The Best Events to Book For Summer
Get booking now for summer's fun-filled shows and events taking place across the North
Time Travellers
If you haven’t booked your tickets for Kynren yet, what are you waiting for? Every Saturday throughout summer this open-air theatre extravaganza enchants audiences with a 90-minute show not available anywhere else in the UK. ‘An Epic Tale of England’ – what better way to travel back in time through our history? Plus, this year you can see the majestic grey shire horse who has joined the cast and the all-new Viking Village. Find out more at livingnorth.com.
Kynren
EVERY SATURDAY FROM 27TH JULY–14TH SEPTEMBER
Flatts Farm, Bishop Auckland
11arches.com
See the Wizard
Follow the yellow brick road to Sunderland as RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner The Vivienne returns to the North East for this wicked show. Featuring the iconic original score from the Oscar-winning MGM film including Over The Rainbow, Follow The Yellow Brick Road and We’re Off To See The Wizard, The Wizard of Oz has already put a spell on North East audiences when it played Newcastle Theatre Royal earlier this year. If you missed it, you must get tickets for these showings at Sunderland Empire. Read our review here.
The Wizard of Oz
6TH–11TH AUGUST
Sunderland Empire
atgtickets.com
Summer in the City
Featuring music from local favourites Hector Gannet, Amelia Coburn and Jodie Nicholson, mesmerising circus acts, interactive installations and free family activities at venues across the city, Novum (Newcastle’s newest multi-arts festival experience) is one of summer’s most highly-anticipated festivals.
Novum
8TH–11TH AUGUST
Newcastle
novumnewcastle.com
Rock Stars
One of our favourite choirs are entertaining at Ushaw this summer. If you love seeing Rock Choir perform at Living North’s Fairs and can’t wait ’til our Christmas events, take your chance to see them whilst you’re out about this summer.
Rock Choir
10TH AUGUST
Ushaw: Historic House, Chapels and Gardens
ushaw.org
Take Pride
The most colourful event of the season is here! Darlington is the place to be this August with the fun and family-friendly Pride Weekender. Celebrations start with a march, live music and street theatre in the town centre on Saturday 10th August. There’s even more to enjoy on Sunday 11th too, with Pride in the Park at South Park. This will be a huge picnic event with acoustic music, crafts and family activities, and absolutely everyone is welcome. Don your best sparkly or rainbow outfit and join the party!
Darlington Pride Weekender
10TH–12TH AUGUST
Darlington
enjoydarlington.co.uk
Wheely Good
This summer visitors to the Ford & Etal estate can look forward to a display of classic cars courtesy of the NECPWA (North of England Classic and Pre-War Automobiles) at Etal Showground. Dogs are welcome on leads and there’ll also be a range of stalls selling food and drink, sweet treats and gifts.
Classic Car Show
11TH AUGUST
Etal Showground
ford-and-etal.co.uk
Right on Track
Be inspired by (and on) the Weardale Railway with this watercolour and sketching workshop, and capture the landscapes and hidden gems along the rails. All materials are provided and no previous experience is required, simply let your creativity run wild.
Art on The Rails
16TH AUGUST
Weardale Railway
weardale-railway.org.uk
It’s a Kind of Magic
Do you know a young budding magician or scientist? They’ll love this show as The Witham is transformed into a science lab complete with interactive magical science experiments, mystery, suspense and lots of mess!
Top Secret: The Magic of Science
17TH AUGUST
The Witham, Barnard Castle
01833 631107
thewitham.org.uk
Fun with Felt
Known to improve mindfulness, and a unique way to unwind, why not give needle felting a go? In this needle felt workshop you can create your own cute hare. Skilled instructor Carol will provide all the materials and coaching you need.
Needle Felt: Hares
17TH AUGUST
ARC Stockton Arts Centre
01642 525199
arconline.co.uk
Racing Ahead
York Racecourse’s oldest, richest, fastest and most famous races return this summer at arguably the hottest racing fixture of the season – the Sky Bet Ebor Festival. Don’t forget to dress to impress on Ladies’ Day (22nd August). It’s always a highlight of this must-not-miss event.
Sky Bet Ebor Festival
21ST–24TH AUGUST
York Racecourse
01904 620911
yorkracecourse.co.uk
Music to Everyone’s Ears
With tributes to Sam Fender, Abba, Take That and Nirvana, there’s something to suit all music tastes at this summer festival. Party in the Park will entertain crowds in Morpeth this August Bank Holiday across various stages and in a tipi tent. Early bird tickets are selling fast.
Party in the Park
23RD–25TH AUGUST
Morpeth
partyintheparkmorpeth.co.uk
Winging It
Foodies will be flocking to Wylam Brewery for the Chicken Wing Food Battle this summer (off the back of the success of Battle of the Burger, Slice Wars, The Mexican Stand Off and The Argie Bhaji). Wing specialists and street food vendors will all come together in the hopes of proving they’re the best. We’ll let you be the judge.
Lord of the Wings
23RD & 24TH AUGUST
Wylam Brewery, Newcastle
wylambrewery.co.uk
Who Let The Dogs Out?
To celebrate International Dog Day this August Bank Holiday Monday, NE1 is hosting Dog on the Tyne (Newcastle’s answer to Crufts), featuring everything from dog yoga and agility courses to a dog-friendly walk along the Quayside. Dog-lovers will be barking mad to miss it.
Dog on The Tyne
24TH AUGUST
Newcastle
newcastlegateshead.com
Go Back in Time
Experience a history-packed weekend at Eden Camp when the hugely popular Living History Weekend returns. Why not get dressed up and embrace ‘40s fashion? You can try your hand at authentic ration recipes, dance to live music in the engine shed and check out the Sherman Tank’s escape hatch.
Living History Weekend
24TH & 25TH AUGUST
Eden Camp, Malton
01653 919464
edencamp.co.uk
Go Wild
After meeting some of the world’s most endangered animals, visitors to Yorkshire Wildlife Park can enjoy an evening of live music from Ella Henderson, and then Jessie J the following night. Top tip: book a stay in Hex Wildlife Hotel to make a night of it (or to catch both performances).
Wild Live Weekender
24TH & 25TH AUGUST
Yorkshire Wildlife Park
yorkshirewildlifepark.com
Loco Lingo
The Allusionist is a popular podcast about language and has previously produced hit stage shows about speed-typing champions, protest cakes and the history of the word ‘Ms’. This year it’s celebrating its 10th year with a new live show telling the story of a friendship torn apart by a font.
The Allusionist Presents: Souvenirs
25TH AUGUST
The Stand, Newcastle
thestand.co.uk
That’s History
As part of a week full of medieval activities and performances at Alnwick Castle, medieval historian and author Ian Mortimer will be talking about his book The Time Traveller’s Guide to Medieval England with an A to Z of interesting things that any visitor to the 14th century needs to know. Take this chance to have your questions answered and books signed.
Book Talk With Ian Mortimer
29TH AUGUST
Alnwick Castle
01665 511100
alnwickcastle.com
Go Green
Discovery Museum’s new two-year exhibition explores the story of energy in the North East and it’s accompanied by fun events! Your children will love the hands-on displays demonstrating wind and solar power and you won’t want to miss the cross sectioned electric NISSAN Leaf on display,
Steam to Green: A North East Energy Revolution
UNTIL 2026
Discovery Museum, Newcastle
0191 232 6789
discoverymuseum.org.uk
The Boys Are Back
It’s more than two decades since Busted released What I Go To School For and the BRIT Award winners are still going strong. Last summer they released Greatest Hits 2.0 with re-recordings of tracks from their first two albums as well as collaborations with the Jonas Brothers, James Arthur and McFly. This summer they’re closing Scarborough Open Air Theatre’s summer shows. Don’t miss it!
Busted
31ST AUGUST
Scarborough Open Air Theatre
scarboroughopenairtheatre.com
Fun in the Sun
It’s not always easy to keep the kids entertained during the summer holidays but the Royal Armouries’ action-packed combat displays, gun-firing demonstrations and dramatic performances might be a good place to start. They’ll love the jousting tournament during the August Bank Holiday.
Action-Packed Summer
UNTIL 1ST SEPTEMBER
Royal Armouries, Leeds
royalarmouries.org
Love The Land
This exhibition running throughout summer is a showcase of photography, film and poetry by Rob and Harriet Fraser with artefacts and videos captured by farmers through the nationwide Our Upland Commons project. There are perspectives from people involved in farming, wildlife conservation, habitat restoration, land management and tourism in the Yorkshire Dales, and plenty of food for thought.
Labour of Love
UNTIL 8TH SEPTEMBER
Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes
01969 666210
dalescountrysidemuseum.org.uk
