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A magical Christmas with Gibside
Experience the timeless magic of Christmas with festive traditions that bring loved ones together.
Celebrations for everyone
This season, discover a dazzling selection of Christmas thoughtfully curated to charm and captivate every visitor. Step into a wintry landscape where twinkling lights, woodland creatures and playful encounters with Father Christmas await, from November 2025 through January 2026.
Father Christmas at Gibside
Storytelling with Father Christmas
Create a magical memory for your child with an interactive storytelling experience this Christmas. Father Christmas and his elf friend, Happy Holly Berry are putting the ho ho ho into the festive season, getting ready for Christmas with their woodland friends; polishing the mistletoe, putting sparkle into the cobwebs, and frosting the moss. Gather close and listen to Father Christmas share a heart-warming tale filled with merry cheer and North Pole magic.
As part of the magical experience, Father Christmas welcomes children to share in the storytelling fun and before he returns to his workshop in the North Pole, he presents each child with a small keepsake gift. There will also be time for families to capture a heartwarming photo together.
Select dates in December, tickets limited. Now sold out.
Post your wishes to the jolly fella' in red
Little ones can pen their Christmas wishes and pop them into Father Christmas’ very own post box until Tuesday 23 December. With his reindeer busy training nearby, he’s often spotted checking for letters and making sure every message reaches the North Pole in time.
Step into the Saint Nick's office
Father Christmas has parked his sleigh and come to work in his holiday hideaway at Gibside. Peek into his cosy office tucked inside the old tack room at Gibside Stables. Among maps and festive trinkets, you’ll spot his reindeer flight training plan, the official Nice and Naughty lists, and maybe even a few secrets from the North Pole.
See the festive reindeer stalls
Dasher, Dancer, Comet and Blitzen are soaring through the skies on festive flight training, preparing for their big night under the stars, but witness their stalls decked in garlands and bunting, awaiting for the reindeer to return for for a well-earned rest.
Father Christmas greeting children by the festively decorated pillars of Gibside Chapel | © National Trust Images/Rebecca Hughes 
Search for signs of fairies along the trail | © National Trust Images/James Dobson
Enchanted trails and walks
Wander along the woodland fairy trail
Speak softly and keep your eyes wide, as magic stirs deep in the woodlands. Where the frost clings to fern and holly, whispers of fairy life can be heard beneath the trees and a shimmer of wings can be caught in the morning dew. Tiny homes nestled in tree roots and tucked behind toadstools await your discovery: a lighthouse glows for wandering sprites, a ski chalet nestles among pinecones, and Glastonfairy hums with music and mischief. The fairy folk are near...
- Find signs of fairies along the Explorer Trail route
- Every day from Saturday 22 November to Sunday 18 January.
- Free, admission applies.
Gibside Woodland Fairy Trail has been lovingly crafted by Gibside volunteers.
Follow the path of enchanted woodland animals
Discover a gathering of willow creatures, enchanted in nature by virtue of their grand stature. Meet the regal stag with antlers like branches, a cheerful robin and clever fox, the wise badger and shy little mouse with down-turned paws, and a hedgehog wrapped in a coat of prickles.
- Follow the Valley Views trail along the Avenue and towards the Stables
- Every day from Saturday 22 November to Sunday 4 January.
- Free, admission applies.
Each woodland critter is created by local community groups and volunteers, woven with wonder and waiting to be found.
Discover the wild beauty of winter
Enjoy the hush between Christmas and New Year by stepping into a quieter kind of Christmas with Gibside’s most scenic walk; the Wonders of Nature trail. Follow winding paths through woodland and riverside, where footprints in the mud hint at roe deer passing through, and tufts of pale fur catch on brambles like forgotten tinsel. In winter the Derwent Valley opens up once autumn leaves have fallen, and signs of life hidden under frosty branches reveal themselves, like scarlet berries, mistletoe and a rainbow of fungi carpeting the woodland floor.
Live music
This Christmas, Gibside's historic Chapel comes alive with toe-tapping tunes, soaring symphonies, and festive folk that’ll have you humming all the way home. Celebrate with music that lifts the spirit, at a concert filled with seasonal sparkle.
- Ditch the carols and dive into rhythmic folk with Axum Folk Ensemble. Eight musicians, bold arrangements, and serious groove, Sunday 30 November
- Willaim & Julie: Accoustic duo are inspired by sound from Irish reels and North East traditions. Fiddle, flute, bajooki, guitar, and more, Saturday 13 December
- Swing into Christmas with music from Red Kites Jazz - festive jazz, smooth vocals, and toe-tapping tunes, Saturday 20 December
- Join The Cobweb Orchestra as they fill the air with enchanting classical symphonies. With up to forty members, expect a rich tapestry of orchestral sound that evoke nostalgia and joy, Sunday 14 December
Find more details here. Free, normal admission applies
Seasonal workshops
Christmas wreath-making and flower arranging workshops
Using fragrant pine, holly, berries, and other seasonal treasures, you’ll craft a beautiful floral displays to adorn your home this Christmas. Guided by expert hands, Debbie will teach you a new skill while you soak up the Christmas spirit and add a personal touch to your celebrations.
- Luxury wreath making, Sunday 30 November, 11am - 2pm, £55 per person (admission included)
- Christmas garlands, Saturday 13 December, 11am - 1pm, £55 per person (admission included)
- Table decor, Monday 22 & Tuesday 23 December, 11am - 1pm, £55 per person (admission included)
Book your floristry workshop here.
Christmas crafts for children
Roll up your sleeves and get sticky fingers with your little elves. Gather pinecones and twigs to craft winter magic straight from the forest floor, turning nature’s treasures into festive momentos you can display year after year.
Details coming soon.
The star on top of the tree...
Twinkling decorations
See Gibside decorated with yuletide charm from Saturday 22 November to Sunday 4 January. Enjoy the twinkle of traditional decorations, from Georgian garlands in the chapel to festive trees dotted across the estate. Snap a seasonal selfie at one of our playful ‘elfie stations’ and soak up the joyful details woven into every corner.
Wish upon a star
Visitors are invited to wish upon a Christmas star at Gibside Chapel. Scribe your Christmas wish on a gift tag and share your wish, then take a moment of reflection and listen to classical music echo from the Palladian ceiling while gazing at the celestial illumination.
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Winter tipples to toast the season
It's time to treat yourself. Step into the season with comforting sips, steamy mugs and sweet delights, from spiced seasonal warmers, decadent hot chocolates and sugary bites like the ever-loved, special, National Trust scone. The fires will be alight, warming the café so it's brimming with cosy indulgence to lift your spirits and warm your hands for Christmas.
Discover more from the cafe and Pizza Pit at Gibside.
Second-hand Bookshops
Step into Gibside’s bookshops for a cosy Christmas browse. Market Place will be decked in twinkling lights and recycled book-page decorations, while Renwick’s offers a nature-inspired festive feel. With shelves full of hidden gems and heartwarming reads, it’s the perfect spot to find a thoughtful gift or just something to curl up with by the fire.
Past Christmas events
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.
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Things to see and do at Gibside
Discover nature and historic ruins set in a Georgian landscape garden while you explore miles of peaceful walking trails. Or dive into seasonal events that celebrate history, health, wildlife, and gardening.
Eating at Gibside
There’s something for everyone at Gibside’s cafés, including freshly made sandwiches, wood-fired pizzas, kids' lunchboxes and, of course, really good coffee.
History of Gibside
The wealthiest heiress in Georgian times, horseback abductions, divorces and illegitimate children are just a part of Gibside’s incredible story.
Visiting Gibside with your dog
Gibside is a three pawprint rated place. There are 15 miles of paths for you and your dog to explore, lots of facilities and they’re even welcome inside the coffee shop.
Educational visits to Gibside
Gibside is the perfect place to bring a group of young people from schools, universities, Brownies and Scouts. Spark their creativity, build confidence, develop problem solving skills and enjoy nature.
Volunteering at Gibside
Interested in volunteering at Gibside? Here's all you need to know about helping us care for this special place, and how to apply if you'd like to get involved.
