Cool down this summer by turning your thoughts to Christmas

Life’s hugely popular Santa Experience, which is an annual sell-out success, is back again this year with a new festive twist – Operation Christmas Eve.

From 21 November, you can join Santa’s little helpers in a new corner of the North Pole, as the busy elves race against the clock to prepare for the most important night of the year!

Visitors can expect surprises and exciting live festive science experiments in the new elf show in their Christmas Eve workshop. Children will also meet Santa and receive a gift and a Christmas Eve bag to take home.

Tickets also include entrance to the full science centre, featuring The Great Dinosaur Escape and the award-winning full-dome show What Santa Sees in the Planetarium, which follows Santa and his reindeer across the night sky on Christmas Eve.

Tickets are limited and cost £25.

Life’s annual outdoor ice rink also makes a return to Times Square on Saturday 7 November, with tickets now on sale and early bird offers available for the opening weekend.

The real ice outdoor rink is an established part of the festive calendar in the city and is open throughout the festive season until 3 January, providing skaters of all ages and abilities with the ultimate festive experience.

The ice rink attracts hordes of eager skaters and as well as regular skating sessions, there are a range of special events planned for the rink including Abba, Olivia Dean and Nashville themed nights.

Tickets cost £15.75 for adults, £14.50 for children, £15 for concessions, and for a little extra, you can add the option of rescheduling your session with a flexi ticket. See website for terms and conditions. Separate charges apply for Christmas Eve.

Online booking is recommended and for more details visit https://www.life.org.uk/whats-on/special-christmas-events-in-newcastle/