Looking for something to do in the middle of July 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 Friday 11th to Friday 18th July.
STEAM to the Future – Hopetown Darlington – Fri 11th July to Sun 5th Oct
We’re starting off in Darlington at the Hopetown railway museum for a brand new exhibition. From Friday 11th July, you’ll be able to see STEAM to the Future as part of the Stockton & Darlington Railway bicentenary celebrations and it’s on until 5th October, so there’s plenty of time to get in and see it. This is an interactive exhibition that’s ideal for families to see and it’s a playful look at the future of the rail industry, inspired by steam as a source of power. There’ll also be the opportunity to use VR software to create a 22nd century inspired locomotive if you fancy getting creative. This is a free exhibition, but it is ticketed via the Hopetown website, and entry to the site is free too, so you can explore the rest of the museum on your visit as well.
Durham Miner’s Gala – Durham City – Sat 12th July
It’s the 139th Durham Miners’ Gala on Saturday 12th, which is always a really great day in the city. Hosted by the Durham Miners Association since 1871, the Gala is the world’s greatest celebration of community, international solidarity, and working class life. The day will start at 8:30am where the banners and brass bands will gather and parade through the city centre. A key point is outside the County Hotel, where the bands will pause to play their party piece for invited guests on the balcony. Then the procession will head to the racecourse for The Big Meeting, where there’ll be rides and bungee trampolines for families. This is always a fab sight and it’s free to go along to, so one to get in your diaries.
UK Proms in the Park – Whitby Abbey – Sat 12th July
The UK Proms are popping up across the country and the North East is playing host to one of the events on Saturday 12th! Whitby Abbey will be providing the most gorgeous backdrop for a magical night of music under the stars as the acclaimed UK Proms Orchestra and a host of special guests take you on a journey through some of the most loved classical pieces from TV, film and theatre, before a rapturous finale featuring all the classics from the Last Night of the Proms. All of this will be hosted by broadcasting legend, Rob Rinder, so it’s sure to be fab. There’ll also be street food and three bars to choose from, so the whole night is set to be brilliant. You can grab your tickets and find more info on the UK Proms website.
Brutus Gold’s Love Train – Sunderland Fire Station – Sat 12th July
I think this sounds like a whole lot of fun, especially if you’re a fan of 70s disco. Brutus Gold’s Love Train has earned a reputation as the ultimate disco night, and has even entertained the likes of Tina Turner, Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson at private parties. The immersive evening will come complete with an all-star cast of crazy characters and spectacular production, and of course, the best music from arguably the grooviest decade. Singing and dancing is absolutely encouraged, and so is dressing in your finest 70s threads to really get in the spirit. If that sounds up your street, it’s on Saturday 12th at the Sunderland Fire Station, and you can get tickets on the venue’s website.
Make & Mend Festival – Ormesby Hall – Sun 13th July
If you fancy a bit of colour and creativity, Make & Mend Festival is on at Ormesby Hall on Sunday 13th. This is something that I always look forward to because it’s the perfect opportunity to try something new. It’s a festival dedicated to crafting and wellbeing, so a ticket gets you entry, access to a workshop of your choice and a bunch of extra goodness, like yoga drop-ins, craft demos, sound baths and the makers marketplace. And in terms of craft workshops, you’re totally spoiled for choice, and if you can’t choose, there’s the option to add an extra one on to your ticket. From brush lettering to weaving, and ceramics to embroidery, there’s absolutely loads on. You can find the full programme for the day and ticket info on the Make & Mend Festival website.
The NEXT! Big Thing – Bents Park, South Shields – Sun 13th July
The NEXT! Big Thing in Bents Park is the start of This Is South Tyneside Festival, which is promising three months of free entertainment on South Shields beachfront. But everything is kicking off on Sunday 13th with a showcase of local talent to find the next big thing. Headlining the event is Sonny Tenet, an incredible solo artist from South Shields, whose standout vocals has earned him over 75 million online streams to date. He’ll be supported by a variety of other solo artists, bands and choirs from the area, so it’ll be a fab mix. The event is free and no ticket is needed, so head to Bents Park this Sunday from 12pm for a great day of live music.
Durham Brass Festival – across County Durham – Sun 13th to Sun 20th July
Durham has such a rich brass heritage, like I mentioned when we talked about the Miners’ Gala, and Durham Brass Festival celebrates that over the course of eight days. From Sunday 13th to Sunday 20th, you can expect a variety of events that takes inspiration from brass music in all of its forms and genres, such as Brass Bashes across the whole of the county, brass boat cruises in Durham city, a tea dance at Bishop Auckland Town Hall, and a the huge Party in the Park in Wharton Park’s amphitheatre. There’s things for absolutely everyone, whether you want something family-friendly or something a bit more grown up, and some events are free and some are ticketed. You can find everything you need to know on the Durham Brass Festival website, but it’s set to be a brilliant week, so it’s definitely one to check out.
Discovery Nights: Unplugged – Newcastle Discovery Museum – Fri 18th July
The Discovery Museum run late night events and activities, and their next one is on Friday 18th for over 18s only. In Discovery Nights: Unplugged, they’re inviting you to relax with an after-hours break from screens with a bar, chilled out music and non-digital activities. There’ll be a book swap, retro board games, a pub-style quiz, crafting with sea glass, and so much more. Of course, it’s in a museum, so there’ll also be new archive material on show in the Tyne & Wear archives too. I think it sounds like a lot of fun at the end of the week and it’s just £10 per person, so if you fancy it, you can get your tickets on the Discovery Museum website.
Make sure you check back next week for more amazing events!
