NewcastleGateshead Winter Festival is just one part of the North East's winter festivities, which also include winter festivals in Northumberland and Sunderland and special events around the region.

Northumberland Lights
www.northumberlandlights.com  

Following on from its successes in 2006 and 2007, Northumberland Lights has more major projects planned for this winter and this year sees its most exciting programme of events so far:

Out of Water
Sat 8 - Sun 16 Nov (£)
Kielder Water and Forest Park
Out of Water will be a beautiful animation of2km of the new Lakeside Way on the western shore of Kielder Water. Join the walk on foot or on wheels for a unique, wheelchair accessible journey in one of Northumberland's most beautiful and remote locations, exploring the special character of the Kielder Forest under a legendary night sky.

The State of Berwick
Sat 19 & Sun 30 Nov (Some events are FREE)
Berwick upon Tweed Town Centre
In the face of centuries of conflict, border disputes and hardship, the Borough of Berwick has maintained a unique identity, fiercely independent and full of humour. The State of Berwick will celebrate Berwick's character and resilience with a series of town centre installations.

Christmas Switch On
Thurs 20 Nov (FREE)
Civic Centre, Burdon Road, Sunderland
0191 553 2000 www.sunderlandevents.com
Sunderland will be transformed into a winter wonderland this Christmas as the Sunderland Christmas Festival lights up the city with fun, shopping and lots of surprises. The festival will launch with the official switch on of the city illuminations at the Civic Centre. Following tradition, the event will also see the handover of a magnificent fir tree, a gift to Sunderland from the people of Stavanger in Norway.

 Sunderland

Christmas Victorian Christmas Market
Sat 13 - Sun 14 Dec (FREE)
Northumberland Square, North Shields
0191 200 5733
Step back in time with Victorian dressed folk and enjoy over 100 stalls selling all manner of seasonal gifts and crafts at one of the biggest Christmas markets in the UK! There'll be traditional entertainment on the bandstand and around the square, along with fairground rides and plenty of warming food and drink.

 North Shields

Goldilock and the Three Bears
Tues 2 Dec 08 - Sun 4 Jan 09 (£)
Customs House, Mill Dam, South Shields
0191 454 1234 www.customshouse.co.uk
Dame Dotty's magical circus has lost its magic. Her big top is definitely sagging; the bearded lady had a close shave when the fire eater got the hiccups; the human cannon ball has been fired and now the animals have been taken to pay her debts. The circus
faces closure and the evil Baron Boris Bratwurst, a rival circus owner is happy to hasten its demise... Join Dame Dotty as she helps Goldilocks battle the evil circus owner and rescue the three bears!

 South Shields

Aladdin
Fri 5 Dec 08 - Sun 4 Jan 09 (£)
Sunderland Empire, High Street West,
Sunderland 0191 566 1075
www.sunderlandempire.org.uk
Aladdin, the most mystical pantomime of all, will fly in on a magic carpet to Sunderland Empire this Christmas guaranteeing another spectacular extravaganza for all the family. Starring Paul Michael Glaser, best known for his role as David Starsky in the
cult 70's TV show Starsky & Hutch and North East actor Dale Meeks (ex-Emmerdale) as the panto's dame.

 Sunderland