Christmas in Northumberland

Last checked: Tuesday 10 November 2026

Each entry has prices, booking links and the practical bits that can make or break a winter day out. For one-off events as they're announced, keep an eye on our What's On listings.

If you're choosing just one outing: Ford & Etal for a full day of Christmas shopping, Alnwick for an after-dark light trail, or Bamburgh for a Boxing Day walk with a flask and a castle view.

Christmas markets and fairs

Brocksbushes Christmas Fayre, near Corbridge

12–15 November · 9am–6pm Thursday to Saturday, 9am–5pm Sunday

More than 70 stalls in festive marquees at Brocksbushes, just off the A69, with free parking and step-free access. Tickets are £3.50 for ages 17 and over. Children go free but still need a place booked, and you book an hour-long arrival slot rather than a time limit. Dogs aren't allowed at the Fayre, apart from assistance dogs. Tickets and visitor info

Alnwick Castle Christmas Fair

Market day: Wednesday 25 November, 9.30am–2.30pm · £5, under-sixes free

Independent makers and seasonal food in the Guest Hall at Alnwick Castle, with an evening preview the night before. Every ticket sale goes to the children's charity Smile For Life. Market day details

Ford & Etal Christmas Market

Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November, 10am–4pm

More than 120 stalls spread across Ford, Etal and Heatherslaw, including stalls inside Ford Castle, which is normally closed to the public. Buy tickets in advance or on the day at the information points; admission includes the vintage buses between villages. Dogs are welcome at every venue on a lead. Give yourself time to get between them. Tickets and details

Festive Alnwick Markets

5–6, 12–13 and 19–20 December, 10am–3pm · Free

Indoors in The Pavilion at The Alnwick Garden, and you don't need a Garden ticket to shop. A handy choice if the weather turns. Market details

Hexham Christmas Fair

Saturday 12 December, 9.30am–3pm · Free

Almost 100 stalls spread through the grounds of Hexham Abbey and into the town square, with carols and children's crafts. About half the stalls are outdoors, so wrap up, and go early: popular stalls can sell out before closing. Fair details

Christmas light trails and switch-ons

Winter Lights at The Alnwick Garden and Lilidorei

Selected dates, 20 November 2026 – 3 January 2027 · 4.30pm–9pm

One ticket covers the light and sound trail in The Alnwick Garden and the illuminations at Lilidorei. Prices depend on the date, with cheaper Saver nights mostly midweek. Your timed slot is for the Garden trail; Lilidorei can be enjoyed any time after 4.30pm, before or after it. The two biggest slides at Lilidorei are closed in the evenings, and dogs aren't allowed, apart from assistance dogs. Dates and booking

Christmas at Cragside, near Rothbury

28 November – 3 January · Closed 24, 25 and 26 December

The house at Cragside becomes A Journey Through Fairyland this year, and outside the giant redwood is dressed in more than 1,300 lights, all 44.7 metres of it. There's also a waymarked Festive 5-miler through the grounds if you need to walk off the mince pies. No booking needed: adults £18, National Trust members free. For a quieter visit, the Trust suggests a weekday before schools break up on 18 December. Christmas at Cragside

Alnwick lights switch-on

Friday 20 November · Switch-on at 7pm

A festive market runs in Market Place from 2pm, with children's rides, music and carol singers on Bondgate Within from 5pm. The lights go on at 7pm, then Santa arrives in Market Place. This is the town-centre event; Winter Lights at the Garden is booked separately. Event times

Bamburgh lights switch-on

Saturday 28 November · Service 5.30pm, switch-on 6.15pm

A service at St Aidan's Church comes first, then the village lights go on. Make an afternoon of it with a walk on Bamburgh Beach or a visit to Bamburgh Castle, where A Christmas Carousel fills the State Rooms from 14 November to 3 January, included with normal admission. Dogs are welcome in the castle grounds but not the State Rooms, and the castle closes on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Switch-on details · A Christmas Carousel

With younger children: Walking with The Snowman, Belsay

7 November – 10 January, 10am–4pm

Twelve giant Snowman sculptures, each themed on The Twelve Days of Christmas, hidden around the grounds of Belsay Hall. Pick up a map at the visitor centre and collect the secret letter on each one to spell out a Christmas word. Included in normal entry; English Heritage members go free. Trail and tickets

Festive afternoon teas

Brocksbushes, near Corbridge

During the Christmas Fayre, 12–15 November · £24.95 per person, £14.95 per child

Served in the decorated Pavilion and booked separately from Fayre tickets. It's also the only way to guarantee a table on Fayre days. Book festive tea

Doxford Hall, near Chathill

Throughout December, 2pm–5pm, except 24 and 25 December · £28.50 per person

Pre-booking is essential. Call reservations on 01665 589700. Festive dining at Doxford

Wallington, near Cambo

1, 2, 8, 9, 15 and 16 December, 2pm–4pm · £52, or £59 with prosecco

Afternoon tea in the Central Hall at Wallington with a pianist playing, then time to wander the decorated ground floor, which is closed to other visitors on those days. Adults only and booking essential on 0344 249 1895. There's a vegetarian option, but the set menu can't be adapted, so check allergens with the Trust before booking. Wallington tea details

Matfen Hall, Matfen

1–24 December

Matfen's festive afternoon tea residency isn't bookable yet; register your interest and they'll be in touch. Register interest

Linden Hall, near Longhorsley

Linden Hall also serves a festive afternoon tea through December. Check dates and prices with the hotel before booking. Festive dining at Linden Hall

Boxing Day walks in Northumberland

Saturday 26 December 2026. We'd set off before lunch and pack a flask. If a café or pub is what gets everyone out of the house, check its holiday opening hours first. For beach walks, check the tide times and the forecast before you leave, and keep an eye on the way back off the sand. If you'd rather someone else did the cooking, Doxford Hall serves a Boxing Day lunch (book ahead).

Bamburgh Beach, for the castle view

Allow 30–60 minutes for an out-and-back

Head down to Bamburgh Beach from the village, walk as far as the wind and the company allow, then turn back for that view of the castle above the dunes. The castle itself is closed on Boxing Day, so plan around the beach and village. Parking in the village is pay and display.

Craster to Dunstanburgh, for a longer coastal walk

Allow around 1½ hours return at an easy pace

Start at Craster, walk past the harbour and follow the coast path towards the ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle, a fine turnaround point even if you only go for the view. The path crosses open fields, so expect mud after rain and keep dogs on a lead around livestock.

Beadnell Bay, for a short stroll

Allow 20–45 minutes

Our home beach. Park in the car park by the bay at the north end, where the first hour is free (check the signs on arrival for how to register your stay), and take a simple out-and-back on the sand at Beadnell Bay when the tide allows.

Breamish Valley, for a break from the coast

Allow 45–90 minutes

Start at Bulby's Wood in the Ingram Valley and follow the quiet valley road on foot, turning back whenever you've had enough. We've walked the hills here plenty of times, but on a cold day we often stick to the valley floor, which gives a little shelter and avoids the boggier ground higher up. The road is shared with vehicles. There are toilets at Bulby's Wood, though it's worth checking they're open over the holidays if you'll need them.

Walk times are planning estimates, and prices are the advertised rates when we checked. Dates and opening hours can change, so confirm with the venue before you travel.