Stockton Sparkles: Launch

The much-loved Stockton Sparkles returns with a feast of festive fun and entertainment, bringing Christmas cheer for all the family over two weekends.

Join us on Thursday 27 November from 5pm for the launch night, with an evening full of live music and entertainment, hot food and drinks, and of course the Christmas light switch-on at 6.30pm.

Hosted by BBC Tees presenter Gary Philipson alongside Santa himself, families can get into the Christmas vibe with entertainment both on and off stage, as well as tasty treats from food and drinks vendors.

Expect music, magic, merriment, and a special circus performance from Little T and Nat Lunatrick’s the Snow King and Queen alongside Flat Cap Brass, our house brass band, with some guest vocals from Tees Valley’s Hayley McKay. Billingham Forum panto stars Michelle Heaton (Liberty X), Liam Mellor, Rob Squire and more will answer an exclusive Q&A on this year’s panto, The Further Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan.

This year’s Around the Christmas Tree will feature a special reading from Santa and festive music you can sing along to from Sonic Futures Tees Valley artists Jamie Dickinson, Jodie Nicholson, and Loren Heat. And don’t miss the chance to grab an ‘elfie’ on the night with Santa’s little helpers!

The Mayor of Stockton, Cllr Stephen Richardson, will switch the lights on at 6.30pm, with walkabout street theatre continuing until 7.15pm, with Interstellar’s Christmas Ladies animating the town centre.

Accessible ticket option available here: Stockton Sparkles Launch Night: Accessible Viewing Area Tickets Tickets, Thu, Nov 27, 2025 at 5:00 PM | Eventbrite

Other Sparkles events

Don’t miss the rest of our Sparkles events including:

• Weekend with Santa: Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 November, 10am to 5pm
• Christmas Market & Victorian Fair: Friday 5 to Sunday 7 December
• Lantern Parade: Sunday 7 December, 4pm

Car Parking for Sparkles

There are over a thousand parking spaces in Stockton plus Wellington Square car park.

The Shambles car park will be unavailable from 4pm to midnight from Tuesday 25 November until Thursday 27 November, Friday 28 November and Saturday 29 November, Tuesday 2 and Wednesday 3 December and from Friday 5 December until Sunday 7 December.

High Street Car Park North will also be unavailable from 6pm to midnight on Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 November and from Wednesday 3 December to Sunday 7 December.

From Monday 24 November 2025 until Saturday 31 January 2026 the Council will be offering the first hour’s parking free of charge in all Council-owned short stay car parks in Stockton. It’s also free to park on Sundays and every day after 5pm.

Here are more details and a full list of parking options

Road closures and public transport during Sparkles

Some road closures will also be in place, including the High Street, for launch night (Thursday 27 November) and the Lantern Parade (Sunday 7 December). This will also affect bus stops so visit the TVCA Bus Travel website to help you find the best options for your journey.

Thursday 27 November, 5am – Midnight

• High Street (between Church Rd and Shambles Car Park)
• Knowles Street
• Finkle Street

Sunday 7 December, 5am – Midnight

• High Street (from Shambles Car Park to Norton Road / Bishopton Lane junction)
• Church Road (between The Square West and High Street)
• Knowles Street
• Finkle Street

Markets during Sparkles

Our regular Wednesday, Friday and Saturday markets will still be on during Sparkles, but stalls will be moved on some days down to the Shambles Car Park.