Northern Lights, the festive light trail at Leazes Park in Newcastle, will return in November with a new theme: A Christmas Time Machine. Organisers have shared early images of what to expect, including a kaleidoscope experience and giant nutcrackers being made behind the scenes.
New installations for 2026
The 2026 theme is designed to evoke familiar memories and traditions of the season, such as flicking through Christmas catalogues and shaking presents under the tree. Drawings by patients from the Great North Children's Hospital will recreate the catalogue experience, sharing the spotlight with artists' illuminations.
There will be 14 all-new installations this year, with organisers promising 'larger-than-life illuminated experiences'. Highlights include a Disco Wonderland where visitors can dance, a bandstand transformed with molten lava-lamp colours, overhead sights of a giant tumbling 'slinky' and 65 glowing Rubik's Cubes, a fairytale-like avenue lined with 'jewel-bright stained glass', and an illuminated storybook telling The Night Before Christmas.
Trail details and dates
The accessible route will wind through the park and take in the Christmas Village, with food and drink outlets, fairground rides, a marshmallow-toasting station under festoon lighting, fire pits, and festive selfie opportunities.
The trail will launch on November 1 and run until New Year's Eve, December 31. Inclusive evenings will be held on December 2 and 9, with reduced capacity and lower sound levels. Tickets offer a range of time-slot options during the run.
