If you’re looking for things to do in Teesside in July 2026, look no further than this list. From markets, to things for theatre lovers, to ideas for kids, there’s something everyone in this list. Take a look at the list below for everything you need to know.
Jump to: events to look out for | markets | theatre and live music | food events | at the museum | craft workshops | book events
Events to look out for
Middlesbrough Sonic Arts Week – until Sat 4 – Sonic Arts Week (SAW) returns for 2026 with an ambitious 10-day, family friendly, programme celebrating sound, art and play. Taking place across Middlesbrough, this year’s festival expands its reach through exhibitions, performances, community workshops, and a new focus on accessible, hands-on engagement with sound and technology. So what can you expect? DJs performing through a wheelie bin sound system, an electromagnetic grand piano, an audio assault buggy where sound meets science and so much more.
KAPOW at Stockton Globe – Sat 4 – The annual family friendly sci-fi festival, KAPOW, is back for 2026. Bigger and better than ever, experience this day like you never have before. Get ready to meet iconic characters from across the realms of sci-fi and fantasy including Dolly the Dilophosaurus! Experience your favourite worlds through awesome photo opportunities with props from fan-favourite film and TV! To really get into the sci-fi spirit, why not come along as your favourite character – cosplayers of all ages are welcome!
Festival of Thrift – Sat 4 and Sun 5 – Come along for a free weekend of sustainability, creativity and family fun. Across two packed days, visitors can roam the grounds and enjoy outdoor performances, hands-on workshops, interactive installations, pre-loved fashion and market stalls from independent makers. It’s all about living well, getting inspired and caring for our planet while having loads of fun!
Skelton Carnival – Sat 4 and Sun 5 – Skelton Carnival is back after many years and it’s bringing the magic! Get yourselves along to Station Lane, Skelton-in-Cleveland, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, TS12 2LR for a weekend packed with jaw-dropping entertainment and family fun and best of all, it’s completely FREE to enter!
Darlington Proms in the Park – Sun 5 – Proms in the Park is held in South Park’s bandstand every year and this free event will be held from 3pm until 7pm. Visitors can expect music for all ages and tastes. No tickets are required, but event goers are encouraged to arrive early to secure their spot. The yearly event raises funds for the Army Benevolent Fund.
Tees Valley Wildlife Social Sea Watch – Sun 5 – A relaxed social sea watch gathering – join Tees Valley Wildlife Trust volunteers, alongside experienced and new sea watchers and learn about the marine mammals present on our coastline. The meeting point at Saltburn’s Fossil Garden, beside the Victorian cliff lift on the top prom, offers wonderful views across Saltburn beach, the North sea and our Huntcliff Nature Reserve. No need to book. Attend the whole session or drop in when you can.
Eid Fusion Festival at Ropner Park – Sun 5 – Join us for an afternoon of fantastic food, live entertainment, culture, community spirit, and fun for all the family! Performances across the Bandstand, Community Stage and walkabout acts throughout the day including Drum Link Dhol Players, Whippet Up and Globe Drummers.
Darlington Vintage Vehicle Rally – Sat 11 – Darlington’s Vintage Vehicle Rally takes visitors back in time, as the town centre is filled with classic vehicles. From beautiful mid-20th-century cars to modern-day motorbikes, there will be plenty to look at and chat about with other motor owners. Free entry for visitors and exhibitors.
Summer Sound Music Festival at Guisborough Rugby Club – Sat 11 and Sun 12 – On Sat 11, Summer Sound Music Festival will feature 10 of the UK’s leading tribute acts performing the biggest anthems from across the decades. On Sun 12, the festival will become a family fun day with a full day of entertainment for families and children.
Darlington World Cultural Day – Sun 12 – An event celebrating the rich diversity of cultures from around the world, promises to bring an explosion of colour, rhythm and flavour to Darlington town centre.
Sweet Street: Redcar Dessert Festival – Sat 18 – Sweet Street is Redcar’s brand new Dessert Festival, taking over the High Street on Sunday 19 July to celebrate the town’s famous lemon top and National Ice Cream Day. Enjoy an artisan dessert market, live demonstrations from bakers and chocolatiers, hands-on workshops, a family Sweet Street Trail, and street entertainment. Plus, Beamish Museum will showcase the history of ice cream in the North East with traditional ice cream-making demonstrations and historic artefacts.
Seal Sands and Greatham Creek Guided Nature Walk with Tees Valley Wildlife – Sat 18 – A brilliant location for seal spotting, we’ll be joined by experts from Cleveland Naturalists Field Club who will share their expert knowledge of this site and its natural history. Explore Greatham Creek and Seal Sands with us and learn about the nature and wild spaces on our doorstep here in the Tees Valley. Whether you’re already familiar with the site or will be visiting for the first time, you’ll be very welcome.
Summer of Play at National Trust Ormesby Hall – from Sat 18 – There’s lots of fun to be had this summer at Ormesby Hall. Families will find pockets of play throughout the garden and play field, from circus skills play with plate spinning, juggling and more to getting active on the field with tennis, races, badminton and archery. There is also music play, sand play and many more ways to enjoy some playful fun this summer. Normal admission applies to visit and enjoy the activities, but there is no extra charge for the activities.
Darlington by the Sea – Sat 18 to Sun 26 – Head to Darlington for nine days of sun (hopefully), sea and sand for this ever-popular annual family event. Darlington by the Sea’s beach-themed event runs from Saturday 18th to Sunday 27th July 2026. From 11am until 4pm each day, families can enjoy free sandcastle building in a giant sandpit in the market square, face painting, balloon modelling, and lots more fun and games.
PYO at Rowes at Priory Gardens – Sun 26 – Our flagship PYO events return for the 8th year! Ranging from the more delicate, cottage flower offerings of cornflower and cosmos in the early season, to the sea of colour amongst the dahlia beds as the season draws to a close. Prices start at £15 for 15 individual flowers.
The Happy Rooms at Middlesbrough Town Hall – from Mon 27 – Happy Rooms returns to Middlesbrough this summer with 12 immersive, artist-designed rooms celebrating colour, creativity and play – designed to ignite your imagination and bring a smile to your face. Happy Rooms is a family-friendly experience exploring what it means to be and feel happy!
SIRF – Fri 31 to Sun 2 – Get ready for an unforgettable 39th edition of SIRF as it makes its debut in the new Waterfront urban park, with a dazzling programme of street theatre, circus, music and dance. As the North East’s leading free to enjoy outdoor arts festival, SIRF transforms Stockton town centre into a vibrant stage. With performances also taking place on the new Waterfront urban park and Riverside. A huge array of artists will perform at the festival from the Tees Valley alongside acts from France, Catalonia, Netherlands, Korea, Australia and the UK.
Markets
Majuba Sunset Market – Fri 3 – 5 Esplanade, Redcar, TS10 3AA. From 4pm to 9pm.
Stokesley Market – Sat 4 – Stokesley High Street, TS9 5DG. From 9am to 2pm.
Saltburn Record Fair – Sat 4 – Saltburn Arts Community Hall, Albion Terrace, TS12 1JW. From 10am to 4pm.
Summer Fayre & Fun Day at The Thrive Hive CIC – Sat 4 – Seaton Carew Methodist Chapel, TS25 1BH. From 11am to 3pm.
Norton Green Market – Sat 11 – The Old Vicarage, The Green, TS20 1EQ. From 9am to 2pm.
Saltburn Farmers Market – Sat 11 – Station Square, TS12 1AQ. From 9am to 2pm.
Guisborough Vintage Fair – Sat 11 – St Nicholas Church, Church Street, Guisborough, TS14 6BX. From 10am to 4pm.
Hartlepool Market – Sat 11 – National Museum of the Royal Navy, TS24 0XZ. From 9am to 2pm.
Crathorne Hall Market – Sun 12 – Yarm, TS15 0AR. From 9am to 2pm.
Stokesley Northern Makers Market – Sat 18 – Stokesley High Street, TS9 5DG. From 9am to 2pm.
Wynyard Hall Walled Gardens Market and Plant Fair – Sun 19 – Billingham, TS22 5NF. From 9am to 4pm.
Wolf & Witch Market at Lakes Social Club Redcar – Mon 20 – Westmorland Road, Redcar, TS10 4BB. From 4pm to 9pm.
Hartlepool Maritime Market – Sat 25 – National Museum of the Royal Navy, TS24 0XZ. From 9am to 2:30pm.
Summer Eco Fair at RSPB Saltholme – Sat 25 – Seaton Carew Road, Middlesbrough, TS2 1TU. From 9:30am to 4pm.
Stewart Park Foodie Market – Sun 26 – Ladgate Lane, TS7 8AR. From 9am to 2pm.
Theatre & live music
Definitely Oasis at The Georgian Theatre – Fri 3 – Definitely Oasis are internationally recognised as the most authentic and in-demand Oasis tribute band on the planet. Known for their unrivalled sound, look, and attitude, the band delivers the full Oasis experience across the UK and around the world.
Matt Reed’s Junk Box at ARC Stockton – Sat 4 – One comedian, one box of miscellaneous items brought by the audience, zero prep time, 100% improvisation and a whole loada gags. JUNK BOX is exactly what it says on the tin. We’re going to have a box full of junk, Matt has to pull one item out at a time and make it funny. Whether it be an old DVD, a rude-looking vegetable, a newspaper cutting or a family heirloom, he’ll find a way.
Derren Brown: Only Human at Stockton Globe – Tues 7 to Sat 11 – Prepare to be astonished! The multi award-winning master of mind control and psychological illusion, Derren Brown, returns with his brand new live show, Only Human.
SHE The Show at The Georgian Theatre – Fri 10 – SHE The Show is a high-energy music experience celebrating the iconic female artists of the 70s and 80s pop-rock era. Featuring the music of sheroes like Stevie Nicks, Blondie, Pat Benatar, Joan Jett, and more, the show brings legendary anthems to life. With powerful harmonies, driving guitars, and thunderous drums, every performance is packed with energy, excitement, and the spirit of rock’n’roll!
The Importance of Being Oscar at Darlington Hippodrome – Tues 14 to Thurs 16 – Oscar Wilde became an icon on his death. But the life he lived was far more dramatic than anything he ever wrote. Oscar, his rise and fall, his glory and his devastation, is conjured back to life through his own words and those of his fiercest champion, the fabled Irish writer Micheál Mac Liammóir.
The Tiger Who Came To Tea at Darlington Hippodrome – Fri 17 and Sat 18 – The doorbell rings just as Sophie and her mummy are sitting down to tea. Who could it possibly be? What they certainly don’t expect to see at the door is a big, stripy tiger! Join the tea-guzzling tiger in this delightful family show; packed with oodles of magic, sing-a-long songs and clumsy chaos. Don’t miss this stunning stage adaptation of the classic tale of teatime mayhem… expect to be surprised!
BBC Proms at Middlesbrough Town Hall – Thurs 23 – Atmospheric. Cinematic. Storytelling with strings. The Unthanks bring their unmistakable harmonies and storytelling to BBC Proms, joined by Royal Northern Sinfonia and conductor Ellie Slorach. Songs shaped by the North and reimagined by orchestra in bold new ways. An evening of storytelling, atmosphere and musical alchemy.
The Amy Winehouse Celebration at Middlesbrough Empire – Sat 25 – 2026 marks 20 years of Back to Black – an album that defined a special moment in time and changed the shape of modern soul, jazz and pop music, forever. Fronted by Laura Jane Butler, who is widely regarded as the most authentic Amy tribute artist working today, and notably the only tribute worldwide to be endorsed by both of Amy’s parents, Janis & Mitch Winehouse. This show is a celebration of Amy Winehouse – her voice, her song-writing, her influences and the performances that made her unforgettable.
Food events
Cooking with Kane’s World at Meet n Marrow, Darlington – Sat 4 – This time, the children are going to create, prep and make their own smoothies. They will all get a pretty reusable smoothie cup to put their creation in and take home.
Soosh Sushi School at Earthbeat Centre Saltburn – Sat 18 – Try your hand at making your very own sushi. Led by expert James, you’ll be shown how to do various rolls with a plethora of ingredients. And the best bit is you get to take absolutely everything you make away with you.
Saltburn Food Festival – Sun 26 – This is more than a food festival – it’s a celebration of community, creativity, and the best of local and international cuisine. It offers a fantastic opportunity to support small, independent producers and to discover unique flavours while exploring the charming town of Saltburn.
Mamma Mia Foodflix at Darlington Market – Wed 29 – Calling all Dancing Queens! Join us at Darlington Market for a magical evening under the stars as we bring the feel-good musical phenomenon Mamma Mia! to the big screen. Enjoy a fantastic evening of entertainment, delicious food and great company at this special Foodflix event.
At the museum
Romeo and Juliet Outdoor Theatre at Kirkleatham Museum – Thurs 9 and Fri 10 – Oddsocks return to Kirkleatham Museum & Grounds in the summer of 2026 to thrill audiences with their take on ‘Romeo & Juliet’. A family feud divides the community! Violence stalks the streets. Who can see beyond the hate and dare to follow their heart? All will be revealed as Oddsocks create uplifting comedy from the depths of despair in a show that’s the perfect antidote to prejudice. Suitable for all from 7 – 107.
Matisse: Drawing With Scissors at Preston Park Museum – from Wed 15 – Matisse: Drawing with Scissors invites visitors of all ages to step into the bold, playful and colourful world of Henri Matisse, a French visual artist who was responsible for key innovations in painting and sculpture in the 1900s. The exhibition offers an engaging introduction to one of art history’s most recognisable styles. Created during the final four years of Matisse’s life, when ill health confined him to bed, these cut-outs are among his most celebrated works.
Hopetown Darlington Turns Two Birthday Celebrations – Sat 18 – It’s time to celebrate the start of our THIRD year in style. Join us for a day full of fun, laughter and hands-on activities for all ages.
Steam Train Rides at Hopetown Darlington – Sat 18 and Sun 19 – Climb aboard a beautifully restored 1910 built, luxury Edwardian style London & South Western Railway No.1520 passenger carriage, finished in classic salmon and brown livery, hauled by Andrew Barclay Works No.2134 known as ‘W.T.T”.
Teddy Bears Picnic at Kirkleatham Museum – Wed 22 – Gather up your picnic baskets, blankets, sandwiches, drinks, and don’t forget your Teddy Bear! Come along to Kirkleatham Museum for a morning of fun including Magic Show, music, balloon modelling and woodland trail. Tickets for the teddy bears picnic are £5 and include a Kirkleatham Museum teddy.
Treasure Island Outdoor Theatre at Kirkleatham Museum – Fri 24 – Ahoy there me hearties! Long John Silver and his crew of salty old sea dogs are weighing anchor at Kirkleatham Museum and Grounds this summer with the pirate classic, Treasure Island. Packed full of action, drama, sword fights and sea shanties, Island boy Michael Whitmore’s thrilling new adaptation will have you on the edge of your seat as Jim manfully tries to outwit the pirates and get to the treasure first. So why not grab a blanket and a picnic and head over to Kirkleatham Museum & Grounds for an exciting evening of buccaneering adventure as Quantum Theatre present Treasure Island, a treat for the whole family.
Screen on the Green Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl at Hopetown Darlington – Sat 25 – Join us at Hopetown Darlington for a special first as we host our very first outdoor cinema evening! And it’s one you won’t want to miss. To mark the 50th anniversary of Aardman, we’re bringing Wallace & Gromit to the tracks. Enjoy a screening of Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, the latest feature-length adventure involving the iconic pair, in a relaxed open-air setting that’s perfect for families.
As You Like It Outdoor Theatre at Kirkleatham Museum – Sun 26 – Four pairs of soulmates meet in the Forest of Arden. One pair leap straight into bed. Another pair are dumbstruck by each other’s beauty and pledge their undying troth. The third pair torment each other: he showers chaste love upon her which she haughtily rejects – yet secretly she enjoys the flattery. The fourth pair go further still, playfully blurring their roles and identities to such an extent that flirting becomes more pain than pleasure, and Love itself is pushed to the limit of its endurance and beyond. Join them this summer for a night of laughter and romance under the stars in the beautiful grounds of Kirkleatham Museum.
Pirate Arts and Crafts at Kirkleatham Museum – Tues 28 – Our popular arts and crafts sessions will be returning with an adventurous pirate theme for kids and grown-ups alike to enjoy this week! Come along to the museum to show off your creative talents, or to discover a new favourite craft.
Birds of Prey Day at Hopetown Darlington – Fri 31 – Come face-to-face with some of nature’s most incredible hunters – from majestic owls and powerful eagles to lightning-fast falcons and striking hawks.
Craft workshops
Funky Flower Paint-a-Long at Creative Village CIC – Thurs 2 – Who doesn’t need a cool painting to hang in their home that will remind you of a great night spent? Join us to paint-a-long creating your own flower and vase combo, using a range of colours, perfect for your home or a gift for a friend. This workshop is super relaxed, come with a friend or family member or come on your own and meet new like-minded people. Everyone is super friendly and we guarantee you’ll enjoy this workshop!
Sip & Paint Sunflowers at Cherry Tree Kitchen & Bar Darlington – Thurs 2 – Join Cafe Canvas for a relaxing and creative evening inspired by the vibrant colours and expressive style of Vincent van Gogh. In this beginner-friendly Paint & Sip event, you’ll be guided step by step to create your own beautiful sunflower painting on canvas. Whether you’ve never picked up a paintbrush before or you’re looking to rediscover your creative side, this session is designed to be enjoyable, welcoming and stress-free.
Foraged Tea Making at Soul Beautiful Hartlepool – Sat 4 – Join Ruby the Conscious Crone as go on a short foraging walk to learn about the native black tea that grows here in Hartlepool. Ruby will show you how to forage safely and sustainably. We will gather our botanicals and then head back to the Soul Beautiful studio to learn how to process and make our own bespoke black tea.
When Life Gives You Lemons at Acklam Hall with Palette & Pop – Thurs 9 – Join us for an evening of creativity, conversation and delicious treats as we create this beautiful 3D lemon canvas, inspired by the sunshine, colours and charm of the Amalfi Coast.
Cake Decorating with Beth Bakes at TunedIn – Sat 11 – Join us for a fun and interactive afternoon of cake decorating before Redcar Dessert Festival, where youll learn how to decorate your very own cake. Discover the art of piping, as well as how to stack and fill a cake like a pro. This class is perfect for beginners and suitable for all levels of baking experience.
Mt Fuji Sip and Paint at The Rings Community Hub Ingleby Barwick with Palette & Pop – Sat 11 – Step into a moment of calm and creativity as we paint the iconic Mount Fuji, framed by a glowing red sun and soft cherry blossom trees. This workshop is all about slowing down, switching off, and enjoying the peaceful beauty of Japanese-inspired art in a relaxed, friendly space. Ticket includes all ingredients and equipment needed, professional guidance and a glass of Prosecco (or soft drink) on arrival.
Petals & Pots with Les Fleurs du Nord at RSPB Saltholme – Sun 19 – Join award-winning florist, Harriet Auton of Les Fleurs du Nord for a relaxed summer floristry workshop! Here you’ll create your own floral arrangement in a beautiful terracotta pot using seasonal blooms and sustainable materials.
Summer Hand Tied Bouquets at Rowes at Priory Gardens – Fri 24 and Sat 25 – Join us in the dovecote this summer to pick your own flowers, before learning how to arrange them into a beautiful hand tied bouquet. Come on in, take a glass of something bubbly and enjoy a relaxed wander amongst the flowers. These workshops encapsulate everything that our family run business is about. Relaxed, laid back and informal, the session celebrates the beauty in our sustainably grown blooms.
Needle Felt a Tiger at ARC Stockton – Sat 25 – Join local artist Carol Lonsdale for a relaxing and creative Needle Felting Workshop, where you’ll learn how to make your very own adorable felted Tiger! Carol will guide you step-by-step through the process, and all the materials you need are provided. You’ll take home your handmade tiger at the end, plus your needles and any leftover materials, in case you’d like to keep felting at home.
Candle Painting at Westgate Pottery – Sat 25 – Join What Katy Did Next for a beautiful candle painting workshop. No drawing skills are necessary for this guided session, you will be led step by step through the process of hand-painting delicate blossoms and buzzing bees onto your own pair of tapered candles.
Book events
Listen and Draw with Kat Lynas at Redcar Library – Wed 1 – In this relaxed Listen & Draw workshop, we’ll be using audiobooks from BorrowBox as a starting point for drawing, mark-making and creative exploration. As you listen, you’ll create artwork in response to your audiobook. There is no ‘right’ way to make, in this session we follow the story capturing mood, place and character through mixed media sketches, scribblings and playful doodles.
Words In The Sand: A Creative Writing Workshop at Seaton Carew Community Hub – Fri 3 – The coast has long been a source of inspiration, and our local beaches are no exception. In this beginner friendly, no-experience-required workshop, we will explore the shoreline through guided writing exercises and discussions. Drawing on local heritage, shipbuilding traditions, and visual art, the session encourages experimentation and discovery, culminating in time to develop ideas and share work in a supportive environment.
Sparky: My Barn Owl Story with Tracey Iceton at DRAKE The Bookshop – Thurs 9 – Join writer Tracey Iceton as she describes her life with Sparky – a captive bred Barn Owl who came into Tracey’s life unexpectedly, but has made a massive impact.
Books on the Beach in Redcar with Teesside Turning Pages – Fri 10 – Bring your current read, a flask and a camping chair to Majuba beach, and enjoy a group reading session.
Silent Disco Book Club at Billingham Library – Thurs 30 – Don a pair of our Silent Disco headphones and choose one of three eaudiobooks to listen to in the relaxed surroundings of Billingham Library. You can either take the whole evening to listen to your book, or you can listen to just some of it and then decide to talk about it with your neighbour. Pick a side if you will: chatty book club or silent book club. Whatever you choose, make it your ideal evening.
Book groups at DRAKE The Bookshop – keep your eyes on this page to see all of the upcoming groups at DRAKE The Bookshop.
Pin Drop Club at Koselig Guisborough (every Mon) and Koselig Saltburn (every Thurs) – Every Monday evening in Guisborough and every Thursday evening in Saltburn we open up our cosy space to host our Silent Book Club. Grab a hot drink, a bake and pull up a chair. Come alone for some peace and quiet or with friends, old or new.
This list will be kept up to date with any other events that I find for July 2026, so keep checking back!
