Smash burgers, spice bags and Christmas lights. Here are just a few things you can expect at Northern Lights Newcastle 2026.
With just over a month until the trail opens on Friday 20 November, organisers have revealed the North East independents appearing at this year’s Christmas Village, with plenty of reasons to arrive hungry.
Davey’s, “the home of damn good food”, makes its Northern Lights debut with smash burgers, taco sliders and thick ice cream shakes. BagHead, the latest concept from the team behind Parm-o-Rama, brings the viral spice bag, whilst Steak Freaks brings their big steaks with big flavours.
They join familiar faces from across the region’s street-food scene. Acropolis, fresh from being named Independent Retailer of the Year at Metrocentre’s Top of the Shops awards, returns with its Greek street food.
Parm-o-Rama will serve its Parmos in a Bun and Mother Clucker, with wood-fired pizzas from Truly Madly Pizza. Dessert comes courtesy of Doughvine Desserts, whose menu includes Spanish churros, funnel cakes and bubble waffles. Monument Coffee will supply hot drinks and bakes, while the village bar pours beers and warming mulled wine.
Emma St. Croix, Senior Marketing Manager at From The Fields, said:
“Choosing what to eat has become part of the night out at Northern Lights, and Davey’s and BagHead give visitors even more to get excited about this year. There’s such a strong independent food scene here in the North East. We’re proud to bring these traders together in the Christmas Village.
“We’re now just over a month away from opening. With a whole new trail to explore, food to share and a hot chocolate or mulled wine to finish, we can’t wait to welcome everyone back to Leazes Park.”
What to expect at Northern Lights Newcastle 2026
Beyond the Christmas Village, Leazes Park becomes a toy box of memories. There will be 14 brand-new installations inspired by the toys, music and traditions of Christmases past.
Wander down the Walkway of Wonder, where jewel-bright stained-glass panels glow like windows from an age-old fairytale, lighting the path beneath your feet in colour. Then follow a parade of oversized candy canes along Candy Cane Crossing, for Newcastle’s biggest peppermint dream. Keep an eye on the battalion of giant nutcrackers along the way, too. Some of them look suspiciously gnome-shaped!
Halfway round, visitors can cosy up under the festoon lights by the flickering fire pits for a spot of marshmallow toasting. Once you’re warmed up, then it’s time to dance at Disco Wonderland, with plenty lights and music! Towards the end of the trail, clusters of glowing gift boxes at A Present Surprise sit wrapped and waiting for Christmas morning.
And then there’s THAT Christmas catalogue. The one many of us flicked through with a highlighter, circling every toy on our wish lists. This year, young patients from the Great North Children’s Hospital have filled its pages with their own drawings of toys.
The route is fully accessible, with dedicated neuro-inclusive evenings when visitor numbers are reduced by 75% and audio levels are lowered throughout.
Northern Lights Newcastle returns for its fourth year from 20 November to 31 December 2026. Visitors booking by 31 October can save 20% on tickets using the code LIGHTS20.
For tickets and further information, visit northernlightsnewcastle.com
Event information
Dates: 20 November – 31 December 2026
Location: Leazes Park, Newcastle
Opening times: 4:30 pm – 8:15 pm (20–26 November) AND 4:15 pm – 8:15 pm (27 November – 31 December)
Tickets: adults from £19.50; children (3–16) from £13.50; family tickets from £60; under-2s free; plus a £1.75 booking fee.
Offer: 20% off with code LIGHTS20 until 31 October 2026
Book: northernlightsnewcastle.com