Christmas in South Tyneside 2023: Key dates for lights switch on events, parades and more

South Tyneside Council has announced its programme of activities for 2023, which will include a range of family-friendly events, festive lighting, decorations and more across the borough.

Councillor Audrey Huntley, Deputy Leader of South Tyneside Council with responsibility for Culture, Leisure and the Visitor Economy, has revealed that there will be something for everyone this festive season.

She said: “The festive season is such a wonderful time of year for families and friends to get together, celebrate and have fun and we want to bring the magic of Christmas to South Tyneside.

“We have a fantastic line up of events taking place this year, with something for all ages to enjoy as well as some fabulous lighting displays to help spread festive cheer throughout our communities.

“We look forward to welcoming both residents and visitors to enjoy everything on offer this year and would encourage people to save those important event dates in their diaries.”

The Christmas programme gets underway with a lights switch on event in the borough’s three town centres, along with smaller events in local communities.

The main lights switch on events are as follows:

• South Shields Market Square on Thursday, November 23, from 5pm until 6pm.
• Jarrow Town Hall on Friday, November 24, from 4pm until 5pm.
• Hebburn Fountains Park on Monday, November 27, from 4pm until 5pm.

Children from schools across South Tyneside will come together for the traditional Christmas Carol Concert on Monday, December 4, at 6.30pm at the Temple Park Centre.

Bands and school choirs will also be returning to town centres in the borough to help spread festive cheer as people go about their Christmas shopping.

South Tyneside Council has confirmed that the Winter Parade will also return for 2023 on Friday, December 8, starting at 5.30pm.

The parade, which is delivered in partnership with The Cultural Spring. is set to start at the top of Ocean Road, in South Shields, and move down to Harbour Drive.

It will feature local community groups, costumes, family-friendly entertainment, the Spark! Drumming Group, and more.

The event will end with a grand finale on Littlehaven Beach, which will feature pyrotechnics and fire performers.

A new interactive audio trail will also run in North Marine Park from 6pm to 7.30pm on Friday, December 8, and from 10am until 2pm on Saturday, December 9, and Sunday, December 10.

Throughout December, Santa will be taking special visits from children at his Grotto in Haven Point.

A range of festive entertainment and activities will also take place at South Tyneside’s libraries, including The Word, Hebburn Central, Jarrow Focus and Cleadon Park.

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To ensure that the borough is ready for the lights switch on events in November, South Tyneside Council staff and Balfour Beatty will be carrying out a programme of testing, repairing and installing Christmas lights across South Tyneside.

Councillor Huntley hopes that residents in the borough will take full advantage of the events that are on offer to them.

She added: “There is so much happening across South Tyneside, not just council events, but with our partners at The Customs House, Jarrow Hall, Ocean Beach Pleasure Park, South Shields Museum and many more.

“We hope that people will take advantage of the fantastic range of activities on offer.”

For the full programme of South Tyneside’s Christmas Wonderland programme of events visit: www.southtyneside.gov.uk/christmas, follow on social media at: www.facebook.com/southtynesideevents and on X (formerly Twitter): @stynesideevents.