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Christmas in South Shields 2026: lights, Santa, pantos and markets
Last checked: 10 November 2026. Everything here comes from the venue, organiser, council, a ticket site or the local paper, linked after each item. Where something hasn't been published yet we say "not yet announced". Dates do change, so check the link before you set off.
South Shields does Christmas in a few places: the Market Place in the town centre (lights, Santa and free Saturday entertainment), The Customs House on the riverside (panto, films and shows), and a run of club and community Christmas markets in early December. This page puts the lot in date order, with what we know about getting there.
Lights switch-on · Santa · Pantos and shows · Christmas markets · Films and one-offs · New Year's Eve · Getting there and parking
Christmas lights switch-on: Thursday 19 November
The council has confirmed that the South Shields Christmas lights switch-on is in the Market Place on Thursday 19 November 2026, and it is the start of a festive programme at the market with choirs, bands, carolling and chances to meet Santa. (South Tyneside Council: Free family fun comes to South Shields Market; checked 10 Nov 2026)
Start time, performers and who switches the lights on: not yet announced (as of 10 November). We will add them as soon as the council publishes them. Road closures or a festive parking offer for the night have not been announced either. (South Tyneside Council: Free family fun comes to South Shields Market; checked 10 Nov 2026)
Where to see Santa
Thu 19 Nov · 4–6pm
Santa and Mrs Claus at Hays Travel, Denmark Centre, Fowler Street, ahead of the switch-on. £5 per child, raising money for the Red Bench Project, with tickets sold in the branch. (Shields Gazette: Santa at Hays Travel, South Shields; checked 10 Nov 2026)
Santa and Mrs Claus at Hays Travel, Denmark Centre, Fowler Street, ahead of the switch-on. £5 per child, raising money for the Red Bench Project, with tickets sold in the branch. (Shields Gazette: Santa at Hays Travel, South Shields; checked 10 Nov 2026)
Sat 21 Nov · 11am–4pm
Santa and his Elf at South Shields Market, Market Place, with the Harton Harmonisers choir and free face painting. Free. The Saturday market itself runs 9am–3pm outside The Word. (Visit South Tyneside: South Shields Market; checked 10 Nov 2026) One listings site still shows this on Thursday 19 November; we have gone with the council's own market page. (High Life North listing: Free Family Entertainment, South Shields Market Square; checked 10 Nov 2026) More in our news note.
Santa and his Elf at South Shields Market, Market Place, with the Harton Harmonisers choir and free face painting. Free. The Saturday market itself runs 9am–3pm outside The Word. (Visit South Tyneside: South Shields Market; checked 10 Nov 2026) One listings site still shows this on Thursday 19 November; we have gone with the council's own market page. (High Life North listing: Free Family Entertainment, South Shields Market Square; checked 10 Nov 2026) More in our news note.
More free Saturdays in the Market Square
- Sat 28 Nov: Westoe Brass Band, 11am–1pm.
- Sat 5 Dec: Jen Stevens, 1–3pm.
- Sat 19 Dec: Jen Stevens with Bubble Play, 1–3pm.
All free. (Visit South Tyneside: South Shields Market; checked 10 Nov 2026)
Pantos and Christmas shows
There are three pantos in South Shields this season, one at each end of the town and one in the new year.
Fri 20 Nov – Sat 2 Jan
Sleeping Beauty at The Customs House, Mill Dam, with Ray Spencer as the Dame. Tickets from £14. There is a Young at Heart performance on 11 December. (SouthShields.org listing: Sleeping Beauty; checked 5 Nov 2026) Show times are on the venue's own listings. (The Customs House: What's on; checked 8 Nov 2026)
Sleeping Beauty at The Customs House, Mill Dam, with Ray Spencer as the Dame. Tickets from £14. There is a Young at Heart performance on 11 December. (SouthShields.org listing: Sleeping Beauty; checked 5 Nov 2026) Show times are on the venue's own listings. (The Customs House: What's on; checked 8 Nov 2026)
Thu 17 – Sun 20 Dec
Rapunzel by STAMP at Brinkburn CIO, Harton Lane, NE34 0PJ. Tickets £9. Performances 17 and 18 Dec at 6:30pm, 19 Dec at 2:30pm and 6:30pm, 20 Dec at 1pm. (STAMP box office: Rapunzel, the Christmas Pantomime 2026; TicketSource: Rapunzel The Panto at Brinkburn CIO; checked 7 Nov 2026) The council says Brinkburn will close and be demolished as part of a wider redevelopment, but the panto was still on sale when we last checked; see our Brinkburn note. (South Tyneside Council: Community groups; checked 6 Nov 2026)
Rapunzel by STAMP at Brinkburn CIO, Harton Lane, NE34 0PJ. Tickets £9. Performances 17 and 18 Dec at 6:30pm, 19 Dec at 2:30pm and 6:30pm, 20 Dec at 1pm. (STAMP box office: Rapunzel, the Christmas Pantomime 2026; TicketSource: Rapunzel The Panto at Brinkburn CIO; checked 7 Nov 2026) The council says Brinkburn will close and be demolished as part of a wider redevelopment, but the panto was still on sale when we last checked; see our Brinkburn note. (South Tyneside Council: Community groups; checked 6 Nov 2026)
Fri 22 – Sat 30 Jan 2027
Beauty and the Beast by the Westovians at the Westovian Theatre, Pier Parade: a traditional family panto. (Westovian Theatre: What's on; checked 5 Nov 2026) Prices and times: check the theatre's page.
Beauty and the Beast by the Westovians at the Westovian Theatre, Pier Parade: a traditional family panto. (Westovian Theatre: What's on; checked 5 Nov 2026) Prices and times: check the theatre's page.
Sat 28 Nov – Thu 24 Dec
Christmas with the Crackers, a festive show for young children at The Customs House. (SouthShields.org listing: Christmas with the Crackers; checked 4 Nov 2026)
Christmas with the Crackers, a festive show for young children at The Customs House. (SouthShields.org listing: Christmas with the Crackers; checked 4 Nov 2026)
Sat 28 Nov · 1–2:30pm
A Christmas Carol at The Word. £8.83, ages 16+. (SouthShields.org listing: A Christmas Carol at The Word; checked 3 Nov 2026)
A Christmas Carol at The Word. £8.83, ages 16+. (SouthShields.org listing: A Christmas Carol at The Word; checked 3 Nov 2026)
Wed 16 Dec
The Word: an Adult Festive Daytime Disco (1–3pm, £2, ages 16+) and free Doorstep Carols (6–6:45pm). (The Word: What's on; checked 5 Nov 2026)
The Word: an Adult Festive Daytime Disco (1–3pm, £2, ages 16+) and free Doorstep Carols (6–6:45pm). (The Word: What's on; checked 5 Nov 2026)
Christmas markets
Thu 3 Dec · 6–10pm
South Shields FC Christmas Market in a marquee at the Wolf Competitions Stadium (Mariners Park). Free entry; the club lists up to 30 stalls. (South Shields FC: Christmas Market (free event); checked 4 Nov 2026)
South Shields FC Christmas Market in a marquee at the Wolf Competitions Stadium (Mariners Park). Free entry; the club lists up to 30 stalls. (South Shields FC: Christmas Market (free event); checked 4 Nov 2026)
Sat 5 and Sun 6 Dec · 10am–3pm
Westoe RFC Christmas Market, Dean Road, extended to two days this year. (Shields Gazette, 24 Oct 2026: Westoe RFC extends its Christmas market; checked 4 Nov 2026)
Westoe RFC Christmas Market, Dean Road, extended to two days this year. (Shields Gazette, 24 Oct 2026: Westoe RFC extends its Christmas market; checked 4 Nov 2026)
Thu 10 Dec · 5–9pm
Twilight Christmas Market at Hedworth Hall, Dean Road. Free entry. (Skiddle listing: Hedworth Hall Twilight Christmas Market; checked 4 Nov 2026)
Twilight Christmas Market at Hedworth Hall, Dean Road. Free entry. (Skiddle listing: Hedworth Hall Twilight Christmas Market; checked 4 Nov 2026)
The council says its programme includes Christmas markets at South Shields Market; dates beyond the ones above have not been announced yet. (South Tyneside Council: Free family fun comes to South Shields Market; checked 10 Nov 2026)
Films, talks and one-offs
Sat 5 and Sun 6 Dec
André Rieu Christmas concert screening, Customs House Studio: Sat 1:30pm and 7pm, Sun 7pm. From £14.50. (SouthShields.org listing: André Rieu Christmas concert screening; checked 4 Nov 2026)
André Rieu Christmas concert screening, Customs House Studio: Sat 1:30pm and 7pm, Sun 7pm. From £14.50. (SouthShields.org listing: André Rieu Christmas concert screening; checked 4 Nov 2026)
Tue 8 Dec · 7:30pm
Jason Cook on the making of his BBC sitcom Hebburn, The Customs House, with behind-the-scenes footage and a Q&A. (Shields Gazette, 4 Nov 2026: Jason Cook on the making of Hebburn; checked 8 Nov 2026)
Jason Cook on the making of his BBC sitcom Hebburn, The Customs House, with behind-the-scenes footage and a Q&A. (Shields Gazette, 4 Nov 2026: Jason Cook on the making of Hebburn; checked 8 Nov 2026)
Wed 9 Dec · 12–4pm
Age Concern Tyneside South Christmas party, Hedworth Hall: festive menu, disco, raffles and bingo. £20 per person. (Shields Gazette, 9 Nov 2026: Age Concern Tyneside South Christmas party; checked 10 Nov 2026)
Age Concern Tyneside South Christmas party, Hedworth Hall: festive menu, disco, raffles and bingo. £20 per person. (Shields Gazette, 9 Nov 2026: Age Concern Tyneside South Christmas party; checked 10 Nov 2026)
Sat 12 Dec · 4:30pm and 6pm
Candlelit Tours at Arbeia Roman Fort (the fort is otherwise closed for winter). £12 including a £2 voluntary donation, ages 12+. Both tours were listed as sold out when we checked; the museum page shows any returns. (North East Museums: Candlelit Tours at Arbeia; checked 3 Nov 2026) See Arbeia.
Candlelit Tours at Arbeia Roman Fort (the fort is otherwise closed for winter). £12 including a £2 voluntary donation, ages 12+. Both tours were listed as sold out when we checked; the museum page shows any returns. (North East Museums: Candlelit Tours at Arbeia; checked 3 Nov 2026) See Arbeia.
Sat 19 Dec · 7:30pm
Die Hard on the big screen at The Customs House. £5.50. (Shields Gazette, 30 Oct 2026: Die Hard at The Customs House; checked 8 Nov 2026)
Die Hard on the big screen at The Customs House. £5.50. (Shields Gazette, 30 Oct 2026: Die Hard at The Customs House; checked 8 Nov 2026)
Sun 20 and Thu 24 Dec
Elf family screenings at The Customs House: Sunday 5pm and Christmas Eve 4:30pm. (Shields Gazette, 1 Nov 2026: Elf screenings at The Customs House; checked 8 Nov 2026)
Elf family screenings at The Customs House: Sunday 5pm and Christmas Eve 4:30pm. (Shields Gazette, 1 Nov 2026: Elf screenings at The Customs House; checked 8 Nov 2026)
New Year's Eve
Thu 31 Dec · 7pm–midnight
New Year's Eve Family Party at The New Sundial, Sea Road: games, music and a countdown. (Eventbrite: New Year's Eve Family Party, The New Sundial; checked 4 Nov 2026)
New Year's Eve Family Party at The New Sundial, Sea Road: games, music and a countdown. (Eventbrite: New Year's Eve Family Party, The New Sundial; checked 4 Nov 2026)
Thu 31 Dec · 7:30pm
Jason Cook's NYE Comedy Club at The Customs House. From £30, ages 16+. (SouthShields.org listing: Jason Cook's NYE Comedy Club; checked 4 Nov 2026)
Jason Cook's NYE Comedy Club at The Customs House. From £30, ages 16+. (SouthShields.org listing: Jason Cook's NYE Comedy Club; checked 4 Nov 2026)
Seafront fireworks or other council New Year events for 2026: not yet announced.
Getting there, parking and Christmas travel
- The Word car park on River Drive is closed from Monday 16 November 2026 to Saturday 27 February 2027, so it can't be used for the switch-on or the Saturday market. Use another town-centre car park. (Shields Gazette, 6 Nov 2026: The Word car park three-month closure; South Tyneside Council: South Shields town centre car parks; checked 7 Nov 2026) See Parking.
- The Market Place is a short walk from South Shields Metro and bus interchange; see Getting here.
- Bank holidays: Christmas Day is Friday 25 December. Because Boxing Day falls on a Saturday, the Boxing Day bank holiday is Monday 28 December. New Year's Day is Friday 1 January 2027. (GOV.UK: UK bank holidays; checked 10 Nov 2026)
- Metro, bus and ferry times over Christmas 2026: not yet announced. When we checked on 10 November we couldn't find Nexus's 2026 festive timetable; check Travel North East nearer the time. (Travel North East (Nexus): journey planning and service changes; Travel North East (Nexus): Shields Ferry timetable; checked 3 Nov 2026; checked 10 Nov 2026)
- Town-centre public toilets (Market Place and Station Approach) open 9am–4pm all year except over Christmas; the council doesn't give the Christmas dates on that page. (South Tyneside Council: Public toilets and opening times; checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Souter Lighthouse is closed in November and December, but its café opens Friday to Sunday, 11am–3pm, if you want a winter walk on The Leas. (National Trust: Souter Lighthouse and The Leas; checked 3 Nov 2026)
More: All events · What's on this week · Family days out · Rainy-day ideas
Sources for this page
- South Tyneside Council: Free family fun comes to South Shields Market, checked 10 Nov 2026
- Shields Gazette: Santa at Hays Travel, South Shields, checked 10 Nov 2026
- Visit South Tyneside: South Shields Market, checked 10 Nov 2026
- High Life North listing: Free Family Entertainment, South Shields Market Square, checked 10 Nov 2026
- SouthShields.org listing: Sleeping Beauty, checked 5 Nov 2026
- The Customs House: What's on, checked 8 Nov 2026
- STAMP box office: Rapunzel, the Christmas Pantomime 2026, checked 7 Nov 2026
- TicketSource: Rapunzel The Panto at Brinkburn CIO, checked 7 Nov 2026
- South Tyneside Council: Community groups, checked 6 Nov 2026
- Westovian Theatre: What's on, checked 5 Nov 2026
- SouthShields.org listing: Christmas with the Crackers, checked 4 Nov 2026
- SouthShields.org listing: A Christmas Carol at The Word, checked 3 Nov 2026
- The Word: What's on, checked 5 Nov 2026
- South Shields FC: Christmas Market (free event), checked 4 Nov 2026
- Shields Gazette, 24 Oct 2026: Westoe RFC extends its Christmas market, checked 4 Nov 2026
- Skiddle listing: Hedworth Hall Twilight Christmas Market, checked 4 Nov 2026
- SouthShields.org listing: André Rieu Christmas concert screening, checked 4 Nov 2026
- Shields Gazette, 4 Nov 2026: Jason Cook on the making of Hebburn, checked 8 Nov 2026
- Shields Gazette, 9 Nov 2026: Age Concern Tyneside South Christmas party, checked 10 Nov 2026
- North East Museums: Candlelit Tours at Arbeia, checked 3 Nov 2026
- Shields Gazette, 30 Oct 2026: Die Hard at The Customs House, checked 8 Nov 2026
- Shields Gazette, 1 Nov 2026: Elf screenings at The Customs House, checked 8 Nov 2026
- Eventbrite: New Year's Eve Family Party, The New Sundial, checked 4 Nov 2026
- SouthShields.org listing: Jason Cook's NYE Comedy Club, checked 4 Nov 2026
- Shields Gazette, 6 Nov 2026: The Word car park three-month closure, checked 7 Nov 2026
- South Tyneside Council: South Shields town centre car parks, checked 7 Nov 2026
- GOV.UK: UK bank holidays, checked 10 Nov 2026
- Travel North East (Nexus): journey planning and service changes, checked 10 Nov 2026
- Travel North East (Nexus): Shields Ferry timetable, checked 3 Nov 2026
- South Tyneside Council: Public toilets and opening times, checked 3 Nov 2026
- National Trust: Souter Lighthouse and The Leas, checked 3 Nov 2026