That's it. Fenwick's Christmas Window for 2017 has been unveiled and it’s Paddington. It's always a closely guarded secret but did you guess correctly? I think a lot of people did this year.
I'm definitely starting to feel Christmassy and I've even had my first mince pie of the year. Soon though, it will be the jingle of sleigh bells and the rustling of wrapping paper which can mean only one thing, that Santa Claus is on his way.
So now that the countdown to Christmas has begun, when and where will you be able to see the Christmas Lights switched on this year across North East England.
So now that the countdown to Christmas has begun, when and where will you be able to see the Christmas Lights switched on this year across North East England.
Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without Fenwick's windows here in North East England.
Fenwick's Window is an annual Christmas window display showcased in the Northumberland Street frontage of Fenwick Newcastle, one of the city's biggest department stores. Fenwick's Window has taken on a different theme each Christmas since 1971 and is always revealed to the public early in November, remaining in place until the January sales. And for 2017 the window has been revealed as Paddington. Thanks to Mrs Mulled Wine for the photos and there's more here.
But it is much more than a window. It's a total Christmas institution here in the northeast, marking for many the start of Christmas, and now the window has been revealed as Paddington the next milestones before Christmas are the big Christmas Lights Switch-Ons. So where and when this year will they be happening?
The Big Christmas Lights Switch Ons in North East England
Dalton Park Outlet, Shopping & Leisure - Saturday 11 November
Everyone is invited to the fun-filled festive day of entertainment from 12pm. See Santa parade through the shopping centre with his real reindeer. Followed by the official opening of his grotto so kids can tell him what they'd like for Christmas. To get the party into full swing, Metro Radio will be at the mall, joining in the festivities from 3pm – 7pm with great music, fun and games for all to enjoy. Then the action and excitement build as Metro Radio leads the countdown to our Christmas lights ‘switch on’ at 6.30pm when the outlet will transform into a magical glow of sparkling lights. The excitement continues straight away with a spectacular firework finale in the parkland for all to enjoy. Stores will stay open until 7:30pm.
Newcastle City Centre - Tuesday 14 November
Everyone is invited to the fun-filled festive day of entertainment from 12pm. See Santa parade through the shopping centre with his real reindeer. Followed by the official opening of his grotto so kids can tell him what they'd like for Christmas. To get the party into full swing, Metro Radio will be at the mall, joining in the festivities from 3pm – 7pm with great music, fun and games for all to enjoy. Then the action and excitement build as Metro Radio leads the countdown to our Christmas lights ‘switch on’ at 6.30pm when the outlet will transform into a magical glow of sparkling lights. The excitement continues straight away with a spectacular firework finale in the parkland for all to enjoy. Stores will stay open until 7:30pm.
Newcastle City Centre - Tuesday 14 November
The traditional Newcastle Christmas Light’s switch-on will take place on Tuesday 14 November 2017 on Grey Street at the base of Grey’s Monument from approximately 5.30pm
Corbridge - Friday 17 November
Corbridge is renowned for its festive lights with even more illuminations for 2017. Head to St Andrew's Church and the Market Place, on late afternoon on Friday 17 November for the big switch on.
Tynemouth – Friday 17 November
Come along to the annual switch on of the winning light design chosen from hundreds of entries from local schoolchildren. Outside Tynemouth Priory from 4.30pm on Friday 17 November with th lights switched on at 5.30pm.
Alnwick - Friday 17 November
The Duchess of Northumberland will be switching the lights on in the Market Place on Friday 17 November with the fun starting at 6pm
Middlesbrough – Thursday 23 November
Celebrate the start of the winter season with a visit to the Christmas markets and festive fairground. Join the police interceptors and Tom Campbell from Heart FM North East and enjoy performances by MTH Community Choir, local band Serinette and visually stunning Flame Oz as the lights are switched on between 6pm & 8pm.
Gateshead - Thursday 23 November
Heart Radio’s Justin and Kelly will be getting the party started from 4pm in Trinity Square with the big switch on is set to take place at 6.30pm.
Darlington – Thursday 23 November
In the Market Square between 5pm – 6.30pm
Sunderland - Thursday 23 November
Sunderland - Thursday 23 November
Pixie Lott will be in Keel Square on November 23 at approx. 5.30pm to switich on the lights after a day of family entertainment.
South Shields - Thursday 23 November
Taking place between 6pm – 7pm outside The Word in South Shields Market Place
Hexham - Friday 24 November
The Christmas Lights switch on will take place at The Bandstand at 5pm on Friday 24 November
Jarrow - Friday 24 November
The Christmas Lights switch on will take place outside Jarrow Town Hall between 4pm & 5pm on Friday 24 November
Morpeth - Saturday 25 November
The Christmas Lights switch on will be accompanied by Carol Singing and the Christmas Address. Ellington Colliery Band will be playing traditional Christmas carols on the Market Place.
Berwick-upon-Tweed - Saturday 25 November
Christmas Lights Switch will take place on at 4.30pm 25 November with Carol Singing in Marygate and a Christmas Fair at Town Hall.
Bamburgh – Saturday 25 November
Bamburgh's annual switch on of the Christmas lights will take place on the 25 November commencing with a service at St Aidan's Church at 5.30pm followed by the official switch on at 6.15pm.
Durham City – Sunday 26 November
Durham City’s Lights will be switched on at 5.30pm on Sunday 26 November with festive fun in the Market Place. The Christmas Lights Switch On spectacular will last for approximately 40 minutes, providing plenty of ooooohs and aaaaaahs for all the family to enjoy. The performance will include acrobatics, pyrotechnics, live music and of course, a sprinkling of magic too. Overseeing the event and narrating the performance is BBC Radio’s Breakfast Show presenter, Alfie Joey, who will help to tell the story of how the special snowman spreads festive cheer across Durham City.
Hebburn - Monday 27 November
Kick off the festive season in style and bring the whole family down to Hebburn's Fountains Park to enjoy the lovely atmosphere on Monday 27 November between 4pm-5pm
Seaham – Friday 1 December
The Christmas Light Switch On takes place in Seaham on Friday 1 December between 5.30pm & 7.30pm. Christmas lights will be on display with a stunning event to switch them on. Starting at Terrace Green trees, along to Byron Place trees to be switched off and finishing with Church Street Trees.
Whitley Bay – Saturday 2 December
The Christmas Lights will be switched on between 11am & 4.30pm as part of the Whitley Bay Station Christmas Fayre on Saturday 2 December
There are also lots of FREE Christmas Markets to visit in November and December too.
Happy Christmas!
Deb x
All events are subject to change and the weather. Please check all details with event organisers.
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