Christmas in Morpeth 2026

Christmas in Morpeth is a market-town affair. There is no ice rink or month-long chalet village, but there is a proper civic switch-on, a farmers' market under the Clock Tower, an independent department store that still does a Christmas window reveal, and a riverside park for walking off the mince pies. This guide covers what happens every year, and what we know so far about 2026.

The Christmas lights switch-on, Saturday 14 November

The Morpeth Christmas Light Switch-On is the start of the season, and Morpeth Town Council has confirmed it for Saturday 14 November 2026, from 12pm on Bridge Street.

According to the Town Council's announcement, the afternoon includes funfair rides, face painting, photos in a snow globe and a visit from Santa. The stage line-up is hosted by BBC Newcastle's Matt Bailey, with local school choirs and dancers, Rock Choir, The Overthinkers and the Ellington Colliery Brass Band.

At 3pm, Rutherford & Co reveals its Christmas window, and at 5pm Santa and the Mayor switch on the lights. The council has also run an elf door design competition for young artists in the run-up, and its Elf Door Trail runs around the town centre until 18 December, with more details to follow.

It draws a big crowd, so arrive early if you want a spot near the stage, and expect Bridge Street to be busy from mid-afternoon.

Best for:

Best for: a free family afternoon in the town centre, with the lights going on at teatime.

Christmas markets

Our separate guide to Christmas markets in Morpeth has the full detail. In short, the Morpeth Farmers' Market holds its December market in the Market Place on Saturday 5 December, from 9am to 3pm. The same weekend, the Forage Christmas Market runs at Rigg & Furrow near Acklington, and Newcastle's Christmas Market is a short train ride away. The traditional Wednesday market also carries on through December.

For the rest of the shopping, Sanderson Arcade keeps everything under one roof, opening 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 4.30pm on Sundays. The arcade has hosted festive late-night openings and visits from Santa's reindeer in previous Decembers, but had not announced its 2026 plans when we wrote this.

Meeting Santa

The biggest Santa experience near Morpeth is at Whitehouse Farm Centre near Stannington. Santa's Enchanted Elf Journey opens on 21 November and runs on selected dates through December up to Christmas Eve. Children get an elf passport, then a tractor ride to the Enchanted Woodland to meet Santa and his reindeer, and families can stay on at the farm afterwards. Child tickets are £49.95, and booking ahead is essential.

Dobbies Garden Centre at Heighley Gate has run a Santa's grotto in previous years. Dobbies' 2026 grottos elsewhere in the North East run from 22 November, but the Morpeth store's dates were not listed when we checked, so look at the Dobbies events page before booking.

Santa also makes an appearance at the switch-on on 14 November, which is the free option.

Carol services and Christmas worship

The three churches of the Anglican Parish of Morpeth, St Mary the Virgin on Kirkhill, St James the Great off the Market Place and St Aidan's in Stobhill, have traditionally held carol services, family carol services and Christmas Eve services, including a midnight service. The 2026 times had not been published at the start of November. They usually appear on the parish's A Church Near You pages in December. Our guide to churches in Morpeth lists the town's other congregations.

Pantomime

Morpeth Pantomime Society stages its show in late January rather than December. Its last three productions, Dick Whittington, Aladdin and Mother Goose, were all at King Edward VI School, the most recent on 24 January 2026, according to NODA. The 2027 title had not been announced when we wrote this.

Festive walks and family days out

Carlisle Park is the obvious place for a winter walk, with riverside paths along the Wansbeck, the short, steep climb up Ha' Hill for views over the town, and the medieval castle gatehouse nearby. It is free and open all year. The Pavilion Tipi in the park has returned for a festive winter season in previous years, so check its social pages for 2026 opening. Our Carlisle Park guide and best walks from Morpeth have routes.

On a wet day, the Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum on Bridge Street is free and makes a good half-hour in town. Further afield, the National Trust's Christmas at Cragside starts on 28 November.

Boxing Day and New Year

Morpeth's best-known New Year tradition is the Morpeth Harriers New Year's Day road race, an 11km race that has started at 1pm from Morpeth Rugby Club on Mitford Road. It has been described as the natural successor to the old Morpeth to Newcastle race. Check with the Harriers that it is going ahead before New Year's Day 2027.

Morpeth Town AFC plays in the Northern Premier League, which schedules fixtures over the festive period, so check the club's fixture list for a Boxing Day or New Year's Day game at Craik Park.

Parking and getting into town

Morpeth's council car parks are free with time limits. Stanley Terrace, behind Sanderson Arcade, allows three hours with a free parking disc, and Staithes Lane is the long-stay option. Our guide to where to park in Morpeth has the full list. On switch-on day the event takes over Bridge Street, so allow extra time and consider Staithes Lane or Gas House Lane.

If you would rather leave the car, Morpeth station has regular trains to and from Newcastle, which take around 15 to 20 minutes.

Know of a Morpeth Christmas event we have missed? Get in touch and we will add it.