5 festive family activities in the North East for under a tenner

Who doesn’t love a day out to get the whole family in the Christmas spirit?  

At under £10 per person, these activities won’t break the bank and we'll get you there for no more than £2! 

Use our handy journey planner to find out how to get to these events and activities.  

Christmas Village, Old Eldon Square 

From Saturday 16 November until Christmas Eve, Old Eldon Square with be transformed into a Christmas Village with an exciting range of activities for little ones. 

Children can enrol in Elf School – an interactive experience where children can create their own elf profile, make magical reindeer dust and craft decorations under the guidance of the Head Elf. Every child graduates with an official Elf Certificate. Child tickets for Elf School start at £8.50 and adult tickets are just £2.  

After Elf School, catch a show at the Rockin’ Reindeer stage. Choose from a range of family-friendly shows, including The Grinch, Elves in Action or Ice Extravaganza. Tickets are just £3. 

 Find out more about the Christmas Village and book your tickets on the Moosenwirt website.  

Santa’s Grotto, Dalton Park 

A visit to Santa’s Grotto is the perfect way to finish off a day of Christmas shopping at Dalton Park. 

Little ones can meet Santa himself and receive a special festive present.  

Every Sunday from 11:00am to 12:00pm, Dalton Park will host a quiet grotto experience. They will dim the lights, turn music and tannoy announcements off and keep the noise to a minimum around the park for a more calming visit.  

Tickets cost £6 per child and no advance booking is necessary. Santa’s Grotto is open from 16 November until Christmas Eve. Find out more about the Grotto and its opening hours on the Dalton Park website.  

 Image: Dalton Park

Woodland fairy trail, Gibside 

The fairies are back at Gibside! Grab an activity sheet and discover their magical winter world. Children can find toadstool seats, miniature homes of playful pixies and they might even catch a glimpse of the fairies themselves. 

The fairy trail opens on 23 November. 

This activity is free for anyone has paid to enter Gibside or for those who have a National Trust membership. Find out more on the Gibside website. 

Image: Gibside

Children’s Lantern Parade, Durham Cathedral 

The Children’s Lantern Parade is considered a highlight of Durham Christmas Festival and is a great way to kick off the festive season in a more traditional fashion. 

Reserve a lantern for just £5.50 and your children can join the Light Parade through the centre of Durham on 7 December. Children can take their lantern home with them after the parade.  

The parade will leave the Market Place at 2.30pm following the Chester-le-Street Salvation Army Band up to Palace Green and arriving at Durham Cathedral for the St Nicholas Service at 3pm. 

Reserve your lantern here.  

Durham Christmas Festival, made of three different festive markets, takes place from 6 December to 8 December 2024. 

Image: Durham Christmas Festival

Winter Wonderland at Sunderland Live Arena

There's something for everyone at Winter Wonderland! Choose from fairground rides, Santa's Grotto, ice skating, a pantomime and the Naughty Elf Trail. There's also a wide range of food and drink stalls. 

In the evening, the arena is transformed by sparkling fairground lights. 

Winter Wonderland is open from 22 November until New Year's Eve. Entry fees are just £2 and ice skating inside the venue is only £3 per person. 

Find out more and purchase your tickets on the Sunderland Live website.

Image: Sunderland Live Arena