Every year millions of people across the globe celebrate Christmas and while everyone has their own way of celebrating there are many alternative options available right on your doorstep.
The North East houses various traditional Christmas events from shopping experiences to Ice Skating, so Tuxtra Reporter Sian Palmer-Brown decided to seek out three alternative events for you to attend.
You can listen to the podcast below to hear more:
Enchanted Belsay
Enchanted Belsay Hall runs from the 5- 22 December. complete with a fairy wonderland theme.
The event sees you experience Belsay Hall like never before under the cover of darkness.
Belsay and gardens are set to be illuminated with light, colour and sound.
Visitors will step through tunnels and pathways of lights and uncover magical secrets hidden in the grounds.
There are even opportunities to enjoy food, mulled wine, experience some fairground rides and a chance for some Christmas shopping.
Sessions are at 4.30pm, 5.30pm, 6.30pm & 7.30pm
James Fell Marketing Director for English Heritage North said: “It’s an opportunity for families to get together and do something different in the run up to Christmas.
“Its really popular this is our biggest year ever with 13,000 spaces available.
“We do try to make it an exclusive event, we don’t want to oversell it as we want visitors to have a tranquil experience and not feel rushed.
“This makes it a completely different experience to walking down Northumberland Highsteet.”
Tickets start from £12 for adults and more information can be found here.
A Dickensian Christmas Haunting
A Dickensian Christmas Haunting is an event held in Darlington which comprises of a ghost walk around the historic, victorian town of Darlington.
This is followed by readings of some of Charles Dickens’ supernatural works.
It’s set to be an immersive and chilling experience for all who attend.
There are also opportunities for you to grab a hot pie and some spicy mulled wine.
David Saunders organiser of the event said: “Darlington Town is really interesting, its got a dark history and past.
“It will be lit up with light and I think it’ll be a really great experience, telling historically accurate ghost stories.”
Tickets are £8 (inc. pie & mulled wine) and available from Hole In The Wall or Skiddle.
Nightfall
Nightfall is a magical family friendly outdoor event.
The theme is the moon and the trail will feature beautiful artworks complemented by live music, storytelling, performances and more.
The trail comes to a close with with visitors entering a magical open space featuring global show stopper, ‘Museum of the Moon’ by Luke Jerram – a large moon sculpture featuring actual detailed imagery of the lunar surface.
This will be Tees Valley residents’ only opportunity to visit this internationally renowned art work.
Visitors will also be able to also enjoy street food and seasonal refreshments such as hot chocolate, mulled wine and warm cider while they enjoy the trail or warm up in the outdoor tepee.
Nightfall takes place on the 5 and 6 December at Preston Park, Stockton and have two sessions at 4.30pm to 9.30pm and more information on tickets can be found here.
Cllr Shane Moore, Tees Valley Combined Authority Cabinet lead for Culture & Tourism said: “Preston Park is one of Tees Valley’s gems and this Nightfall installation will be a unique addition to its events calendar.
“This is another example of the Combined Authority supporting local creatives and businesses to offer something really special and make our region an even better place to live and visit.”
Along with these events the Teesside Student Union is also holding a Christmas market on campus heart.
Trainee Journalist at Teesside University
