What's On in Newcastle, Gateshead & Northumberland

NORTH EAST DEAF YOUTH THEATRE

Time: Third Sat

Venue: Gosforth Civic Theatre

Address: NE3 3HD

Website: www.gosforthcivictheatre.co.uk

Third Saturday every month, 9.30-11.30am, FREE monthly workshops for deaf children and young people aged 5 - 12 years. North East Deaf Youth Theatre explores all aspects of theatre-making including, creative...

ALNWICK CASTLE OPENS FOR 2026

Time: 10am-5pm

Venue: Alnwick Castle

Address: Alnwick, NR66 1NQ

Website: www.alnwickcastle.com

There are many exciting things to do at Alnwick Castle every day. Take a guided tour & learn about the history of Alnwick Castle or its use as a filming location, have a go at archery & test your abilities...

SWING BRIDGE 150

Venue: Discovery Museum

Address: Blandford Square, NE1 4JA

Website: www.discoverymuseum.org.uk

A small display in the Turbinia Atrium charting 150 years of the iconic Swing Bridge that connects Newcastle & Gateshead, with historical objects, images & archival material. Unveiled in 1876, Lord...

THINGS THAT GO - OPENING SUMMER 2026

Venue: Discovery Museum

Address: Blandford Square, NE1 4JA

Website: www.discoverymuseum.org.uk

Discovery Museum’s brand-new gallery space will launch with a free playful transport exhibition. From boats & bicycles to tractors, trains & planes, explore the exciting world of transport through hands-on...

COWGATE YOUNG THEATRE MAKERS

Time: 4-5.30pm

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 every Monday 4-5.30pm during term-time that uses drama, theatre-making, movement & creative writing to create & share stories. Delivered...

EAST END STORY MAKERS

Time: 4-5.30pm

Venue: The Lighthouse Project

Address: NE6 2FT

Website: www.unfoldingtheatre.co.uk

A creative group for children & young people aged 7-14 every Wednesday during term-time that uses drama, music, movement, creative writing & food to create & share stories. Places are free but must be...

NORTH EAST DEAF YOUTH THEATRE

Time: Third Sat

Venue: Gosforth Civic Theatre

Address: NE3 3HD

Website: www.unfoldingtheatre.co.uk

Third Saturday every month, 9.30-11.30am, FREE monthly workshops for deaf children and young people aged 5 - 12 years. North East Deaf Youth Theatre explores all aspects of theatre-making including, creative...

MRS DOUBTFIRE

Venue: Newcastle Theatre Royal

Address: NE1 6BR

Website: www.theatreroyal.co.uk

Helloooo, poppets! Mrs Doubtfire, the hit musical comedy based on the much-loved film, is heading to Newcastle! With laugh-out-loud moments, catchy new songs and dazzling dance numbers, it’s a heart-warming...

DISCOVER & GROW

Time: Every Friday 10.15 & 11.15am

Venue: Market Pavilion

Address: Blyth, NE24 1BQ

Website: www.greatnorthumberland.co.uk/whatson

Creative play sessions for babies, toddlers, pre-school children & their grown-ups. Through storytelling, sensory play, music, movement, puppetry & hands-on making, families can explore themes of community,...

SATURDAY ART CLASSES

Time: 10.15-11.45am & 1-2.30pm

Venue: Laing Art Gallery

Address: New Bridge Street, NE1 8AG

Website: www.laingartgallery.org.uk

An inclusive art class held on the first Saturday of every month for 10-15 year olds. £7 per child.Pre-booking essential at www.laingartgallery.org.uk.

SPOOKYDORIE DAYS AT LILIDOREI

Time: 10am-5pm

Venue: Alnwick Garden

Address: Alnwick, NR66 1NQ

Website: www.alnwickgarden.com

Spookydorei is the village’s celebration of Halloween & every year they pull out all the stops! Don your best costume apparel & discover how each of the clans has decorated their part of the village...

THE PUMPKIN GARDEN

Venue: Alnwick Garden

Address: Alnwick, NR66 1NQ

Website: www.alnwickgarden.com

Have fun adventuring around The Garden searching for all the items on a Pumpkin Garden Scavenger Hunt & join in some fun-filled harvest games during the October half term (24 Oct - 1 Nov). FREE with Garden...

PUMPKIN TRAIL

Time: 10am-4pm

Venue: Woodhorn Museum & Country Park

Address: NE63 9YF

Website: www.northeastmuseums.org.uk/woodhorn

Can you find all the pumpkins that are hiding in the shadowy corners of Woodhorn Museum? Pick up your trail sheet & then explore the museum & colliery buildings to try & find all the hidden pumpkins....

ESCAPE FROM THE GAOL

Venue: Hexham Old Gaol

Address: Hallgate, NE46 3NH

Website: www.hexhamoldgaol.org.uk

Put your detective skills to the test at Hexham Old Gaol. Follow the Escape the Gaol Trail, meet the colourful characters linked to the gaol & collect hidden letters along the way. Crack the code to discover...

FAMILY ART CLASS

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 & their grown ups. At each session you'll be guided by a professional artist to discover a different art technique, such as watercolours, ceramics, mixed...

HEXHAM SKULL TRAIL

Venue: Hexham Old Gaol

Address: Hallgate, NE46 3NH

Website: www.hexhamoldgaol.org.uk

A spine-chilling Skull Trail around the Gaol, inspired by the museum’s dark & grisly history & collections. Can you count all the Skulls lurking in the creepy corners of Hexham Old Gaol? Price included...

MAKE A GROANING GHOST

Venue: Hexham Old Gaol

Address: Hallgate, NE46 3NH

Website: www.hexhamoldgaol.org.uk

Drop-in, get creative & make your very own spooky ghost or ghoul that groans! Price included with annual pass admission. Children go free.

THE TRAFALGAR FLAG OF LORD COLLINGWOOD

Venue: Discovery Museum

Address: Blandford Square, NE1 4JA

Website: www.discoverymuseum.org.uk

Be the first in the country to see the battle-scarred hand-sewn Union flag, created & flown on board HMS Royal Sovereign, the flagship of Newcastle-born Vice-Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood at the Battle...

SPOOKYDORIE NIGHTS

Time: 5-9pm

Venue: Alnwick Garden

Address: Alnwick, NR66 1NQ

Website: www.alnwickgarden.com

Enjoy a hoi pollo of haunts at Spookydorei Nights this Halloween as the Lilidorians light up the Village with the spells of the season. It's all the family fun of Spookydorei, but in a whole new (& spooky)...

ARBORIALIS - A LUMINARIUM BY ARCITECTS OF AIR

Time: 10.15am-4pm

Venue: Woodhorn Museum & Country Park

Address: NE63 9YF

Website: www.northeastmuseums.org.uk/woodhorn/whats-on/arborialis-luminarium-by-architects-of-air

Step inside a world of light & colour this October half term. Take off your shoes & enter Arborialis, an immersive walk-in sculpture where winding paths, glowing forms &d vibrant colours create an otherworldly...

AUTUMN GALA

Venue: Stephenson Railway Museum

Address: Middle Engine Lane, NE29 8DX

Website: www.stephensonrailwaymuseum.org.uk

The Autumn Gala will see all available locomotives from the home fleet operating a packed timetable of steam & diesel-hauled passenger & freight trains. Full details online.

GREGGS TA-PASTRY

Venue: Great North Museum

Address: Barras Bridge, NE2 4PT

Website: www.greatnorthmuseum.org.uk

This eight-metre-long embroidery chronicles the conquest of the British high street by Greggs' most treasured (& tasty) artefacts, inviting you to look closer at the legacy that lives behind your everyday...

HALLOWEEN HALF TERM

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. Join the Great Pumpkin Party & celebrate the season with entertainment including interactive storytelling, spooky games, devilish disco fun, themed...

MINING FOR MEMORIES

Time: 11am - 3pm 

Venue: Woodhorn Museum & Country Park

Address: NE63 9YF

Website: www.northeastmuseums.org.uk/woodhorn/whats-on/mining-for-memories

Woodhorn is a special place for many people for many reasons. In Mining for Memories you can create your own black diamond to hold your special memories of Woodhorn. These paper gems will be added to stunning...

NOT NOW BERNARD

Time: 11am & 2pm

Venue: Gosforth Civic Theatre

Address: NE3 3HD

Website: www.gosforthcivictheatre.co.uk

Enjoy a wildly funny, physical theatre adaptation of David McKee’s much-loved picture book, bursting with chaos, live music made from instruments & household objects, plus an ENORMOUS purple monster....

SPOOKY OCTOBER HALF TERM

Venue: Life Science Centre

Address: Times Square, NE1 4EP

Website: www.life.org.uk

See huge moving dinosaurs during the spookiest time of the year, create a skeleton puppet to hang in your home, experience a 360 degree immersive dome show "Bump in the Night" & much more included in your...

BLYTH HALLOWEEN - TRICK OR TREAT

Venue: Market Pavilion & Town Centre,

Address: Blyth, NE24 1BQ

Website: www.greatnorthumberland.co.uk/whatson

A week of free, family-friendly activities at the Market Pavilion & across the town centre. Get creative with Halloween-inspired workshops, make your own spooky & help bring the celebrations to life....

EXPLORE & DRAW

Time: 12.30-3.30pm

Venue: Shipley Art Gallery

Address: Prince Consort Road, NE8 4JB

Website: www.shipleyartgallery.org.uk

Pop into the gallery to draw & explore. This is a free activity for all ages, which you can do at your own pace. Please note, it is not a taught class. More details online.

ART CAMP

Time: 10am-3pm

Venue: Laing Art Gallery

Address: New Bridge Street, NE1 8AG

Website: www.laingartgallery.org.uk

Young people aged 7-12 years are welcome to explore the galleries, talk about art, & create their own work in sessions led by a professional arts educator. Experiment with materials, learn new skills,...

ANIMAL HANDLING

Time: 11am-12pm & 12.30-1.30pm

Venue: South Shields Museum & Art Gallery

Address: Ocean Road, NE33 2JA

Website: www.southshieldsmuseum.org.uk

Exciting animal handling & interaction sessions at 11am & 12,30pm, where you can meet amazing creatures, learn fascinating facts & enjoy hands-on crafty fun! Perfect for little explorers aged 4+. Book...

DENNIS’ LITTLE CHIP SHOP OF HORRORS!

Venue: Customs House

Address: South Shields, NE33 1ES

Website: www.customshouse.co.uk/theatre

It’s spooky season at The Customs House & everyone’s favourite dafty Dennis (Glen Richard Townsend) is back! He’s got himself a job at the local chippy, however the chip shop is far from tip top...

HALLOWEEN SLEEPOVER

Time: 5pm - 10am

Venue: Great North Museum

Address: Barras Bridge, NE2 4PT

Website: www.greatnorthmuseum.org.uk

A spooky overnight family adventure awaits, complete with food, drink & Halloween activities including creepy crafts, a terrifying trail, spooky story time, phantom forest school, dungeon disco & a delicious...

SPOOKY NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM

Time: 4.30-6.30pm & 7.30-9.30pm

Venue: Discovery Museum

Address: Blandford Square, NE1 4JA

Website: www.discoverymuseum.org.uk

Calling all monsters, witches, ghosts & ghouls, big & small. Discovery Museum's much-loved Halloween party's are back & promise to be more spooktacular than ever! Dress in your best Halloween costume &...

TIME ODYSSEY: A FAMILY ADVENTURE

Venue: Great North Museum

Address: Barras Bridge, NE2 4PT

Website: www.greatnorthmuseum.org.uk

Time Odyssey is an exciting new interactive learning experience which takes families on a quest through their local museum physically & virtually. Played on a tablet it uses gaming techniques & impressive...

BIRDS OF PREY

Time: 11am-3pm

Venue: Woodhorn Museum & Country Park

Address: NE63 9YF

Website: www.museumsnorthumberland.org.uk/whats-on

Discover the fascinating world of birds of prey & see spectacular flying displays at 12noon & 2pm (weather permiting) with the team from Ridgeside Falconry. Price included in Annual Pass.

PHANTON FLYER

Time: 11.30am-3pm

Venue: Stephenson Railway Museum

Address: Middle Engine Lane, NE29 8DX

Website: www.stephensonrailwaymuseum.org.uk

Get ready for a spook-tacular experience aboard the Phantom Flyer Train. Don your best costume & take part in a frightfully fun train ride on Halloween, with entertainment from the theatre group, The Moss...

SPOOK NIGHT POSTER WORKSHOP

Time: 11am-1pm

Venue: Hexham Old Gaol

Address: Hallgate, NE46 3NH

Website: www.hexhamoldgaol.org.uk

Drop-in & join artist Jonny Hannah at Hexham's Moot Hall to create your own wanted poster for the notorious Hexham Heads. Free. All materials provided.

NORTH TYNESIDE FIREWORKS DISPLAY

Time: 6- 7.30pm

Venue: The Links,

Address: Whitley Bay, NE26 1PG

Website: www.visitnorthtyneside.com/events/event/north-tyneside-fireworks-display/

North Tyneside's annual free fireworks display starts at 7 pm, lasting for around 20 minutes, and there will be fairground rides for children to enjoy & refreshments before the display.

BLUE FLAMES FIREWORKS DISPLAY

Time: 5.30-8pm

Venue: Blue Flames Sporting Club

Address: Benton NE12 9SF

Website: www.blueflames.co.uk

The Blue Flames Annual Fireworks Display returns for another year! Adults £10.00, Kids £7.00, Family £31.00. Book online at www.blueflames.co.uk/fireworks-display

OUTDOOR ICE SKATING

Venue: Life Science Centre

Address: Times Square, NE1 4EP

Website: www.life.org.uk

Life’s outdoor ice rink is an established part of Newcastle’s festive calendar & reopens from Saturday 7 November 2026. Skating sessions last approximately one hour (includes time to fit skates, so...

SATURDAY ART CLASSES

Time: 10.15-11.45am & 1-2.30pm

Venue: Laing Art Gallery

Address: New Bridge Street, NE1 8AG

Website: www.laingartgallery.org.uk

An inclusive art class held on the first Saturday of every month for 10-15 year olds. £7 per child.Pre-booking essential at www.laingartgallery.org.uk.

TYNEMOUTH CRICKET CLUB FIREWORKS DISPLAY

Time: 7pm

Venue: Tynemouth Cricket Club, Preston Avenue,

Address: NE30 2BG

Website: www.tynemouthcricketclub.co.uk

Get ready for an amazing fireworks display at 7pm (gates open 5pm). Should be fun for all the family with fairground rides, food stalls & of course the bar will be open! This event is the cricket clubs...

DISNEY ON ICE presents DISCOVER THE MAGIC

Venue: Utilita Arena

Address: NE4 7NA

Website: www.utilitaarena.co.uk

Celebrate Disney magic as Disney On Ice presents Discover the Magic, a fast-paced, family-friendly production that follows the search for Tinker Bell through stunning worlds. Explore the colorful spirit...

ELF THE MUSICAL

Venue: Tyne Theatre & Opera House

Address: Westgate Road, NE1 4AG

Website: www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk

Elf the Musical is based on the 2003 feature film of the same name which features Buddy (as the Elf), & who doesn’t quite seem to fit in to Santa’s workshop, in more ways than one. Not only is he really...

SLEEPING BEAUTY

Venue: Customs House

Address: South Shields, NE33 1ES

Website: www.customshouse.co.uk/theatre

Chaos is coming to Cooksonville as the beloved story of Sleeping Beauty is retold with a Customs House twist. When the dastardly fairy Narcissus curses the Palace, Dame Bella & the ever-eager Dennis are...

FAMILY ART CLASS

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 & their grown ups. At each session you'll be guided by a professional artist to discover a different art technique, such as watercolours, ceramics, mixed...

THE CHRISTMAS SORTING OFFICE

Venue: Northern Stage

Address: NE1 7RH

Website: www.northernstage.co.uk

Every year, in a top secret location, the North East Sorting Office receives thousands of letters to Santa from children (and sometimes grown-ups!) from all across Tyne & Wear. It’s Remi’s...

JACK & THE BEANSTALK

Venue: Newcastle Theatre Royal

Address: NE1 6BR

Website: www.theatreroyal.co.uk

Follow Jack as he scales a beanstalk of epic proportions in search of his fortune in Cloudland. Doomed to sell his trusty cow, can Jack outwit the evil giant to win riches beyond his wildest dreams? Climb...

THE SNOW QUEEN

Venue: Northern Stage

Address: NE1 7RH

Website: www.northernstage.co.uk

In a town called Stifle lives a girl named Gerda. She is the only child in Stifle – until Kai arrives.  When the cruel Snow Queen whisks Kai away, Gerda embarks on an epic adventure, leaving...

ALADDIN

Venue: Tyne Theatre & Opera House

Address: Westgate Road, NE1 4AG

Website: www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk

This year's fun-packed family pantomime at the Tyne Theatre is Aladdin, from the same team behind last year’s spellbinding Christmas production of Cinderella & The Little Mermaid at Easter. Laugh at...

SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARFS

Venue: Whitley Bay Playhouse

Address: NE26 1LZ

Website: www.playhousewhitleybay.co.uk

Mirror Mirror on the wall, it is time for one of the greatest pantos of them all! This year the Playhouse bring the North East's own Michelle Heaton home as Snow White in this fairy tale adventure. Tickets...

THE SNOW QUEEN OF SPITSBERGEN

Venue: Gosforth Civic Theatre

Address: NE3 3HD

Website: www.gosforthcivictheatre.co.uk

A sensory immersive winter adventure through the frozen north & into the heart of the Snow Queen's winter- a magical journey about friendship, resilience & finding hope & joy in the coldest of places....

WHERE DO ALL THE KITTIWAKES GO AT CHRISTMAS

Venue: Live Theatre, Quayside,

Address: NE1 3DQ

Website: www.live.org.uk

Live Theatre present this deliciously wintry play about Christmas, sprinkled with ideas from local schoolchildren. Ever wondered where all those cheeky seaside birds go when Christmas comes & there aren’t...