Looking for something to do over the last week of January 2024? I’ve got you covered. 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 the end of the month.
Durham Restaurant Week – Fri 26th to Fri 2nd Feb
We’re starting with one of my favourite things… food. We started the year off strong with Newcastle Restaurant Week, but it’s Durham’s turn to take the baton with Durham Restaurant Week starting Friday 26th until Friday 2nd February. Across the week, you can enjoy a whole host of delicious offers at a range of restaurants in the city, like three courses for £20 at The Boat Club and Tomahawk Steakhouse, and three tapas dishes and a drink for £15 at Tapas Factory. The recently Michelin-recognised Faru are also doing a 7 course tasting menu, so there really is something for everyone. Tables are going to get booked up pretty quickly, so get in there sharpish to make sure you don’t miss out.
Varna International Ballet – Darlington Hippodrome – Fri 25th, Sat 26th and Sun 27th
If you fancy seeing something on stage or a bit of arts and culture, this is a little bit different. Darlington Hippodrome is bringing three days of ballet to the town with Varna International Ballet. Across this Friday 25th, Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th, there’ll be three different performances, starting with Sleeping Beauty, then Swan Lake and closing with The Nutcracker. Founded in 1947, the critically acclaimed Varna International Ballet is renowned for its award-winning soloists and amazing corps de ballet, so this is a fantastic opportunity to see them perform. I think this is a really special one, so you can grab tickets for any or all of the shows on the Darlington Hippodrome website.
Flower Power Vegan Fest – Wylam Brewery – Sat 26th and Sun 27th
Whether you’re doing Veganuary, eating a veggie or plant-based diet, or you’re simply a foodie who loves trying a bit of everything, the fourth annual Veggie and Vegan Fest is on at Wylam Brewery this Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th. Wylam Brewery often do food battle-style events, but once a year, they give the mic to vegan food vendors to show us all just how incredible plant-based food can be. There’ll be beers from the brewery, 18 traders selling top notch scran, and maybe just a little bit of dancing into the night. This event is free entry, so absolutely everyone is welcome, whether you’re a meat eater or not.
Chinese Zodiac Animal Trail – Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens – from Sat 26th
Chinese New Year falls on Saturday 10th February, so the date is quickly approaching, and Sunderland Museum and Gardens are celebrating with a month long Zodiac Animal Trail. It’s launching this Saturday 26th, but is on until the 24th February, so you’ve got plenty of time to plan in a trip. As 2024 is the Year of the Dragon, bring your kids along to the trail to see if they can spot the scaly beast, along with the 11 other animals of the zodiac. The trails cost £1 each. so this could be a great low cost activity to do and a really fun way to explore the museum and gardens.
Wild Walk: Big Garden Birdwatch – Washington Wetlands Centre – Sat 26th
This weekend, the RSPB are encouraging everyone to spend an hour looking at their garden or outdoor space and making note of the birds that visit for the Big Garden Birdwatch. This is all in the name of building a bigger picture of how our wildlife is doing, but if you want to take part but maybe don’t have a garden or would rather do it in a group setting, the Washington Wetlands Centre could be for you. They’re doing an hour long wild walk around the centre from 11am this Saturday 26th to note the birds that visit, and everyone and anyone can go along. It’s free to go on the walk with general admission, so once you’ve finished the walk, you can explore the rest of the centre too, like the otters and flamingos.
Bottomless Crisp Club – The Georgian Theatre, Stockton – Sat 26th
I like a bottomless brunch as much as the next person, but the idea of a Bottomless Crisp Club just sings to my soul. So this is on at The Georgian Theatre in Stockton this Saturday 26th, and as the name might suggest, this event is all about unlimited crisps. And not only that, but there’s bottomless bread, butter and sauce too, so you can make as many crisp sandwiches as you can fit in 90 minutes. And of course, the bar will be open, so you can enjoy your favourite drinks alongside. Tickets are £10 each and they’re very limited, so get this booked while you can.
Blood Brothers – Newcastle Theatre Royal – from Tues 30th to Sat 3rd Feb
There aren’t many musicals that have received the acclaim that Blood Brothers has, so it’s really exciting that it’s coming to Newcastle Theatre Royal next week from Tuesday 30th to Saturday 3rd Feb. This show tells the story of twins who are separated at birth and grow up on different sides of the track. They manage to reunite, but with fateful consequences, so definitely expect plenty of heartwrenching moments. This is one of three musicals to surpass 10,000 performances in the West End, so it’s a really big deal and the tickets have been flying out, so they’re really limited. If you want some, run don’t walk.
The Mousetrap – Sunderland Empire – from Tues 30th to Sat 3rd Feb
This is another major show to be on our North East stages, so if you love a whodunnit, then this is one that might interest you. Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap is on next week as well, from Tuesday 30th to Saturday 3rd, at the Sunderland Empire as part of the 70th anniversary tour. This story follows a group of seven strangers snowed in at a countryside guesthouse who learn about a murder in London, only to find that the murderer is among them. It’s a clever murder mystery, a classic thriller, and the world’s longest running play, so if that doesn’t grab you, I don’t know what will. There’s tickets available for each day of its run, but I’d recommend getting in there quick.
Viggo Venn – Tyne Theatre & Opera House – Fri 2nd Feb
I think everyone became aware of Viggo Venn after his bizarre Britain’s Got Talent audition went viral, but if you haven’t seen, he basically whips off multiple high vis vests to reveal more high vis vests underneath, all to One More Time by Daft Punk. And after that, the self proclaimed Norwegian clown went on to win the show, so clearly the country just loves some unbridled silliness sometimes and if you fancy seeing something a bit different, he’s touring with a stop off at Tyne Theatre & Opera house on Friday 2nd. Now I wish I could tell you what to expect from him, but I honestly haven’t got a clue, so what I’ll say is to expect the unexpected. Take a look at the Tyne Theatre & Opera House for tickets.
Make sure you check back next week for more amazing events!
