Looking for something to do at the end 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 24th April to Thursday 1st May.
Easter science activities – Life Centre for Science – until Sun 27th April
We’re starting at the Life Centre for Science in Newcastle to see us out of the half term break. They’re running Easter-themed science activities until Sunday 27th alongside their other interactive experiments and sessions. You can go in the Making Studio to have a go at making your own egg catapult from materials you might find at home before testing it out to see how effective it is. You can grab a lab coat and explore the science behind the age-old tradition of rolling decorated eggs down grassy banks by getting hands-on to find out what factors influence the speed of eggs. And there’s so much more too, like planetarium shows, interactive exhibitions and live science shows. These are all included in the price of a ticket, so head to the Life Centre website to book yours.
Easter Adventure Quest – Historic England sites (Belsay Hall, Chesters Roman Fort, Warkworth Castle and Whitby Abbey) – until Sun 27th April
If you want to do some exploring or delving into history for the end of the half term, the North East Historic England sites have got Easter Adventure Quest trails on until Sunday 27th. These are on at Belsay Hall, Chesters Roman Fort, Warkworth Castle and Whitby Abbey, and they’re inviting you on a cracking expedition to hunt for clues across the site, track down the hidden Easter eggs and earn yourself a chocolatey reward. I think it’s a really nice idea to help get out of the house at the end of the school holidays, and costs just £2 on top of the ticket price. You don’t need to book, you can just pay when you get there, but if you want any more info at all, have a look at the Historic England website.
Whitby Goth Weekend – Thurs 24th to Sun 27th April
Whitby Goth Weekend is back for 2025 from Thursday 24th until Sunday 27th, and Dracula’s seaside town will be transformed into a wonderland of gothic, steampunk and macabre fashion. This biannual weekend is a celebration of the culture with an alternative market of more than 100 stalls, live music DJ nights and pilgrimages up the steps to the gothic Whitby Abbey. Hundreds upon hundreds of people come to the town for this event, whether they’re part of the goth culture or not, dressed up to the nines in their best outfits or to see the eclectic, eccentric and exciting swarms. Even if you only get to Whitby for one day over the weekend, I recommend it because it’s a fab day out.
LEGO Brick Show Weekend – Discovery Museum – Sat 26th and Sun 27th April
If you and your little ones are fans of all things LEGO, you’ll love the LEGO Brick Show Weekend at the Discovery Museum. On Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th, the Great Hall will be filled with all things LEGO bricks and building, including the newest models, displays from the best LEGO builders in the world, and plenty of traders. There’ll also be speed build and LEGO STEM activities to get involved with too, then you can explore the rest of the museum too. It’s £5 per adult and £4 per child, then under 4s go free, so this would be a great option for the whole family. If you need any more info or at all or you want to book your tickets, you can find out more on the Discovery Museum website.
Kinky Boots – Stockton Globe – Tues 29th April to Sat 3rd May
There’s some great things happening on stage across the region next week and the first is Kinky Boots at the Stockton Globe. This Broadway and West End phenomenon is on from Tuesday 29th to Saturday 3rd and stars Strictly Come Dancing’s Johannes Radebe. This joy-filled sensation is based on the true story of Charlie Price, who inherits his family’s failing shoe factory while his relationship is on the rocks, and life is proving to be pretty challenging. That is until he meets Lola, a drag queen whose sparkle and unsteady heels might just hold the answer to saving the struggling business. It’s a heartwarming comedy drama that’s got an uplifting message behind it and I definitely recommend if you’re in the theatre mood. Head to the Stockton Globe website to get your tickets now.
Torvill & Dean: Our Last Dance – Newcastle Utilita Arena – Wed 30th April and Thurs 1st May
This is another fabulous show option for next week, but this time, it’s on ice. Torvill & Dean are doing their final tour before they hang up their skates for good and they’re having a stop at the Newcastle Utilita Arena on Wednesday 30th and Thursday 1st. This show will be a tribute to their half-century legacy, giving the audience a unique opportunity to experience and celebrate their iconic partnership for one last time in an arena spectacular. They truly are legends and so if you’ve always wanted to see them but never had the chance, don’t miss out on this. There are still plenty of tickets left, but I’d head over the the Utilita Arena website quickly to grab some because I think it’ll sell out.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie – Darlington Hippodrome – Wed 30th April to Sat 10th May
Last but certainly not least, we’ve got another stage show and this time, it’s at the Darlington Hippodrome. From Wednesday 30th to Saturday 10th May, the Darlington Operatic Society are performing Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, a gorgeous and uplifting musical that’s based in the North East’s very own Bishop Auckland. The true story follows 16 year old Jamie who is a little different to other boys at his school and struggles to find the confidence to be his true self. With the support of his mum and friends, and despite the bullying, prejudice and public humiliation, he learns to embrace his inner queen and steps into the spotlight. The Operatic Society always do a fabulous job of these shows and this will be no exception, so if you fancy it, you can book via the Darlington Hippodrome website.
Make sure you check back next week for more amazing events!
