Looking for something to do in mid-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 17th April to Sunday 24th April.
Easter Weekender – Hopetown Darlington – Fri 18th to Mon 21st April
We’re starting at Hopetown Darlington for a cracking Easter Weekender that’s full of family-friendly things to do. From Good Friday (18th) until Easter Monday (21st), they’ve got a packed schedule to help you celebrate, like meet and greets with Peter Rabbit and the Easter Bunny, an egg-rolling tournament where you bring your own decorated egg to join in, live music in the Goods Yard, and an Easter bonnet parade. This is all going alongside their other scheduled activities, like drop in bird feeder making with the RSPB on Saturday, the free Playtown zone on near North Road platform, and the free Railway Pioneers exhibition as part of the S&DR200 celebrations. It’s a real mixed bag and there’s something for all families, and the best bit is that it’s free entry. I’d recommend booking a timeslot via the Hopetown Darlington website and seeing what else is on, but otherwise, just turn up and enjoy the activities.
Battle of the Burger – Wylam Brewery – Fri 18th and Sat 19th April
This is one for the foodies among us and particularly those of us who love a good burger. Wylam Brewery are hosting their tenth annual Battle of the Burger, and it’s set to be absolutely massive. On Friday 18th and Saturday 19th, you can go to this festival to try as many burgers as you like and help to crown the best in the land. The idea is really easy – it’s free entry to the event, you buy tokens that grant you burgers from a plethora of vendors, some of which also serve veggie and vegan options, then you vote for your favourite with the overall winner taking the crown. For 2025, they’re welcoming the highest number of vendors they’ve had, with 25 burger providers, plus a plethora of vendors for sides and desserts. There’ll also be a bar on across both days and live music, so it’s sure to be a really lush time. It’s from noon on each day, so just head to Wylam Brewery and grab some tokens to get stuck in, or visit the Wylam Brewery website for more details.
Stockton Calling – Sat 19th April
Stockton Calling is back for 2025 and bringing a day of amazing music to Stockton town centre. This is a day-long festival that’s happening on Saturday 19th in multiple venues across the town, like the ARC, The Georgian, NE Volume bar and so many more, and the schedule is utterly full to the brim with local, national and international talent. This year’s headliners are the North East’s own Maximo Park, but there are plenty of acts to see throughout the day, like the anthemic indie sounds of Finn Forster, the punky alternative duo Big Special, and Hull-based rock band The Paddingtons, to name just a few. The festival has hosted unforgettable sets in recent years from internationally known bands like Circa Waves and Blossoms, so you never know, you might just discover the next big thing. Take a look at the Stockton Calling website to book tickets and view the schedule.
Blossom in bloom and annual duck race – Alnwick Garden – Sat 19th April
The Alnwick Garden is always lovely to visit no matter what time of year it is, but right now is definitely the time to be there because the famous blossom trees are in bloom. The gardens are home to the largest Taihaku cherry blossom orchard in the world and now it’s in full bloom, you can expect a canopy of pink and white petals to walk and sit beneath, and it’s just so peaceful. The only catch is that the petals won’t be around for long, so you’ve only got about a week left to go and see the orchard. I’d book a space via the Alnwick Garden website ASAP, but I’d also check out the annual duck race that’s happening on Saturday 19th. It’s always a lot of fun to see the vast number of yellow rubber ducks tumbling down the Grand Cascade, and all in the name of some great charities too. Why not tie in the ducks and the cherry blossoms with a wander through the rest of the gardens for a really lovely Easter Saturday out?
The Wizard of Oz Easter panto – Tyne Theatre & Opera House – Sat 19th to Sun 20th April
Pantomimes aren’t just for Christmas, there’s one on at the Tyne Theatre & Opera House on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th for Easter! Come and follow the yellow brick road to see The Wizard of Oz, a panto-version of the beloved musical. Join Kansas farm-girl Dorothy and her pet dog Toto on this magical adventure suitable for all ages. Watch as they’re transported to Oz via tornado, meet the Munchkins, and travel along to meet the wizard with the scarecrow, tin man and lion. It’s going to be packed with brilliant dance routines, well known pop songs, lots of audience participation and plenty of laughter for all the family! As I say, this is on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th and there aren’t many tickets left, so make sure you head to the Tyne Theatre & Opera House website to get your tickets booked.
Easter Weekend – Aln Valley Railway – Sat 19th to Mon 21st April
This another great family option for the Easter weekend. The Aln Valley Railway are offering lots of activities from Saturday 19th to Easter Monday (21st), including a bunny hunt around Lionheart Station, a miniature railway that’s a hit with kids and adults alike, and of course, the fabulous playground and tea room. The railway are also running special Easter train journeys on the steam train, and the seats have been getting booked up really quickly, so if you fancy a spot, make sure you book via the Aln Valley Railway website. You can also book your tickets for the miniature railway too online, but otherwise, head over to the site from Saturday to Monday to join in the fun.
Ghost Stories – Newcastle Theatre Royal – Tues 22nd to Sat 26th April
Things are getting a bit spooky at Newcastle Theatre Royal with the arrival of Ghost Stories next week. This is a long-running West End smash hit and one of London’s best reviewed plays, so it’s perfect for those of us who love a bit of culture with a touch of horror. When sceptic Professor Goodman embarks on an investigation of three apparent hauntings – as recounted by a night-watchman, a teenage boy, and a businessman – he finds himself fast running out of explanations for what’s happening. This is a fully sensory and electrifying experience that will have you on the edge of your seats with amazing twists and turns. It’s recommended for ages 15 and over, and maybe not for people of a nervous disposition, but if it sounds like you’re kind of thing, it’s on from Tuesday 22nd to Saturday 26th and you can get tickets on the Newcastle Theatre Royal website.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – Sunderland Empire – Tues 22nd to Sun 27th April
The most phantasmagorical musical of all time is flying into Sunderland Empire 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 22nd to Sunday 27th, so book your tickets through the Sunderland Empire website.
Make sure you check back next week for more amazing events!
