Barbara Hodgson

Excitement will be brewing in Newcastle at news that a new bubble tea business will be celebrating its opening with a drinks giveaway.

Here's a round-up of the festive stalls to look out for at Newcastle's new and expanded Christmas Market which will open with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday

It's almost that time of year again. The decorations are going up as people prepare for the Christmas festivities.

Newcastle city centre is currently being transformed into a winter wonderland with construction under way on this year's bigger and better Christmas Market

Independent all-day music festival Waves is all set to play out at eight venues across the city - including The Fire Station - with headliners Miles Kane, Red Rum Club plus Tom A. Smith and Benefits leading the way

New Christmas Village attraction will open in Newcastle on Saturday as part of this year's expanded Christmas Market and here is a breakdown of what's on offer and the costs

Stephenson Steam Railway has a range of events available to book as part of Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums' festive programme which also includes candlelit tours of Arbeia Roman Fort and a Christmas Market at Shipley in Gateshead

Seats are up for grabs on festive train rides which will be inviting families to hop on board from the end of November up to late December.

A city centre pub will be embracing the season of goodwill this December with plans for a free Christmas party for older people.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Newcastle as the city gears up for the big launch this weekend of a major festive attraction.