Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
What's On in Newcastle, Gateshead & Northumberland
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MEET AND MAKE
1st November-31st December 2025
Time: Sundays 2-4pm
Venue: Baltic
Address: Gateshead Quays, NE8 3BA
Website: www.balticmill.com
Take part in free artist-led workshops perfect for families with children aged 5-12.
TODDLER TIME
1st November-31st December 2025
Time: Wednesdays 10am-6pm
Venue: Baltic
Address: Gateshead Quays, NE8 3BA
Website: www.balticmill.com
Toddler time explores the themes of colour, sound and touch, and is designed to support your toddler to play, make, think and do. Have fun and investigate new ways to play in these changing drop-in activities.
UNDER 5'S PLAY HIVE
1st November-31st December 2025
Time: 10am-6pm
Venue: Baltic
Address: Gateshead Quays, NE8 3BA
Website: www.balticmill.com
Drop in every Wednesday to Sunday to this area where under 5s celebrates Baltic's journey from a flour mill to our present day as an art gallery. Through play, we invite you to explore our past, present...
WONDER & WANDER TOUR
1st November-31st December 2025
Time: Wednesdays 10.30am
Venue: Baltic
Address: Gateshead Quays, NE8 3BA
Website: www.balticmill.com
Soak up some art with the barins and join a member of our Learning Team (alongside Kitty the Kittiwake) for a Wonder and Wander tour where you and your little one can discover our current exhibitions through...
COWGATE YOUNG THEATRE MAKERS
1st July-31st December 2025
Time: Mondays 4-6pm
Venue: Cowgate Community Centre,
Address: NE5 3UT.
Website: www.unfoldingtheatre.co.uk
An exciting new drama group for children & young people during term-time that uses drama, theatre-making, movement & creative writing to create & share stories. For ages 8 -14 years old. Delivered...
EAST END STORY MAKERS
3rd July-31st December 2025
Time: Wednesdays 4-4.50pm
Venue: Byker Primary School,
Address: NE6 2AT.
Website: www.unfoldingtheatre.co.uk
A creative group for children and young people during term-time that uses drama, music, movement, creative writing & food to create & share stories. For children & young people aged 5 -14 and...
STEAM TO GREEN
20th-21st July 2026
Venue: Discovery Museum
Address: Blandford Square, NE1 4JA
Website: www.discoverymuseum.org.uk
Discovery Museum's new FREE exhibiton which tells the story of energy & the climate crisis in the North East by looking back to the industrial revolution, & forward to the pioneering contributions in green...
NORTH EAST DEAF YOUTH THEATRE
21st September-31st December 2025
Time: 9.30-11.30am
Venue: Gosforth Civic Theatre,
Address: NE3 3HD
Website: www.unfoldingtheatre.co.uk
North East Deaf Theatre aims to support deaf children and young people to develop their creative skills, build confidence and form new friendships. Together with deaf arts organisation Turtléar,...
QUEEN HEAVEN
23rd January-31st December 2025
Time: 6.30pm
Venue: Life Science Centre
Address: Times Square, NE1 4EP
Website: www.life.org.uk
Enjoy some of legendary rock band Queen’s greatest hits set to fun, exciting visuals in Life’s Planetarium (a 360° immersive dome). Approved by Queen & inspired by their music, &...
FEBRUARY REOPENING
1st February-31st December 2025
Venue: Life Science Centre
Address: Times Square, NE1 4EP
Website: www.life.org.uk
Life Science Centre reopens on Saturday 1 February, after a period of closure for exciting upgrades, essential maintenance & team training, ahead of Life’s 25th birthday in May. Among the exciting new...
NEWCASTLE CASTLE
1st February-31st December 2025
Time: 10am-5pm
Venue: Newcastle Castle
Address: Castle Garth, NE1 1RQ
Website: www.newcastlecastle.co.uk
The city's most historic building & attraction, Newcastle Castle & Keep is open 5 days a week 10am-5pm during winter hours & all week at Half Term. Enjoy a day out exploring the landmarks & discovering...
ARBEIA ROMAN FORT
31st March-28th September 2025
Venue: Arbeia Roman Fort,
Address: Baring Street, South Shields, NE33 2BB
Website: www.arbeiaromanfort.org.uk
Arbeia Roman Fort once guarded the entrance to the River Tyne & was a key garrison & military supply base to other forts along Hadrians Wall. Step into the fort & immerse yourself in the world of the Romans...
UNDERGROUND ADVENTURES WITH MURRAY THE MOLE
1st May-24th October 2025
Venue: Great North Museum
Address: Barras Bridge, NE2 4PT
Website: www.greatnorthmuseum.org.uk
This collection of free family trails invites you to explore the museum, engage with objects & collect prizes. You can use the trail up to four times across one, two, three, or four visits. Complete each...
NEW LIGHTBOX
24th May-31st December 2025
Venue: Life Science Centre
Address: Times Square, NE1 4EP
Website: www.life.org.uk
Life celebrates its 25th birthday this month & to celebrate, Lightbox is opening on Saturday 24 May, an exciting NEW collection of hands-on exhibits to get stuck into. Step inside a 6-metre-high tornado,...
DRAGONFLY FESTIVAL
21st June-22nd September 2025
Time: 10am-5.30pm
Venue: WWT Washington Wetlands Centre,
Address: NE38 8LE
Website: www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/washington
Enjoy a self-led dragonfly family adventure! Pick up a spotter guide to help you & head to the amphibian ponds to spend a while exploring the area & seeing what wildlife you can spot. On a sunny day, you...
COWGATE YOUNG THEATRE MAKERS
8th September-15th December 2025
Time: Every Monday 4-6pm
Venue: The Cowshed
Address: Houghton Avenue, Cowgate NE5 3UT
Website: www.unfoldingtheatre.co.uk
An exciting new drama group for children & young people aged 8-14 during term-time that uses drama, theatre-making, movement & creative writing to create & share stories. Delivered by Unfolding Theatre...
FAMILY FUN AT LIFE
8th September-26th October 2025
Venue: Life Science Centre
Address: Times Square, NE1 4EP
Website: www.life.org.uk
Families can get stuck into loads of hands-on fun at Life Science Centre including separating fact from fiction & discover if you can believe what you see in a NEW show in the Science Theatre, enjoy exciting...
HERITAGE OPEN DAYS
12th-21st September 2025
Venue: Venues across Newcastle, Gateshead & Northumberland
Website: www.heritageopendays.org.uk
Heritage Open Days are an annual celebration of England's architecture & culture that allows visitors free access to historical landmarks that are either not usually open to the public or would normally...
WORKSHOP TOURS
20th-20th September 2025
Time: 11:30am 1.30pm & 2.30pm
Venue: Stephenson Railway Museum
Address: Middle Engine Lane, NE29 8DX
Website: www.stephensonrailwaymuseum.org.uk
Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour at Stephenson Steam Railway. Everything you ever wanted to know about maintaining vintage engines & trains - just ask the dedicated volunteers. Free event, but booking...
WHITLEY BAY FIESTA
21st-21st September 2025
Time: 11am-4pm
Venue: Whitley Bay,
Address: NE26
Market stalls, street food, free creative crafts, fun activities and live music around Whitley Bay Town Centre & the grounds of St Paul's Church. Follow Fiesta Whitley Bay on Facebook for updates.
OPEN EVENING
22nd-22nd September 2025
Time: 6-8pm
Venue: Jarrow School,
Address: NE32 5PR
Website: www.jarrowschool.com
Jarrow School would like to welcome prospective parents to their Open Evening from 6-8pm. They pride themselves on teaching a curriculum that has something for everyone, tailoring the option subjects studied...
CHESTER-LE-EATS
27th-28th September 2025
Time: 11am-5pm
Venue: Banks Home Riverside
Address: Chester-le-Street, DH3 3QR
Website: www.durhamcricket.co.uk/events
Enjoy delicious food, drink & fantastic live music at Chester-le-EATS! A vibrant festival for all ages! FREE entry for all 11am-5pm.
LET'S TRAVEL THE WORLD
27th-28th September 2025
Time: 12-5pm
Venue: Baltic Square,
Address: NE8 3BA
A weekend celebration (12-5pm each day) of global cuisine & culture, offering international food, drinks, & music - inviting visitors to explore the world from the Tyne. Free entry.
CIRQUE; THE GREATEST SHOW REIMAGINED
28th-28th September 2025
Venue: Tyne Theatre & Opera House
Address: Westgate Road, NE1 4AG
Website: www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk
Get ready for a dazzling fusion of musical theatre & jaw-dropping circus acts, taking the original Circus meets Musical Theatre spectacle to thrilling new heights. Experience iconic West End showstoppers...
SHUNTER SUNDAY
28th-28th September 2025
Venue: Stephenson Railway Museum
Address: Middle Engine Lane, NE29 8DX
Website: www.stephensonrailwaymuseum.org.uk
A treat for diesel fans – watch two ex-British Rail shunters take centre stage. Usually reserved for shunting duties & standing by, BR blue diesels 03078 & 08915 will break from their usual roles for...
OCTOBER PRE-SCHOOL DAY
10th-10th October 2025
Time: 9.30am-3pm
Venue: Life Science Centre
Address: Times Square, NE1 4EP
Website: www.life.org.uk
Pre-school days provide the perfect opportunity for you & your little ones to try new things, make new friends & have lots of hands-on fun. Enjoy exciting activities that have been developed with children’s...
SOUTH TYNESIDE INTERNATIONAL MAGIC FAMILY FESTIVAL
17th-17th October 2025
Venue: Customs House
Address: South Shields, NE33 1ES
Website: www.customshouse.co.uk/theatre
A magical treat for all ages featuring comedy, wonder, & plenty of “how did they do that?” moments! Tickets from £10.00.
FAMILY ART CLASS
18th-18th October 2025
Time: 10.30am - 12 noon & 1-2.30pm
Venue: Shipley Art Gallery
Address: Prince Consort Road, NE8 4JB
Website: www.shipleyartgallery.org.uk
A monthly Saturday art class for 7 - 12 year olds. At each session you'll be guided by a professional artist to discover a different art technique, such as watercolours, ceramics, mixed media, drawing...
NAPOLEONIC CANNON FIRING
18th-19th October 2025
Time: 11am
Venue: Alnwick Castle
Address: Alnwick, NR66 1NQ
Website: www.alnwickcastle.com
Join the Newcastle Garrison Live History Group on the Gun Terrace for live firing of our very own replica Napoleonic cannon & make your day go off with a BANG! Cannon will be fired hourly from 11am weather...
THE BIG DRAW FESTIVAL
18th-18th October 2025
Time: 1-4pm
Venue: Shipley Art Gallery
Address: Prince Consort Road, NE8 4JB
Website: www.shipleyartgallery.org.uk
Celebrate 25 years of The Big Draw with the theme ‘Drawn Together’. Suitable for all ages - you don't need to be 'good at drawing'! This event is all about coming together to draw in fun & surprising...
HALLOWEEN HALF TERM
25th October-2nd November 2025
Time: 10am-4pm
Venue: Belsay Hall, Castle & Gardens
Address: NE20 0DX
Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/belsay-hall-castle-and-gardens
Gather your little monsters for a ghoulishly good day out at Belsay Hall this half term. Follow the quest to solve creepy clues & gather round to listen to spooky stories. Book online & save 15%.
SPOT'S BIRTHDAY PARTY
29th October-2nd November 2025
Venue: Northern Stage
Address: NE1 7RH
Website: www.northernstage.co.uk
Join Spot & his friends for this engaging & interactive show for everyone age 2 plus & their grownups. Based on the beloved Eric Hill classic Happy Birthday Spot, this brand-new adaptation is the perfect...
SPOOKY HALLOWEEN WALK
30th October-1st November 2025
Time: 5.30pm, 6.30pm & 7.30pm
Venue: Belsay Hall, Castle & Gardens
Address: NE20 0DX
Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/belsay-hall-castle-and-gardens
Join some ghost-hunting storytellers on a family-friendly walk through the shadows of Belsay Castle. With tales full of strange & spooky goings-on, this Halloween walk is sure to get you into the spirit...
THE PIRATES OF BUCCANEER BAY
31st-31st October 2025
Time: 2pm
Venue: The Exchange Theatre
Address: Howard Street, North Shields, NE30 1SE
Website: www.theexchange1856.com
All aboard for a swashbuckling adventure like no other! Packed with laughs, thrills, & jaw-dropping surprises, this is the high-seas panto experience you won't want to miss! Whether you're 4 or 104, this...
FESTIVAL OF FIREWORKS
1st-1st November 2025
Time: 4.30-7.30pm
Venue: Banks Home Riverside
Address: Chester-le-Street, DH3 3QR
Website: www.durhamcricket.co.uk/events
Lasers, fireworks, live music, food & drink plus lots more. Tickets Adults £10.00, Child £6.00, Family £27.00. Book online.
TALES FROM ACORN WOOD
6th-7th November 2025
Venue: Customs House
Address: South Shields, NE33 1ES
Website: www.customshouse.co.uk/theatre
Based on the favourite stories by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler. Poor old Fox has lost his socks! Are they in the kitchen or inside the clock? And Rat-a-tat-tat! Who’s that keeping tired Rabbit awake?...
CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
11th-15th November 2025
Venue: Tyne Theatre & Opera House
Address: Westgate Road, NE1 4AG
Website: www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk
Based on the famous novel by Roald Dahl, Charlie &the Chocolate Factory features an original score composed by Marc Shaiman with lyrics by Shaiman & Scott Wittman (Hairspray) & a book by David Greig....
DISNEY ON ICE
19th-23rd November 2025
Venue: Utilita Arena
Address: NE4 7NA
Website: www.utilitaarena.co.uk
Experience the legacy of Disney as Disney On Ice presents Find Your Hero, a brand-new magical adventure for the whole family! Discover what it truly means to be a hero as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse &...
GOLDILOCKS & THE THREE BEARS
21st November-3rd January 2026
Venue: Customs House
Address: South Shields, NE33 1ES
Website: www.customshouse.co.uk/theatre
Step right up for a magical, madcap adventure in this spectacular pantomime, Goldilocks & the Three Bears! Join the fabulous Dame Bella, the queen of the big top, & her hapless but lovable sidekick Dennis...
THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISMOUSE
22nd November-3rd January 2026
Venue: Northern Stage
Address: NE1 7RH
Website: www.northernstage.co.uk
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a…MOUSE! Join MOUSE on a Christmas Eve mission to deliver a present. Climb to the top of the pile...
ALADDIN
25th November-18th January 2026
Venue: Newcastle Theatre Royal
Address: NE1 6BR
Website: www.theatreroyal.co.uk
Enter a whole new world of pantomime with a brand-new version of Aladdin celebrating Danny & Clive’s 20th year as the stars of the Theatre Royal panto! Michael Harrison’s retelling of the legendary...
BEAUTY & THE BEAST
4th December-3rd January 2026
Venue: Northern Stage
Address: NE1 7RH
Website: www.northernstage.co.uk
A stolen rose spells bad news for heroine Belle & her unfortunate dad in this enchantingly wicked retelling of Beauty & the Beast. Families are invited to join the narrators – two mischievous fairies...
BEAUTY & THE BEAST
5th December-3rd January 2026
Venue: Whitley Bay Playhouse
Address: NE26 1LZ
Website: www.playhousewhitleybay.co.uk
The timeless panto of love & magic..It's a tale as old as time! Blue Genie Entertainment return with their next Christmas production starring BAFTA award-winning CBBC star Dani HAmer, the unforgettable...
CINDERELLA
5th December-4th January 2026
Venue: Tyne Theatre & Opera House
Address: Westgate Road, NE1 4AG
Website: www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk
Join in the festive fun with the lovable Buttons, the handsome Prince Charming, the wicked Ugly Sisters, the magical Fairy Godmother &, of course, the beautiful Cinderella & make it a Christmas to remember...
WHERE DO ALL THE KITTIWAKES GO AT CHRISTMAS
9th-21st December 2025
Venue: Live Theatre, Quayside,
Address: NE1 3DQ
Website: www.live.org.uk
Live Theatre present a deliciously wintry new play this Christmas, sprinkled with ideas from local schoolchildren. This festive tale will have the whole family squawking with laughter! Tickets Adult £16.00,...
JACK & THE BEANSTALK
12th-24th December 2025
Venue: The Exchange Theatre
Address: Howard Street, North Shields, NE30 1SE
Website: www.theexchange1856.com
Oh no he didn’t! Oh yes he did! The magic of panto returns with a giant-sized adventure for all the family! This year, climb sky-high with Jack and the Beanstalk — a laugh-out-loud, song-filled spectacular...
A TOWN CALLED CHRISTMAS
19th-21st December 2025
Venue: Gosforth Civic Theatre
Address: NE3 3HD
Website: www.gosforthcivictheatre.co.uk
Clementine dreams of a gingerbread village where chocolate coins are currency, & laughter hangs like baubles in the air! The happiest place on Earth. Or at least it used to be. Together with a cantankerous...