As you dive headlong into the season of tinsel, eggnog and goodwill, Eldon Square always has plenty going on to get you in the festive mood and this year is no exception.
Extended Opening Hours
Firstly, they’re extending the opening hours across the centre to give you more time to browse, shop, hang out and get seasonal.
Beginning on November 25th and running until December 23rd, the hours will now be:
- Monday to Friday: 9am to 8pm
- Saturday: 9am to 7pm
- Sunday: 11am to 5pm
And don’t forget, restaurants may be open later so check their websites.
The Jingle & Bell & The Countdown Clock
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The Jingle & Bell has pulled into the Eldon Square Station: situated on St Andrew’s Way, this twinkling explosion of Christmas lights and colour is now in place to enable you to take some very special, Insta-ready Christmas photos. And the Eldon Square Christmas Tree is in place too, outside Clarks and Boots (Hotspur Way).
Meanwhile, down at the Northumberland Street entrance, you’ll find the Christmas Countdown Clock hanging proudly above the doors to welcome you in.
Eldonshare Charity Events
It’s important to remember that Christmas can be a difficult time of year for a lot of people and Eldon Square is hosting some fundraising ventures to enable you to do something to help out.
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Mission Christmas
There’s the Cash For Kids: Mission Christmas Donation Box for starters: organised by the Cash For Kids charity, shoppers are being asked to buy an extra Christmas gift this year – as little or big as you can manage, it all helps – and then drop it off at the collection box on St Andrew’s Way up until Sunday December 18th. Please make sure the gifts are suitable for any age up to 18, and leave it unwrapped so it can be sorted into the right age group to make sure it ends up somewhere it will be really appreciated.
Meanwhile, Eldonshare will be working with leading UK charity Age UK on several events throughout the Christmas season.
Christmas Crafts
There’s Christmas Crafts, where local Age UK groups will be hosting special crafting events throughout December – a splendid way to break up a day shopping and do something for those having a tough time this Christmas. You can have a cuppa, chat to volunteers, decorate Christmas cards for the elderly and even make a special Christmas gift. The events run from December 2nd to December 18th, and full details are available on the website.
Christmas Gift Wrapping
From Tuesday 13th – Friday 23rd December, you’ll find the Age UK Christmas Gift Wrapping Stand outside Fenwick Customer Service Desk. Here, you can have your freshly purchased Christmas gifts beautifully wrapped by Age UK volunteers in exchange for a donation to the charity. There will be a selection of wrapping paper and trimmings, all provided by contributions from local businesses. The stand will be there from 11am-5pm Monday to Friday, and from 11.30am on Sunday, during the ten days mentioned. So instead of getting yourself caught up in tape and placing a lumpy, crumpled disaster under the Christmas tree, get your presents looking wonderful AND do some good!
Eldon Square Pop-Up Shop
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Open now is the Eldon Square Pop-Up Shop, a chance for local independent stores and businesses to show off their wares in the beating heart of Newcastle shopping. First up will be contemporary North East-based menswear brand D-Rock, who will be taking over the Pop-Up Shop until 27th November.
The Pop-Up Shop unit is on Eldon Way and comes with all the facilities and support you’d expect so if you’d like to showcase your business, get in touch!
As you can see, Eldon Square is ALL about Christmas at the moment, and there's so much more going on besides the shopping. So whether it’s donating, wrapping or buying gifts, taking some photos at the Jingle & Bell, having a cuppa and a chat with an Age UK volunteer or just taking in the sights, you know where to go.
