As the nights draw in and festive lights begin to twinkle across the North East, it's the perfect time to plan a visit to one of the region's fun-filled Christmas markets.
But, when is the best time to go if you want to see it in full festive mode or avoid the busy crowds and long queues?
Durham's Christmas Festival
Dates: Friday, December 5 to Sunday, December 7
Opening hours: Friday - Saturday 9am-6pm. Sunday 9am-4.30pm
Location: Market Place and Palace Green
According to durhamchristmasfestival.com, if you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of the busy event, then Friday is the calmest day, making it the best time to visit.
What to expect
Stalls and marquees will fill Durham's streets as the city transforms for the Christmas festival. Palace Green and Durham's Market Place will be brimming with traders offering hot drinks, seasonal treats and handmade gifts, decorations and crafts.
More than 120 stalls will feature under the craft and producers' marquee, while the outdoor market in Market Place will host a selection of local traders selling jewellery, clothing and food and drink.
Families can enjoy the festive entertainment, live music and the children's light parade - where children will carry lanterns from Market Place to Durham Cathedral for the St Nicholas service.
Newcastle Christmas Market
Dates: Saturday, November 15 to Tuesday, December 23
Opening hours: Monday - Saturday: 10am - 8pm. Sunday 10am-5pm
Location: Grey Street, Grey's Monument, Grainger Street, Old Eldon Square and new for 2025, Nelson Street
According to eldonsquare.co.uk, if you want to catch the bustling market at its quietest, visiting midweek or early in the day would be the best time to visit.
What to expect
Wooden chalets line the historic streets with festive lights, sparkling overhead, while the smell of food and mulled wine fills the air.
A majestic Ferris wheel debuts at Old Eldon Square, offering magical views of the market and city lights.
And, organisers predict that 80 per cent of the stalls are expected to be North East owned this year, offering handcrafted gifts, regional produce and unique decor.
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York Christmas Market
Dates: Thursday, November 13 to Sunday, December 21
Opening hours: 10am-7pm daily
Location: Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square
According to york.mumbler.co.uk, the best time to go for a relaxing, quiet shopping trip would be early in the morning around 10am or later in the day around 7pm. They also said weekday trips are often a lot quieter and give you the bonus of seeing all the lights too.
The market has a designated quiet time from 10am to 12pm daily where there is no music playing, to make the event suitable for everyone.
What to expect
Alpine chalets will line the medieval streets of York with the glow of festive lights and the scents of seasonal treats, artisan goods and homemade crafts from local traders.
With plenty of time to wander throughout the day, you can take your time shopping and soak up the wintery, festive atmosphere.
More than 80 per cent of the stalls come from Yorkshire-based traders, offering a wide variety of crafts, gifts and local produce - so you're not just getting Christmas cheer but also a taste of the region's craftsmanship.
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