The Hottest Outdoor Shows in the North East This Summer
Summer's al fresco entertainment includes huge festivals, outdoor theatre and open-air cinema screenings
This is South Tyneside Festival
Promising three months of entertainment, this is by far the longest festival in the North East this summer. Free concerts on Sundays at Bents Park will see headliners Sigala, Jason Donavan and Sister Sledge take to the open-air stage, the biggest carnival of its kind in the North East (the South Tyneside Festival Parade) will bring an explosion of colour to South Tyneside, and if you’re into classical music you won’t want to miss Proms in the Park. Other fun-filled events include brass bands at The Amphitheatre and the Kids Fun Fest.
JUNE–AUGUST
Across South Tyneside
southtynesidefestival.co.uk
The Pantaloons present The Importance of Being Earnest
An energetic and musical production of this timeless comedy features new songs and a hilarious contemporary twist thanks to The Pantaloons. Audience members are welcome to enjoy refreshments from the Lighthouse Café or to bring their own picnic.
5TH JULY
Souter Lighthouse and The Leas, Whitburn
nationaltrust.org.uk
Pride and Prejudice by Chapterhouse Theatre Company
Chapterhouse Theatre Company will transport you 200 years back in time to meet Elizabeth Bennet and her sisters with period costumes, a romantic original score and a witty script. Pack a picnic and pull up a seat in Gibside’s Walled Garden for this show.
11TH JULY
Gibside, Gateshead
nationaltrust.org.uk
Mouth of the Tyne Festival
Unsurprisingly tickets to see Rick Astley (supported by the Lightning Seeds) have sold out, and we imagine those with tickets are never going to give [them] up. But you can still get your hands on tickets to see rock band Ocean Colour Scene, local lad Andrew Cushin and Heather Small at Mouth of the Tyne Festival this year.
11TH–14TH JULY
Tynemouth Priory and Castle, North Shields
mouthofthetynefestival.com
Peter Pan
You’ll be hooked on this show when Peter embarks on a big adventure – but watch out for Captain Hook! Catchy music, audience interaction, and a fun-filled script make up this open-air musical for all the family.
13TH JULY
Bamburgh Castle
bamburghcastle.com
Kubix Festival
Kubix is back and even better bringing Busted, Sam Ryder, Vengaboys, Boyzlife and Nadine Coyle to Sunderland, whilst in the dance arena you can see Basshunter and Cascada. That’s quite the line-up!
13TH JULY
Herrington Country Park, Sunderland
kubixfestival.com
Adventure Cinema: Pretty Woman
Grab your popcorn, bring a blanket and settle under the stars for this open-air cinema at Raby. While Adventure Cinema are setting up here for various showings throughout July, we’ve got our eye on Pretty Woman because who doesn’t love Richard Gere and Julia Roberts? There’ll be music playing before the movie with a soundtrack of specially-curated songs.
14TH JULY
Raby, Staindrop
raby.co.uk
Monument Festival
Replacing Kubix Rock, Monument Festival is a new one-day festival heading to Herrington Country Park. Indie and rock music fans are looking forward to seeing Jake Bugg and The Kooks this year, and there are even more artists to be announced.
20TH JULY
Herrington Country Park, Sunderland
monumentfestival.co.uk
Mamma Mia!
Although it’s unlikely we’ll ever get to see ABBA perform live again (Eurovision proved that – although ABBA Voyage looks cool), their music lives on in Mamma Mia. With talk of a Mamma Mia three-quel in the works, go back to where it all began as Adventure Cinema brings Mamma Mia to Wynyard Hall, and sing your heart out to ABBA’s greatest hits.
20TH JULY
Wynyard Hall
adventurecinema.co.uk
Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory
As part of The Auckland Project’s all new Summer Fest, families will flock to Bishop Auckland for outdoor cinema. We imagine this showing of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory on the bowling green lawn beside the castle will be popular.
20TH JULY
Auckland Gardens, Bishop Auckland
aucklandproject.org
Robin Hood
The Pantaloons’ hilarious take on Robin Hood features live music and audience interaction and will be staged as an open-air production in Middlesbrough Town Hall Courtyard. Expect barrels of silly slapstick comedy in this show.
24TH JULY
Town Hall Courtyard, Middlesbrough
middlesbroughtheatre.co.uk
Little Lindi
One for the kids, Little Lindi made its debut in 2022 and it’s returning this year with an immersive event filled with music, circus, theatre, arts and plenty of fun. Expect wellbeing workshops including yoga, dance, bushcraft, meditation, circus and storytelling, and don’t miss the outdoor theatre throughout the weekend, as well as Taylor Swift and Dua Lipa tribute acts.
26TH–28TH JULY
Lambton Estate, County Durham
littlelindi.co.uk
NOVUM
Newcastle’s newest multi-art festival experience is back, bigger and better and taking place across the city. Outdoors you can enjoy Unfolding Theatre’s Here Be Dragons in St Thomas Gardens, Cirque Bijou’s exhilarating performance on Ceremonial Way and WILD - Motionhouse (a gravity-defying dance-circus production) at the The Quadrangle – plus much more.
8TH–11TH AUGUST
Newcastle
novumnewcastle.com
Hardwick Festival
It’s Hardwick Festival’s 10th anniversary this year and the line-up is looking as impressive as always, with Becky Hill and Snow Patrol headlining. Music fans will also look forward to seeing Blossoms and Sophie Ellis Bextor thanks to the resurgence of her hit Murder on the Dancefloor. Camping and glamping options are available.
16TH–18TH AUGUST
Hardwick Hall, Sedgefield
hardwickfestival.co.uk
