A Visit to Lapland Is a Mug’s Game at Newcastle’s Christmas Village

One North East family is set to win a trip of a lifetime, thanks to the company working with Newcastle City Council and NE1 to deliver this year’s Newcastle Christmas Village, and the UK’s largest independent travel agent.

Visitors are currently enjoying the festivities of Newcastle’s Christmas Markets including on Old Eldon Square, as well as Moosenwirt - the pop-up Alpine bar on Grey Street, the market stalls and igloo pods near Grey’s Monument that have created the city’s very own North Pole.

And now those who visit these festive attractions can be in line for a Christmas gift to remember – a day trip for two adults and two children to Lapland.

EVNT Inspirations – the company behind the new Christmas Village as part of Newcastle City Council’s and NE1’s wider Newcastle’s Christmas events, has teamed up with Hays Travel, which every year offers a magical visit to see Santa in his natural habitat.

The prize – which is worth around £3000 – will see the winning family fly out from Teesside Airport on 20 December 2025 to Lapland and enjoy a sleigh ride through the woods before coming face to face with Father Christmas himself.

To be in with a chance of winning the prize, visitors need to buy one of the unique limited edition Newcastle’s Christmas festive mugs which have been specially created for this year’s activities and which allows the buyer to refill it at any of the outlets with a selection of drinks, with £1 discount each time.

And now as an added incentive, one of the mugs will have a special gold mark which will only become visible when the contents have been drunk, meaning the lucky owner will have won the amazing prize.

“This is going to be the experience of a lifetime for one lucky family,” said Nigel Holliday, one of the directors of EVNT Inspirations.

“It will give them something to look forward to all year and then they can head off on a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

“We’re very grateful to Hays Travel for partnering with us on this and ensuring that this Christmas really will be memorable for one family.”

And that’s not the only prize that is on offer.

Hays Travel will have their own cabin at Newcastle’s Christmas Village every Saturday and Sunday, where visitors can get more information about other festive trips and general holiday information and advice.

And they will also be able to scan a special QR code and leave their details, which will put them in the running to win a £500 holiday voucher.

Hays Travel’s Head of Marketing, David McNiven, said: “We are delighted to get involved with the festivities at this year’s Newcastle Christmas Village by offering the chance to win a trip to Lapland to meet Father Christmas himself.

“As someone who has experienced the magic of a trip to meet him along with my young ones, I know how special a gift this is for one lucky family.”

Cllr Karen Kilgour, Leader of Newcastle City Council added: “This year’s Christmas Market in Newcastle certainly offers something for everyone, and it is fantastic seeing so many people enjoying it.

“The new Christmas Village on Old Eldon Square is a welcome addition, especially for families, and a trip to Lapland will be the icing on the cake for one very lucky family this Christmas. I wish everyone the best of luck.”

The mugs – which cost £5 each – are available at Moosenwirt, North Pole and at the Newcastle’s Christmas Village, along with the drinks “huttes” at Grainger Street and the booking office at Old Eldon Square.

The Christmas Village offers a huge range of activities including the Rockin’ Reindeer stage with live shows, Santa Stories, Elf School, a vintage carousel and food and drink outlets.

The various shows have been so popular that additional dates have now been added so booking is advised.

Entry to the Christmas Village is free but there are costs for the individual elements. For further information and to book for any sessions or for the North Pole pods at Grey’s Monument visit www.moosenwirt.co.uk

Image: (L-R) Ben Whitfield Director of Communications at NE1 Nigel Holliday Director at EVNT Inspirations and David McNiven Head of Marketing at Hays Travel