Looking for something to do in the middle of April 2025 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 10th April to Thursday 17th April.
Feathers & Fun: Easter at Ushaw – Ushaw House – Sat 12th to Thurs 24th April
We’re starting at Ushaw House for the first of our Easter half term events. From Saturday 12th until Thursday 24th, they’ve got a massive selection of things to do, a lot of which are themed around Feathers & Fun to coincide with their new Discovery of Birds exhibition. There’s things for kids of all ages to enjoy, so there’ll be bird spotting out in the gardens to help the site survey the feathered friends that visit and an indoor trail around the exhibition. There’ll be mosaic making on either a square or bird shaped base and a workshop where you’ll make a backpack, binoculars and bird feeders. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg, there’s a packed programme that will keep you busy throughout the whole holidays. You’ll need admission to Ushaw or an annual pass, and some of the workshops and activities are ticketed, so make sure you visit the Ushaw House website to find all the info and book.
Easter holidays: Movement & Journeys – Locomotion, Shildon – Sat 12th to Sun 27th April
This is another packed programme of things to do as a family over the Easter break, but this time it’s all about trains and engineering at Locomotion in Shildon. From Saturday 12th to Sunday 27th, they’ve got lots of self-led activities to enjoy, including making paper aeronautical creations, crafting rocket mice and following the Great Object Hunt trail. But there’ll also be workshops to join too, like making moving images of railways with artist Dawn Belshaw, model making with K’NEX based on the structures of the Stockton & Darlington Railway, and drawing and writing with artist Lizzie Lovejoy. Entry to Locomotion and all of the events I’ve mentioned are completely free, so you can check their website for all the dates and times, or just drop in over the Easter holidays and see what’s on.
Easter egg hunts – National Trust sites – Sat 12th to Sun 27th April
Of course, it isn’t Easter without some eggs and there’s a North East-wide hunt going on across National Trust sites. Ormesby Hall, Wallington, Washington Old Hall, Souter Lighthouse, Crook Hall Gardens, Gibside, Cragside and Seaton Delaval Hall are all taking part, so you’re really spoiled for choice. Each egg hunt takes on the form of a trail where you’ll different activity stations along the way with a task to complete. This could be welly wanging, wheel barrow racing or a coconut shy. And once you’ve completed all the activities, you get to claim your Easter egg prize. These egg hunts are running from 12th Saturday until Sunday 27th, but the start dates vary across the sites, so I recommend taking a look at the National Trust site to see when your chosen venue is running theirs. You’ll also need an admission ticket to take part, so make sure you book that while you’re on the site too.
Easter family activities – Beamish Museum – Sat 12th to Sun 27th April
I love Beamish all year round, but there’s something special about going on an occasion and they’ve got lots in store for Easter from Saturday 12th to Sunday 27th. And in my opinion, the activities here really transcend age, so there’s things to enjoy whether you’re 9 or 99. There’ll be spring crafts as you venture through the museum’s different time periods and a patchwork bunny hunt to take part in. There’ll be egg jarping at Pockerley Old Hall, which is a bit like conkers but with eggs, and traditional Easter baking demonstrations. And there’s tons more on the list too, so you’ll absolutely be able to fill a whole day with no problem. All of the activities are free with admission, and when you book a ticket, you get entry for 12 months, which is a nice little bonus, so make sure you get yours via the Beamish Museum website.
Wallace & Gromit The Wrong Trousers with The EverReady Band – Princess Alexandra Auditorium Yard – Sun 13th April
I’m loving the Wallace and Gromit renaissance we’re sort of going through at the minute, and if you want a bit of nostalgia, you will love The Wrong Trousers with the EverReady Band at the Princess Alexandra Auditorium in Yarm. It’s always so lovely to watch the old films back, but what about watching the classic that is The Wrong Trousers with a band playing the iconic soundtrack alongside? This is on Sunday 13th and there are a few tickets left. I think it’ll be a whole lot of fun and a really unique way to watch Wallace and Gromit, whether you’ve been a fan from the very early short films or you’ve joined the hype off the back of the latest film. If you want to go, head on over to the Princess Alexandra Auditorium site to book ASAP.
Hairspray The Musical – Sunderland Empire – Mon 14th to Sat 19th April
If it’s a trip to the theatre you want, you’ll love Hairspray at Sunderland Empire. This show follows the big hearted Tracy Turnblad as she tries to pursue her dream of appearing on the Corny Collins TV show and tries to change the world against racial discrimination. This particular run of the show stars Strictly’s Joanne Clifton, so look out for her, and enjoy some of musical theatre’s biggest songs, like You Can’t Stop The Beat and Welcome To The 60s. The show has wowed audiences around the world and it’s so fun-filled that it’ll be hard to sit still. This is on from Monday 14th to Saturday 19th and if you want to go along, you can book your tickets on the Sunderland Empire website.
Open Day – Newcastle Theatre Royal – Thurs 17th April
This theatre event is a bit different to the usual sitting in the stalls to watch a show. With the Open Day at Newcastle Theatre Royal, you’re invited to go backstage to experience the magic from behind the curtains. This is a free event for theatre lovers to experience the magic of the arts in the stunning venue with lots of activities throughout the day. There’ll be history talks about the theatre, adult acting workshops, and stage sound and lighting demonstrations. There’s also lots for kids if they’re coming along too, like a fantastical creatures exhibition, craft workshops and an egg hunt. Like I say, this is all free and you don’t need to book either, so just visit Newcastle Theatre Royal on Thursday 17th between 10am to 3pm and enjoy!
Daily free activities – Raby Castle – until Sun 27th April
We’re rounding out the list with another venue that’s got a whole host of activities to enjoy over the Easter break until Sunday 27th. From seed planting in the Walled Gardens and bunny ear crafts inside the Yurt to tractor and trailer rides around Raby’s parkland and deer feeding sessions, there’s honestly so much to do. There’s also the Little Eggsplorers Easter Egg Hunt themed trail that can be completed with a Plotters’ Forest woodland adventure playground ticket, woven amongst the Christmas trees with a reward waiting at the finish line, and kids go free to the castle with a valid park and gardens admission ticket. They’ve pulled out all the stops for Easter celebrations, so get your admission booked via the Raby Castle website and enjoy the free activities or bookable trail.
Make sure you check back next week for more amazing events!
