Looking for something to do in the middle of March 2025 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 13th March to Sunday 23rd March.
Sunderland Restaurant Week – Sat 15th to Sun 23rd March
We’re starting off in Sunderland for something utterly delicious. It’s Restaurant Week from Saturday 15th to Sunday 23rd with a fantastic range of eateries offering deals for £10 to £20. And not only are there deals to suit a variety of budgets, there’s a huge assortment of cuisines and dining styles to choose from too. There’s the street food Greek restaurant, Acropolis, at the Seaburn Stack, who are doing any wrap and halloumi bites for £15, there’s the gorgeous Cafe Floriana, who are doing all day brunch for two for £20, and City Bistro, full of the next generation of chefs at Sunderland College, are doing three courses for just £10. There are honestly so many places taking part, so check out the full list on Sunderland BID and get your tables booked.
National Lottery Open Week – North East-wide – Sat 15th to Sun 23rd March
If you’re in the mood for a bit of history, culture or nature, then you’re in luck because from Saturday 15th right through until Sunday 23rd, National Lottery funded venues across the North East are opening their doors to everyone with free entry. And we’re really spoiled for choice with National Trust Gibside, Wallington, Ormesby Hall, Seaton Delaval and Lindisfarne Castle, and RSPB Saltholme all taking part, plus so many more, so you could maybe see how many you can tick off the list over the course of the week and a bit that they’re open. This is part of a larger national campaign that the National Lottery are doing to say thank you to players for raising £30 million per week to continue funding such venues. There’s no need to book, but you’ll need to take along a National Lottery ticket or scratch card to show you’re a player, but you can find all the details you need on lotterygoodcauses.org.uk.
Holi Festival of Colours – Baltic Gateshead – Sat 15th March
Holi Festival, also known as the Festival of Colours, is an Indian celebration to welcome in spring, and the official date is tomorrow, but we’ve got two events in the North East to mark the occasion on Saturday 15th. So the first is at the Baltic Gateshead, which has got a whole host of things to do lined up, like creative workshops, henna stations, dance and amazing food. This event is taking over almost all of the gallery, so there’s things to see and do out in the square, and over floors 1, 2 and 5, then the day will be rounded off with the colour throwing. This event is totally free to go along to, but tickets for the colour throwing have now sold out, but you can absolutely stay to watch and not get messy! Take a look at the Baltic website to see the full programme and to plan your visit.
Durham Holi Festival – Durham Oriental Museum – Sat 15th March
The next Holi Festival event is at Durham Oriental Museum, also on Saturday 15th. This is promising another jam-packed schedule with things for the whole family to do, including craft activities, storytelling, dance performances and something called the Fire Pit of Regret. And as is tradition, there will also be colour throwing sessions, where will throw coloured powder into the air to celebrate the arrival of spring. This is a ticketed event, with tickets costing £3 for adults and children over 2, and every ticket holder will receive a packet of colour for their chosen throwing session. If you want any more info at all or fancy booking your tickets, take a look at the Durham Oriental Museum website.
Jason Donovan: Doin’ Fine 25 – Darlington Hippodrome – Tues 18th March
Jason Donovan has truly had a fabulous and glittering career, from music and theatre, to film and TV. And on his new tour, Doin’ Fine 25, he’ll be taking fans on a journey through 35 years of hits on stage and screen via his energetic and unique live performance style. Jason’s making a stop at Darlington Hippodrome on Tuesday 18th with his show that promises to be a musical feast of unforgettable tunes, featuring some of his most beloved songs from stage shows, like Joseph, Rocky Horror and Grease, to nods to his TV work, like Neighbours and Strictly. This is down to the very last few tickets, so if you want to go, you’ll have to get your skates on and head to the Darlington Hippodrome website to book.
The Shark is Broken – Newcastle Theatre Royal – Tues 18th to Sat 22nd March
If it’s a bit of theatre you want, Newcastle Theatre Royal is inviting you to dive into the behind the scenes depths of Jaws with The Shark Is Broken. This comedy play shows the choppy waters between the three lead actors during the filming of the cult classic film, which are mainly caused by the constantly malfunctioning mechanical shark. Alcohol flows, egos collide, and tempers flare on a chaotic voyage that just might lead to cinematic magic, if it doesn’t sink them all. It’s something a little bit different and it was nominated for an Olivier Award, so you know it’s going to be a good’un, so if you fancy it, it’s on from Tuesday 18th to Saturday 22nd, and you can book on the Newcastle Theatre Royal website.
Forestry England Stick Man Trail – Kielder Forest, Guisborough Forest and Hamsterley Forest – on now and throughout 2025
If it’s exploration in the great outdoors that you want, then this could be a great option. Forestry England have got a new trail on at Kielder, Guisborough and Hamsterley Forests, all themed around Julia Donaldson’s Stick Man. The interactive trail follows Stick Man on his journey as he tries to get back to the family tree. Kids will be able to complete lots of fun stick-based activities, discover tree-mendous facts and learn about forest wildlife along the way. Then once you’ve helped him get back home, you can complete the rubbing in your adventure passport and take a picture with Stick Man in the family tree. Each forest will have extra activity packs to help you complete the trail, as well as give kids some extra things to do, so this would be a great way to keep them entertained while getting some fresh air. The trails are on now and throughout the rest of the year, so you’ve got plenty of time to visit, but if you want any more info, check out Forestry England’s website.
Make sure you check back next week for more amazing events!
