With just a month to go now until Christmas Day, places around the North East are getting into the festive spirit with some magical meet-and-greets in the coming weeks.
If you have little ones at home who want to meet the big man himself this year, there are still plenty of opportunities to book a visit with Santa across Newcastle, Gateshead, North Tyneside, Northumberland, County Durham and Sunderland. Whether it be tucking in to a festive afternoon tea with Father Christmas or joining him and his elves in his grotto, these events are sure to be an unforgettable experience.
We have rounded up details of all the places around the region where you can visit Santa in November and December, along with prices and details on how to book. Tickets are selling fast, with popular venues like Fenwick's and the South Causey Inn having already sold out their Santa events, so make sure to grab your spot while you can.
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Newcastle
Utilita Arena - Winter Wonderland Newcastle will be making a comeback in the car park at the Utilita Arena from Friday, December 15 until Sunday, January 7. There will be rides, food stalls and a cosy Alpine lounge bar, while Santa will be making an appearance in his grotto along with some special friends between the first day of opening and Christmas Eve. Tickets will be available to purchase on the day, with no online booking available.
Hotel Du Vin - Enjoy a festive afternoon tea event with Santa Claus himself on Sunday, December 17 at Hotel Du Vin on City Road, Byker. Tickets are on sale via Eventbrite, priced at £19.95 for children and £34.95 for adults.
Gateshead
Metrocentre - Visitors will be able to meet Santa in his grotto every Wednesday to Sunday from now until Christmas Eve in Exhibition Square outside Primark in the Metrocentre. This is part of the shopping centre's Winter Wonderscape, featuring immersive projections of the North Pole, interactive fun and Christmas lights. Tickets to meet Santa cost £3 per child and can be booked on TicketTailor.
Gibside - Join Father Christmas and his pointy-eared friend in the Gibside Stables to listen to his festive tales and take home a tree decoration. Non-relaxed sessions are sold out, but at the time of writing smaller and quieter relaxed sessions still have some availability on Sunday, December 3 or 17. Adults go free and a child's ticket costs £12.
North Tyneside
Spanish City - The Whitley Bay venue is running Breakfast with Santa on the last two weekends before Christmas, as well as Festive Lunch with Santa and Afternoon Tea with Santa events on Saturdays and Sundays in December, with prices starting from £17.50 for children and £25 for adults. You can book a place on the Spanish City website.
Tynemouth Park - Santa and his helpers will be heading to The Greenhouse for the park's Breakfast with Santa Christmas events on December 9, 10, 16 and 17. Tickets cost £15 for children (£5 for babies under 18 months) and £20 for adults. Bookings can be made in advance by phone only on 0191 2587593. You can find more information on the park's Facebook page.
Northumberland
Northumberlandia - Come and join Santa's elves for some festive crafts, then make your way through the eco-decorated woodland to meet Santa for a magical story time on December 3 from 10am until 3pm. Booking is essential - tickets cost £12 per child and are available to book on the Northumberland Wildlife Trust website.
Alnwick Garden - Children can meet Father Christmas at Lilidorei and receive a free festive gift. All accompanying adults, concessions and children require a Lilidorei entry ticket. A child's ticket to meet Father Christmas costs £30, and tickets are available via the Alnwick Garden website - at the time of writing only a small handful of dates still had availability.
Whitehouse Farm - The Morpeth Farm is presenting Santa's Enchanted Elf Journey from November 25 until Christmas Eve, a VIP Christmas experience with a programme full of festive fun including a visit to Santa in the Enchanted Forest. A child's ticket costs between £39.94 and £42.95 and an adult ticket costs £18.50 - you can book on the Whitehouse Farm website.
Kielder - Visitors to Kielder's Winter Wonderland will take part in a host of festive activities, from meeting the reindeer and helping the elves in their workshop to walking through the forest to find Father Christmas. The Wonderland event is running on selected dates between now and December 23. Tickets cost £5 for children under two, from £33.50 for children aged 2-14, and from £33.50 for an adult ticket or children aged 15+. You can book on the Kielder Winter Wonderland website.
County Durham
Dalton Moor Farm - Follow a trail of Christmas clues around the farm until you find Santa along with his sleigh and his reindeer on December 22, 23 and 24 just before he flies off around the world. Tickets cost £5 for children and £5 for up to three adults, and are available to book on Eventbrite.
Adventure Valley - Meet Santa and visit his toy shop in the park's Winter Wonderland experience, as well as taking a ride on the Winter Valley Express, visiting Claus' Candy sweet shop and enjoying a brand new Christmas show, each weekend from November 25 until December 17 and then every day from December 20 until Christmas Eve. Tickets cost between £34.95 and £37.95 for children ages two-16 and from £15.95 to £17.95 for adults. They are available to book on the Adventure Valley website.
Beamish Museum - Meet Santa in his grotto and step back in time at the Living Museum of the North in Stanley. Tickets for the grotto cost £8, with dates available to book between November 27 and December 19 - weekend dates have sold out, but at the time of writing there was still decent availability for grotto visits during the week. You can book tickets on the Beamish website.
Holmside Park - Enjoy a Winter Wonderland trail experience followed by a visit to Santa's grotto on selected dates from December 2 until Christmas Eve, with all-day park admission included. Children's tickets to the grotto and park cost £21 for ages one-three or £27 for ages four+, and a full admission adult ticket costs £15 (£2 more for all tickets on Christmas Eve). You can book on the Holmside Park website.
Hall Hill Farm - Visit Santa and his trusty reindeer Dasher as you visit the farm. Tickets cost £10.75 for adults and £15.99 for children aged one-15, which includes admission to the farm. A handful of dates on weekdays in December were still showing some availability for tickets at the time of writing - you can book on the Hall Hill Farm website.
Sunderland
Rainton Arena - Visitors to the arena can step inside Santa's grotto in the midst of the Winter Wonderland attraction to meet the big man himself from November 24 until Christmas Eve. A child's ticket to the grotto costs £11 and can be booked via Skiddle.
The Bridges - The shopping centre will play host to Santa and his elves every day from now until Christmas Eve. Tickets to visit the grotto cost £2.50 and are available to buy from the customer service desk.
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