Christmas preparations are under way at Newcastle Theatre Royal, with illuminated columns, giant pantomime banners and elevated access platforms visible outside the historic Grey Street building. Photograph: Great Park Gazette, 1 November 2026
Newcastle's historic Theatre Royal is getting into the Christmas spirit, with workers installing thousands of sparkling festive lights around its famous Grey Street entrance on Sunday evening (1 November).
Great Park Gazette was in Newcastle city centre to photograph the preparations, capturing workers high above the pavement as they wrapped illuminated decorations around the theatre's magnificent stone columns.
The seasonal transformation comes ahead of the Theatre Royal's eagerly anticipated 2026 pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, which opens on Tuesday 24 November and features some of the North East's best-known entertainers.
Workers bring a festive sparkle to Grey Street
Photographs taken by Great Park Gazette on Sunday evening show the theatre's grand entrance undergoing its annual festive transformation.
Long strands of warm white Christmas lights have been arranged in spiralling patterns around the building's towering columns, creating an eye-catching display against the dark November sky.
Workers could be seen operating elevated access platforms to position the decorations around the upper sections of the building, including the intricate stonework beneath the roof.
Several work vehicles and access platforms remained outside the theatre as the installation continued.
Although the work was still under way when the photographs were taken, much of the lighting was already illuminated, offering passers-by an early glimpse of how the finished decorations will look.
The illuminated columns frame large promotional banners advertising Jack and the Beanstalk, creating a striking introduction to the theatre's forthcoming festive season.
A worker uses an elevated platform to install sparkling Christmas lights high above the entrance of Newcastle Theatre Royal, carefully arranging the decorations around the building's ornate stone columns. Photograph: Great Park Gazette, 1 November 2026
A Christmas lighting tradition introduced in 2024
The Theatre Royal's illuminated columns are a relatively recent addition to Newcastle's Christmas celebrations.
The festive lighting scheme was first introduced in November 2024 through funding from Newcastle NE1 Ltd, the city's business improvement district organisation.
At the time, NE1 announced that the installation would feature approximately 18,000 warm white Christmas lights decorating the six columns at the front of the Grade I listed theatre.
The project was designed to extend the city's festive atmosphere further along Grey Street, drawing attention to one of Newcastle's most recognisable historic buildings.
Designed by brothers Benjamin and John Green, the Theatre Royal forms an important part of Newcastle's celebrated nineteenth-century architecture.
The original installation helped showcase the building's architectural details after dark, providing an additional festive attraction for shoppers, visitors and theatre audiences.
The exact number of lights being installed for Christmas 2026 has not been independently confirmed.
Jack and the Beanstalk takes centre stage for Christmas 2026
This year's Theatre Royal pantomime will be Jack and the Beanstalk, running from Tuesday 24 November 2026 until Sunday 17 January 2027.
The production follows Jack Trot as he embarks on a magical adventure into Cloudland, hoping to overcome a fearsome giant and change his family's fortunes.
The production promises the familiar ingredients of a traditional Theatre Royal Christmas pantomime, including comedy, music, colourful costumes and spectacular special effects.
Newcastle pantomime favourite Danny Adams returns to lead the cast as Jack Trot, alongside his father and long-time comedy partner Clive Webb, who plays Farmer Trot.
Chris Hayward takes on the role of Dame Trot, while South Shields singer Joe McElderry returns to the Theatre Royal stage as the Spirit of the Beans.
The full announced cast includes:
Danny Adams – Jack Trot
Clive Webb – Farmer Trot
Chris Hayward – Dame Trot
Joe McElderry – Spirit of the Beans
Mick Potts – Pat the Cow
Wayne Smith – Fleshcreep
Rachel Stanley – The Queen
Oonagh Cox – Princess Jill
The production follows the theatre's 2025 Christmas pantomime, Aladdin, continuing a long-standing tradition that attracts families to Newcastle from across the North East.
The grand entrance of Newcastle Theatre Royal sparkles with Christmas lights as festive decorations are installed around its historic columns ahead of this year's Jack and the Beanstalk pantomime. Photograph: Great Park Gazette, 1 November 2026
What can families expect from this year's pantomime?
Newcastle Theatre Royal has described the forthcoming production as an adventure filled with comedy, special effects and larger-than-life entertainment.
The story sees Jack facing the prospect of selling his beloved cow before a magical beanstalk offers the chance of an extraordinary new adventure.
With the familiar pantomime characters, audience participation and the returning Newcastle cast, the production is being promoted as another major festive attraction for the city.
Theatre Royal audiences will also recognise the comedy partnership between Danny Adams and Clive Webb, whose appearances have become a familiar feature of Christmas entertainment in Newcastle.
Tickets, prices and accessible performances
Tickets for Jack and the Beanstalk are already on sale, with Newcastle's official Christmas website advertising prices starting from £14.
Prices and availability depend on the performance and seating selected.
The Theatre Royal is also offering reduced prices for children aged 16 and under, family tickets on selected performances and discounts for larger groups.
Accessible performances currently advertised include:
Sunday 6 December, noon: Relaxed performance.
Tuesday 8 December, 7pm: Audio-described performance with a pre-show touch tour.
Thursday 10 December, 2pm and 7pm: Captioned and British Sign Language-interpreted performances.
Sunday 13 December, 1pm: BSL-interpreted performance.
Wednesday 6 January, noon: Relaxed performance.
The theatre advises that performances may include flashing lights, strobes, haze, smoke and loud noises.
Tickets and full performance details are available from the Newcastle Theatre Royal website or through its box office on 0191 232 7010.
Another reason for Great Park families to visit Newcastle
For families living in Newcastle Great Park and surrounding communities, the Theatre Royal's festive decorations offer another reason to enjoy a trip into the city centre during the build-up to Christmas.
The illuminated entrance is an attraction in its own right, even for those not attending the pantomime.
With its impressive architecture and warm Christmas lighting, the theatre is also likely to prove a popular location for festive photographs as Newcastle's seasonal celebrations get under way.
Visitors heading into the city over the coming weeks will be able to see the historic building dressed for Christmas, while families attending Jack and the Beanstalk can enjoy the decorations alongside their visit to the theatre.
Have your say
Are you planning to see Jack and the Beanstalk at Newcastle Theatre Royal this Christmas?
Do you have fond memories of visiting the theatre's pantomime with your family, or have the festive lights become one of your favourite sights in Newcastle?
We would love to hear your thoughts and Christmas memories.
Photographs: Great Park Gazette, taken in Newcastle on Sunday 1 November 2026.
Research and further reading
