Looking for something to do mid-February 2024 in the North East? I’ve got you covered with this handy dandy list. As part of my feature on BBC Tees and Newcastle, I select my top picks of things happening across the North East, and here’s what I’ve chosen for Thursday 15th to Thursday 22nd February.
SmileyWorld art trail – North Tyneside – from now until Tues 2nd April
We’re starting in North Tyneside with a free art trail that could be good to fill a day over half term or a quiet weekend. So the SmileyWorld trail is on from now all the way through until the 2nd of April, so you’ve got plenty of time to head out and find all the smileys. This trail has been created in collaboration with the Smiley Company and creative producers Wild In Art, and they’ve dotted 15 bright sculptures across North Tyneside, all inspired by emotions, such as joy, excitement, confusion and more. You’ll be able to spot them all over, like North Shields, Tynemouth and Whitley Bay, but you can also find a map app in your phone’s app store, a downloadable map on the Visit North Tyneside website, or a printed map in the Customer First Centres.
Disney’s Aladdin – Sunderland Empire – from Thurs 15th to Sun 10th March
Aladdin will be flying into Sunderland Empire via magic carpet, no less, to bring all the magic of the Disney classic to the North East. This show has been a huge hit on Broadway and the West End, and you’ve got the chance to see it from Thursday 15th until Sunday 10th March, and I’d usually say that that’s plenty of time to get booked, but tickets are going super quick. The show follows the same story as the Disney film and includes all of the fantastic songs too, like A Whole New World and Friend Like Me, so you’re guaranteed to know all the words. It sounds like it’s going to be absolutely brilliant!
Lambing event – Spilman’s Farm – Thurs 15th to Sun 18th, Thurs 22nd to Sun 25th
We’re slowly heading into spring, which means we’re going to start seeing little lambs popping up in the farms and fields, and if you want to get up close, Spilman’s are hosting a lambing event over half term. From Thursday 15th until Sunday 18th, and Thursday 22nd to Sunday 25th, there’ll be all sorts of lambing family fun with lambs born every day, arts and crafts, live farmer talks, and the opportunity to meet the farm animals. I think this sounds like such a cute way to spend a day and if you fancy it too, you can grab tickets on the Spilman’s Farm website.
Adam Kay: Undoctored – Tyne Theatre & Opera House – Fri 16th
The name Adam Kay might be familiar if you’ve read This Is Going To Hurt or watched the BAFTA-winning show of the same name, but if not, he’s a former doctor turned writer, who offers a very honest look at life on and off the ward. His show, Undoctored, was the best selling show of Edinburgh Fringe 2023 and it’s coming to Tyne Theatre & Opera House on Friday 16th. He’ll be recounting stories from his time in the NHS that’ll have you laughing, maybe even crying, but also a better understanding of what the healthcare professionals on the frontlines experience on the daily. As this is on tomorrow, you’ve got to get in there quickly to get your tickets.
The Elvis Years – Darlington Hippodrome – Fri 16th
The King is back in the building or, more namely, the Darlington Hippodrome, on Friday 16th with The Elvis Years. This show is now in its 20th year and embarking on its biggest ever tour of the UK, with a full West End cast and a spectacular set with more than 12 costume changes. There’s songs from every era of Elvis, such as Don’t Be Cruel from the early years, through to The Wonder of You from the legendary Las Vegas concerts. The tickets are down to the very last few, so run don’t walk if you want to go.
Easter egg workshops – La Chocolatrice, Coxhoe – every weekend through Feb and March
Easter is quite early this year with Easter Sunday falling on March 31st, and I know that people have already started grabbing their Easter eggs. But if you want to celebrate a little differently and try your hand at making your own eggs, La Chocolatrice in Coxhoe are running Easter egg workshops every weekend in the run up to Easter. Every participant will make and decorate two chocolate eggs, and a rocky road Easter egg shell, as well as eat lots of samples and drink La Chocolatrice’s handmade hot chocolate, and when I tell you it’s the best hot chocolate in the world, I mean it. If you’re a chocolate lover, then this one is for you, so make sure you check it out.
Lego Durham Cathedral – Durham Cathedral Museum – from Fri 16th
After a few years in storage, the Lego version of Durham Cathedral has been rebuilt and is on display in the Cathedral Museum in time for February half term. This model started out as an ambitious fundraising project all the way back in 2013-2016 where the miniature cathedral was built by members of the public with each brick representing £1. Over the three years, 300,000 bricks were added to the model and, fun fact, the whole thing weighs about 750 kilos, which is about the same weight as a camel. If you’d like to see it, it’s on in the Durham Cathedral Museum from Friday 16th.
Valley of Light workshops – Saltburn Library – Sat 17th and Sat 24th
Stellar Projects, the fabulous people behind Nightfall in Middlesbrough, are hosting a Valley of Light event in early March, but ahead of that, they’re looking for families to help them create the artwork that’ll feature. They’re hosting free workshops this Saturday 17th and next Saturday 24th at Saltburn Library, and would love people to go along to help create a lantern that will become a part of the Valley of Light. These workshops are suitable for children of all ages, but children under 8 might need some help to make the lanterns, but once they’ve been made, you can see them all lit up at the final event in March! If you want to sign up for a free workshop, check out the Stellar Projects website for more details.
Morgan & West – Gala Durham – Mon 19th
We’re rounding off the list with a little bit of magic. Morgan & West are heading to the Gala Durham with a funny and fantastical magic extravaganza that’s set to delight those aged five to 105. While the title of this show is Massive Magic Show for Kids, it’s definitely for the big kids too because who doesn’t love a bit of silliness and magic tricks that make you say “how on earth did they do that?”. If you fancy it, it’s on on Monday 19th and you can take a look at the Gala Durham website for tickets.
Make sure you check back next week for more amazing events!
