The Best Plans For a Fun-Packed Weekend
Let us inspire your weekend plans
Shop, sip and sing along…
Join us for a jam-packed day (or whole weekend) of shopping, food, festive tipples and live music as our Christmas Fair returns to York Racecourse (9th–12th November)! We can’t wait to see you at 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 special Christmas decorations, all making your Christmas shopping ever so easy this year. Tickets are available on the door.
Book now…
Middlesbrough-born singer James Arthur has announced a massive homecoming show at Riverside Stadium on Saturday 8th June 2024. It’ll be James’ biggest headline show to date and will see him joined by special guests McFly and Lauran Hibberd. Tickets go on sale this Friday, so act fast!
Make a racket…
Lord Knows, the chair of The Whombledun International Invitational Tennis Tournament, has died, and his son Hugh is suspicious, so he calls in private investigators. A cast of four performers play countless characters in this must-see show of murder and mayhem – Crimes on Centre Court – this Friday and Saturday at York Theatre Royal.
Get festive…
It’s time! Mariah Carey has been defrosted (no, seriously, check Instagram) and both Bamburgh Castle and Castle Howard’s big Christmas displays launch this weekend, and now the festivities have come to Fenwick Newcastle. For the second year in a row, Fenwick has turned to The Glasshouse International Centre for Music to provide the soundtrack for its iconic festive window. Music for the window was created by Newcastle-based conductor Tim Burke, who adapted music from Christmas Eve, an opera by Russian composer Nikolai Rimski-Korsakov. This year’s window – based on The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis – depicts the much-loved tale of four curious children discovering the magical world of Narnia. Visitors to Newcastle’s iconic store can enjoy the welcome return of Santa’s Supper Club, breakfast with Santa, afternoon tea with Santa, the Christmas Cinema and Storytime with the Elves from 11th November right through to Christmas Eve.
Laugh out loud…
Hull Comedy Festival continues this weekend with hilarious stand-up from Bridget Christie (as seen on Taskmaster), as budding local talent and award-winning performers take over the city to bring us some much-needed laughter. Whether you’re heading to The Comedy Lounge, pop up venues or the fruit market, be sure to book your tickets now.
Paddle to the stars…
Fancy star gazing in a canoe? How Stean Gorge is hosting its always-popular Dark Skies activity nights as part of the Yorkshire Dales and Moors Dark Skies Festival, alongside their Pizza Nights, and this weekend (11th November) you can paddle a rafted canoe across Scar House Reservoir under the star-lit sky.
Read More: All The Best Things To Do This November
Train spot…
On 11th and 12th November the Flying Scotsman, the most famous steam locomotive in the world, will be returning to its birthplace (Doncaster) for a special centenary visit. Join the thousands of visitors who are expected to see the Flying Scotsman up close at Freightliner Railport, Decoy Bank South this weekend.
Remember…
Find your local Remembrance Day parade and join in the always-moving commemorations to remember the service and sacrifice of all those who have defended our freedoms and protected our way of life. If you’re at home, follow the National Service of Remembrance at Whitehall’s Cenotaph on Sunday morning on the BBC, Sky and ITV. And please don’t forget to observe the two-minute silence at 11am.
Celebrate Diwali..
Diwali celebrations are taking place across the North on 11th November. In Middlesbrough a free family event is planned with live entertainment, a funfair, stalls and a firework finalé, join Darlington town centre's first Diwali lantern parade, and everyone is welcome to the evening Diwali celebration at the Oriental Museum where there’ll be traditional prayers to goddess Lakshmi, vegetarian Indian snacks and arts and craft activities. On Sunday, head to Sheffield’s Millennium Gallery for a festive show on the story of Diwali, featuring traditional Indian theatre, dance and music, organised by SuNrit Culture Group.
Read More: The Best Ways to Appreciate Art This Autumn and Winter
See the spirits…
This weekend is your last chance to see York’s Ghosts in the Garden. This autumn trail has seen eerie figures haunting York's city centre gardens, with 39 stunning translucent 3D sculptures formed from wire mesh by local design company, Unconventional Designs. Head to the Museum Gardens, The Artists’ Garden, Treasurer’s House, and Merchant Adventurers’ Hall, amongst the many venues to see the ghosts.
Hunker down…
There’s nothing quite like a long lazy Sunday lunch, and the weather’s certainly calling for one. From rump of beef, roast chicken or pork loin at the Lord Crewe, to 45-day salt aged beef sirloin, roast chicken or wild mushroom and tofu Wellington at the Pearly Cow, here’s where to get your fill across Yorkshire and the North East.
Take a hike…
… or a gentle stroll – but wrap up warm! For the first time visitors have the right of access to explore more of our fabulous coastline, thanks to the newly-opened The King Charles III England Coast Path (read more about that here) and you can find even more inspiration with plenty of local walks across the North at livingnorth.com.
