There’s something we really like about autumn at Stay Northside, County Durham.
The summer crowds have gone, the evenings start drawing in, the countryside changes colour and suddenly a walk, a pub lunch or a trip somewhere local feels like exactly what you fancy.
And then, all of a sudden, Christmas starts creeping in.
So, if you’re staying with us this Autumn at Stay Northside, County Durham, we’ve put together 10 things happening within roughly 20 miles of the cottage before Christmas.
Some are big events. Some are properly local. And some are just good excuses to get out for the day.
1. Shildon Model Railway Club Exhibition
3–4 October
We’re starting very close to home.
Locomotion in Shildon is already well worth a visit, but on 3rd and 4th October the Shildon Model Railway Club Exhibition takes over with miniature railways and model layouts.
If you’ve got a railway enthusiast in the family, this is an easy one.
And being only a few minutes from Middridge makes it a particularly good option when you don’t fancy spending half the day in the car.
2. The Haunted Forest at Raby Castle
3 October – 1 November
Autumn is probably the best time to visit Raby.
The Haunted Forest runs throughout October and into half term, so expect a slightly spookier version of the castle and grounds.
It’s one for families who like a bit of Halloween without necessarily wanting a full-on theme park experience.
3. Kynren Pyromusical
Saturday 31 October
If fireworks are your thing, put this one in the diary.
Kynren’s Pyromusical returns to Bishop Auckland on Halloween night, with 25 minutes of fireworks choreographed to an epic soundtrack.
Basically: wrap up warm, find yourself a hot chocolate and look up.
4. Christmas at Raby Castle
From 14 November
And this is where autumn starts turning into Christmas.
Raby Castle’s Christmas Family Explorer returns from 14th November, with the Enchanted Forest, the castle dressed for Christmas, the deer park and the winter gardens all included in one ticket.
It’s a lovely one if you want a proper Christmas day out rather than just shopping.
5. Darlington Christmas Lights Switch-On
15 November
If you like a traditional Christmas lights switch-on, Darlington’s is on 15th November.
There’s live music and entertainment from 4pm, followed by the big switch-on just before 5.30pm and a short fireworks display.
Best of all? It’s free.
6. AGLOW at Auckland Palace
20 November – 3 January
This one has become a bit of a Christmas favourite in the North East.
AGLOW returns to Auckland Palace from 20th November, with a bigger and brighter light trail for 2026.
It’s around a mile and a half of lights, sounds and installations around the Palace and Gardens.
Go after dark, wrap up properly and make an evening of it.
7. Raby Castle Christmas Market
27–29 November
Three days of festive shopping at Raby Castle.
There will be 50+ stalls selling artisan gifts, crafts and seasonal produce, along with Christmas trees, food, drinks, live music and plenty of festive atmosphere.
This is the sort of Christmas market we like — local makers, good food and somewhere that feels like more than a row of identical stalls.
8. Locomotion Christmas Market
28–29 November
Another one practically on our doorstep.
Locomotion’s Christmas Market is back in Shildon at the end of November, giving you the chance to combine a bit of Christmas shopping with one of County Durham’s most interesting pieces of railway history.
And if you’ve never been to Locomotion before, you’re missing a trick.
9. Durham Christmas Festival
4–6 December
If you want the big Christmas day out, head into Durham.
The Christmas Festival takes over the city with more than 200 independent traders, including the Craft & Producers’ Marquee on Palace Green and the festive outdoor market in the Market Place.
Then there’s the Cathedral, the river, the cobbled streets and plenty of places to stop for food and a hot drink.
Allow yourself plenty of time. You won’t do this one in an hour.
10. Christmas at Beamish
21 November – 24 December
And finally, Beamish at Christmas.
If you’ve never experienced it at this time of year, it’s well worth doing.
Step back through Christmases from the Georgian period through to the 1950s, with decorated streets, traditional Christmas food, music, shops and Father Christmas.
There are also special Christmas Evenings on selected dates in December if you want to see Beamish after dark.
And then back to Middridge…
After all that, there’s something rather nice about coming back to a quiet little village. Though we are booked for Christmas we have lots of other availability. Take a look at our lastest at https://www.staynorthside.co.uk/booking
The village green is right outside, the Bay Horse is across the green, and the cottage is ready for a proper cuppa, a warm shower and an evening in front of the fire.
That’s probably our favourite thing about Autumn at Stay Northside, County Durham.
You can spend the day out exploring County Durham — then come back somewhere that feels completely removed from it all. Go ahead and book at https://www.staynorthside.co.uk
Thinking about an autumn or pre-Christmas break? Save this list for later.
And if you’ve been to any of these already, tell us which one you’d recommend — we’re always looking for another excuse to explore our own patch of County Durham.
