If you study the above picture closely, then you might get the notion that Newcastle city centre is about to be turned into a veritable winter wonderland. That notion would be correct.

I’m a traditionalist. Christmas, for me, used to begin when John Lewis unveiled their Yuletide ad that invariably featured some moppet gifting their gran a kettle while someone I’ve never heard of murdered a song I vaguely knew. Like I say: a traditionalist. But over the last few years, the thing that’s really put me in the festive mood is the Moosenwirt Alpine Bar on Grey Street. When I’m stood in there, necking something mulled, I know Christmas is really coming. And – praise be! – the Moosenwirt Alpine Bar is returning again this year along with the Christmas market, which by all accounts (i.e. the press release I’m looking at) will be bigger and better with a more local feel. There will also be a performance area by Monument featuring choirs, bands etc over each weekend. And – get this! – NE1 are also running a 24 Doors of Christmas event, where they will showcase 24 unique, historic, or unusual venues – one per day throughout December. Tickets for these are free but must be booked in advance. Check out the NE1 website, below, for all the gen. RM

Christmas market and Moosenwirt Alpine Bar, 18 November-23 December. newcastlene1ltd.com