Newcastle Christmas Light Switch On: 12 November 2026

If you're looking for the moment Christmas properly arrives in Newcastle, the Christmas Lights Switch On is the date to put in your diary. This year it takes place on Thursday 12 November 2026. The fun gets going at 18:00 on Grey Street, around Grey's Monument, and the lights come on across the city at 19:00. Entry is free and no ticket is needed, so you can arrive at whatever time suits you, though most people will want to be there for the switch itself.

Grey Street runs from the monument down to Mosley Street, and its Georgian buildings make a handsome backdrop for the evening. From 18:00 there's live music, festive games and some panto-style fun to keep children and grown-ups busy while the crowd gathers. Hits Radio and the regional duo Steve and Karen are among the special guests, and the organisers have also mentioned festive surprises, with a visit from Santa a possibility.

The switch-on is the curtain-raiser for the Newcastle Christmas Market, which opens a week later on Thursday 19 November and runs until Wednesday 23 December. Its stalls are set up around Grey's Monument, along Grey Street, Grainger Street and Nelson Street, so the spot where the lights come on is also the heart of the market. It's a useful thing to know if you plan to come back during the following weeks.

The advice from the organisers is to arrive early to secure a good spot, especially as the crowds build up around the monument before seven o'clock. Whether you come for the music, the surprises or simply the moment the street lights up, it's a straightforward evening to fit around the rest of your week, and a friendly way to kick off the season in the city centre.