Winter Wonderland Newcastle cancels opening night for safety reasons as rainstorms ravage North East

A yellow weather warning has forced organisers to cancel opening night at the popular Newcastle Winter Wonderland.
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Winter Wonderland in Newcastle has postponed its opening night as rainstorms ravage the region amidst a Met Office yellow weather warning.

The popular festive event at Newcastle Racecourse takes place every year and is one of the city's biggest attractions throughout November and December. This year's event is set to be a bumper edition with rides, markets, Santa's Grotto, ice skating, a zip wire and more.

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Some families will have already purchased their tickets for opening evening on Thursday, November 17 but that will no longer go ahead.

Taking to Facebook on Thursday morning, Winter Wonderland organisers posted a message confirming that the event would heed weather warnings and not open due to safety reasons. A statement read: "Due to the weather warning that has been issued today we have taken the decision to not open Winter wonderland this evening, for safety reasons. We will be opening as normal tomorrow with walk-ins available all week.

"It’s such a shame but we have to put safety first and a warning, we can not ignore it, but we are here long enough for everyone to enjoy their Christmas with us and we appreciate everyone that has supported us and taken the time to purchase tickets we hope it’s something that everybody enjoys as much as we do organizing it."

The post also confirmed that ice-skating rink tickets would be refunded and that admission tickets for tonight can be used on another day. Winter Wonderland Newcastle hopes to hold its opening night tomorrow, so long as no further weather warnings are in place.

The Met Office have forecasted a wet Friday on Tyneside (Image: Getty Images)The Met Office have forecasted a wet Friday on Tyneside (Image: Getty Images)
The Met Office have forecasted a wet Friday on Tyneside (Image: Getty Images)

Yellow weather warning for Newcastle

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The Met Office has put a yellow weather warning in place across the North East from the early hours of Thursday morning until 7 am on Friday. It warned: "Outbreaks of rain, heavy at times will continue to affect parts of the north Midlands and northern England during much of Thursday, and probably lasting into the start of Friday across parts of northeast England, particularly Northumberland. 30 to 40 mm of rain is likely to fall quite widely, with 60 mm in a few places and perhaps over 80 mm on higher ground. This brings a chance of flooding and disruption."

When is Winter Wonderland running in Newcastle in 2022?

The Fenwick Christmas Window is open and Christmas lights are starting to hang over the city centre which means the festive season has officially arrived on Tyneside. The Winter Wonderland at Newcastle Racecourse will open Thursday, November 17 and run right until Christmas Eve.

Opening times are from 4 pm to 9 pm on weekdays and 12 pm to 9 pm on weekends. Once term has finished the Winter Wonderland will run with extended hours from 12 pm to 9 pm all week.

Where do I buy a ticket to Winter Wonderland at Newcastle Racecourse?

All attendees to Winter Wonderland must have a ticket, which can be purchased online in advance or on arrival at the entrance gate. The ticket includes entry into the event but not any of the attractions or rides. Entry price for anyone over the age of 12 is £9.50 and children aged between three and 11 cost £7.50. A family ticket, for two adults and two children, costs £29.