Looking for something to do at the end of July or start of August 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 July to Sunday 3rd August.
Summer Holidays at RSPB Saltholme – until Sun 31st Aug
We’re starting at RSPB Saltholme because they’re inviting families to enjoy daily discovery games and guided sessions all throughout summer until Sunday 31st August. As this is the only RSPB reserve in the North East, the activities are all themed around birds and nature in general, so highlights include the Saltholme Safari where you’ll have a wild expedition across the reserve, pond dipping, activity trails and more. It’s going to be a summer of hands-on nature experiences designed to engage children and families with wetland wildlife, conservation, and creative outdoor fun. Take a look at the RSPB Saltholme website to book your spaces and to see all of the different activities.
Summer of Fun – Beamish Museum – until Mon 1st Sept
A trip to Beamish Museum is always lovely, but it’s even better in the holidays because there’s so much on. As part of their Summer of Fun, they’re celebrating 200 years of railway heritage with Tales from the Rails. Running from now until to Monday 1st September, this family-friendly programme explores a different theme each week, from early railway development and Suffragettes to evacuees and sporting Cup Finals. You can expect interactive experiences across the museum like rail-related crafts, themed talks, vintage train cars to climb aboard and so much more. And the best bit is all of this is included in your annual pass, so you can buy your ticket, enjoy your day at the museum and visit as many times as you like in the next 12 months. Visit the Beamish Museum website if you want any more details.
Durham Fringe Festival – across Durham city centre – Wed 23rd to Sun 27th July
From Wednesday 23rd to Sunday 27th July, Durham city transforms into a hub of creativity with the Durham Fringe Festival, hosting over 110 performances across nine venues in the centre. You can expect a diverse mix of theatre, comedy, spoken word, music, and family-friendly shows, like magic from Tom Bolton and a modern translation of The Taming of the Shrew. Each show is individually ticketed, and there are plenty of free or low-cost options as well, so there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re after a quirky play, stand-up, or immersive storytelling, this festival offers something surprising at every turn, so take a look at the Durham Fringe Festival website to see the line up and book your tickets.
Whitby Steampunk Weekend – Whitby Pavilion – Fri 25th to Sun 27th July
The mega Whitby Steampunk Weekend is back for its 18th instalment on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th July at the Whitby Pavilion. Celebrated as one of the UK’s largest steampunk gatherings, and you can expect two days of pure extravagance and whimsy. There’ll be over 70 traders to shop from, as well as demonstrations, live entertainment, presentations and so much more. And of course, this is an event that invites you to get dressed up to the nines, so if you’re a fan of the steampunk look, this is the perfect opportunity to put on your very best. This is a family-friendly event with free entry during the day, so go and check it out.
Feast by the Sea – Whitley Bay – Sat 26th and Sun 27th July
There are two foodie events going on over the weekend and the first is Feast by the Sea on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th July, which is a free entry event celebrating street food, regional producers, and seaside vibes at the iconic Spanish City Plaza. There’ll be over 20 local independent traders showcasing everything from gourmet burgers and Asian street bites to cocktails and churros. And that’s just the food and drink side of things, there’s also a packed live music line up for the whole weekend and a kids area, so this is something that the whole family will love. This is another one that’s free to go to and you don’t need a ticket, so just visit Whitley Bay this weekend or visit the Feast by the Sea website to get more details.
Saltburn Food Festival – Sun 27th July
Celebrate the decade milestone of the Saltburn Food Festival on Sunday 27th July, of course,in sunny Saltburn. Entry is free, and you’ll find an absolutely outstanding array of local, regional, and international street food. Whether you’re a carnivore, veggie, vegan, or gluten-free, there’s going to be a range delicious choices to suit everyone. From pizza and beer to brownies and biltong, there’s going to be so much to choose from. The day also includes children’s cookery sessions, live music, and a fabulous park-and-ride service for convenience. Like I say, this is a free event and there’s no ticket needed, so just head to Saltburn on Sunday 27th after 10am to join in the fun.
Derren Brown: Only Human – Sunderland Empire – Tues 29th July to Sat 2nd Aug
Mind-reader extraordinaire Derren Brown returns to Sunderland Empire with Only Human from Tuesday 29th July to Saturday 2nd August, with evening shows and a matinee on the Saturday. Now the thing is with Derren Brown, he doesn’t like to ruin the magic, so of course, this show has been kept fully under wraps, but what I can tell you is that you are guaranteed to see the most jaw-dropping and unbelievable spectacles. He always has psychological illusions and emotional exploration with a bit of mind control, storytelling, and audience interaction. He’s one of my personal favourites, so I highly recommend if you’ve never seen him before. Tickets are running super low, so if you fancy it, head to the Sunderland Empire website ASAP to book yours.
Stockton International Riverside Festival – Stockton town centre – Fri 1st to Sun 3rd Aug
The internationally renowned Stockton International Riverside Festival (SIRF) is back from Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd August, which is an absolutely epic way to kick off the month. This festival transforms Stockton town centre into a hive of arts and culture with circus, dance, music, street theatre, and pyrotechnics. As always, the programme is totally bursting at the seams with a huge variety of things to see and do, and they are all free to enjoy. There’s going to be a mix of local and global acts, so it truly is a colourful cultural feast on the riverside and a highlight of the Teesside events calendar. There’s no tickets needed for this, but you can see the full programme on the SIRF website to start planning your trip.
Gosforth Civic Theatre Beer Festival – Fri 1st to Sun 3rd Aug
The Gosforth Civic Theatre are also kicking off August in a fabulous way with their Beer Festival, offering an amazing selection of cask and keg beers, live music, street food, and family crafts Entry to this family-friendly festival is just £5 for over 18s and free for under 18s, with tokens used for the festival bar. Highlights include local bands like The King Bees and singer-songwriter Ethan Stayman performing on Sunday, and food stalls include Goodtimes Tacos and Fire & Dough pizzas. There’s also going to be a creative zone to keep kids busy and dogs are welcome, so this could be great for a whole family day out. This is a pay on the door event, so there’s no ticket required, but if you want more info, you can have a look at the Gosforth Civic Theatre website.
Make sure you check back next week for more amazing events!
