South Shields Christmas lights switch-on: 6pm to 7pm outside The Word, plus Jarrow and Hebburn dates
Sun 15 Nov 2026 · Written for Visit South Shields from the sources below.
Checked 15 Nov 2026.
The council has now published the full plan for the South Shields Christmas lights switch-on. It's on Thursday 19 November, 6pm to 7pm, outside The Word in the Market Square (NE33 1BH), and it's free. (Visit South Tyneside: South Shields Christmas Lights Switch On; Shields Gazette, 14 Nov 2026: Christmas lights switch-on dates across South Tyneside; checked 15 Nov 2026)
Who's on
- The Mayor leads the countdown to the lights going on.
- Ray Spencer is compère.
- Live singers, walkabout entertainers and a performance from Tree Stump Theatre.
- Festive music from Harton School Choir and brass band musicians.
- Market stalls to browse around the square.
(Visit South Tyneside: South Shields Christmas Lights Switch On; checked 15 Nov 2026)
That replaces the earlier "from 6pm" listing on the council's market page that we reported on 13 November: the event now has a finish time of 7pm and a confirmed spot outside The Word. (Visit South Tyneside: South Shields Christmas Lights Switch On; checked 15 Nov 2026)
Jarrow and Hebburn
South Shields goes first. Jarrow switches on outside Jarrow Town Hall on Friday 20 November, 4pm to 5pm, with Jen Normandale compèring, local music, festive characters including Santa, Valley View School choirs and a brass quartet. Hebburn follows in Fountains Park on Monday 23 November, 4pm to 5pm, with Ray Spencer compèring, St Aloysius School choirs and a brass quartet. Both are free. (Visit South Tyneside: festive events calendar; Shields Gazette, 14 Nov 2026: Christmas lights switch-on dates across South Tyneside; checked 15 Nov 2026)
Making an evening of it
Santa and Mrs Claus are at Hays Travel in the Denmark Centre, Fowler Street, from 4pm to 6pm before the switch-on: £5 per child, with the money going to the Red Bench Project. (Shields Gazette: Santa at Hays Travel, South Shields; checked 15 Nov 2026) Hedworth Hall on Dean Road has a ticket-only Christmas Moon Market from 6pm to 9pm (£1 plus booking fee). (Skiddle listing: Christmas Moon Market, Hedworth Hall; checked 12 Nov 2026)
Getting there: The Word car park on River Drive is closed from Monday 16 November, so use another town-centre car park or come by Metro or bus; the Market Square is a short walk from South Shields Interchange. (Shields Gazette, 6 Nov 2026: The Word car park three-month closure; checked 7 Nov 2026) No road closures or festive parking offer for the evening had been published when we checked. See Parking and Getting here.
More: Christmas in South Shields 2026, What's on this week and carols and festive music this Christmas.