christmas magic at The Snowman in Concert at The Glasshouse, Gateshead. This much-loved festive classic is shown on the big screen while the Royal Northern Sinfonia performs the iconic soundtrack, including the unforgettable “Walking in the Air.” It’s a truly enchanting experience that delights audiences of all ages and has become a cherished Christmas tradition. Whether it’s your first time or a yearly ritual, this beautiful blend of film and live music is the perfect way to get into the festive spirit just before Christmas Day. This is always really popular, so book your tickets ASAP.
Monster Christmas Ceilidh – Sunderland Fire Station – Tues 23rd Dec
Get ready to dance off those mince pies at the Monster Christmas Ceilidh on Tuesday 23rd at Sunderland Fire Station. This high energy festive knees-up combines traditional ceilidh dancing with a Christmas twist, led by the lively Monster Ceilidh Band from the North East. No experience is needed – just bring comfortable shoes and a sense of fun. With joyful tunes, festive atmosphere and plenty of laughs, it’s a brilliant way to celebrate the season with friends or family and shake your way into Christmas. Book your tickets now on the Sunderland Fire Station’s website.
Twelfth Night Celebrations – Beamish Museum – Sat 27th Dec to Sun 4th Jan
From Saturday 27th December to Sunday 4th January, Beamish Museum invites visitors to celebrate the traditional end of the Christmas season with its Twelfth Night festivities. Explore the open-air museum as it comes alive with historic customs, music and performances marking the final night of Christmas. Discover age old traditions such as wassailing, festive songs and storytelling, and learn how people in the past marked Twelfth Night across Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian times. With costumed staff, hands on activities and plenty of atmosphere, it’s a wonderfully immersive way to round off the festive period and step back into Christmases of the past. This is included with an annual ticket, so if you’ve already got one, feel free to use that, but if you need to buy one, you’ll be able to use it across 2026 as well.
New Year’s Eve Firework Spectacular – Keel Square, Sunderland – Wed 31st Dec
Celebrate New Year’s Eve on Wednesday 31st with Sunderland’s New Year’s Eve Firework Spectacular in and around Keel Square, a free, family-friendly city celebration packed with entertainment. From 3pm, enjoy live music, tribute acts, children’s activities, food and drink stalls, fairground rides and a colourful community parade. A family fireworks display lights up the sky at 6:30pm, perfect for little ones, before live DJs and performers keep the party going into the night. At midnight, there’s a second dazzling fireworks finale to welcome in 2026 with sparkle and cheer. This is a free event, but you can find more info on the My Sunderland website.
This is my final list, not only for this year, but for the radio in general! Thanks so much for being here and supporting my little feature every week – it’s been a blast.
