Looking for something to do at the end of May half term or the start of June 2024 in the North East? I’ve got you covered with this 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 30th May to Friday 7th June.
The Poisoned Apple – The Alnwick Garden – until Sun 2nd June
We’re starting at The Alnwick Garden with my first lot of picks to see us out of half term. So they’ve got The Poisoned Apple on until Sunday 2nd June, which is a whole host of activities themed around poisonous plants, which I think sounds pretty cool. You’ll see a different side to the classic fairytales with potion making in the water tower with a witch, crafting poison pets in the garden yurt, a meet and greet with the poison princess, and a visit to the Herbarium, where you can learn all about poisonous plants. All of these activities are free with garden entry, but you can get even more bang for your buck if you get a garden and Lilidorei playground combined ticket, so take a look at The Alnwick Garden website to get your trip booked.
Half term activities at National Museum Royal Navy Hartlepool – until Sun 2nd June
We’re going from the poisonous to the nautical now with half term activities at the National Museum Royal Navy Hartlepool. Again, until Sunday 2nd June, they’ve got a variety of things to do and see, all themed around Navy history, so you can expect things like an interactive trail around the museum inspired by the letters sent home by crew member Joseph Matkin during the 1872 HMS Challenger expedition, storytelling sessions and the quay with its shop recreations will be brought to life with colourful characters. There’s also going to be weapon firings, object handling, aircraft building, bookmark making and so much more. And to make this even better, all of the activities are free with museum admission, so take a look at the National Museum Royal Navy Hartlepool website for all of the activity dates and to book your tickets.
Timeless Toys – Beamish Museum – until Sun 2nd June
Beamish Museum is one of those places that I think is for both big kids and little kids, and the same can be said for their Timeless Toys event. They’re inviting you to discover the magic of play with nostalgic treasures and vintage marvels ahead of their 1950s toy shop opening later this year. There’s absolutely tons going on for this event, including Georgian games like stack dominos and nine men’s morris at Old Pockerley Hall, there’ll be circus skills and build your own board game in the 1900s Town, and wooden Edwardian toys in the 1900s Pit Village, and that’s just to name a few things you can do. There’s also going to be a hit of nostalgia for visitors of all ages in the welfare hall with a display of toys through time, from domestic toys of the 1900s through to ET and Astro Invader. All of these are free with your museum entry until Sunday 2nd June and when you buy a ticket to Beamish, you can use it for a whole 12 months, which is a lovely bonus.
Curious Arts Takeover – Kirkleatham Museum – Fri 31st May
This is the final of my half term picks and it’s the Curious Arts Takeover happening at Kirkleatham Museum on Friday 31st May. This is set to be a completely free day of creative and colourful activities for the whole family, and the schedule is looking pretty fun-packed. There’s all sorts to do, like making flower crowns, paper wig decorating, rainbow weaving, storytime session and so much more. There’s also an art trail to complete around the museum where you can find six artworks to win a small prize, plus a book hunt with free books hidden all around the museum grounds for you to take home. This is on from 10am until 3pm tomorrow, but the sessions will all be timed, so take a look at the Enjoy Redcar & Cleveland website for more info, or just simply turn up to the museum and get stuck in.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – Newcastle Theatre Royal – Tues 4th to Sat 8th June
The most phantasmagorical musical of all time is flying into Newcastle Theatre Royal for one week only, so don’t miss out! I’m sure we all know and love Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, but if not, this musical is based on Ian Fleming’s timeless children’s story, which was made into the famous 1968 film, where we meet Caractacus Potts who restores a broken down racing car with the help of his kids. They discover the car has magical powers and they end up on an amazing adventure. The show is just as heart-warming and lovely, and packed full of the classic songs, like Truly Scrumptious, Toot Sweets and, of course, the Academy Award-nominated title song, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. I even hear that the car flies, but you’ll have to go along and find out if that’s true for yourself. It’s on from Tuesday 4th to Saturday 8th June, so book your tickets through the Newcastle Theatre Royal website.
Lost In Music – Darlington Hippodrome – Wed 5th June
We’re going from a classic music to a class era for music, the 70s. If you’re a fan of all things 70s, you’re going to love Lost In Music at the Darlington Hippodrome. With this show, you’re taken on a journey straight to the heart of the 70s to relive some of the greatest songs of all time from artists such as Donna Summer, Gloria Gaynor, and Earth, Wind & Fire to name just a few. The show boasts a sensational live band, an incredibly talented cast and the most stunning vocals. This is sure to be a fantastically feel good show, so get dressed up to the nines and boogie on down to the Hippodrome on Wednesday 5th June. The tickets are running low, so run don’t walk if you fancy it.
Simon & Garfunkel: Through The Years – Durham Cathedral – Fri 7th June
This is another fabulous music event that we’ve got going on in the North East over the next week, so if you’re a fan of Simon & Garfunkel, you might be interested in this. Simon & Garfunkel: Through the Years is the most authentic sounding concert to the unforgettable music of the iconic duo, and it’s coming to Durham Cathedral on Friday 7th June. The performers and have toured the globe extensively with their concerts being described as ‘simply breathtaking’ and I definitely think the cathedral will just add to that. Performing the songs in a truly captivating way, you’ll be able to hear hits such as Mrs Robinson and Bridge Over Troubled Water in Simon & Garfunkel’s unmistakeable American folk-rock sound. I think this is going to sell out pretty quickly, so head to the Durham Cathedral website to get booked in.
Pretty Woman The Musical – Sunderland Empire – until Sat 8th June
We’re rounding out with another musical and this time, it’s all about romance with Pretty Woman at the Sunderland Empire from now until Saturday 8th June. This show is based on the 1990 film, with Vivian, who is down on her luck, meeting Edward in the late 80s and her life changing forever, so it’s a true romance to get swept up in. With a blazing rock score by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, fantastic choreography and a brilliant cast, this show is sure to steal your hearts. I went to see this last year when it was on at the Stockton Globe and it was brilliant, and Amber Davies was a fantastic Vivian, so I can’t recommend it enough. If you fancy it, make sure you check the Empire’s website for tickets.
Make sure you check back next week for more amazing events!
