Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom
Newcastle Christmas Lights Switch-On
One day only — 45 days to go
Newcastle starts its Christmas a week before the market opens, with the lights on Grey Street.
- Dates
- Thu 12 Nov 2026
- Opening hours
- Evening; running order to be announced
- Address
- Grey Street and Grey's Monument, Newcastle upon Tyne
Dates last checked 26 September 2026 · source · Always confirm with the organiser before travelling.
Newcastle’s Christmas season begins with the city’s annual lights switch-on on Thursday 12 November 2026, confirmed by Newcastle City Council. It comes a week before the Newcastle Christmas Market opens on 19 November, so the lights are up and on when the chalets arrive.
What happens
The switch-on is traditionally held at the top of Grey Street, around Grey’s Monument, with live music, local radio presenters and panto performers on stage in the run-up to the moment the city’s lights come on. The council and NewcastleGateshead publish the 2026 line-up and times nearer the day; we will add them here when they are confirmed.
The setting
Grey Street’s curving Georgian frontage — often called the finest street in England — makes a remarkable backdrop, and seeing it lit for the first time each year is the reason to be there on the night rather than any evening afterwards.
Getting there
Monument Metro station is directly beneath Grey’s Monument, and Newcastle Central is about ten minutes’ walk. Streets around the Monument are closed for the event and the Metro is very busy afterwards; allow extra time.
Make a week of it
Because the switch-on comes first, a visit the following week catches both the lights and the market’s opening days. Durham’s three-day Christmas Festival in early December is fifteen minutes away by train.
Switch-on crowds build well before the countdown, so arrive early if you want to see the stage, and dress for standing still outdoors after dark — see our guide to what to wear.
Worth knowing
Switch-on night falls on a Thursday, so the crowd builds as offices close. The area around the Monument fills early; if you have children with you, somewhere further down Grey Street usually gives a view of the lights without the crush at the stage.
