Gateshead Creative Crawl Sleigh Ride 2025

Gateshead Creative Crawl Sleigh Ride 2025

A Festive Trail of Art, Community and Discovery

Gateshead Creative Crawl Sleigh Ride 2025 brings a festive reindeer-themed trail of art and creativity to Gateshead town centre in the run up to Christmas.

Thursday 18 December to 23 December then On Christmas Eve, all of the reindeer boxes come together at Orbis Community, Unit 9 West Street, for a festive finale, marking the end of the trail and a shared moment before Christmas Day. Visitors can explore 10 hand painted reindeer art boxes created by local artists and placed across shops, venues and community spaces. The trail is free and open to everyone, whether you’re visiting on your own, with friends, as a family, or as part of a group.

Using a printed or digital map, people can follow the trail at their own pace, popping into places they might usually walk past and enjoying small creative moments along the way. There’s no set route and no need to complete everything in one visit. Each reindeer box includes a creative stamp station, and the trail is designed to be playful, welcoming and low pressure.

Free drop-in festive workshops run alongside the trail at Orbis Community, Unit 9 West Street, from Saturday 20 December to Wednesday 24 December, 12pm to 4pm. A rotating mix of artists will lead hands-on creative activities across the five days, with Green Heart Collective also delivering workshops on selected days, so there’s always something new to take part in.

The Sleigh Ride builds on the success of the Halloween Creative Crawl and is rooted in openness, generosity and community spirit. It’s about creating warmth, connection and pride in place at a time of year that can feel difficult for many.

Everyone is welcome to take part. Opening times may vary by location, so please check the QR code or website for the most up to date information.

How it Works for Visitors:

Trail map, printed and digital, shows booth locations and participating venues

Visitors collect and stamp at each booth, pick up the unique postcard and stamp it

Completing the trail enters visitors into a prize draw for a goodie bag of local treats

Many venues will also host workshops, exhibitions, or special offers as part of the event ensuring that all places will accommodate all ages

Location Pairings:

Dasher-Saltwell Towers: A fairy-tale Victorian landmark sitting in the heart of Saltwell Park. Dasher brings winter sparkle to one of Gateshead’s most loved heritage gems.

Dancer-Metrocentre: A festive rush of lights, movement and excitement. Dancer reflects the energy of one of Europe’s biggest shopping destinations during the Christmas season.

Prancer-Shipley Art Gallery: Elegant, creative and full of craft. Prancer represents the artistry and imagination found inside Gateshead’s leading craft and design gallery.

Vixen-Angel of the North: Strong, iconic and instantly recognisable. Vixen pairs with the Angel to celebrate Gateshead’s bold identity and cultural spirit.

Comet-The Glasshouse: A shining landmark on the Quayside. Comet connects with The Glasshouse’s sweeping architecture and its music that lights up the winter nights.

Cupid-Millennium Bridge: With its graceful arc and riverside views, Cupid brings a touch of Christmas romance to Gateshead’s most elegant bridge, the one that tilts like a wink.

Donner-Trinity Square: Bright, busy and full of festive bustle. Donner mirrors the energy of Trinity Square’s shops, eateries and student community.

Blitzen-High Level Bridge: Historic, powerful and beautifully lit in winter. Blitzen captures the dramatic architecture and industrial character of this iconic structure.

Rudolph-Gateshead Central Library: A welcoming beacon of stories, imagination and community. Rudolph symbolises guidance, creativity and the bright red nose that leads the way.

Santa-Orbis Community High Street Hub: Serving as the central activation point of the Sleigh Ride, this Orbis venue will host a Maker Space Santa Call Station where families can use a dedicated phone installation to hear a personal Christmas message from Santa. This creates a memorable, interactive moment that enhances visitor experience and strengthens community engagement.

Some of the reindeer boxes and workshops are inspired by Sashiko, a simple hand stitching practice rooted in repair, reuse and making things last. We’re drawn to this way of working because it’s about using what’s already there, rebuilding through care, and strengthening things together rather than replacing them.

Orbis Community West St

Unit 9, Interchange Centre, West St, Gateshead NE8 1BH

"Orbis Community plays a vital role in supporting the growth and success of small businesses, entrepreneurs, creatives, and community-driven projects. Through our work with local, national and international artists, cultural projects, and charities, we have created a vibrant hub that supports innovation, community engagement, and personal growth."

Saturday 20 Dec from 12pm-4pm