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Christmas Comes to Eldon Square

Saturday 14 & Sunday 15 November | 11am–5pm | Eldon Square

Join us for a magical weekend of free festive fun as Eldon Square is transformed into a Christmas wonderland, with Santa and his Elves, the Naughty Grinch, spectacular Spark! illuminated drummers, festive stilt walkers, face painting, music, prizes and plenty of Christmas cheer. And the best bit? It’s free to attend!

Throughout the weekend, we’ll also be raising money for our two charity partners, Newcastle United Foundation and Tyneside & Northumberland Mind, so you can enjoy the festivities while helping support two fantastic local charities.

Whether you’re bringing the little ones to meet Santa, hoping to spot the Naughty Grinch or simply want to get into the festive spirit, there’s something for everyone at Eldon Square this Christmas.

Christmas Comes to Eldon Square: Weekend Overview

Activity	Times
🎅 Santa – public sessions	11am–1pm & 1.30pm–5pm
🎅 Santa – quiet sessions	Ticketed – see session times below
💚 Naughty Grinch	12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4.30pm
🥁 Spark! Drummers	11am, 1pm & 3pm
🧝 Elves & Goodometer	12pm, 2pm & 3.30pm
🍬 Candy Cane Elves	12.30pm, 1.30pm & 2.30pm
🎄 Festive Stilt Walkers	11.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm & 3.30pm
🎨 Festive Face Painting	11am–4pm

Please note: Activity times are subject to change.

Meet Santa & His Elves

Santa is making a special stop at Eldon Square! 🎅

Little ones can enjoy a FREE meet and greet with Santa outside NEXT on St Andrew’s Way.

There’s no ticket needed for the public sessions, and families are welcome to take their own photos with Santa – so make sure your camera or phone is ready!

Santa’s Meet & Greet is aimed at children aged 0–12, with approximately 1–2 minutes with Santa per child.

Quiet session (ticketed) Sat 14 Nov	9am–10.30am
Public session (no ticket required) Sat 14 Nov	11am–1pm & 1.30pm–5pm
Quiet session (ticketed) Sun 15 Nov	10am–10.50am
Public session (no ticket required) Sun 15 Nov	11am–1pm & 1.30pm-5pm

Quiet Sessions

Our quiet sessions are designed for children who may find loud music, busy environments or large crowds overwhelming, or who simply feel more comfortable meeting Santa in a calmer setting. Quiet Santa sessions are free but ticketed and must be booked in advance.

Book your quiet session here:

Meet Santa & His Elves at Eldon Square Sat 14 Nov Quiet Sessions Ticket

Meet Santa & His Elves at Eldon Square Sun 15 Nov Quiet Sessions Ticket

Good to know

An accessibility queue will be available during the public Santa sessions. Speak to one of our Elves when you arrive and they’ll be happy to help.
Santa’s Meet & Greet is not a grotto.
Families are welcome to take their own photographs with Santa.
Santa won’t be handing out presents, but every child who visits him will receive a small chocolate lolly as a festive surprise.
As the public sessions aren’t ticketed, we’re unfortunately unable to accommodate individual allergies or dietary requirements. If you’d prefer your child not to receive a lolly, please speak to one of our Elves when you arrive.
Santa is expected to be very popular, so queues may be long at busy times. If the queue reaches the designated end barrier, we may temporarily close the queue.
Santa and his Elves will take a break from 1pm–1.30pm each day.
Dogs are welcome at the public Santa Meet & Greet. Please keep dogs on a short lead and ensure they’re comfortable in busy environments and around other visitors.

Read full FAQ below.

Get ready for Spark! Illuminated Drummers

Prepare for a spectacular burst of music, movement and light as Spark! brings its dazzling illuminated drumming performances to Eldon Square.

With high-energy rhythms, striking costumes and plenty of festive atmosphere, Spark! will bring the malls to life with an unforgettable show.

Performance times

11am • 1pm • 3pm

Each performance lasts approximately 30 minutes and takes place around the malls.

Please note: Spark! is a loud performance. If you or your child prefer a quieter environment, we recommend avoiding the centre during these performances.

Meet Santa’s Elves

Our festive Elves will be popping up around Eldon Square throughout the weekend, spreading Christmas cheer and getting everyone into the festive spirit.

Elves & the Goodometer

Have you been naughty or nice this year? Put your hand on the Goodometer and find out! Our Elves will be ready to put you to the test.

12pm • 2pm • 3.30pm (each session lasts approximately 30 minutes.)

Candy Cane Elves

Keep your eyes peeled for our mischievous Candy Cane Elves as they make their way around the malls.

12.30pm • 1.30pm • 2.30pm (each session lasts approximately 30 minutes.)

Take on the Christmas Claw Grabber

Fancy your chances of winning a festive prize? Put your skills to the test with our Christmas Claw Grabber and see if you can grab yourself a brilliant prize! Location TBC

You could be in with a chance of winning: a £50 Eldon Square Gift Card, a meal for two at The Alchemist, or a whole year’s supply of Millie’s Cookies!

The Naughty Grinch is coming!

Keep your eyes peeled… the Naughty Grinch is coming to Eldon Square! He’ll be causing a little festive mischief as he roams around the malls, so you never know when you might bump into him. Grab your camera and get ready for some Grinchy fun! Will you manage to spot him?

Grinch appearances

12pm • 1pm • 2pm • 3pm • 4.30pm

Festive Stilt Walkers

Look up! Our spectacular festive stilt walkers will be bringing even more Christmas magic to Eldon Square!

You’ll find them outside John Lewis & Boots at:

11.30am–12pm
12.30–1pm
1.30–2pm
2.30–3pm
3.30–4pm

They’re impossible to miss – so keep your camera ready!

Get Festive with Face Painting

Add a little extra sparkle to your Christmas celebrations with our festive face painting. Face painting is available in return for a donation to our charity partners, Newcastle United Foundation and Tyneside & Northumberland Mind.

Location:

Face painting will be available in the Community Quarter

Day & Time:

11am – 4pm on both Saturday and Sunday.

Supporting our Charity Partners

Christmas Comes to Eldon Square isn’t just about festive fun – it’s also an opportunity to support two brilliant local charities.

Throughout the weekend, we’re raising money for Newcastle United Foundation and Tyneside & Northumberland Mind, with all money raised split equally between our two charity partners.

Newcastle United Foundation

Newcastle United Foundation works with children, young people and families across the North East to help create brighter futures.

From helping children get active and build confidence to supporting young people with education, wellbeing and employment opportunities, the Foundation uses the power of football to help people reach their potential.

Find out more: Newcastle United Foundation

Tyneside & Northumberland Mind

Tyneside & Northumberland Mind is a local mental health charity supporting people across the North East through a range of services, activities and community-based support. Their work focuses on helping people improve their mental wellbeing, feel less isolated and access support when they need it most.

Find out more: Home – Tyneside Mind

FAQs

Christmas Comes to Eldon Square takes place on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November, from 11am–5pm, with a FREE weekend of festive entertainment for all the family.

Yes! The event is free to attend. The quiet Santa sessions are ticketed (free); you can make an optional donation to our charity partners on the day, if you wish.

Yes. We’ll be holding dedicated free quiet Santa sessions for families who would prefer a calmer experience. These sessions are ticketed only and take place before the public meet-and-greet.

Book your quiet session here:

Meet Santa & His Elves at Eldon Square: Sat 14 Nov (Quiet Session)

Meet Santa & His Elves at Eldon Square: Sun 15 Nov (Quiet Session)

Our quiet Santa sessions are designed for children who may find loud music, busy environments or large crowds overwhelming, or for those who simply feel more comfortable in a calmer, quieter setting.

Yes. An accessibility line will be available during the public Santa sessions to support visitors who may require additional assistance. Please speak to one of our Elves on arrival, who will be happy to help.

Yes! Santa will be at Eldon Square, outside of NEXT throughout the weekend for a free meet-and-greet. No ticket is required for the public sessions. Families are welcome to take their own photographs with Santa, so remember to bring your camera or phone. Please note that the experience is only a meet-and-greet; this is not a grotto. Each child will receive 1- 2 minutes with Santa.

Santa won’t be giving out gifts, but children visiting Santa will receive a small chocolate lolly as a festive surprise. As the general Santa sessions are non-ticketed, unfortunately, we’re unable to cater for individual allergies or dietary requirements. If you would prefer your child not to receive a chocolate lolly, please speak to one of our elves when you arrive. Please arrive early to avoid disappointment.

We expect Santa’s Meet & Greet to be very popular, so there may be a long queue at busy times. We’ll do our best to keep everyone moving, but if the queue reaches the designated end barrier, we will temporarily close the queue. Santa and his elves will take an extended break between 1pm and 1.30pm each day. The Meet & Greet will resume at 1.30pm to 5pm.

Santa’s Meet and Greet is aimed at Children 0 – 12 years old.

Yes! Dogs are welcome to join you for Santa’s Meet & Greet. Please keep your dog on a tight lead and ensure they are comfortable around busy environments and other visitors.

Yes, we expect the centre to be very busy from 11am. Christmas music will be played in St Andrew’s Way, and the Spark drumming band will also be very loud throughout the day.

Of course! Santa will be joined by his festive Elves, who’ll be spreading Christmas cheer around Eldon Square throughout the weekend.

Spark! is an illuminated drumming performance that combines music, movement, and spectacular visuals to create an unforgettable festive experience. This performance will be very loud. If you prefer a quieter setting, we would advise you not to visit the centre during these times.

There will be 30-minute performances at 11am, 1pm and 3pm on both days, taking place around the malls.

All money raised throughout the weekend will be split equally between Newcastle United Foundation and Tyneside & Northumberland Mind.

Most activities are free and do not require booking. The quiet Santa sessions are ticketed, so you will need to book in advance to attend these sessions.

Absolutely! You’re welcome to take your own photographs throughout the event. If you’re visiting Santa, please remember to bring your own camera or phone, as photography is not provided. We ask that you do not take pictures of children visiting Santa who are not part of your family.

There’ll be plenty of festive fun for all the family, from meeting Santa and spotting the Naughty Grinch to dancing along with Spark!, meeting the elves, enjoying the stilt walkers and getting creative with festive face painting.