With so much variety on offer, NewcastleGateshead is any Christmas shopper's dream. During the Winter Festival, there are also a number of special craft and continental markets, and of course, the famous Fenwick window.

Merry Markets
Throughout Nov & Dec (FREE)
Grey's Monument, Grey Street, Grainger
Street and Old Eldon Square, Newcastle
www.newcastle.gov.uk/markets

Once again, the streets around Grey's Monument will be buzzing with life during the weeks leading up to Christmas. This year, the markets will be taking advantage of the space which has opened up with the redevelopment of Old Eldon Square to really bring the festive spirit into the heart of the city.

The Continental Market runs at Grey's Monument, Grey Street, Grainger Street and Old Eldon Square from Mon 24 Nov - Sat 6 Dec with European stalls transforming the area into a cosmopolitan market place. The Christmas Market takes over on Wed 10 Dec until Sun 14 Dec. This is your opportunity to stock up on those local Christmas goodies which truly make the season special - including jams, puddings, game, stuffing, luxury sweets and boozy Christmas cakes, as well as a range of crafts. The Christmas
Farmers Market will be a part of this market on Fri 12 Dec. A Christmas would not be complete without calling at the Grainger Market which will host the Christmas Fairtrade Event on Sat 6 Dec for something a little different and the Arts and Craft Fairs on Sat 13 & 20 Dec where local people will be selling handcrafted goods.

MONUMENTQ1/Q2 THEATRE ROYAL

The Frost Fair
Fri 28 Nov - Sun 30 Nov
Performance Square, The Sage Gateshead,
St Mary's Square, Gateshead
0191 433 6917
www.gateshead.gov.uk/nordicfestival

Visit the Frost Fair for an exciting range of foods and crafts from our region and beyond, featuring a fusion of Nordic and British music and dance. Plus, among the many delights of the Frost Fair will be some special guests; Bjorn the Polar Bear, a beautifully animated and realistic life size puppet will tell some Nordic tales, and some real life Cairngorm Reindeer will be welcoming visitors
to the newly opened Gateshead Heritage Centre.

GATESHEADQ1 THE SAGE GATESHEAD

Christmas Present
Fri 14 Nov 08 - Sun 4 Jan 09 (FREE)
Shipley Art Gallery, Prince Consort Road,
Gateshead 0191 477 1495
www.twmuseums.org.uk/shipley

Avoid the high street crowds this Christmas and head to the Shipley to enjoy this annual selling exhibition. This year, Christmas Present will be showcasing the work of new designers who have recently graduated or are just starting their careers, and is being curated by Andy Balman, formerly of the Biscuit Factory in Newcastle. The exhibition includes items at a range of prices, from £15 upwards, and a complimentary gift wrapping service. With so much variety on offer, NewcastleGateshead is any Christmas shopper's dream. During the Winter Festival, there are also a number of special craft and continental markets, and of course, the famous Fenwick window.

Christmas at Fenwick
Throughout Nov & Dec
Fenwick, Northumberland Street, Newcastle
0191 232 5100
www.fenwick.co.uk

Christmas Window (FREE) Visit Fenwick's famous animated window display from early November and let the magic entertain you.

Visit Santa (FREE) Santa's arrival and grotto opening will take place on Thurs 20 Nov in the toy department, 3rd floor.

Breakfast with Santa (£) Every Sunday from 23 Nov, 10.30am - 11.30am. Enjoy breakfast with Santa in the Terrace Restaurant. Children can meet Santa, enjoy a delicious breakfast and receive a gift, all for only £5 (child breakfast price).

MONUMENTQ1/Q2 THEATRE ROYAL

The Children's Foundation
Charity Gift Wrap
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday
in December before Christmas
Eldon Square Shopping Centre, Newcastle
0191 261 1891 www.eldon-square.co.uk

Busy City Centre shoppers can drop off their presents outside Topshop, on the corner of High Friars and Blackett Bridge, and return to collect beautifully wrapped gifts in exchange for a donation to the charity. The Children's Foundation raises essential funds to support research into children's conditions, and has recently launched an appeal to make the new ‘Great North Children's Hospital' more child friendly for those attending from across the region.

MONUMENTQ1/Q2 THEATRE ROYAL