Christmas at Cragside: Spirits of the Forest
This year Cragside is taking Christmas to new heights and going big! Witness the UK's Tallest Living Christmas Tree. A mammoth 42m Giant Redwood dressed in over 2000 lights. Cragside's Spirits of the Forest have cast a magical spell. Explore the enchanted House that is being reclaimed by the woodland and follow the sparkling Twilight Lantern Walk through the Debdon Valley.
UK’s Tallest Living Christmas Tree
Saturday 30 November 2024 to Sunday 5 January 2025
Open daily (except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day)
11am-3pm
When it comes to trees, Cragside is the land of the giants and we’re decorating one of them in over 2000 lights, making it the UK’s tallest living Christmas tree!
Stand at the foot of the sparkling Giant Redwood near the House. At a staggering 42 metres tall, it’s the height of 10 double-decker buses. That’s twice as tall as the Angel of the North and the same height as the Baltic. Don’t forget your cameras – it’s a not-to-be-missed sight to experience.
Spirits of the Forest: Cragside House
Saturday 30 November 2024 to Sunday 5 January 2025
Open daily (except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day)
11am-3pm
Christmas is a magical time when Cragside’s Spirits of the Forest like to cause mischief. Imagine that the Armstrongs’ servants have decked the halls and trimmed the trees for their jolly festivities, but as day becomes night, the House falls under an enchanted spell. The carefully cultivated landscape has gone wild and is reclaiming the House. Rooms are bursting with trees, woodland animals are roaming the halls, foliage is growing down the furniture and the enormous marble fireplace in the Drawing Room is being transformed into a cave by the crag.
Spirits of the Forest: Twilight Lantern Walk at Cragside
Weekends between Saturday 30 November and Sunday 15 December
Daily from Saturday 21 - Sunday 29 December (except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day)
Time slots bookable between 2.50pm and 4pm.
£11.50 adults, £6.50 children, free for children under 5
Booking essential: Book your tickets here.
Quieter session at 2.50pm: Please book here
Entry to Cragside is not included in price of the Lantern Walk ticket price.
The 2.50pm time slot is a quieter session with reduced numbers to support families and groups that require a relaxed festive experience. Please only book this time if needed.
As the sun sets, Cragside’s forest spirits come to life and cast their magic. This Christmas families can experience a twilight adventure through the enchanted Debdon Valley. Carrying a lantern, families will follow a sparkling route a long a path between glowing trees. Spot the mischievous woodland animals hiding in the foliage, and marvel at the shimmering cascades. Climb the stone steps to the Iron Bridge, where you can take family photos with the illuminated House as your spectacular backdrop. End your journey at the foot of the giant Christmas tree, lit with over 2000 lights.
Thank you to supporters
Presenting the UK’s Tallest Living Christmas Tree would not be possible without the help of supporters. Stihl and Gustharts are kindly donating portable power stations to light the tree, Lighting Legends have supplied the lights and A1 Access NE Ltd. are giving their time and the use of the MEWP to dress the tree.
You might also be interested in
Family fun at Cragside
Bring the kids to Cragside for a day of adventures. There is lots to see, do and explore, for a fun-filled day out.
Things to do outdoors at Cragside
Whether you’re looking for a peaceful stroll or a challenging hike, there is a waymarked walk for everyone at Cragside. A network of 40-miles of footpaths will take you under the canopy of towering trees, across timber bridges, between rugged rocks, along the banks of sparkling lakes and under arches of rhododendron.
Things to do in the gardens at Cragside
Explore the ultimate designer garden. With spectacular vision, William and Margaret Armstrong transformed the grounds from a bare moorside into a fantasy mountain landscape. Created for beauty and function you’ll discover towering trees, overflowing flower beds, trickling burns, dramatic water cascades and engineered lakes that were created to harness the power of water.
Christmas in the North East
Enjoy magical days out with the kids and events and activities for all the family in the North East this festive season. Discover towering trees, decorations and sparkle indoors and out, woodland fairy trails, twilight lantern walks and so much more.
Family-friendly places to visit
Find the best family-friendly places to visit and discover the fun-filled activities on offer at the places in our care.
Family-friendly places in the Lake District
Plan your next family day out in the Lake District – seek out natural play areas, scramble over rocks and spot wildlife on your way. The long summer days are a great opportunity to make the most of your membership and visit somewhere new.
‘50 things to do before you're 11¾’
Fancy running free in the fresh air, learning new skills and trying new things? Grab your gear and start your adventure.