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Autism-friendly Christmas events guide for the North East
From calm, quiet grottos to relaxed pantomime performances, more and more venues are creating autism-friendly experiences so autistic individuals and their families can fully enjoy the magic of Christmas.
By adjusting lighting and sound, welcoming smaller groups, keeping queues short, and allowing families to move freely and make noise, these venues are helping autistic individuals feel safe, included, and able to join in the festive fun with confidence.
The autism-friendly sessions have been welcomed by the North East Autism Society. Rebecca Weatherstone, Deputy Manager of Family Development Services and Early Years Lead, says: “The festive season should be a time when every family feels welcomed, valued, and able to enjoy the magic of Christmas together
"It's heartening to see so many organisations making their events inclusive, ensuring that everyone can take part and share in these special experiences."
“Families have shared how much this matters to them, explaining that being in spaces where understanding and acceptance come naturally helps them feel at ease and confident in joining community celebrations.”
We have compiled a round-up of autism-friendly sessions – often called “relaxed”, “SEND” or “quiet” sessions – of Christmas events in the region.
Santa’s Grottos
Want to see Santa but can’t face the crowds? Here are the North East’s quiet Santa grottos where lighting and music may be adjusted and groups are smaller.
The Discovery Museum – A Canny Christmas Grotto
🗓️ 7th December
⏰ 2pm – 5.30pm | 30 minute slots
💷 £18.99 per person | Carer goes free
🎟️ Book here
Lanchester Garden Centre – Santa’s Adapted Enchanted Garden Grotto
🗓️ 5th December
⏰ 11am – 2.30pm | 30 minute slots
💷 £17.95 per child (includes two free adult admissions) | £3 per additional adult
🎟️ Book here
Dobbies Garden Centre Birtley – Quiet Grotto
🗓️ 5th December
⏰ 2.30pm – 5.30pm | 10 minute slots
💷 £14 per child
🎟️ Book here
Metrocentre – Santa’s Elf Academy – SEND sessions
🗓️ 29th November | 5th December | 11th December
⏰ 3.30pm – 3.50pm | Staggered 30 minute slots
💷 £10 per child | £5 per adult
🎟️ Book here
Dalton Park – Santa’s Grotto
🗓️ Every Saturday from 8th November
⏰ Between 10am – 10.30am
💷 £6 per child
🎟️ First come, first served. To book, contact Guest Services on 0191 526 6500 or email here
Belsay Hall – Father Christmas
🗓️ 6th December | 14th December
⏰ 10.20am | 3pm
💷 £9.50 per child (does not include admission to Belsay Hall)
🎟️ Book here
Santa’s Grotto Bus
🗓️ 5-7th | 12-14th December
⏰ All day
💷 Free
🎟️ More info here
Relaxed Performances
These performances are less formal than standard showings, with audiences free to come and go and make a noise. House lights are normally left on low, and loud noises and explosions are either taken out or reduced.
Tyne Theatre – Cinderella
🗓️ 3rd January
⏰ 11am
💷 £34.50 – £40.50
🎟️ Book here
Theatre Royal – Aladdin
🗓️ 7th December
⏰ 12pm
💷 From £37
🎟️ Book here
Sunderland Empire – Sleeping Beauty
🗓️ 2nd January
⏰ 5pm
💷 From £15
🎟️ Book here
Whitley Bay Playhouse – Beauty and the Beast
🗓️ 3rd January
⏰ 1pm
💷 From £26.95
🎟️ Book here
Northern Stage – The Night Before Chrismouse
🗓️ 22nd November – 3rd January
⏰ 10.30am | 12.30pm | 3pm
💷 From £11
🎟️ Book here
Customs House – South Shields – Goldilocks and the Three Bears
🗓️ 28th December
⏰ 10.30am
💷 From £13
🎟️ Book here
Queen’s Hall – Hexham – The Great Big Christmas Wrapping Disaster
🗓️ 6th – 31st December
⏰ Multiple showings
💷 From £9.50
🎟️ Book here
Gala Durham – Jack and the Beanstalk
🗓️ 5th December | 16th December
⏰ 1.30pm | 6.30pm
💷 From £10
🎟️ Book here
Darlington Hippodrome – Goldilocks and the Three Bears
🗓️ 17th December | 26th December
⏰ 12pm | 5.30pm
💷 From £23.50
🎟️ Book here
Seaham Town Hall – Sleeping Beauty
🗓️ 20th December
⏰ 12.30pm
💷 From £8.93
🎟️ Book here
Billingham Forum – Peter Pan
🗓️ 9th December
⏰ 6.30pm
💷 From £23
🎟️ Book here
Relaxed Events
Relaxed Christmas events offer a calmer, more accessible festive experience, with sensory-friendly adjustments like lower lighting and reduced noise to help autistic individuals and their families enjoy the magic of the season comfortably.
Hancock Museum – The Great Dinosaur Show
🗓️ 20-23rd | 27-31st December
⏰ 3pm
💷 £12.99 per person
🎟️ Book here
Woodhorn Museum – Festive Tales
🗓️ 6-7th | 13-14th | 20-24th December
⏰ 3pm
💷 From £9
🎟️ Book here
Centre for Life – Ice Skating
🗓️ 16th November | 7th December | 4th January
⏰ 10am
💷 From £12
🎟️ Book here
Gosforth Civic Theatre – Storytime with Santa
🗓️ 12th | 20th December
⏰ 4.45pm | 11.30am
💷 £15 per child
🎟️ Book here
Kielder – Winter Wonderland
🗓️ 15th November
⏰ Multiple sessions
💷 £38.50
🎟️ Book here
Centre for Life – Santa Experience
🗓️ 23rd November | 30th November | 7th December
⏰ 10.15am | 5pm | 11.45am
💷 £26
🎟️ Book here
South Shields Museum – Once Upon a Christmas
🗓️ 6th December
⏰ 11.15am
💷 £12
🎟️ Book here
Auckland Palace – AGLOW
🗓️ 27th November | 4th December | 11th December
⏰ 4.30pm | 5pm
💷 From £13.50 per child
🎟️ Book here
Wallington – Father Christmas Experience
🗓️ 14th December
⏰ 10am
💷 £30
🎟️ Book here
Cherry Hill Garden Centre – SEN Christmas Events
✍️ Register your interest here
Eldon Square – Elf School
🗓️ 29th-30th November | 6th-7th December | 13th-14th December
⏰ 9.30am on Saturday | 11am on Sunday
💷 £5.04
🎟️ Book here
Northern Lights – Newcastle
🗓️ 3rd December | 10th December
⏰ Multiple sessions
💷 £15.50
🎟️ Book here
Beamish Hall – Forest of Light
🗓️ 28th November | 7th December | 16th December
⏰ 7pm | 7.15pm | 7.30pm | 7.45pm | 8pm
💷 £24
🎟️ Book here
The Sensory Place – Various Events
✍️ Book here
NAPI – SEND Events
ℹ️ Free Christmas activities for children and young people aged 3-16 with SEND or additional needs that live within, or attend, a school within the Newcastle City Council area
✍️ Register your interest here
Little SENDsations – Various Events
✍️ Book here
Festive TimbaTime
🗓️ 6th, 7th, 13th 20th December
⏰ Multiple slots
💷 Free
🎟️ Book here
Toby’s Festive Family Fun
🗓️ 30th November
⏰ 12pm
💷 £15
🎟️ Book here
Quiet Shopping Hours
Shops and malls have worked on becoming more accessible all year round, and many have quieter hours where tannoy announcements are stopped, music lowered or switched off, and till beeps muted.
Eldon Square – Newcastle
🗓️ Every Tuesday and Saturday
⏰ 10am-11am | 9am-10am
🎒 Sensory backpacks available | £20 refundable deposit
ℹ️ More info
Metrocentre – Gateshead
🗓️ Every Tuesday and Saturday
⏰ 4pm-6pm | 9am-10am
🎒 Sensory backpacks available
ℹ️ More info
Bridges – Sunderland
🗓️ Every Sunday
⏰ 11am-12pm
🎒 Sensory backpacks available | £10 refundable deposit
ℹ️ More info
Dalton Park – County Durham
🗓️ Every Tuesday and Saturday
⏰ 1oam-12pm | 9.30am-10.30am
🎒 Sensory backpacks available | £20 refundable deposit
ℹ️ More info
Darlington town centre
🗓️ Every Sunday
⏰ 10.30am-11.30am
Hillstreet Shopping Centre – Middlesbrough
🗓️ Every Sunday
⏰ 10.30am-12pm
Tesco
🗓️ Every Wednesday and Saturday
⏰ 9am-10am
ℹ️ More info
Asda
🗓️ Monday-Thursday
⏰ 2pm-3pm
ℹ️ More info
Morrisons
🗓️ Monday-Friday | Saturday | Sunday
⏰ 2pm-3pm | 9am-10am | First hour of trading
Lidl
🗓️ Tuesday
⏰ 6pm-8pm
Please note that all events listed are subject to availability and may sell out. For any questions, queries, or feedback regarding specific events, we encourage you to contact the organisers directly.
If we’ve missed an event or you’d like to share details about an upcoming one, please get in touch with us via Facebook or Instagram.
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