Christmas Lights Switch-On in Hebburn 2026

Hebburn's Christmas lights switch-on is a small, after-school affair at Fountains Park on Station Road, right in the town centre. It is one of three switch-ons South Tyneside Council runs each year, alongside South Shields and Jarrow, and it usually comes last of the three. Expect school choirs, music and a crowd of local families rather than a big stage show.

The date: not yet announced for 2026

As of 5 November 2026, South Tyneside Council had not published the 2026 date. When it does, it will appear on the council's Christmas in South Tyneside page, and we will update this guide.

In recent years Hebburn's switch-on has been on a weekday in late November, usually a Monday, for about an hour from around 4pm:

• 2022: Monday 28 November, 4pm to 5pm
• 2024: Monday 25 November, but called off on the day because of wind and rain
• 2025: Monday 24 November from 4pm, a few days after South Shields (20 November) and Jarrow (21 November), as reported by the Shields Gazette

Because it is an outdoor event and has been cancelled for bad weather before, check the council's social media on the day before you head out.

What to expect

We will not guess at this year's line-up. In past years the council has kept the format simple: local school choirs and music in the park for about an hour, ending with the lights being switched on. The performers for 2026 have not been announced.

Best for:

Best for: a short after-school outing with younger children, close to home.

Where to stand

Fountains Park is on Station Road in the middle of the town centre, and the event is a compact one. Arrive a few minutes early if your children want to see the choirs up close, and keep to the paths, since the grass can be soft in late November. Our guide to parks and green spaces in Hebburn has more on the town's parks.

Getting there and parking

Most people walk. Hebburn Metro station on the Yellow line is a short walk from the town centre, with direct trains towards Gateshead and Newcastle one way and Jarrow and South Shields the other. Our guide to getting around Hebburn without a car covers buses too.

If you are driving, the town centre car parks around Mountbatten Shopping Centre are the closest; our Hebburn parking guide lists the options. No road closures had been announced for 2026.

Accessibility

The council has not published accessibility information for 2026. If you use a wheelchair or have a buggy, the edges of the crowd near Station Road are usually easier than the middle, and it is worth arriving a little early to find a spot.

Food and drink nearby

Station Road and the shopping centre have places to warm up within a minute or two.

• BONO Coffee is on Station Road for a hot chocolate before or after.
• Cafe L and Greggs are in St James Mall in the Mountbatten Shopping Centre.
• Dhillons Fish Inn at 43 to 45 Station Road is the obvious choice for tea on the way home.
• The Clock on Victoria Road East is there if the grown-ups want a drink later.

Making a night of it

The switch-on is a good moment for some present shopping at Mountbatten Shopping Centre. Hebburn Central on Glen Street, with its library and pools, has hosted festive activities in past years, so it is worth checking its listings.

It is also a good time to think about others. Hebburn Helps runs a Christmas Aid scheme for local families who are struggling; applications close on Friday 13 November, and our post on Hebburn Helps Christmas Aid 2026 explains how it works and how to donate.

See Christmas in Hebburn and Christmas markets near Hebburn for the rest of the season, our family things to do in Hebburn guide for more ideas, and what's on this weekend for anything else.

If you miss it

The South Shields and Jarrow switch-ons usually come a few days earlier, and both are a short Metro ride away. Further afield, the Newcastle Christmas Market runs around Grey's Monument from 19 November to 23 December, straight through on the Metro to Monument.

What is not confirmed yet

As of 5 November 2026, the council had not published:

• The date and start time
• The schools and performers taking part
• Any road closures or parking arrangements
• The South Shields and Jarrow switch-on dates

Know something about this year's Hebburn switch-on that we have missed? Let us know via our contact page.