We’ve rounded 10 of the top events.
1. Festival of Light, Sunderland
The Festival of Light returns to Sunderland this week with a new location at Mowbray Park. It will run from Thursdays to Sundays from November 21 to December 22. Part of the Christmas in Sunderland programme, the Festival of Light is back with a range of sparkling new lighting installations, live music, illuminated street theatre characters and added extras such as visits from Santa’s reindeer and craft workshops. Entry is from 4pm, with last entry at 8pm and the event closes at 9pm. Tickets are £3 per person with under 2s admitted free. You can book at the See It Do It Sunderland website. Photo: JPI Media
2. Keel Square Ice Rink, Sunderland
The open air ice rink in Keel Square, Sunderland, returns from November 21 until January 5. The prices are: Children (4 & under): £3, Children (5 – 17): £7.50, Adults (18s and over): £9 or Family ticket: £25 (2 adults & children or 1 adult & 3 children). Skating sessions run from Monday to Friday noon until 9pm and Saturday and Sundays from 10am until 9pm. Photo: JPI Media
3. Ice rink, Beamish Museum
Get your skates on for Beamish Museum's Open Air Ice Rink which will be running daily until January 5 - closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day & New Years' Day. The ice rink is at the Fairground and is decorated in a traditional Edwardian style with festoon lighting. Ice rink tickets, including skate hire, cost £4 for children and £5 for adults, for at least a 20 minute session. Special offer: For every full paying adult, one child skates free of charge. Photo: Beamish
4. The Nutcracker, Billingham Forum, November 23
The Nutcracker will be staged by the Russian State Ballet at Billingham Forum on November 23 at 7.30pm. Traditionally, Russian State Ballet and Opera House returns for their annual UK tour with a vibrant and enchanting full touring ballet production. Snow flurries, sweets, princes, magic and love are just some of the elements that will be brought together by this renowned Russian company. A highly accessible ballet, full of familiar music such as the Waltz of the Flowers and the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. The Nutcracker is an eternal seasonal favourite, directed and choreographed by the former award winning Bolshoi Ballet Soloist, Konstantin Uralsky. Photo: Russian State Ballet