From Santa and his elves to the mischievous Grinch and illuminated drummers, Eldon Square is bringing two days of free festive fun to Newcastle.
Christmas is arriving in Newcastle in spectacular style as Eldon Square prepares to welcome families for a weekend of festive entertainment on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November.
With free activities, magical performances and plenty of Christmas surprises planned across the shopping centre, the event promises a wonderful way to kick-start the festive season.
A spectacular Christmas welcome
One of the weekend’s highlights will be Spark!, an internationally acclaimed illuminated drumming troupe bringing an extraordinary combination of music, light and movement to the malls.
The performers will entertain visitors at 11am, 1pm and 3pm on both days, creating a dazzling spectacle for shoppers and families alike.
Elsewhere, the Naughty Grinch will be causing mischief around the centre, joined by Santa’s elves and larger-than-life festive stilt walkers.
Visitors can also discover whether they’ve made the naughty or nice list with Eldon Square’s Good-ometer.
Meet Santa and his elves
Of course, no Christmas celebration would be complete without a visit from Father Christmas himself.
Santa and his elves will be welcoming families for free meet-and-greet sessions outside NEXT on St Andrew’s Way.
Sessions will take place from 11am to 1pm and 1.30pm to 5pm on both days, with no booking required.
For children who would benefit from a quieter experience, free Quiet Santa sessions will also be available ahead of the main public sessions. These must be booked in advance.
An accessibility queue will be available during the public meet-and-greets, helping more families enjoy the festive experience.
Festive fun and prizes to be won
There will be even more excitement with the Christmas Claw Grabber, offering visitors the chance to win prizes including a £50 Eldon Square Gift Card, a meal for two at The Alchemist and jewellery from Nomination Italy.
Over in the Community Quarter, families can enjoy Christmas face painting between 11am and 4pm each day in exchange for a charitable donation.
All money raised during the event will be shared equally between Newcastle United Foundation and Tyneside and Northumberland Mind, supporting their work across the local community.
A magical start to Christmas
Helen Cowie, Centre Director at Eldon Square, said:
“There is nothing quite like the excitement of Christmas arriving in the city, and we cannot wait to welcome families to Eldon Square for a weekend packed with festive fun.
“From meeting Santa and watching the incredible Spark! performers, to spotting the Naughty Grinch and enjoying all the little surprises happening across the centre, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.”
With more than 100 retailers, including John Lewis & Partners, Fenwick, Sephora, Apple and NEXT, visitors can also make a day of it with some Christmas shopping.
And with plenty of places to stop for food and drinks, there’s every reason to stay a little longer and soak up the festive atmosphere.
The Christmas celebrations take place at Eldon Square on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November 2026, with free entertainment and activities throughout both days.
For full event timings, Quiet Santa bookings and further information, visit Eldon Square’s Christmas event page.
