Northumberland Lights returns with four events across the county, lighting some of the darkest skies in England to reveal astounding landscapes and architecture. Audiences will be welcome to participate in and view the inspirational light installations and shows.
Blyth in a New Light
Sun 4 Nov (FREE)
Ridley Park & Quayside Blyth, Northumberland Winner of Best Event in Northumberland at the Journal Culture Awards 2006, Blyth’s festival returns! A family festival ground in Ridley Park will be created, including mesmerising aerial performances. As the entertainment and daylight fades in the park, a parade of lanterns will move through the lit buildings of Blyth old town to the Quayside, where The World Famous fireworkers will present a show along the river and East Pier. A continental market will be at the Quayside for the whole weekend.
The Electric Forest at Cragside Estate
Fri 16 – Sun 18 Nov (£)
Cragside Estate, Rothbury, Northumberland
Take a very special journey through the magnificent estate of Cragside – the first house in the world to be lit by electric light – and discover its hidden corners. Join this magical walk through the estate, as light and sculptures bring the gardens and woodlands to life.
Warkworth Voices, Warkworth Castle
Fri 23 - Sun 25 Nov (£)
Warkworth Castle, Warkworth, Northumberland
The ruined buildings at Warkworth and the towers of the castle will be lit with layers of saturated colour and textured light, accentuating their rugged beauty and providing a dramatic backdrop for audiences to explore story telling, music and choral performances.
Stone, Walltown Quarry, Hadrian’s Wall
Sat 1 Dec (£)
Walltown Quarry, Hadrian’s Wall,
Nearr Haltwhistle, Northumberland
Walltown is brought to life with music, sounds, explosions, flame and light bouncing around
the quarry. With a soundscape and musical performance, audiences will hear and feel the
ringing of the whinstone itself. Is it possible that this calling of the whinstone can bring the line of Hadrian’s Wall back to where it once stood?
SHINE: Sunderland Winter Festival
Fri 7 - Thurs 20 Dec (FREE)
Locations across Sunderland city centre
www.sunderlandevents.com
Shine returns to Sunderland for the second year to light up the dark days in winter with
unexpected artist-created light installations. This year’s pieces will appear on buildings and in
various spaces across the city centre, responding to movement, changing and adapting to their
surroundings. Look out for Minsterllation, Monolith 4, Sonumbra and Motto. During SHINE, NOVAK will present an animated film using images they have gathered from the Sunderland community. See http://www.shineyourdesign.com/ for details.
Nearest Metro: Sunderland
Lantern-making Workshops and Lantern Parades with Dodgy Clutch
Sat 1, Sat 8 & Sat 15 Dec. Workshops
10 - 11am & 11.30am - 12.30pm (£)
The Alnwick Garden, Denwick Lane, Alnwick
01665 511350 http://www.alnwickgarden.com/
Visit The Alnwick Garden on Saturdays throughout December and join visual theatre company Dodgy Clutch for their brilliant Lantern Parades. Each week visitors can enjoy a different theme and families can join in workshops to make their own lanterns to add to the glow of the parade. 1 Dec’s theme is Advent lanterns, where Father Christmas will be a special guest at 4.30pm. 8 Dec sees the Ice and Snow parade and 15 Dec the Fire and Ice parade.
South Shields Museum & Art Gallery Christmas Fayre
Sat 1 - Sun 2 Dec, 10.30am - 4pm (FREE)
South Shields Museum & Art Gallery, Ocean Road, South Shields
0191 456 8740 www.twmuseums.org.uk/southshields
South Shields Museum & Art Gallery explores the story of South Tyneside through sensational displays, hands-on exhibits and stunning art. Their Christmas Fayre brings festive fun for all
the family, with a range of activities and events taking place throughout the weekend.
Neareast Metro: South Shields
North Shields Victorian
Christmas Market
Sat 8 - Sun 9 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.
Nearest Metro: North Shields
Cinderella
Sat 8 Dec – Sun 6 Jan (£)
Sunderland Empire, High Street West,
Sunderland 0844 847 2499
www.sunderlandempire.org.uk
Pantomime returns to the Sunderland Empire by popular demand. Featuring Hollywood legend Mickey Rooney as Baron Hardup together with Les Dennis as Buttons, Liberty X star Michelle Heaton and real-life husband Andy Scott-Lee as Cinderella and Prince Charming, with former Emmerdale star and local actor Dale Meeks as the Prince’s right hand man Dandini.
Nearest Metro: Sunderland
