Families might still be in the midst of enjoying the summer holidays but it seems it is never too soon to plan for Christmas. As previously reported, the return dates of Newcastle Christmas Market have now been confirmed and, yes, the festive treat is set to be bigger again this year.
Market dates and location
Newcastle City Council has announced that the market will be back from November 19 until December 23, with stalls laid out around the Monument, Grey Street, Grainger Street and Nelson Street. Another big huge draw will be the popular Moosenwirt bar which offers a mix of tipi, cabin and the cosy outdoors, all with an alpine-theme setting.
And alongside that will be the Christmas Village in Old Eldon Square which once again will be packed with attractions for young ones - and more of them. The Christmas Village will take over the square which is currently embracing summer with play attractions including Tiny Toon drawing families, alongside free open-air cinema Screen on the Green which is running until August 31.
Santa and Mrs Claus attractions
The area will be transformed by November 19 into a winter wonderland world where Santa Claus and his wife will be taking up residence from November 21 until Christmas Eve, during which they will be welcoming families at weekends and also on the Monday to Thursday of Christmas week. In previous years, Santa - who will be joined by his elf helpers for storytimes in a decorated yurt - and Mrs Claus, who has her own bakery where she hosts gingerbread-making sessions, have proved hugely popular and tickets to see them in the run-up to Christmas are available to book now.
Festive Flix and Rockin' Reindeer
Booking is open too for festive films to be shown on a big screen in the heart of the Christmas Village, where there also will be a vintage carousel, Ferris wheel and a range of stalls including a 'Marshmallowland'. The 'Festive Flix' film programme, starting on November 27 with Home Alone, will include children's favourites Elf, Frozen, The Polar Express and The Grinch, as well as Love Actually.
People are being invited to: "Settle in with a free bag of warm popcorn, grab a hot drink or festive snack, and enjoy a cosy Christmas cinema experience surrounded by twinkling lights and seasonal décor". Also available to book are tickets for the Rockin' Reindeer stage.
This will host family shows, aimed at children aged three-plus, which will feature the likes of K-Pop parties to sing and dance along to and Christmas games and characters such as The Grinch. Tickets, with booking fees to add, cost from £7.50 for this.
Festive Flix tickets are the same price, while Santa Stories sessions cost from £10.50 per child, and from £6.50 for an adult, and Mrs Claus' Bakery's gingerbread-decorating slots cost from £5. To book for any of the Christmas Village attractions see here.
