What's On in March Across the North East and Yorkshire
This month's events to know about
Criminally Good
Bay Tales Live is returning to Whitley Bay Playhouse for a fourth year bringing one of the biggest crime fiction events in the UK to the coast. Vera author Ann Cleeves will be welcoming special guest William Shaw for her opening session and you can meet Mari Hannah – amongst many other talented writers who’ll be there too. Visit the on-site bookshop, get your books signed and leave with advance copies of some of 2025’s biggest titles.
Bay Tales
1ST MARCH
Playhouse Whitley Bay
baytales.com
Ribbiting
Head into the woods with Hansel and Gretel, help elves make shoes, meet the princess who’s champion of hide-and-seek, and see if Froggy finally gets his wish. This fun-filled theatre show with puppets and original music is perfect for the kids.
The Frog and the Princess
1ST MARCH
Harrogate Theatre
harrogatetheatre.co.uk
Art Attack
In this fun, child-friendly workshop (especially tailored for youngsters aged three and above), your children will make their own dragonfly. Drop-in sessions are included in your admission price to the castle.
Crafting at the Castle
1ST & 2ND MARCH
Bamburgh Castle
bamburghcastle.com
Eye Eye
York-born writer, comedian and actor Rob Auton is heading to Sheffield with The Eyes Open and Shut Show, exploring what he could do to himself and others (with language) when eyes are open and shut.
Rob Auton
4TH MARCH
The Leadmill, Sheffield
leadmill.co.uk
Knock Knock
Outrageous and ridiculously funny, the mormons are back! This musical comedy from the creators of South Park follows a mismatched pair of mormons on a mission to a place that’s far from Salt Lake City. It’s unlike any other musical you’ll see.
The Book of Mormon
4TH–22ND MARCH
Hull City Hall
hulltheatres.co.uk
Here Come The Girls
For the National Hunt season finale, head along to Catterick Racecourse with the girls – it’s Ladies’ Day. Enjoy an afternoon of racing action and dress to impress for a chance to win some fabulous prizes in Catterick Racecourse’s fashion competitions!
Countryside Ladies’ Day
5TH MARCH
Catterick Racecourse
catterickbridge.co.uk
Having a Laugh
Peter Kay’s return to stand-up comedy has been in such high demand that there are plenty more shows heading into 2025. Back in Leeds, he’ll be bringing more great jokes to fans at First Direct Arena.
Peter Kay
7TH & 8TH MARCH
First Direct Arena, Leeds
firstdirectarena.com
Lighting Up Life
In celebration of British Science Week and Life’s 25th birthday, visitors are being plunged into an immersive world with Luma – a nine-metre long, glowing robotic snail. The artists behind Luma, Air Giants, take their inspiration from nature to make these clever interactive robots.
Luma
7TH–15TH MARCH
Life Science Centre, Newcastle
life.org.uk
Keep Dancing
Mamba, Charleston, Foxtrot and Salsa the night away with Strictly pros Karen Hauer and Gorka Marquez who will be joined by fabulous vocalists and musicians. Their show Speakeasy will showcase a variety of dance styles from Havana dance floors to Burlesque cabaret clubs.
Karen Hauer & Gorka Marquez: Speakeasy
8TH MARCH
The Glasshouse, Gateshead
theglasshouseicm.org
Wonderful Women
From the history of Cecily Neville to the lesser-known experiences of the women who worked in the household, follow this tour at Raby to explore how women are depicted in some of the most iconic artworks in the castle’s collection.
Women of Raby Tour
8TH & 22ND MARCH
Raby Castle, Staindrop
raby.co.uk
End of a (V)era
Before you say goodbye to Brenda Blethyn’s DCI Vera Stanhope (at least on screen), don’t miss this special celebration of the series, 25 years since Ann Cleeves’ first Vera Stanhope novel was published. Brenda and Ann will talk about the latest book and final TV adaptation, The Dark Wives, and reminisce over their favourite scenes. They’ll be interviewed on stage by local TV presenter Steph McGovern. For more, head to livingnorth.com where Ann reflects on why Vera will be missed, not just across the region, but the world.
Vera: End of an Era: Brenda Blethyn & Ann Cleeves
13TH MARCH
O2 City Hall Newcastle
academymusicgroup.com
Beautiful Ballet
Step into the magical world of Cinderella. The timeless story of love, courage and kindness reminds us all to have faith in our wildest dreams; one day they might just come true. You can expect a glorious celebration of classical ballet with world-class dance, spectacular scenery, and a cast of characters that include mice, lizards and even a dancing frog – something to capture every imagination!
Birmingham Royal Ballet: Cinderella
13TH–15TH MARCH
Sunderland Empire
atgtickets.com/Sunderland
Brontë in Ballet
Charlotte Brontë created Yorkshire’s ultimate heroine – Jane Eyre. Now Northern Ballet are bringing her to life. With a sweeping Yorkshire Moors backdrop and dramatic choreography and music, you’ll love this tale of romance, jealousy and dark secrets.
Northern Ballet’s Jane Eyre
14TH–22ND MARCH
Leeds Grand Theatre
leedsheritagetheatres.com
All That Glitters
In this exclusive session, visitors will learn about the history of the pursuit of gold in art. With expert guidance, you’ll explore artworks in the Spanish Gallery and the raw materials used within them, then work on your own gilt foil creation.
Gold Alchemy of Art
14TH MARCH
Spanish Gallery, Bishop Auckland
aucklandproject.org
Luck of the Irish
This special St Patrick’s-themed race day promises all the thrills and spills of great jumps racing and a celebration of all things Irish.
The Guinness St Patrick’s Raceday
15TH MARCH
Newcastle Racecourse
newcastle-racecourse.co.uk
Artful
This spring, discover more than 60 artists and galleries and browse their work at The Hepworth Wakefield Print Fair, whilst families can also enjoy fun activities, street food and discounted entry to The Hepworth’s exhibitions.
The Hepworth Wakefield Print Fair
15TH & 16TH MARCH
The Hepworth, Wakefield
hepworthwakefield.org
Three’s a Crowd
It’s the 1960s, and Bernard lives in his luxury apartment in Paris with his fiancée. She’s an air hostess, but so are his other fiancées. One is American, one is Italian, one is German and all fly for different airlines. In theory, they shouldn’t ever meet… until all three ladies have unexpected layovers at the same time.
Boeing Boeing
17TH–22ND MARCH
Tynemouth Priory Theatre
tynemouthpriorytheatre.co.uk
A Shark’s Tale
Dive into the drama behind the scenes of Jaws. The open ocean, 1974. Filming is delayed… again. The lead actors – theatre veteran Robert Shaw and young Hollywood hotshots Richard Dreyfuss and Roy Scheider – are crammed into a too-small boat, entirely at the mercy of foul weather and a faulty mechanical co-star. Alcohol flows, egos collide, and tempers flare on this chaotic voyage.
The Shark is Broken
18TH–22ND MARCH
Newcastle Theatre Royal
theatreroyal.co.uk
Here Comes The Sun
Make sure you see this seven-metre diameter sculpture created by internationally-renowned artist Luke Jerram. Following Luke’s previous celestial sculptures, Gaia, Museum of the Moon and Mars, Helios is Ancient Greek for the sun. Expect solar imagery, sounds of the sun recorded by NASA, and dazzling lights in this audio-visual experience where you can take a closer look at the star and details such as sunspots and solar flares.
Helios
FROM 19TH MARCH
Seaton Delaval Hall
nationaltrust.org.uk
Comedy Gold
Comedian and presenter Paddy McGuinness is leaving the screen for the stage as he heads back on a tour of the UK with a new show, eight years since his last. Book tickets to see Paddy as well as Peter Kay, and it’ll feel just like the early ‘00s (if you loved Phoenix Nights).
Paddy McGuinness
20TH MARCH
York Barbican
yorkbarbican.co.uk
Ice Ice Baby
Mickey, Minnie, and their Disney friends continue their 100 Years of Wonder and bring ice to Leeds’s First Direct Arena. So whether the kids want to set sail with Moana and Maui to save the island of Motunui, or bring back summer with Anna, Elsa, and Olaf, they can expect Disney magic in spades.
Disney On Ice
20TH–23RD MARCH
First Direct Arena, Leeds
firstdirectarena.com
Here Be Dragons
Dragons, by South Korean choreographer Eun-Me Ahn, is a celebration of dance, music – and dragons, bringing together modern and traditional dance styles from across Asia. Don’t miss this colourful production which introduces five young guest performers from Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia and Taiwan.
Dragons
21ST & 22ND MARCH
The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford
bradford2025.co.uk
We’re Back!
Yorkshire’s leading homes, gardens, shopping, food and lifestyle event returns to York Racecourse this spring. With stylish shopping, live demonstrations, talks and tastings, Living North LIVE brings you inspiring ideas for your home and garden, great gifts, delicious food and unique accessories that you won’t find anywhere else! We can’t wait to see you there!
Living North LIVE
21ST–23RD MARCH
York Racecourse
livingnorth.com
Hungry For More
Kids will love this critically-acclaimed production of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show with 75 puppets. Adapting four stories by author/illustrator Eric Carle, it’s the perfect introduction to live theatre.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show
23RD MARCH
Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, Hexham
queenshall.co.uk
Let’s Do The Time Warp
Richard O’Brien’s legendary musical The Rocky Horror Show is coming to Darlington and while we’re sure you all know the story, you won’t want to miss this stage production which is filled with fun, frolics, frocks, and frivolity. Expect timeless classics including Sweet Transvestite, Damn it Janet, and of course, the pelvic thrusting Time Warp.
The Rocky Horror Show
31ST MARCH–5TH APRIL
Darlington Hippodrome
darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk
Putting a Spell On You
Art and nature intertwine in this new exhibition at The Sill via stunning illustrations by Jackie Morris and poems by Robert Macfarlane. Visitors will also see original note- and sketchbooks and objects that inspired the works and there’ll be recorded readings of some of Robert’s poems played and shown in the gallery space. Don’t miss the children’s activities and events whilst you’re there too.
Spellbound: The Lost Words and The Lost Spells
UNTIL 6TH APRIL
The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre, Hexham
thesill.org.uk
