The Best Events in the North East and Yorkshire This November
From new exhibitions to spectacular shows you won't want to miss, we've got your entertainment sorted
HAVE FAITH
Be one of the first to visit the Faith Museum, now open at Auckland Castle, and discover stories of faith in Britain spanning 6,000 years. The Faith Museum explores how faith, belief and religion have shaped lives and communities in Britain throughout history, with four dynamic galleries to discover and more than 250 objects on display including rarely seen objects, national treasures, personal testimonies and contemporary commissions.
The Faith Museum
FROM 7TH OCTOBER
The Faith Museum, Bishop Auckland
aucklandproject.org
IT’S (ALMOST) CHRISTMAS!
Offering you the perfect chance to do all your Christmas shopping under one roof, join us for a jam-packed day out as our North East Christmas Fair once again returns to Newcastle Racecourse. We’re thrilled to invite you to the biggest and best seasonal shopping event in the North, with more than 250 carefully-selected stands, from artisan designer-makers, local food producers and fashion retailers to homewares, gifts and accessories, and of course unique Christmas decorations. Early Bird Discounted Tickets are on sale now at livingnorth.com, where there’s also plenty more detail about what to expect.
Living North Christmas Fair
26TH–29TH OCTOBER
Newcastle Racecourse
9TH–12TH NOVEMBER
York Racecourse
0191 261 8944
livingnorth.com
A NIGHT AT THE OPERA
Opera North return with a trio of fabulous Green Season productions; expect passion, scandal, conflict, belly laughs, and above all, drama galore! Featuring Falstaff (Tuesday 31st October and Thursday 2nd November), La rondine (Wednesday 1st and Friday 3rd November) and Masque of Might (Sat 4th November).
Opera North
31ST OCTOBER–4TH NOVEMBER
Newcastle Theatre Royal
0191 232 7010
theatreroyal.co.uk
A ROYALLY GOOD SHOW
The King and I tells the story of British schoolteacher Anna Leonowens who, after becoming a widow, travels to the palace of Siam with her son to work for the King – who is in search of a teacher to educate his many children and to help him fix his ‘barbarian’ reputation in the Western world. Following its critically acclaimed sold-out season at The London Palladium, you won’t want to miss this multi award-winning Broadway production at Leeds Grand Theatre.
The King and I
31ST OCTOBER–4TH NOVEMBER
Leeds Grand Theatre
0113 243 0808
leedsheritagetheatres.com
BRANCH OUT
Freckle Productions’ award-winning adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s Stick Man is back in town and your children won’t want to miss out on seeing this show at Northern Stage. A morning jog becomes a misadventure for Stick Man: a dog wants to play fetch with him, a swan builds a nest with him, and he even ends up on a fire! He needs to get back to the family tree – and fast! This show is packed with puppetry, songs and live music to keep the kids entertained.
Stick Man
31ST OCTOBER–2ND NOVEMBER
Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield
01484 430528
thelbt.org
3RD–5TH NOVEMBER
Northern Stage, Newcastle
0191 230 5151
northernstage.co.uk
GOING OFF WITH A BANG
Don’t miss this fantastic evening of racing at Newcastle Racecourse, which doubles up as one of the best firework nights in the region. This is likely to be a popular event so make sure you book your tickets fast!
Firework and Funfair Racenight
3RD NOVEMBER
Newcastle Racecourse
0191 236 2020
newcastle-racecourse.co.uk
ALL ABOUT YOU
Two decades into their career, McFly are back with their seventh album, Power To Play, and to celebrate they’re back on tour. You won’t want to miss their shows in Newcastle where they’re also sure to be singing their favourite hits including All About You, Obviously, That Girl and Five Colours in Her Hair.
McFly
5TH–6TH NOVEMBER
O2 City Hall, Newcastle
academymusicgroup.com
EVERYBODY IN LOVE
Aston, JB, Marvin and Oritsé are back on tour, gracing audiences with their smash hits and commendable choreography. With support from Tinchy Stryder, this is sure to be a show to remember.
JLS
7TH NOVEMBER
First Direct Arena, Leeds
firstdirectarena.com
Read More: The Best Ways to Appreciate Art This Autumn and Winter
HE’S A SURVIVOR
This West End smash hit has embarked on its first ever UK tour, and you won’t want to miss it. Pi is stranded on a lifeboat with four other survivors – a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan and a Royal Bengal tiger. But who will survive? With ‘magic’ and world-class puppetry, the show is visually stunning and as a winner of five Olivier Awards, including Best Play, it’s bound to be popular.
Life of Pi
6TH–11TH NOVEMBER
The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford
01274 432000
bradford-theatres.co.uk
HERE COME THE GIRLS
A combination of live performance, screen and immersive technologies make up ballerina Tala Lee-Turton’s production parler femme, celebrating inspiring stories about women. The pieces include The Subject is Speaking, award-winning short dance films telling the stories of female filmmakers’ different experiences; Here Lies, a multi-layered dance and music duet about two estranged sisters; and No Time Like The Present, a synth-pop performance exploring power and femininity.
Parler Femme
9TH NOVEMBER
Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre, Leeds
northernballet.com
WHAT’S COOKING?
Local comedian Matt Reed is bringing a live chatty cookery show to Stockton where professional chefs will team up with local well-known faces to recreate their favourite (or less favourite) teas from their childhood. We’re excited to see Amy from Blondie Bakery on the lineup.
Matt Reed: Come in and Get Your Tea
10TH NOVEMBER
Arc Stockton Arts Centre
01642 525199
arconline.co.uk
FAMILY FUN
Join Peppa and her family and friends on a trip to the zoo, then the beach, for a special party. They’ll sing and dance with colourful scarecrows, feed the penguins, build big sandcastles and even swim in the sea. This family-friendly show is packed full of songs, dance and muddy puddles – a great introduction to theatre.
Peppa Pig’s Fun Day Out
11TH–12TH NOVEMBER
St George’s Hall, Bradford
01274 432000
bradford-theatres.co.uk
LIGHT UP
Scarborough Lights is the first event in The Scarborough Fair programme, where international artists will bring over 60 never before seen light installations to the town across 14 locations. It’ll launch with a drone display over Scarborough Castle and visitors can also experience The Peasholm Park Winter Lights Trail and The Fading Light of Ruins at St Mary’s Church, featuring light artworks by Flemish artist Peter Snijder. More light displays include Ships Ahoy! at the harbour, Signs of the Times in the Town Centre, Drift-Lit at Scarborough Train Station, Grue at Scarborough Library and external illuminations of the Town Hall, Rotunda Museum, Scarborough Spa and Scarborough Castle. It’s set to be a sparkling event from start to finish!
Scarborough Lights
15TH NOVEMBER–23RD DECEMBER
Scarborough
scarboroughfair.uk
Read More: Five Reasons Why We Think Opera North's Falstaff is Perfect for Everyone
CRAFTY CHRISTMAS
Create an enchanting stag’s head willow sculpture in time for Christmas. Expert weaver Anna Cross will guide you through the process of creating your very own stunning willow stag’s head ready to hang for the festive period. The workshop will run from 10am–4.30pm, with refreshments and lunch included.
Stag’s Head Willow Weaving
15TH NOVEMBER
Thorp Perrow, Bedale
thorpperrow.com
OPEN SEASON
Yorkshire Artspace’s annual Open Studios offers a peek behind the scenes into the workspaces of more than 100 painters, ceramicists, metal smiths, jewellers, designers, printmakers, photographers, woodworkers, visual artists and more. This is your opportunity to explore their amazing studios and buy unique items directly from some of the best contemporary artists and craftspeople in Yorkshire. Whether you’re looking to treat yourself or do a spot of Christmas shopping, you’re sure to find something special at Yorkshire Artspace.
Yorkshire Artspace’s Open Studios
18TH & 19TH NOVEMBER
Sheffield
0114 276 1769
artspace.org.uk
WHO YOU GONNA CALL?
Do you believe in ghosts? Join Danny Robins, creator of the award-winning West End play 2:22 – A Ghost Story, for an investigation into the paranormal. This show will immerse you in new, real-life stories of the supernatural, from ghosts and poltergeists to UFO sightings and other strange encounters, as the tales are brought to life on stage by Danny and his team of experts. Read more about Danny, the UK’s go-to ghost guy, at livingnorth.com.
Uncanny: I Know What I Saw
21ST NOVEMBER
York Theatre Royal
01904 623568
yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
MOVE IT!
Starring CBBC and Strictly’s Karim Zeroual as King Julien, join Alex, Marty, Melman and Gloria, and those pesky penguins, as they bound onto stage in this musical adventure. With an obviously upbeat score (that’ll make you want to Move It, Move It in the aisles), this is a show the whole family will love.
Madagascar The Musical
22ND–25TH NOVEMBER
Sunderland Empire
atgtickets.com
SHOP ’TIL YOU DROP
More than 50 local makers and artists will fill the first floor of Sunny Bank Mills’s iconic 1912 mill with hand-crafted jewellery, ceramics, textiles, prints, homeware, cards and more. There will be a play area and craft activities for all ages too, and you can pop into the Arctic Café for mulled wine and delicious homemade cake! Entry to this magical market is £3 (under 12s free) from 2pm–8pm on Friday, or 10am–4pm for the rest of the weekend.
Christmas Market
24TH–26TH NOVEMBER
Sunny Bank Mills, Farsley
sunnybankmills.co.uk
Read More: Dave Turner on His Lead Role in Ken Loach's New Film The Old Oak
IN OUR NATURE
Cellist, singer and songwriter Sarah Smout, from Skipton, is on her first solo tour whilst working on a variety of environmentally-themed projects. Her entrancing and transportive solo show Eyjar (Old Norse for ‘islands’) explores connections to place, and this forms the backbone of her 2023 tour, along with new material. Read more about her inspiration here.
Sarah Smout
27TH NOVEMBER
The Greystones Sheffield
sarahsmoutmusic.co.uk
GET THIS PARTY STARTED
The one and only place to be this New Year’s Eve is York’s grand Assembly Rooms. As they breathe life back into Lord Burlington’s party hotspot from the 1730s, Noble Happenings are inviting you to a night of elegance. The elegant evening will include a delectable four-course menu, evening grazing table, and a variety of wines, promising a night you will never forget. The night will draw to a close as the clock strikes midnight, celebrating the new year in style, welcoming you into 2024. With VIP tickets available to purchase, you can make the night a little more special. Book your ticket today be a part of the celebration.
York’s New Year’s Eve Ball
NEW YEAR’S EVE
York Assembly Rooms
noblehappenings.co.uk
DOWN BY THE RIVER
People Powered: Stories from the River Tees is a partnership between MIMA and the National Portrait Gallery and features collections of art from both organisations, as well as new commissions which have been created within the local community. This new exhibition focuses on the people who live and work by the river. The exhibition’s newly-created content includes work by younger people, schools and many others who are influenced by the river, and a varied programme of activities and events will run alongside the exhibition.
People Powered: Stories from the River Tees
UNTIL 7TH JANUARY
MIMA, Middlesbrough
mima.art
PRETTY IN PUNK
The Bowes Museum is displaying a stunning snapshot of the late Vivienne Westwood’s career through the eyes of collector Peter Smithson, who has collected Westwood clothing and accessories for more than 25 years. Vivienne Westwood was inspired by art, fashion, culture and social history and this display also features items from the museum’s collection that echo her work.
A Private Collection of Vivienne Westwood
UNTIL 4TH FEBRUARY
The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle
01833 690606
thebowesmuseum.org.uk
LIFE’S A BEACH
Lowry is well-known for his depictions of industrial scenes in the North West but maybe less well known for his paintings of the North East coast (especially those of Berwick where he holidayed regularly). Although there have been exhibitions of Lowry’s work in Berwick, no example of the artist’s work had ever been retained for a public institution in Berwick until Museums Northumberland bought Beach Scene in 2019. Beach Scene is now part of the permanent collection at Berwick Museum and Art Gallery and Lowry at the Seaside also features objects from their collections relating to holidays in the town.
Lowry at the Seaside
DAILY
Berwick Museum and Art Gallery
01670 620277
museumsnorthumberland.org.uk
COGS TURNING
As part of the celebrations for the 300th anniversary of John Smeaton, the Father of Civil Engineering, this new exhibition celebrates civil engineering in its many forms. Visitors to Leeds Industrial Museum will discover unique objects that were central to Smeaton’s journey as well as an accompanying exhibition by the Young Smeatonians group.
Engineery
UNTIL 2025
Leeds Industrial Museum
museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk
