Newcastle Christmas Lights: Free Grey Street Switch-On Set for November 12, 2026

Verified November 10, 2026, at 10:52 a.m. UTC.

Newcastle upon Tyne’s free Christmas lights celebration is scheduled for Thursday, November 12, 2026. Entertainment begins at 6 p.m. at the top of Grey Street, near Grey’s Monument, and the lights are due to be switched on at 7 p.m., according to Newcastle City Council.

Both times are in Newcastle’s time zone, Greenwich Mean Time (GMT, UTC+00:00), and are therefore also 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. UTC. The council encourages visitors to arrive early to enjoy the entertainment and find a viewing spot.

Destaques

• The free event takes place on Thursday, November 12, near Grey’s Monument.
• Entertainment is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. Newcastle time, with the lights due on at 7 p.m.
• Steve and Karen will host an evening advertised to include music, games, pantomime fun and special guests.
• Arriving early gives visitors time to find a place to watch; check the council’s announcement for any changes before traveling.

Where should you go for Newcastle’s Christmas lights switch-on?

Head to the top of Grey Street, near Grey’s Monument, in Newcastle city center. That is where the council says the entertainment will begin. Grey’s Monument is the landmark to use when planning your route and meeting up with friends or family.

The council’s event announcement invites residents and visitors to come early for the program and a good viewing spot. It does not specify an arrival time, so allow enough time for your own journey and for finding your party in the city center.

If you are meeting someone, agree on a recognizable meeting point before the entertainment starts. Keep the monument and the top of Grey Street in mind as the event area, and follow any directions provided by event staff on the evening.

What time do Newcastle’s Christmas lights turn on?

The switch-on is due at 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 12, 2026, in Newcastle upon Tyne. That is 7 p.m. GMT (UTC+00:00), or 19:00 UTC. Entertainment is scheduled to begin an hour earlier, at 6 p.m. GMT (18:00 UTC).

These are scheduled times, not a report that the event has already taken place. People who want to see the full program should plan around the 6 p.m. start; those whose main goal is the countdown should leave time to reach the area before the scheduled 7 p.m. switch-on.

The United Kingdom is on GMT in November, after the seasonal clock change. Visitors checking the event from another time zone can use the UTC times above to make their own conversion.

What entertainment is planned near Grey’s Monument?

Radio hosts Steve and Karen are set to lead the celebration. The council’s announcement describes a program of live music, festive games, pantomime fun and special guests. It also mentions the possibility of a Santa appearance, although it does not confirm one.

The announcement does not give a detailed running order or name every performer. The confirmed planning points are the location, the 6 p.m. entertainment start and the intended 7 p.m. switch-on. Check the council’s notice again before setting out if a particular act or activity matters to your plans.

How much does the Newcastle Christmas lights event cost?

The council describes the switch-on as a free event. Its announcement does not set out a ticketing process, capacity, accessibility arrangements or a finishing time. Anyone who needs those details should check for further information from the organizers rather than assume arrangements from another year.

For a family visit, the one-hour gap between the entertainment start and the planned switch-on is useful when deciding when to arrive. The council recommends coming early, but visitors can choose an arrival time that suits their group and travel plans.

What other Christmas events are planned in Newcastle city center?

The council says the switch-on marks the beginning of wider seasonal celebrations, including the return of Newcastle’s Christmas Market and the Christmas Village at Old Eldon Square. Its announcement also points to other city-center activities, including North Pole Igloos near the monument.

The council’s switch-on notice does not provide dates, opening hours or prices for those attractions. Anyone hoping to combine them with the lights event should check the relevant event information separately before making plans. The council directs visitors to Newcastle’s Christmas for more information about seasonal events and activities.

What should visitors check before traveling?

Review the council’s event announcement close to November 12 for any schedule or location updates. If the published arrangements change, use the latest information from the organizers when deciding when to leave and where to meet.

It is also sensible to check your transport operator’s current service information and allow time for an evening journey into the city center. The council has not provided event-specific road closure or transport details in its switch-on announcement, so those arrangements should be verified separately.

FAQ

Is the Newcastle Christmas lights switch-on free?

Yes. Newcastle City Council describes the November 12 event as free.

Where does the entertainment start?

At the top of Grey Street, near Grey’s Monument, in Newcastle upon Tyne.

When are the lights due to be switched on?

At 7 p.m. GMT (UTC+00:00) on Thursday, November 12, 2026. Entertainment is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. GMT.