Christmas events cancelled and venues closed as Storm Darragh to hit North East on Saturday

Scores of Christmas events have been cancelled and venues have been closed with Storm Darragh set to hit the North East on Saturday.

The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for wind on Friday morning, covering the whole region, running from 3pm on Friday until 6am on Sunday with gusts of up to 70mph expected. Later on, the Met Office issued a yellow alert for heavy rain running from 6am on Saturday to midnight.

It covers all North East areas including County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland. In some parts of southern England and Wales, a rare red wind warning has also been issued.

With just three weekends left until Christmas, events were planned across the region on Saturday. However, many of those have been cancelled due to the upcoming storm, leaving those with tickets and plans disappointed.

Some of the highest profile closures include Kielder Winter Wonderland, Alnwick Garden and Lilidorei, and the North Shields Christmas Market. Here is our regional breakdown of the events which have been cancelled due to the forecast for Storm Darragh.

Gateshead

Gibside: National Trust property Gibside will be closed on Saturday due to unsafe weather conditions. Visit Father Christmas events have also been cancelled.

A spokesperson said: “If you have tickets for Father Christmas you will be contacted shortly with more information. We’re sorry for any disappointment caused, but visitor safety has to remain our top priority.”

Northumberland

Alnwick Garden

Alnwick Garden, Lilidorei and the Treehouse will be closed on Saturday, December 7. In a post on Facebook, Lilidorei advised anyone with a pre-booked ticket to events that they would be contacted directly with an option to rearrange their visit.”

Alnwick Markets

Alnwick’s Saturday Christmas market has been cancelled. Organisers wrote on Facebook: “A market CAN NOT operate in this weather. Yes, we are all gutted and all agree it is the right thing to do.

“There was no other options. We have to think of SAFETY!”

Bamburgh Castle

Bamburgh Castle will close on Saturday, and say that conditions expected during the yellow weather warning will make the site unsafe. They have said on social media that anyone with a booking for Saturday will be contacted via email and refunded in full.

Beadnell Christmas Lights

The switch on of Beadnell Christmas Lights has been postponed until Saturday, December 14.

Kielder Winter Wonderland

Kielder Winter Wonderland has been cancelled for Saturday September. A post on Facebook said: “We have closely monitored the impact of these conditions through the evening and this morning. It is therefore with regret that we have had to take the decision to cancel the event tomorrow, Saturday 7 December.”

Organisers say those who attend on Saturday will receive an email with more information regarding refunds and rescheduling. The Winter Wonderland is set to go ahead on Sunday, December 8.

Morpeth Christmas Festival

Morpeth Town Council’s Market Stalls and Santa will not be appearing at the Christmas Festival over the weekend. However, a free ice rink and pavilion café will be open serving hot food and sweet treats.

Wallington

National Trust property Wallington will be closed on Saturday, December 7. The National Trust says that it is planned to reopen on Sunday, December 8.

North Tyneside

North Shields Christmas Market

North Shields Christmas has been cancelled on Saturday.

A spokesperson for North Tyneside Council said: “After a briefing with the Met Office this morning we have made the difficult decision to cancel this weekend’s market. Although the weather is looking a little better on Sunday, the predicted gusts of up to 70mph on Saturday into Sunday morning and increasing impact of heavy rain, mean we can’t operate the event safely.

“Obviously we’re all disappointed and we were really looking forward to seeing you all again. We would like to thank all our brilliant stallholders for their support and we wish you all a very Happy Christmas.”

Shields Ferry

Not an event, but Nexus have confirmed that the Shields Ferry will not run on Saturday. Passengers will be able to catch a half hourly replacement bus service that will operate between the two Ferry landings via the Tyne Tunnel instead.

County Durham

Bishop Auckland Christmas Town

Organisers of Bishop Auckland Christmas Town announced that Saturday’s event would be cancelled with a “heavy heart”. They encouraged people to support local traders who had been affected by the closure in a separate Facebook post.

It read: “We’re devastated to close Christmas Town because of the impending weather conditions. This sudden change leaves our traders and local businesses with surplus stock intended for the weekend.

“Christmas Town is run by local non-profits, so this loss is something we, too, have to work through. But for now, please support those in the town who depend on this event. Let’s come together as a community to support these businesses by purchasing their goods. Your support will make a significant difference during this challenging time.”

Crook Hall

Crook Hall Gardens will be closed on Saturday. This also means that the Stacey Bone’s Wondrous Garden Creatures book signing event, due to be held on site, has been cancelled.

Dalton Park

The festive artisan market at Dalton Park has been cancelled on Saturday and Sunday. Dalton Park shops remain open.

Darlington Ice Sculpture Trail

The Darlington Ice Sculpture Trail has been postponed due to the severe weather forecast. It will now take place on Saturday, December 14 instead.

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