If you’re looking for things to do in Teesside in November 2025, look no further than this list. From amazing events, to things for foodies, to ideas for kids, there’s something everyone in this list. Take a look at the list below for everything you need to know.
Jump to: events to look out for | markets | theatre and live music | craft workshops | food events | at the museum | ideas for national days
Events to look out for
Hartlepool Fireworks Spectacular – Sat 1st – Hartlepool’s much-anticipated FREE Fireworks Spectacular is back on Saturday 1st, with an unforgettable afternoon and evening of entertainment, excitement and celebration on Seaton Carew prom. Running from 2pm to 8pm in the area around the Clock Tower, the Hartlepool Borough Council event will see the seafront buzzing with activity, with something for everyone to enjoy.
A Taste of Redcar & Cleveland – Wed 5th to Sun 16th – Redcar and Cleveland’s finest restaurants, bars and cafés will be offering a variety of mouthwatering deals at prices ranging from £5 to £30+. With so much to choose from, you’re sure to find something you’ll enjoy!
Soup and Starlings at RSPB Saltholme – Thurs 6th to Sun 30th – Enjoy a sunset walk with the dramatic spectacle of Saltholme’s landscape as our wildlife begins to settle in for the night. As waders and wildfowl flock back to us after a day feeding out on the estuary, Saltholme is a magical place to be as the sun goes down; with mesmerizing starling murmurations, the stage is set for a spectacular evening, as the birds wheel and swoop through the air, sometimes directly overhead, getting ready to roost in our reedbeds.
Tees Valley International Film Festival – Thurs 6th to Sat 8th – The Tees Valley International Film Festival is a three day celebration of all aspects of the craft of filmmaking. With short films to see, workshops to get involved with, and gala screenings of major feature films that include live audience Q&As, there’s lots to do.
Croft Christmas Trees – from Sun 16th – Join Croft for the grand opening of Croft Christmas Trees! Kick off the festive season in style, open until 7pm. Even if its too early for you to pick your Christmas tree come and take in some festive cheer, you can always visit again for your tree.
Darlington Christmas Lights Switch On – Sun 16th – Come down to the Market Square to join in the free fun with live music and special guests from Darlington Hippodrome pantomime, Goldilocks and the Three Bears. The festive entertainment starts at 4pm and the switch on will take place just before 5.30pm followed by a short, celebratory firework display.
Ingleby Barwick Christmas Lights Switch On – Fri 21st – Expect plenty of festive cheer at the annual Ingleby Barwick Big Light Switch On with children’s rides, hot food and drinks, carols by Ingleby Barwick Community Choir, and live music from a brass band. Event starts at 4pm with live entertainment from 5:30pm.
Hartlepool Wintertide Festival – Fri 21st to Sun 23rd – Wintertide Festival will once again be burning brightly on Hartlepool’s Headland from Friday the 21st to Sunday the 23rd of November, with a packed programme of art, music and performances along with workshops and an independent maker’s market.
Middlesbrough Christmas Lights Switch On and Santa’s Grotto – Sun 23rd – Come and see Middlesbrough sparkle at the Lights Switch On! Santa will also be joining us in his grotto to spreading Christmas cheer! Tickets for Santa cost £2.50 per child and must be booked online in advance. This includes a small gift plus you can take as many photos/videos as you would like.
Our Stomping Grounds Festival at ARC Stockton – Tues 25th to Thurs 27th – Little Cog and Full Circle have collaborated to deliver their third Our Stomping Grounds Festival in the Tees Valley, showcasing the best of learning disability culture. There are conferences, workshops, a short film festival and so much more to enjoy!
Stockton Christmas Lights Switch On – Thurs 27th – Stockton town centre will be transformed into a winter wonderland when Stockton Sparkles rolls into town and the Christmas lights are turned on. The event starts from 5pm and the lights will be switched on at 6.30pm.
Nightfall 2025 – Fri 28th to Sun 30th – This enchanting light event for all the family will return to Middlesbrough’s Stewart Park. This year, prepare to be amazed as the family friendly event takes over the park after dark for three evenings; discover tiny rabbits dancing across the ground, towering flowers blooming above your head, and glowing installations that bring the park to life after dark. Wander through a luminous world where shadows stretch, lights soar, and wonder grows larger with every step.
Billingham Christmas Lights Switch On – Sat 29th – Head to Billingham Town Centre and Billingham Library for a day full of festive fun for the whole family including arts and crafts, letters to Santa, face painting and Santa’s grotto! From 1pm to 5pm.
Stockton Sparkles Weekend With Santa – Sat 29th and Sun 30th – The much-loved Stockton Sparkles returns with a feast of festive fun and entertainment, bringing Christmas cheer for all the family over two weekends, starting with the Weekend With Santa.
Santa’s Arrival and Treehouse Grotto at Middleton Grange Shopping Centre – from Sat 29th – A day packed full of free, festive fun for the whole family. From 11am, Central Square will be transformed into a sparkling winter wonderland, complete with twinkling lights, music and merry entertainment. From 1:30pm, little ones can meet Santa himself as he opens his grotto for the season. Children can share their Christmas wishes, snap a festive family photo and even receive a special gift.
Markets
Solly Christmas Market at Saltburn Community Hall – Sat 1st – Albion Terrace, Saltburn, TS12 1JW. From 12pm to 5pm.
Stokesley Farmers Market – Sat 1st – Stokesley High Street, TS9 5DG. From 9am to 2pm.
Sedgefield Market – Sun 2nd – Rectory Row, TS21 2AE. From 8:30am to 12pm. From 12pm to 4pm.
Misfit Market at Hopetown Darlington – Sun 2nd – McNay Street, DL3 6SW. From 12pm to 4pm.
Hartlepool Farmers Market – Sat 8th – National Museum of the Royal Navy, TS24 0XZ. From 9am to 2pm.
Saltburn Farmers Market – Sat 8th – Station Square, TS12 1AQ. From 9am to 2pm.
Norton Green Market – Sat 8th – The Old Vicarage, The Green, TS20 1EQ. From 9am to 2pm.
Kirkleatham Walled Garden Christmas Fair – Sat 8th and Sun 9th – Plantation Road, Kirkleatham, Redcar, TS10 4AS. From 11am to 4pm (£3 entry).
Crathorne Hall Market – Sun 9th – Yarm, TS15 0AR. From 9am to 2pm.
Luxury Christmas Fayre at Gisborough Hall – Sun 9th – Whitby Road, Guisborough, TS14 6PT. From 10am to 4pm (£2 entry).
Blackwell Grange Hotel Craft & Christmas Market – Fri 14th – Grange Road, Darlington, DL3 8QH. 4pm to 9pm.
Stokesley Northern Makers Market – Sat 15th – Stokesley High Street, TS9 5DG. From 9am to 2pm.
Middleton Grange Shopping Centre Christmas Artisan Market – Sat 15th – Victoria Road, Hartlepool, TS24 7RZ. From 9am to 4pm.
Wynyard Farmers Market – Sun 16th – Billingham, TS22 5NF. From 9am to 4pm.
Wynyard Hall Christmas Fayre – Fri 21st to Sun 23rd – Billingham, TS22 5NF. 10am to 5pm.
Stewart Park Frost Fayre – Sun 23rd – Ladgate Lane, TS7 8AR. From 9am to 2pm.
Hartlepool Maritime Market – Sat 29th – National Museum of the Royal Navy, TS24 0XZ. From 9am to 2:30pm.
Froggy Goes To Market – Sat 29th and Sun 30th – Worsall Village Hall, Yarm, TS15 9QB. From 10am to 3pm (£1.50 entry per adult).
Ropner Park Christmas Fair – Sun 30th – Hartburn Lane, Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 4EF. From 11am to 1:30pm.
Theatre and live music
The Signalman at Darlington Hippodrome – Tues 4th to Sat 8th – Set in 1880, this is the exquisitely unnerving tale of a tormented signalman who is haunted by visions of impending disaster on his isolated stretch of line. Can a well meaning traveller, who chances upon the lonely signal box while out walking, calm the man’s fears before he spirals into self destruction?
The Luke Combs Experience at The Georgian Theatre – Sat 8th – Join us for an unforgettable evening filled with amazing music and good vibes as we welcome the UKs best tribute band to country superstar Luke Combs to Stockton. Get ready to sing along to all your favourite hits and experience the magic of live music.
Finn Forster at Middlesbrough Empire – Sat 15th – Straight out of Teesside’s industrial heart, Middlesbrough, Finn Forster crafts raw, anthemic tracks that hit with the weight of real experience. With soul-stirring vocals and unfiltered storytelling, his music shines a light on the highs, lows, and hard-won lessons of life’s trials in the North.
The Young’uns Big Boro Bash at Middlesbrough Town Hall – Sat 15th – One night in Stockton On Tees, three teenagers heard strange sounds coming from the backroom of a pub. They went in. They heard people singing songs they’d never heard before. Songs without instruments. Songs in their accents. Songs about places they knew. They joined in. Because they were the youngest ones there by several decades, they were soon labelled The Young’uns. 20 years on they’ve carried their unfortunate name around the world, from Sydney to Vancouver, from Radio Tees to Radio 4, won three BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, and gained a reputation for singing life-affirming songs of social conscience in immaculate three-part harmony.
Josh Widdicombe: Not My Cup Of Tea at Stockton Globe – Tues 17th – By now he has almost certainly mastered the art of stand-up, either that or he has wasted the last 15 years of his life. Come along and decide for yourself. Expect it to be shorter and with lower production values than Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, but funnier and with more references to tea.
A Christmas Carol at Middlesbrough Theatre – Wed 18th to Thurs 20th – On Christmas Eve night, the miserly and cold-hearted businessman Ebenezer Scrooge embarks upon a journey through his past, present, and future, learning along the way to appreciate the true meaning of Christmas. A festive treat for all the family, Dickens’ beloved tale of redemption is brought to the stage in an authentic and joyful adaptation from Operation Moonlight.
Fatboy Slim at Middlesbrough Town Hall – Fri 21st – One of the UK’s most iconic DJs Fatboy Slim celebrates 40 years in the industry with a new tour Acid Ballroom.
Benefits at KU Stockton – Sat 22nd – Forming in 2019 and consisting of Kingsley Hall on vocals and Robbie Major on synths, beats and noise, Benefits quickly evolved into a group that aims to merge noise, house, hip hop, industrial rock, electronica, and an angry social media feed to get it’s point across.
The Big Christmas Assembly at Darlington Hippodrome – Thurs 27th – Celebrate the Christmas season with James B Partridge and his delightful The Big Christmas Assembly show – a night packed with festive spirit, singalong tunes, and the nostalgia of Christmases gone by. Known for his vibrant energy and exceptional vocal talent, James brings seasonal favourites and unexpected mashups that will have the whole audience singing along.
The Wittering Whitehalls: Barely Alive at Stockton Globe – Fri 28th – Join Michael and Hilary for an exclusive show as they bring their hit podcast to the stage. Take a comfy (-ish) seat and garner their thoughts on everything from workouts to weddings, seaside towns to social media and everything in between!
Craft workshops
Watercolour Christmas Card Workshop at Apple Orchard Nursery with Katie Dyer Design – Wed 12th – During this workshop together we will explore the medium of inks whilst following a step by step guide that will show how to create a variety of festive illustrations. These will include Christmas trees, eucalyptus stems and festive wreaths. After some practice we will then each create a range of hand painted greeting cards and gift tags.
Sardine Tin Paint-a-long at Creative Village CIC – Wed 12th – Who doesn’t need a cool painting to hang in their home? Join Creative Village to paint-a-long creating your own sardines tin painted canvas, perfect for your home or a gift for a friend. This workshop is super relaxed with hot drinks, biscuits and chat.
Baubles and Bubbles at The Boathouse Redcar with Palette & Pop – Sat 15th – Get festive and creative to paint four beautiful baubles to take home, with all materials and equipment included. Enjoy a welcome drink and a delicious charcuterie board while you paint!
Festive Macrame Workshop at From Loft To Loved – Tues 18th – Learn the timeless art of macramé with a festive flair! In this calming hands-on workshop, you’ll use just your hands and a little guidance to craft a beautiful Boho-inspired decoration. Perfect to hang on your tree, adorn your home, or give as a heartfelt handmade gift.
Christmas Wreath Making at Creative Village CIC – Wed 19th – In this workshop, you will have the opportunity to create a Christmas wreath which is perfect for your front door or inside your home. There’ll be a selection of foliage, moss, Christmas themed items, flowers and nature for you to create your wreath. Everybody will have a wreath hoop, florist wire, moss and lots to choose from to adorn yours with pieces that reflect the style you’re going for, whether that be neat and symmetrical, wild and rustic, minimal and traditional, or if like us you want to mix it up and throw a bit of everything at it!
Christmas Candle Workshop at The Spotted Dog Darlington with Indoor Living – Sat 22nd – The Candle Making Workshop is aimed for the absolute beginner and anyone who is interested in learning a new skill. Learn about candle waxes, fragrance oils, wicking and the science behind candle making in this relaxed workshop. You will be guided through the entire process of making a natural plant wax (coconut and rapeseed) container candle which you’ll take home with you.
Candle Making Workshop with Cinnamon Bay at Fourteen Drops Market Hall – Sun 23rd – Guided by Antonia, you’ll learn the art of hand-pouring natural soy candles, blending your own festive scents inspired by winter woods, spiced citrus, and crackling firesides. You’ll leave with a 30cl beautifully crafted candle AND 2 scented hanging decorations.
Baubles and Bubbles at The Spa Hotel Saltburn with Palette & Pop – Fri 28th – Begin the festive season in style at this elegant Christmas event. Paint four beautiful Christmas baubles – perfect for adding a personal touch to your tree or as a gift.
Sustainable Winter Wreath Workshop with Festival Of Thrift – Sat 29th – Get cosy and winter ready with this Sustainable Winter Wreath Making workshop. Using locally sourced, natural materials, this wreath will be the perfect addition to your home. All materials are provided. Your wreaths will be compostable when you are ready to part with them in the New Year.
Christmas Wreath Workshop at Lyla’s Coffee Shop – Sat 29th – Hosted by ‘Flowers by Hayley’, create your own beautiful Christmas wreath to decorate your door this year. Everything will be provided to create your special wreath, along with a homemade Lyla’s mince pie and a festive arrival drink.
Charm Jewellery Workshop at Olive Or Twist Guisborough with With Love Jewellery – Sun 30th – Join With Love Jewellery for a 2 hour charm-filled experience where you’ll design your own custom necklace or bracelet. They’ll help you select the perfect gold or silver stainless steel chain style to suit your look and comfort. Then dive into their treasure trove of 100s of charms to decorate your piece exactly how you want it.
Wreath Workshop with Artichoke at Fourteen Drops Market Hall – Sun 30th – Create anything but your average Christmas wreath! You will learn how to make these beautiful, elaborate Christmas wreaths under the expert tutorage, using a mix of fresh evergreens, berries, ribbons, and festive foliage. No experience is needed – just bring your creativity!
Food events
Cactus Cafe American BBQ Night – Sat 8th – A big old evening of American BBQ. So dig out the spurs and saddle up (or actually you could probably just send them a message and they’ll get you booked in). The menu includes BBQ pork belly ribs, chilli loaded fries, chicken wings and more.
Dia de Muertos at Casa Del Alma – Sat 8th – Step into a night of colour, flavour, and celebration at Casa Del Alma! Sip on margaritas, get creative with skull painting, and let Katie Cowie’s live music set the mood. Authentic Mexican flavours, lively rhythms, and a vibrant atmosphere – this is a night you won’t want to miss!
Fourteen Drops Market Hall Festive Wine Festival – Sat 15th – You’ll be treated to a selected of wines chosen for their perfect pairings will all aspects of your festivities, from the drinks parties throughout December, to the big day and of course seeing 2025 out in style on NYE. All you need to do is decide which time you would like to arrive: 3pm, 5pm or 7pm, you can stay as long as you wish after your arrival, so you can absolutely make a day/night of it!
Koze Winter Wine Festival – Sat 22nd – Taste your way through 10 beautiful wines in a relaxed hour session. Take home your Koze glass and tote bag, having discovered some of your new favourite wines from around the world!
Soosh Sushi School at Earthbeat Centre Saltburn – Sat 22nd – Try your hand at making your very own sushi. Led by expert James, you’ll be shown how to do various rolls with a plethora of ingredients. And the best bit is you get to take absolutely everything you make away with you.
At the museum
Birds Of Prey and Reptile Encounters at Preston Park Museum – Sat 1st – Come to Preston Park Museum this half term and meet a magnificent cast of creatures, including owls, birds of prey, reptiles and creepy crawlies.
Darlington Steampunk Weekend at Hopetown Darlington – Sat 15th and Sun 16th – Come along and experience a re-imagining of the past, where steam power is the primary energy source, and fantastical inventions await! Explore the North Road Station Museum filled with a variety of Steampunk stalls selling Victoriana, jewellery, clothes, hats and assorted crafts. Enjoy tabletop games, live entertainment, classic cars, tea duelling and so much more.
A Very Victorian Christmas at Kirkleatham Museum – Fri 28th – Come with us to the 19th century and meet the Scrooge sisters! Ethel is the grumpiest dressmaker in all the land, but Ermintrude would love a jolly Christmas party, with traditions old and new. Can the ghosts of Fashions Past, Present & Future persuade Ethel to dress her sister in a glorious ballgown ready to celebrate? Join the Two Lucys as they present a lovely history of Christmas with a fabulous textile twist.
A Magical Victorian Christmas at Preston Park Museum – Sat 29th and Sun 30th – Step back in time and soak up the festive atmosphere on the cobbled Victorian Street. Enjoy festive music from community choirs, make reindeer food, craft something special to take home, and write a letter to Father Christmas with a traditional dip pen and ink. Visit the Victorian sweet shop, dress up in period costume, and snap a festive selfie in our vintage photography studio. Follow the 12 Days of Christmas Trail to uncover hidden surprises throughout the museum.
Santa’s Grotto and The Elves’ Giftworks at Hopetown Darlington – from Sat 29th – This year, Santa Claus has set up his enchanting grotto right inside the historic Carriage Works – a beautifully restored railway building now transformed into a bustling elf workshop! Twinkling lights and a warm welcome from Santa’s little helpers await you and your family. Each child will enjoy a personal moment with Santa, where they can share their Christmas wishes and receive a special early Christmas gift lovingly prepared by the elves.
Ideas for national days
World Vegan Day on Sat 1st – try eating at a vegan spot! You could try Sunday in Norton or Guisborough, Alkaline Kitchen in Middlesbrough, Wren Cafe in Saltburn, or The Station in Stokesley. Or if you want to dip your toe into veggie food, try The Waiting Room in Eaglescliffe.
Odd Socks Day on Tues 11th – buy some socks from Forsocksake, who specialise in fun designs, including a bunch of Teesside designs!
World Kindness Day on Thurs 13th – do something nice for someone else or a stranger, or treat yourself with a bit of kindness.
National Tree Week from Sat 22nd to Sun 30th – spend some time in a local green space, such as Guisborough Forest, Saltburn Valley Gardens or Stewart Park.
National Espresso Day on Sun 23rd – head to your favourite coffee shop. Some of my recommendations are Echo 3 in Darlington, Cafe Etch in Middlesbrough, Koselig Bakeri in Guisborough or Saltburn, and Off The Ground in Middlesbrough.
This list will be kept up to date with any other events that I find for November 2025, so keep checking back!
