Teesside is the place to be this summer with a massive range of events going on all across the region. From festivals to family-friendly fun, there’s going to be something for absolutely everyone. In this blog post, I’ll be sharing my picks for summer 2023, so take a look and get your trip planned!
Hartlepool Tall Ships, 6th-9th July
Hartlepool Tall Ships is back for 2023 and it’s set to be a knockout. This FREE four day celebration is centred around a boat race across Europe, with Hartlepool in as the second stop. There’s going to be over 100 live performances to see, plenty of food and drink, and of course, boats! This event will be taking over the Marina and Victoria Harbour, so you’ll be able to get right up close to the water and the action.
Find out more about Hartlepool Tall Ships 2023 on their website, Facebook page or Instagram.
Make & Mend Festival, 16th July – Ormesby Hall
Make & Mend Festival is a real highlight in every local crafter’s calendar. This is a day that’s dedicated to getting creative, wellbeing and trying new things. You will need a ticket to attend, but this gives you access to the grounds, one workshop of your choice, the Maker’s Market, and other free demos and exhibitions. It really is an incredibly fun day and one that we’re very lucky to have in Teesside.
Find out more about Make & Mend Festival on their website, Facebook page or Instagram.
Hi! Street Fest, 29th July – Middlesbrough
Historic England are working with six high streets across the UK to bring Hi! Street Fest to the towns and one of them is Middlesbrough! A 5-metre mechanical puppet of a young fox is exploring each high street to learn more about the history, heritage and people in each town, and will be joined by a host puppet created by local community groups. This is sure to be a lovely, free, family event!
Find out more about Hi! Street Fest Middlesbrough on the We Are Middlesbrough website or the Historic England website.
Saltburn Food Festival, 30th July
One that should be in every foodie’s diary is Saltburn Food Festival. This will be the eighth edition of the festival and I think it’s going to be bigger than ever. You can expect hundreds of food traders for across the North and beyond, as well as demonstrations and live music. Showcasing local producers, distillers, brewers, and makers, this is a festival like no other on the Teesside coast! If you’re a food fan, this one is definitely for you.
Find out more about Saltburn Food Festival on the Facebook page or the Foodfirst website.
Stockton International Riverside Festival, 3rd-6th August
SIRF is a free celebration of arts and culture from around the world. Boasting some of the best global artists and performers, this event will bring magical and exciting performances, stunning visual experiences, daring dance, live music, circus and more. It truly is a spectacular and it’s all happening right from Stockton’s town centre. The programme will be absolutely jam-packed with so many amazing things to see and do, so keep your calendar free for this one.
Find out more about SIRF on their website, Facebook page or Instagram.
Darlington Pride Weekender, 12th-13th August
While the official Pride month is June, there are many Pride events taking place in August across the UK. One of those is Darlington’s and I’ve actually heard it’s been compared to the likes of Manchester! There’ll be a march, live music, street theatre, food and drink, and that’s just the Saturday! Sunday sees the party move to South Park for a family picnic event with a rainbow trail, activities and entertainment.
Find out more about Darlington Pride Weekender on the Enjoy Darlington website or the Pride Weekender Facebook page.
Darlington R&B Festival, 8th-10th September
Another hugely popular event in Darlington is the R&B Festival. This weekend-long music event is now in its 27th year and promises a huge line up of bands and artists over three days. And what makes this event even better is that it’s completely free to attend. You’ll find the main stage in the market square, surrounded by lovely pubs and cafes, and the new second stage on the riverside. This is a must-visit for all music fans!
Find out more about Darlington R&B Festival on the Enjoy Darlington website or the Darlo R&B Club Facebook page.
Festival of Thrift, 23rd-24th September – Billingham
And last, but certainly not least, we’ve got Festival of Thrift. Yes, it’s on at the end of September, but I’m still going to class it as a summer event. I love Thrift so much, from all the amazing food there, the live performances, and the message behind it. The festival is centred around sustainability, but the message isn’t in your face. It’s encouraged through fun things, like taking homegrown fruit to make into jam, going to the clothes swap or exploring ethical shopping. It’s one of my highlights every single year and I will never get bored of visiting.
Find out more about Festival of Thrift on their website, Facebook page or Instagram.
In amongst all of these big events, there are lots of little things going on. The best way to keep up with what’s on in Teesside is to check out the Visit Tees Valley what’s on page. But in the meantime, let me know which events you’ll be going to!
