Christmas at Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums

This Christmas, step into the magic on offer at museums and galleries across Tyneside. From heart-warming train rides to creative craft workshops and a festive market too, there's something for everyone to enjoy this winter. 

Keith Merrin, Director of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, said:  

“We are extending a warm welcome to visitors this winter and inviting them to join us for a season of festive fun and engaging activities. Our museums and galleries are the perfect place to create lasting memories with loved ones." 

For all the family 

The Elf Express  
Stephenson Steam Railway 
30 November, 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 23 December
9.45am | 11.15am | 12.45pm | 2.15pm | 3.45pm 
Make this Christmas a real cracker with a trip on the famous Elf Express. Visitors can enjoy an interactive Christmas performance before boarding a heritage locomotive. There’ll be Christmas music, lots of photo opportunities, refreshments and a special present from Santa for every child.
Tickets from £18. 

Santa at Jingle Bell Square 
South Shields Museum & Art Gallery 
7, 14, 21 and 23 December 
11.15am I 12 noon I 12.45pm I 1.30pm I 2.15pm I 3pm  
A very jolly Santa Claus and his favourite elf will be making a special visit to the museum. Get into the Christmas spirit with enchanting tales from Santa’s workshop, fun games and every child will receive a gift from Santa.
£9 per child. 

Winter Warmers 
Stephenson Steam Railway 
28 and 29 December 
11.30am I 12.30 pm I 2pm I 3pm 
Visitors can enjoy a relaxing heritage train ride on a four-mile historic urban line, as well as visit the historic displays inside the festively decorated museum.
From £6 per person. 

For adults 

Needle Felting Workshop: Christmas tree decorations  
Shipley Art Gallery 
Friday 15 November I 10-11.45am  
In the beautiful surroundings of the gallery, a friendly tutor will guide you through the process of creating your own gingerbread man Christmas tree decoration. 
£10 per person (plus booking fee).  

Fun Floristry: Make a Christmas Wreath 
Shipley Art Gallery 
Saturday 16, 23 November and 14 December I 2-4pm 
Join us to design and make your own fresh Christmas wreath.
£30 per person (plus booking fee).

Christmas Market
Shipley Art Gallery
Saturday 23 and 30 November I 11am – 3pm
This relaxed Christmas shopping event in the atmospheric surroundings of the gallery offers the opportunity to find unique Christmas gifts made by local artists and craft makers. The gallery shop will also be selling festive decorations, stocking fillers, cards, gift wrap and jewellery.
Free entry, no need to book. 

Fused glass Christmas decorations with Kimoci Glass
Shipley Art Gallery
Saturday 30 November I 10.30am – 1pm 
In this workshop you will be creating beautiful glass Christmas decorations using coloured Bullseye sheet glass, frits, powders or metal inclusions fused glass, under the guidance of a friendly tutor from Kimoci Glass.
£45 per person (plus booking fee).

Needle Felting Workshop: Make a snowman 
Shipley Art Gallery
Friday 6 December I 10–11.30am 
In this session, a friendly tutor will guide participants through the process of creating a snowman Christmas tree decoration. A perfect Christmas present, or decoration to keep. 
£10 per person (plus booking fee). 

Great North Nights: Winter Wonder(land)
Great North Museum: Hancock
Friday 6 December I 6-8pm A cosy cultural evening for adults with have-a-go activities, music, lightning talks, drinks and pizza, a perfect alternative festive night out.  £8 per person (plus booking fee). 

Festive Bath Bomb Workshop
Shipley Art Gallery
Saturday 7 and 14 December I 10-11.30am
Join us for a workshop where you'll learn how to make your own festive bath bombs for Christmas. 
You'll make four to five bath bombs and there will be two different festive fragrances to use, or you can opt for unscented. 
£18 per person (plus booking fee).

Candlelit Tours 
Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort 
Saturday 7 December I 4.30pm and 5.30pm 
As dusk settles and darkness falls, visitors can hear how the Romans lit up their homes at Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort. These twilight candlelit tours are the perfect way to step back, enjoy and reflect at this special time of year. 
£9 per person.  

Every purchase you make at shoptwmuseums.co.uk supports the work of our museums and galleries across the North East.

Visitors are advised of the following changes to normal opening hours at these venues over the festive period:  

Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort 
Closed until 31 March 2025 (except for Candlelit Tours, special events and school/group visits).  

Discovery Museum  
Closed 25 December 2024 - 1 January 2025 inclusive. 

Great North Museum: Hancock  
Closed 25 and 26 December 2024 and 1 January 2025.  

Hatton Gallery  
Closed 22 December 2024 - 5 January 2025 inclusive.   

Laing Art Gallery  
Closed 25 and 26 December 2024 and 1 January 2025. 

Segedunum Roman Fort  
Closed 1 December 2024 - 5 January 2025 inclusive.  

Shipley Art Gallery  
Closed 22 December 2024 - 7 January 2025 inclusive. 

South Shields Museum & Art Gallery  
Closed 24 December 2024 - 13 January inclusive.   

Stephenson Steam Railway  
Closed until 29 March 2025 (except for Elf Express, Winter Warmers , and school visits). 

Tyne & Wear Archives  
Closed 25 December 2024 - 1 January 2025 inclusive.