Light trail returns in November with ticket discount available until October 23
Burgers, pizza, Greek street food and the North East speciality parmo will be adding to a varied street food menu set to cater for all tastes at a new festive treat in the city. As previously reported, Northern Lights Newcastle will be back for a third year from November with a different trail and even more attractions.
The all-new trail in Leazes Park will feature 15 dazzling light installations over a mile-long route – in a reverse direction this year – which organisers are promising will be the best yet. Its food village will be bigger too and also among the tasty treats making a debut there will be Yorkshire pudding wraps stuffed with festive trimmings.
Northern Lights has proved a huge hit with families over past winters, with each run attracting more than 95,000 visitors. This year’s November 27 to December 31 event is set for similar success with a total audience of up to 100,000 visitors expected by its organisers.
And a sneak peek of the upcoming light installations, which will have their movements choreographed to sound, reveals that they will be are in for a treat, with standout works on view set to include the likes of a glittering River of Light and a 15 metre-wide light dome show called Spiropath. Other popular attractions at Northern Lights, which transforms the park setting into a magical after-dark world of colour and sound, include its central Christmas Village, with those food outlets, bars and fairground rides.
With this being bigger too, organisers have now confirmed the range of food vendors who have joined up. They say the line-up of local favourites and street food classics make up its ‘most flavourful’ menu yet.
Alongside newcomers, a returning trader who has been there from the start will be Jamie Pagett from Redheads Mac N Cheese. He said: “Northern Lights has been such a success over the past two years, and we’re thrilled to return for a third magical Christmas.”
The trail is created by events specialist From The Fields, a family company which has worked with global icons including Calvin Harris, Snoop Dogg, Björk and Tom Jones. Its creative director Roxy Robinson says: “Food has always been a huge part of the Northern Lights Newcastle experience.
“We’re proud to showcase some of the North East’s most-loved independent traders, each bringing their own twist on festive favourites and comfort food.” She added of this year’s traders, listed below: “It’s wonderful to welcome back familiar faces loved by visitors and to introduce new vendors who’ll add even more magic to this year’s experience.”
For tickets to Northern Lights, which offers a pick of entry slots from around 4.15pm to 8.15pm, see here. Prices range from £15 to £23.95 for adults and from £5 to £16.50 for children, with free entry for under-threes, but there is currently a 15% discount offer available.
This offer, on off-peak and standard tickets, will run until midnight on October 23. The discount can be obtained before the deadline by using the code LIGHTS15.
Christmas Village street food
In addition to the food, the village will have two themed bars. There also will be mulled wine, coffee and hot chocolate while at Marshmallow Land visitors will be able to toast marshmallows over firepits.
The Street Diner – a new addition for 2025, this vendor will be serving ‘hearty Yorkshire pudding wraps with all the festive trimmings’, alongside coffee and doughnuts
The Impeccable Pig – also making a Christmas Village debut, this outlet will be serving up its ‘iconic’ barbecue pulled pork-loaded burgers
40 Ounce – the viral favourite – which, as reported, made its name from a burger van in Gateshead – will be back stacking up patties at Northern Lights for a second year
Truly Madly Pizza – also making a return will be this popular maker of fresh, wood-fired pizzas
Parm-O-Rama – what’s described as the king of the classic parmo will be back with a menu of fried chicken and loaded fries
Acropolis – a comeback for the well-known Greek street food specialist which will be capturing the best of the Mediterranean in Newcastle
Redheads Mac N Cheese – the comfort food, creamy and indulgent mac and cheese dish will be warming up autumn and winter nights
Doughvine Desserts – adding a sweetener to the menu will be this treat of a business, returning with the likes of churros, bubble waffles and crepes
Twisted Chick – the finger lickin’ chicken favourite is also listed as another Christmas Village headliner
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