Newcastle and Gateshead have plenty of warm and welcoming places to stay. With family rooms, central locations and plenty of thoughtful touches, these hotels make the perfect base for your weekend adventure.

Stay in the heart of it all at Motel One, where children under 12 stay free when sharing a room with parents, ideal for city explorers on a budget. Over on the Quayside, the stylish INNSiDE by Meliá offers modern comfort just a stone’s throw from the River Tyne’s top attractions.

Looking for space to stretch out? The Maldron Hotel has a variety of family room options to suit groups big and small. Delta Hotel located in Gateshead, right near the Metrocentre, has strong transport links and spacious family rooms making it a great place to stay. If your weekend calls for a little luxury, check into the Hilton Newcastle Tyne Bridge, with lovely family rooms and great views of the Tyne Bridge.

Wrap up warm and glide straight into the festivities at the outdoor ice rink at Life Science Centre, a family favourite in the city's calendar. Skate under twinkling lights with the whole family and soak up the Christmas magic. You can also enjoy many music-themed skating nights from Pyjama Skate to Toon Tunes on ice. It's a great activity for the whole family, providing skaters of all ages and abilities with the ultimate festive experience.

Treat the little ones to a day out at Metrocentre, home to more than 300 popular high street stores spread across five colourful malls. Alongside the huge range of shops, there are plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained. Enjoy a few rounds at Treetop Golf, test your nerve at Clip 'n Climb or catch the latest blockbuster at ODEON Luxe.

Get competitive at Namco Funscape, featuring ten-pin bowling, arcade games and more and at Activate one minute you could be climbing walls and the next you’re solving puzzles with your team. When it's time to refuel, you'll find plenty of fantastic restaurants for a bite to eat. It's the perfect place for a festive fun-filled family day out this season.

Christmas in Newcastle would not be the same without a visit to Fenwick’s Christmas Window which is a much-loved part of a long-standing Geordie Christmas tradition - over 50 years worth of Geordie tradition, to be precise. This year, the iconic Christmas windows celebrates Dame Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s much-loved children’s story, The Gruffalo's Child by combining imaginative storytelling, intricate craftsmanship with a whole load of Christmas magic. For generations, The Gruffalo's Child has captured the hearts of young readers with its tale of curiosity, courage and adventure. Now, Fenwick has reimagined the beloved story with a festive twist, inviting families to rediscover its magic for all to enjoy.

Newcastle Christmas Market returns this year from Thursday 19th November until Wednesday 23rd December. Wander through an extended Christmas Market full of local traders. The market will be located on Grey Street, Grainger Street, around the Monument and on Nelson Street. Find the market a nine minute walk from Newcastle Central Station, or head to the city via Metro and get off at Monument station.

Make sure to visit the Christmas Village at Old Eldon Square, now featuring Marshmallow Land, Festive Flix, The Ferris wheel and so much more. The little ones can enjoy Santa Stories, live shows on the Rockin’ Reindeer stage, and plenty of festive fun for the whole family. Whether you're shopping for Christmas gifts or simply soaking in the festive atmosphere, visiting Newcastle’s Christmas Market and Christmas Village is the perfect way to embrace the holiday spirit.

Over in Gateshead, The Glasshouse has an extensive family-friendly Christmas programme with a fantastic line up of festive performances and events. Watch Home Alone in concert as Royal Northern Sinfonia bring the festive film to life from 5th-6th December. Expect lots of sleigh bells, twinkly tunes, festive pop hits like Jingle Bell Rock. Royal Northern Sinfonia are also set to bring The Snowman to life on the big screen from 23rd-24th December with a breath-taking live orchestral performance. The festive fun begins with story time featuring We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen, before you sit back and enjoy the timeless tale of The Snowman.

Slightly further afield in County Durham, step into a festive journey through time at Beamish Museum. Immerse yourself in the magic of Christmas from the Georgian era all the way to the fabulous 1950s. Little ones can tuck into breakfast with Santa, explore Christmas past at special daytime and evening events and grab the popcorn for cinema screenings of festive favourites. From twinkling decorations to delicious seasonal treats, nostalgic music and plenty of hands-on activities, there’s something for the whole family to enjoy - the traditional way.

As the clock ticks closer to midnight on December 31st, the city will come alive with fantastic events and celebrations to help you ring in the new year. A free family-friendly firework display will take place at 6pm, perfect for those celebrating early. Then from 8:30pm, get ready to be dazzled at HowayManay - a ticket-only celebration that will transform the Quayside into a party village filled with plenty of live music, brilliant roaming performers, festive food stalls and a spectacular firework finale to welcome in 2027.