Little Light Lantern Walk at
Newgate Centre
Discover our family memory making event, that is 100% FREE to take part in.
This year, come to Newgate Centre and join in a family "Little Light" lantern walk, designed specifically for little legs and family moments.
( Limited slots available – book now to avoid disappointment! )
When & Where
Saturday 13th December
3.30pm - Leaving the Centre at 3.40pm
Arriving at St Anne's Church in Bishop Auckland Marketplace for their 4pm special Christmas family service.
Join us as we gather for a little walk from the centre, down Fore Bondgate and into the church as we walk with our lanterns and carol with local businesses along the way.
Free Lantern Making Crafts
Make Lanterns In Newgate Centre Saturday 13th December from 10am - 3pm
If you are taking part in the Little Light Lantern Walk, you can either bring your own home-made flameless lantern, bring a store bought one to decorate in the centre or join us on the 13th December in the Newgate Centre to make your own "little light" lantern.
With shapes, templates and stick and glue options available, we will be making our little lanterns all day in the centre.
Places for the Little Light Lantern Walk are limited, but the option to come and make your own lantern is available for all those taking part.
Simply turn up, have your tickets on hand and one of our Elves will scan you in and help you get started.
And while you are with us
Come Post A Letter To Santa
Encourage your little one to post their letter to Santa in the centre at our North Pole Delivery Service approved postbox, located next to our Elf Service Kiosk, just next to the giving tree.
While Santa can't reply to every letter, if you wish to receive a reply then ask our Elves to book you a reply for £3.50.
Your child will then see their letter get the official delivery service stamp and our Elves will ask you to confirm the address for the reply which will be delivered before Christmas.
Note - this reply is not as detailed as those booked with your Santa Tickets as an add-on. They are two different types of letter.
FAQ
How much does it cost?
✅ This is a 100% FREE Event, you just need a ticket to take part.
What happens when we get to St Anne's Church?
The church is hosting a special family Christmas service for those taking part in the walk. The service is due to start around 4pm.
Can babies and toddlers take part?
Absolutely, but we cannot give them a lantern for health and safety. Parents are welcome to bring a lightup toy from home instead that is age appropriate.
Are babies and toddlers welcome during the service?
YES, the church are incredibly family friendly and welcome everyone to the service.
Can we take part with prams and pushchairs?
Families with prams and pushchairs are more than welcome. The church has a specific area inside the building for you to leave your prams and pushchairs in, they just ask us to highlight that they are left at the owners risk.
We took part in the parade the weekend before, can we still come?
Yes, the Town Council's parade is the weekend before and a very exciting event but you are more than welcome to take part in the Little Light Lantern Walk too, as long as you have a ticket. Our event is a lot smaller and designed to be a gentle family walk, where we carol and make memories on our way to a family friendly church service. The walk is all about spending family time together and celebrating tradition and the community, so it will feel and look very different to the bright and more energetic parade the weekend before.
Do we have to come make a lantern?
No - you don't have to. If you want to re-use one from the Town Council's parade or bring your own then that's fine too, just make sure it is a flameless lantern.
If we come make a lantern on the day, will it be ready in time?
Yes – we will have a range of pre-cut lanterns ready to be stuck or taped together, some lanterns that can be simply drawn on as "grab and go" lanterns and some pre-made lanterns. For those who are fans of glitter glue, we hate to say it but we WON'T have any glitter glue available for use, but we will have glittery paper tape, sparkly pipecleaners and stickers to make up for it.
We don't want any mums or dads helping little hands with their lanterns and getting covered in glittery glue!