Jump into June: Here's What to Do this Weekend
Say hello to June with these fabulous things to do this weekend
Raise the roof…
Get ready for the ultimate throwback with the return of noughties pop sensation Girls Aloud who are currently travelling the country on their reunion tour. This weekend (30th – 2nd) join Cheryl, Nadine, Nicola and Kimberley at Utilita Arena Newcastle as they take you through all their greatest hits and then some (Love Machine, Something Kinda Ooh, Sound of The Underground – we could go on), so get out something glittery and make sure you practice your moves for what promises to be a great night. Limited tickets are still available so get yours while they last!
Flower power…
Although it’s a bit too early to stop and smell the roses, the recent bout of sunny days and plenty of rain have helped gardens across the region to really come into their own. Alnwick Garden is well worth a visit with its stunning flower beds, leafy green arbours, Grand Cascade and of course the fascinating poison garden too. Further south, Newby Hall’s award-winning gardens have a great variety of spaces to wander through including the Water Garden, the Curving Laburnum Pergola and Sylvia’s Garden (a formal space with a tranquil feeling). If you’d rather get your hands dirty at home, this is a great time to sow flowers straight into the garden as the ground has finally warmed up. Marigolds are a great way to add colour to your garden, and cornflowers are criminally underrated in our opinion.
Fun at the festival…
As we head into summer, now is prime time for festivals throughout the country, but why not try something a little different this year? Head to the brand new Crossed Wires: The Podcast Festival this weekend (31st–2nd) taking place across Sheffield’s most iconic venues. Expect to see some of the biggest names in podcasting in the UK including comedian Katherine Ryan, The Katie Price Live Show, Wolf and Owl Live and The Adam Buxton Podcast. As well as the headline acts, the festival is also hosting The Fringe in the former Coles Toyshop which will include free workshops, DJ sets and more.
Date night…
It’s World Parent’s Day on Saturday (1st) and what better way to celebrate yourselves than with a little date night for two? Sobremesa in Newcastle is the perfect cosy spot for an evening meal without the kids, serving Spanish wine, cocktails and small sharing plates cooked right in front of you. In York, Pairings Wine Bar has a similar feel, serving carefully crafted small plates and sharing boards paired perfectly with wine flights for a truly intimate evening. If you’d prefer to stay in, have a date night in with these three easy pasta dishes to make at home.
Learn a thing or two…
Wakefield is the place to be in 2024 with their Our Year campaign, and has a programme full of events for the local community to get stuck into including art projects, festivals, music and food events. For Saturday (1st) only, you and the family can enjoy the Castleford Roman Festival spread across the town centre. Explore the encampment stalls where you can see skilled craftsmen at work (including a blacksmith forging Roman weapons). There’s plenty of hands-on opportunities too including Roman games for the kids, helmet-making and a competition to create the best Roman soldier.
Have a laugh…
Fancy a laugh? This weekend will be a great one for comedy fans with big names touring. In Newcastle at The Stand you can catch Sally-Anne Hayward on Sunday (2nd) as she retells hilarious dating app mishaps, crazy neighbours and more. On Sunday, see the witty and glamorous Katherine Ryan at Sheffield City Hall for a night guaranteed to shock and delight. At Leeds First Direct Arena on Saturday (1st) you can see comedy legend Peter Kay as he makes his return to the stage after years out of the limelight. Tickets are limited so grab yours while you still can.
On your bike…
Half term is nearly over for many parents and if you’re scraping the bottom of the barrel for ideas, why not get the kids out for some fresh air? If they’re confident on their bikes, there are some great family-friendly cycle routes to enjoy. The Borderline cycle trail (roughly seven miles in total) at Kielder is a great option for all abilities and most of the route follows the former Border Counties railway line, making the ride easygoing and flat (with plenty of lovely scenery to boot). In Yorkshire, the Nidderdale Greenway from Harrogate to Ripley is another good choice for little legs. A short ride (coming in at least than five miles) the route is beautiful with woodland, wildflower meadows and Nidd Gorge Viaduct.
