What's On This February Across the North East and Yorkshire
Your February plans are sorted with our what's on guide
Whip-Crack-Away
Based on the classic Doris Day movie, this musical comedy stars the multi-award winning West End actress and singer Carrie Hope Fletcher. For this new production of Calamity Jane, the only North East tour dates are at Sunderland Empire so book your tickets fast.
CALAMITY JANE
4TH–8TH FEBRUARY
Sunderland Empire
atgtickets.com
Guess Who’s Back
Following a sold-out tour, Wet Wet Wet are back for 2025. Singing hits such as With a Little Help from My Friends, Angel Eyes and Sweet Surrender, they’ll also be joined by special guest Heather Small, who will open the show.
WE WET WET PLUS SPECIAL GUEST HEATHER SMALL
5TH FEBRUARY
Stockton Globe
stocktonglobe.co.uk
Face It
Iconic and hilarious ventriloquist Nina Conti is back on tour with a new unscripted show to hijack more faces for your entertainment, all without moving her lips! Act fast – tickets to her shows always sell quickly.
NINA CONTI: WHOSE FACE IS IT ANYWAY?
7TH FEBRUARY
Grand Opera House York
atgtickets.com
20TH FEBRUARY
Tyne Theatre & Opera House, Newcastle
tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk
Hard Hitting
It’s summer 1977 in South Shields and Muhammad Ali is coming to town – this new drama at Live Theatre poses questions of identity and community. Audiences for this unique show see the effect that such a major event has on a mixed race family in Shields.
CHAMPION
13TH FEBRUARY–8TH MARCH
Live Theatre, Newcastle
live.org.uk
Kings of the Castle
Fancy a different way to spend Valentine’s Day? Enjoy an exclusive tour after Newcastle Castle’s doors have closed for the night, and soak up the atmosphere of the Keep. A guide will tell the stories of the inhabitants of the castle before you head into the romantic Great Hall to enjoy a glass of fizz and a sweet treat to the sounds of cello music, then climb to the rooftop to enjoy views of the city from the great tower.
VALENTINE’S DAY EVENING TOUR
14TH FEBRUARY
Newcastle Castle
newcastlecastle.co.uk
Stars In Your Eyes
Go starry eyed at High Force Waterfall and see the beauty of the night sky (some of the darkest skies in the country) following a three-course meal in the Garden Room. Under the guidance of a stargazing expert, this will be an evening to remember.
STARGAZING SUPPER
14TH, 21ST, 22ND & 28TH FEBRUARY
High Force
raby.co.uk
Spring to Life
Wave goodbye to cold, dark days and hello to spring. From bugs to baby animals and feathery friends to flowers, this February half term your children are challenged to find them all at The Station. If they complete the trail and return to the shop, they’ll win a prize.
I SPY SPRING
15TH FEBRUARY
The Station, Richmond
thestation.co.uk
All Aboard
Bring the whole family along to Keighley & Worth Valley Railway (even the dog) for an adventure through the Worth Valley and beyond. Passenger services will run every day throughout half term with a mixture of steam engines and heritage diesels.
HALF TERM HAPPINESS
15TH–23RD FEBRUARY
Keighley & Worth Valley Railway
kwvr.co.uk
At The Movies
Bradford-born singer and Pop Idol runner-up Gareth Gates is back with a Valentine’s special featuring a live band. From Unchained Melody to Dirty Dancing, you will fall in love with timeless classics and modern favourites all over again.
GARETH GATES SINGS LOVE SONGS FROM THE MOVIES
16TH FEBRUARY
York Barbican
yorkbarbican.co.uk
And The Award Goes To…
For the very first time the MOBO awards are coming to Newcastle! Nominees for this year’s awards include Raye, PinkPantheress, Chase & Status and Stormzy and the audience for this special night in music can expect live performances and special guest appearances from some of the biggest and most exciting names in music, entertainment, and culture.
MOBO AWARDS
18TH FEBRUARY
Utilita Arena, Newcastle
utilitaarena.co.uk
Off With a Bang Bang
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is flying into Lyceum, Sheffield for two weeks only, starring Emmerdale’s Liam Fox as Grandpa Potts. The whole family will love this show.
CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG
18TH FEBRUARY–1ST MARCH
Lyceum, Sheffield
sheffieldtheatres.co.uk
Music To Your Ears
The winner of Britain’s Got Talent 2024, Sydnie Christmas is heading out on her debut UK tour, stopping by The Glasshouse International Centre For Music in Gateshead, and she’ll be performing tracks from her debut album titled My Way.
SYDNIE CHRISTMAS
19TH FEBRUARY
The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, Gateshead
theglasshouseicm.org
Light Up
In this special workshop, an aurora chaser will reveal secrets of the Northern Lights and how, when and where to see them. Perfect timing as we reach the solar maximum – the peak time to see the Northern Lights.
CHASING THE AURORA WITH WIL
20TH FEBRUARY
Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, Hexham
queenshall.co.uk
Bet On It
Seen as a trial for the Grand National, the Eider Chase is always a thrilling day out. Gather your friends and head to Newcastle Racecourse to place your bets.
EIDER CHASE
22ND FEBRUARY
Newcastle Racecourse
newcastle-racecourse.co.uk
Gonna Be Popular
West Yorkshire becomes the West End this February, and not just because of Hamilton. This special show is a celebration of women who have made their mark on the West End stage and will feature songs from Wicked, Les Mis, Mamma Mia and Waitress.
DEFYING GRAVITY: WEST END WOMEN
22ND FEBRUARY
The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford
bradford-theatres.co.uk
Artful
The annual Northumberland Open, the largest exhibition of its type in Northumberland, goes on display this February in Woodhorn Museum’s Workshop Galleries. The exhibition always attracts submissions from artists across Northumberland and beyond and we can’t wait to see the complete display.
THE NORTHUMBERLAND OPEN EXHIBITION 2025
FROM 22ND FEBRUARY
Woodhorn Museum, Ashington
museumsnorthumberland.org.uk
Historical Hijinks
Looking for something to keep the kids busy? Join characters from the past for heritage-inspired and hands-on fun at Belsay Hall this half term.
HALF TERM HISTORY MAKERS AT BELSAY HALL
22ND FEBRUARY–2ND MARCH
Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens
english-heritage.org.uk
What’s Cooking?
Celebrity chef and author James Martin is back on the road with a live tour. Audiences can look forward to an evening of entertainment filled with buttery recipes, comedy, cars, nostalgic stories and music.
JAMES MARTIN
23RD FEBRUARY
O2 City Hall, Newcastle
academymusicgroup.com
Fool Me Once
A record-breaking four-year sold-out run in London’s West End tells you why you must get tickets to see Only Fools and Horses: The Musical at Leeds Grand Theatre. Based on John Sullivan’s legendary TV show, and a script and original score written by John’s son, Jim, expect to have a fun-filled night out at the theatre.
ONLY FOOLS AND HORSES: THE MUSICAL
24TH FEBRUARY–1ST MARCH
Leeds Grand Theatre
leedsheritagetheatres.com
Funny Bones
As seen on Live at the Apollo, stand-up comedian Rachel Fairburn is bringing some new characters along for the ride on this new tour. Don’t miss her show at The Stand.
RACHEL FAIRBURN: SIDE EYE
25TH FEBRUARY
The Stand, Newcastle
thestand.co.uk
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All Hands on Deck
Music, puppetry and… pants… make up this hilarious show based on the book by Claire Freedman and Ben Cort. Audiences of all ages will sail off on a magical adventure with a party of pirates on a quest to find the Pants of Gold for the Captain’s treasure chest!
PIRATES LOVE UNDERPANTS
25TH–27TH FEBRUARY
Darlington Hippodrome
darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk
Good at Being Bad
A witch, a troll and an ancient ghost – these are the very worst Baddies in the world! The Baddies love being bad and will try their best to scare a girl out of her wits, but will they succeed? Or is the girl braver than they think? This show, perfect for children over three, is a hilarious adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s smash-hit story.
THE BADDIES
25TH–27TH FEBRUARY
Gala Durham
galadurham.co.uk
Light Up
Marvel at this immersive event which will transform the interior of Beverley Minster into a dazzling light- and soundscape, with projection installations. The projections will explore humanity’s relationship with the concept of time through history, science, and imagination.
TIME BY LUXMURALIS
25TH FEBRUARY–1ST MARCH
Beverley Minster
beverleyminster.org.uk
Animal Antics
Based on the multi-million copy selling book by Rachel Bright and Jim Field, this new adaptation is the perfect introduction to the theatre for children aged three and above. You’ll join Kevin and his friends the wombats and kangaroos as they learn that ‘life can be great when you try something new’.
THE KOALA WHO COULD
25TH FEBRUARY–2ND MARCH
Northern Stage, Newcastle
northernstage.co.uk
Get Crafty
Using spring birds as inspiration, this craft session (suitable for children aged three to 11) will guide kids to decorate their own wooden birds (using paint, pens and decorative crafts) to display in your yard, garden or in the house.
CRAFTY TWEETMENT
28TH FEBRUARY
Hopetown Darlington
hopetowndarlington.co.uk
Dancing Through Life
Strictly Come Dancing champion Chris McCausland hasn’t moved on from comedy and his stand-up tour continues. Don’t miss this show at Middlesbrough Town Hall, which he says has been ‘yonks’ in the making.
CHRIS MCCAUSLAND: YONKS!
28TH JANUARY
Middlesbrough Town Hall
boxoffice.middlesbrough.gov.uk
Story Time
Alnwick Story Fest invites you to have fun, find new friends, learn new skills and meet with inspiring writers, authors, poets and artists over an exciting weekend. With brilliant children’s events, inspiring workshops and best-selling authors, there’s so much for bookworms to look forward to. LJ Ross’s event has already sold out, and you’ll want to book tickets fast to meet Lucy Adlington and Sir Alexander McCall Smith.
ALNWICK STORY FEST
28TH FEBRUARY–2ND MARCH
Alnwick Playhouse
alnwickplayhouse.co.uk
We Ain’t Afraid of No Ghosts
Ghost tours don’t have to be postponed ‘til Halloween. Meet at the clock tower in Otley Market Place and brace yourself for a spine-chilling tour around the quaint streets of this medieval town.
OTLEY GHOST TOUR
SELECTED DATES THROUGHOUT FEBRUARY
Otley
turnipfishtheatre.com
Go Outdoors
Calling all art lovers! Now’s your last chance to see the first UK museum display of work by the highly acclaimed North American artist Daniel Arsham whilst four of his bronze sculptures are still at Yorkshire Sculpture Park (in the 18th-century Formal Garden).
DANIEL ARSHAM: RELICS IN THE LANDSCAPE
UNTIL 30TH MARCH
Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakefield
ysp.org.uk
