South Shields Christmas lights switch-on: Market Place from 6pm on Thursday 19 November
Fri 13 Nov 2026 · Written for Visit South Shields from the sources below.
Checked 13 Nov 2026.
We now have a time for the South Shields Christmas lights switch-on. The council's South Shields Market page lists the switch-on and an evening market in the Market Place on Thursday 19 November from 6pm, with live entertainment for the whole family. (Visit South Tyneside: South Shields Market; checked 13 Nov 2026)
The page doesn't say exactly when the lights will go on, who will switch them on or who is performing, and we haven't found any road closures or parking offer for the evening. We'll add those if they are published. (Visit South Tyneside: South Shields Market; checked 13 Nov 2026)
Before the switch-on
From 4pm to 6pm, Santa and Mrs Claus are at Hays Travel in the Denmark Centre on Fowler Street. Tickets are £5 per child from the branch, and the money goes to the Red Bench Project. (Shields Gazette: Santa at Hays Travel, South Shields; checked 13 Nov 2026)
Also that evening, Hedworth Hall on Dean Road holds a Christmas Moon Market from 6pm to 9pm. It's ticket-only, at £1 plus a booking fee. (Skiddle listing: Christmas Moon Market, Hedworth Hall; checked 12 Nov 2026)
Saturday 21 November: Santa at the market
Santa and his Elf come to South Shields Market on Saturday 21 November, 11am to 4pm, with the Harton Harmonisers choir, free face painting for children and Affinity Radio. The Shields Gazette reported the same date on 12 November, so the Saturday date is now confirmed by two sources. (Visit South Tyneside: South Shields Market; Shields Gazette, 12 Nov 2026: Santa at South Shields Market on 21 November; checked 13 Nov 2026)
More Saturdays in the Market Square
The council has added to its free Saturday programme. Westoe Brass Band plays on 28 November (11am to 1pm), with Affinity Radio there too. On 5 December there's storytelling with Laura Gow (11am to 1pm), Santa and his Elf, and music from Jen Stevens. On 12 December it's face painting with Naomi and a Market Jam session with Ruby Kelly. On 19 December Jen Stevens is back with Bubble Play, 1pm to 3pm. (Visit South Tyneside: South Shields Market; checked 13 Nov 2026)
Parking: The Word car park on River Drive closes from Monday 16 November, so pick another town-centre car park. The Market Place is a short walk from South Shields Interchange (Metro and buses). (Shields Gazette, 6 Nov 2026: The Word car park three-month closure; checked 7 Nov 2026) See Parking and Getting here.
More: Christmas in South Shields 2026, What's on this week and our earlier note on the Santa date.