A magical Christmas with Gibside

Father Christmas in his traditional red coat walking towards Gibside Chapel, with the column decorated with lights. — Father Christmas visiting Gibside | © National Trust Images/Rebecca Hughes

For Christmas 2024 we invite you to feel the spirit of Christmas at Gibside, with a traditional feast of festive celebrations.

Running on selected dates Saturday 16 November 2024 to Monday 6 January 2025. Check for more details below. Excluding Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Festive family magic

Visit Father Christmas at Gibside

Embrace time with loved ones and feel the spirit of Christmas at this immersive theatre and craft workshop experience.

While Mr. Claus tinkers away he’ll tell tales of his festive adventures before checking who’s made it onto his nice list. Children are invited to join in with the fun. Before Father Christmas says goodbye, families can take their own photographs with him. The elves will then guide the group to Father Christmas’s workshop to decorate a special Christmas keyring and card to take home.

Every weekend from Saturday 23 November to Sunday 22 December, plus Monday 23 December.
Booking essential.
Child's ticket £25, admission applies.

Book your tickets to visit Father Christmas - SOLD OUT.

Book tickets for the relaxed sessions.

Follow the stars to Father Christmas’s Stables

Follow the trail of winter stars up to Gibside Stables, where Father Christmas is keeping his reindeer. Each star has been uniquely decorated by local community groups and volunteers. Find out more about the star trail. While the reindeer are out flying for the day, sneak a peek in their stalls and listen to a magical reindeer story.

Find Father Christmas’s sleigh parked up in the Stables courtyard, almost ready for Christmas Eve. Make sure you snap a pic in his most important piece of gear before it’s filled to the brim with presents.

Every day from Saturday 16 November to Sunday 5 January.
Free, admission applies.

Wander along the woodland fairy trail

The gardeners at Gibside keep losing tools and misplacing plant pots. That can only mean one thing - the mischievous fairies are back! Help them discover clues on a journey through the woodland. Follow the activity sheet and explore secret nooks to uncover their magical winter world. Find toadstool seats for impish elves and the miniature homes of playful pixies. If you truly believe in magic, you might just capture a glimpse of the enchanted creatures hiding in the woodland.

Every day from Saturday 23 November to Monday 6 January.
Free, admission applies.

Find out more about the woodland fairy trail.

See Gibside decorated with yuletide charm

From Saturday 16 November to Sunday 5 January enjoy the twinkle of traditional decorations from Gibside Chapel up to the Stables.

Candles and green garland on a windowsill. — Handmade decorations in Gibside Chapel | © National Trust Images/Rebecca Hughes

Winter magic in Gibside Chapel

The grand pillars will be wrapped with winter foliage and sparkling lights. Inside the stone arches will be warmly glowing with flickering candles, and Georgian inspired garlands decorated with fresh foliage from the garden will be draped from pew to pew.

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Live music in Gibside Chapel

Get in the festive spirit in Gibside Chapel with live music from local musicians. Free, normal admission applies.

Sunday 1 December - Axum Folk Ensemble
Sunday 8 December - William & Julie, Acoustic Folk Duo
Sunday 15 December - The Cobweb Orchestra
Sunday 22 December - Red Kites Jazz

Find out more about music at Gibside this Christmas.

Continuing with a more traditional experience

Thank you to Raymond Gubbay, our light trail partners, for providing an illuminated Christmas trail offer from 2020 to 2022. Our light trail partnership has now ended. We have since collected feedback from hundreds of members and visitors to inspire our Christmas events and are excited to build on the more traditional experience we offered in 2023. We hope that Christmas at Gibside will bring back childhood magic and highlight the joy of spending time with loved ones.