Moment 1 of 6Arrive
Step Into Christmas
The moment you walk in, you’re welcomed by our festive characters and swept straight into the magic. Christmas starts here.
Freight Island · Newcastle · Daytime Family Experience
The Magic of Christmas is coming to Newcastle
A 90‑minute festive adventure for the whole family, with ten storybook stops and a visit to Santa’s Lodge. This December in Newcastle — tickets are on sale now.
- Immersive experience
- 90-minute adventure
- Limited slots available
Tickets on sale now
Selected dates 5 – 24 Dec
Timed entry · limited spaces per slot
Tickets are on sale now
Choose your date and 15‑minute arrival slot, then step into Santa’s Workshop Village.
Get your tickets
Every guest needs their own ticket, priced by age. Book on Skiddle and show your ticket on your phone — no printing needed.
- Weekend£14.50 adult · £29 child
- Peak Week£17.50 adult · £32 child
- Christmas Eve£25.50 adult · £40 child
Opens Skiddle in a new tab. Limited spaces in every 15-minute slot.
Looking for Manchester? Manchester tickets are on sale now →
Why Book Now?
Three reasons to book your slot early
Timed 15-minute arrival slots
Pick the arrival time that suits your family and walk straight in — no queuing in the cold, just pure Christmas cheer.
Limited spaces in every slot
Each 15‑minute arrival slot has a limited number of spaces, so the most popular times can go quickly.
Selected dates only
Newcastle runs a reduced programme on selected dates between 5 and 24 December, so there are fewer days to choose from.
The Experience
By day, step into the Christmas Village
Gather the family and wander through a beautifully decked-out Christmas Village at Freight Island, where every corner has been dressed to sprinkle a little extra sparkle into your festive season. The star of the show? A visit to Santa himself, tucked away in his very own lodge.
Your visit runs on easy 15-minute arrival slots across a 90-minute adventure, so there’s no queuing in the cold — just pure Christmas cheer from the moment you walk in.
90-minute visit 5 – 24 Dec 2026 15-minute arrival slots Family-friendly, all ages
What’s Inside · The 10 Stops
Ten stops on the way to Santa’s Lodge
Ten places to visit, in order — follow the signposts from the gate to the grotto.
Stop01Elf PassportCollect a stamp at every stop along the way. Every child gets their own passport at the gate, so there's a little goal to complete — and a keepsake to take home — by the time you reach Santa's Lodge.
Stop02North Pole Post OfficePost a letter straight to Santa himself. Sit down and write out your Christmas wish on a proper North Pole postcard, then pop it in the letterbox — it's on its way before you've even reached the Workshop.
Stop03The Little Elves' WorkshopHands-on making and building, elf-style. Roll up your sleeves for a proper crafting break in the middle of the Village, trying your hand at the kind of toy-making Santa's elves do all year round.
Stop04Mrs Claus' Gingerbread KitchenDecorate your own gingerbread treat. Step into Mrs Claus' cosy kitchen and ice your own gingerbread biscuit with sprinkles and all the trimmings — as much fun to make as it is to eat.
Stop05Kindness CornerA quiet, festive moment of giving. A calmer corner of the Village built around the true spirit of Christmas — a gentle pause to think about giving and gratitude before the magic picks back up.
Stop06The Wishing TreeHang your Christmas wish among the lights. Write down a wish of your own and hang it among the fairy lights of our Wishing Tree, joining hundreds of other twinkling wishes from families just like yours.
Stop07Elf Content StudioA festive photo moment, ready to share. Strike a pose in our festively dressed photo studio, built for that one perfect family picture to share on social media or keep as a memory of the day.
Stop08The StageSongs, dancing and the Christmas finale. Gather round as our cast of characters bring the Village to life with music and dancing, building towards the big finale as the Christmas tree lights up overhead.
Stop09Light-Up Christmas BellRing it in for a little extra magic. Give our giant light-up Christmas Bell a ring on your way past for one last festive flourish, right before you arrive at Santa's Lodge.
Stop10Santa's LodgeThe grotto — your moment with Santa. This is what it's all been leading to: a warm, personal visit with Santa himself inside his very own Lodge, rounding off your journey through the Village.
Your Festive Journey · The 6 Moments
From the gate to the grotto, and back for more
Six moments, one visit — swipe through what a trip to The Magic of Christmas actually feels like.
The six moments describe how your visit unfolds from start to finish. They’re not extra stops — the ten stops above are the places you’ll visit along the way.
Moment 2 of 6Discover
Santa’s Workshop Village
Wander through spaces built for wonder. As you explore, you’ll feel yourselves drawing closer and closer to Santa.
Moment 3 of 6Create
Become Part of the Story
Make, bake, write, wish and give. Alongside the elves, your children create memories (and a little Christmas magic of their own) along the way.
Moment 4 of 6Celebrate
The Christmas Finale
The elves bring everyone together for music and a Christmas dance, all building to one collective moment as the tree lights up.
Moment 5 of 6Believe
Meet Santa
This is what it’s all been leading to — a warm, personal moment with Santa, just for you.
Moment 6 of 6Continue
Christmas at Freight Island
The magic doesn’t stop there. Stay on, reunite, eat, drink, and soak up the festive spirit of Freight Island together.
When To Visit
Dates & tickets — Newcastle
Every guest needs their own ticket, priced by age. Tickets are on sale now on Skiddle.
Weekend dates
Tickets
£14.50Adult
£29Child
Every guest, adult or child, needs their own ticket. Sat 5 & Sun 6 Dec, Sat 12 & Sun 13 Dec
Buy Tickets
Peak week
Tickets
£17.50Adult
£32Child
Every guest, adult or child, needs their own ticket. Fri 18 – Wed 23 December
Buy Tickets
Christmas Eve
Tickets
£25.50Adult
£40Child
Every guest, adult or child, needs their own ticket. Thu 24 December only
Buy Tickets
December
5 Sat6 Sun
12 Sat13 Sun
18 Fri19 Sat20 Sun
21 Mon22 Tue23 Wed
24 Thu — Christmas Eve
Timed entry, limited spaces. Every visit runs on a 15‑minute arrival slot with limited spaces in each one. Book early to get the slot you want.
Buy TicketsReduced programme: Newcastle runs on selected dates between 5 and 24 December.
Venue & Travel
Freight Island Newcastle
Find us
Freight Island Newcastle
54 Newgate St
Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 5RQ
Opening hours: 9am–6pm on event days. Last sold session 4:30pm.
Getting there & access
- Parking & travel: details to follow.
- Accessibility: Freight Island is wheelchair accessible, with accessible toilets on site.
- Prams & strollers are welcome, though baby carriers are recommended in some narrower areas.
Good To Know
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about The Magic of Christmas at Freight Island Newcastle.
What is The Magic of Christmas?
The Magic of Christmas is a daytime festive experience at Freight Island — a family adventure through Santa’s Workshop Village, built around six magical moments: Arrive, Discover, Create, Celebrate, Believe and Continue. It’s coming to Newcastle this Christmas.
Where can I buy tickets?
Tickets are on sale now on Skiddle. Buy tickets →
What dates is it running in Newcastle?
Newcastle runs a reduced programme: Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December, Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 December, every day during Peak Week (Friday 18 to Wednesday 23 December), and Christmas Eve, Thursday 24 December.
The venue is open 9am–6pm on event days, with the last sold session at 4:30pm. Each visit starts with a 15-minute arrival slot and lasts around 90 minutes.
Sessions from 9:00am to 9:45am are SEN sessions.
How much are tickets?
Every guest needs their own ticket, priced by age. Weekend dates are £14.50 for an adult and £29 for a child, Peak Week (18–23 December) is £17.50 adult / £32 child, and Christmas Eve is £25.50 adult / £40 child.
Does every guest need a ticket, and how many children can each adult bring?
Yes — every guest needs their own ticket, priced by age. Each adult needs an adult ticket and each child needs a child ticket. One adult ticket does not cover any children.
Each booking can include a maximum of 3 children per accompanying adult.
Do babies and infants need a ticket?
Yes — everyone coming to The Magic of Christmas needs a ticket, including babies and infants.
Where is it, and how do I get there?
Freight Island Newcastle is at 54 Newgate St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 5RQ. Open in Google Maps.
Parking and travel details will follow.
Do I need to print my ticket?
No — just show your ticket’s QR code on your phone.
Is The Magic of Christmas suitable for children?
Absolutely — it’s designed as a family experience from the ground up, with interactive workshop zones, a grotto, and play spaces built for little adventurers.
What can I expect inside The Magic of Christmas?
Wander through Santa’s Workshop Village and its ten themed stops, visit the grotto, and take in twinkling lights and festive detail at every turn.
Are food and drinks available?
Yes — expect hot chocolate, mulled wine and festive treats from Freight Island’s on-site vendors.
What should I wear?
The Magic of Christmas is an indoor-outdoor experience, so wrap up warm and wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking.
What happens in bad weather?
The event will go ahead in most weather conditions. Some areas are covered, but we recommend bringing a raincoat or umbrella.
Is The Magic of Christmas accessible for wheelchair users and those with mobility needs?
Yes — the event is held at Freight Island, which is wheelchair accessible.
Do you offer Complimentary Companion Tickets?
Yes, available on request by emailing accessibility@freightisland.com with proof of ticket purchase and qualifying accessibility documentation.
Is there a quieter session for SEN families?
Yes — sessions from 9:00am to 9:45am are SEN sessions, with arrival slots at 9:00, 9:15, 9:30 and 9:45am. These are also the quieter options if loud sounds or lighting effects might be a worry.
Are accessible toilets available?
Yes — accessible toilet facilities are available on-site within Freight Island.
Can I change or refund my ticket?
Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.
What items are prohibited and permissible inside the experience?
Permitted: mobility aids and smartphones.
Prohibited: paints, weapons, outside food or beverages, bikes, professional photo equipment, and tripods.
Is photography allowed?
Of course — we encourage you to capture the magic. Professional photography and video recording are strictly prohibited without prior written consent.
Can dogs attend?
Dogs are welcome throughout The Magic of Christmas but must be kept on a lead.
Are strollers and prams allowed?
Yes, prams and strollers are welcome, though we recommend baby carriers in some narrower areas of the Workshop Village.
Are there loud sounds and lighting effects?
Sensory note: this experience may include some loud sounds and strobe lighting.
Can I buy tickets for Manchester now?
Yes — The Magic of Christmas at Freight Island, Manchester is on sale now. Buy Manchester tickets →
Ready for the magic?
Pick your date and arrival slot on Skiddle.
Looking for Manchester? Manchester tickets are on sale now →