Looking for something to do mid to late August 2024 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 15th to Thursday 22nd August.
Hardwick Festival – Hardwick Hall, Sedgefield – Fri 16th to Sun 18th Aug
We’re starting off in County Durham or Sedgefield to be more precise for this year’s Hardwick Festival. From Friday 16th to Sunday 18th, the grounds around Hardwick Hall will come alive with live music from some huge names and there’s something to suit all tastes. Closing out the Friday, we’ve got the incredible Becky Hill, Saturday sees the headline slot light up with Snow Patrol, and Richard Ashcroft will be rounding off the festival on Sunday. But of course, that’s not all, there are plenty of other amazing acts to see over the whole weekend, plus fairground rides, street food stalls, a pop up spa, yoga sessions and so much more. So if you’re after something to do over the mid-August weekend, this could be perfect, but you’ll need to grab your tickets from the Hardwick Festival website ASAP because they’re on the brink of selling out!
Berwick Food & Beer Festival – Parade Green, Berwick-upon-Tweed – Fri 16th to Sun 18th Aug
If a festival sounds good, but you want something a bit more food-focused, the Berwick Food & Beer Festival could be up your street. This is on from Friday 16th to Sunday 18th and is set to bring a delicious selection of things to see, do and eat to The Parade Green in Berwick-upon-Tweed. Now it wouldn’t be a food festival without a plethora of street food stalls, so you’ll be pleased to know there’ll be lots of hot food to enjoy as you browse, like pizza, tandoori naans, Armenian cuisine and lots more. There’ll also be a range of food and drink traders that you can buy from and take home, as well as cookery demos, a film screening hosted by the Berwick Film and Media Arts Festival team, live music, comedy on the evenings and oodles more. Entry to this festival is by donation on the gate, but if you pay the full recommended amount, you can get access to all areas and goings on. If you need any more info at all, take a look at the Berwick Food & Beer Festival website.
Cirque: The Greatest Show – Darlington Hippodrome – Fri 16th and Sat 17th Aug
If it’s an evening at the theatre you’re looking for this weekend, you might be interested in Cirque: The Greatest Show. This production fuses the very best of musical theatre with spectacular, jaw-dropping circus performances to bring a fun and family-friendly extravaganza to the stage. Stars of the West End perform the biggest hits of the stage and combine with contortionists, aerialists, quick change artists and so many more to create a spellbinding variety show. It’s high energy and so unique that it’ll have you on the edge of your seat the whole time, and it’s coming to Darlington Hippodrome on Friday 16th and Saturday 17th. There are still some tickets left, but if you fancy it, you’ll need to be quick so head to the Hippodrome website to snatch some up.
Ocean Road Mela – South Shields – Sun 18th Aug
I love a Mela and I think the Ocean Road Mela in South Shields sounds fantastic. This is gorgeous grass-roots festival that’s been organised by volunteers, local businesses and community organisations to bring a fun and free day out to Ocean Road, and there’s absolutely loads on as part of it. The day starts at 12:30 with the community parade where the street will come alive with costumes and colour. Then there’ll be street food and shopping stalls to browse, henna painting, aerial performances, live music, belly dancing, the list just goes on and on. That’s on Sunday 18th and should be a brilliant day out for everyone, but if you need any more info, you can have a look at the Ocean Road Mela Facebook page.
The Rocket Man: A Tribute To Elton John – Tyne Theatre & Opera House – Sun 18th Aug
Elton fans, rejoice! While the main man might not be touring anymore, we can still see the second best thing, which is The Rocket Man: A Tribute To Elton John. This celebration of the musical icon has played to audiences all around the world and now it’s stopping off at the Tyne Theatre & Opera House on Sunday. You’ll be taken down the Yellow Brick Road with two hours of amazing hits, like Crocodile Rock, I’m Still Standing, Your Song and loads more. And of course, there’ll be the classic flamboyant costumes, dazzling piano solos and fabulous vocals as you’re taken through Elton’s career. As this is on Sunday 18th, the tickets are running quite low, so run don’t walk if you like the sound of it.
Summer Family Fun Day – Middlesbrough Town Hall – Mon 19th Aug
If you and the kids fancy getting creative next week, head along to Middlesbrough Town Hall for the Summer Family Fun Day on Monday 19th. There are four different activities that you can get stuck into – fusion drumming, iPad music composing, create your own musical instrument, and a quiet colouring space. The tickets are £4.50 for the day, but it’s a very relaxed event and you can drop in to the activities as and when you like. The day is also going to be rounded off with an interactive concert, so make sure you take along your best singing voices and dancing feet. This is an event for mixed ages and abilities, so all are welcome, but if you need any more info, take a look at the Middlesbrough Town Hall website.
The Drifters – Sunderland Empire – Tues 20th Aug
The Drifters are back on tour in the UK and performing all their classic hits including Saturday Night at the Movies, Under The Boardwalk and many more! The legendary group have been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and listed among the Greatest Artists of All Time by Rolling Stone magazine, and now they’re heading to Sunderland Empire to perform on Tuesday 20th. This is going to be unmissable for fans of the group and it’ll be a fantastic way to celebrate the everlasting story of The Drifters. There are still some tickets left for this, so make sure you grab yours on the Sunderland Empire website.
Whitby Folk Week – across the town – Sat 17th to Fri 23rd Aug
Last, but certainly not least, we’ve got a week of fabulous music, dance and storytelling at Whitby Folk Week. Running from Saturday 17th to Friday 23rd, this festival is all about celebrating traditional British folk, and there’s absolutely loads in the schedule to enjoy. There’ll be pop up dance performances across the town, a jam-packed programme of concerts on every day of the festival, a music and craft fair, ceilidhs in the Whitby Pavilion, the list just goes on. There’s also lots of workshops to get involved with, so if you’ve ever wanted to learn a new musical instrument, sing in harmony or learn a new dance, there’s something for you. There’s various tickets to choose from and all at varying prices, so be sure to take a look at the Whitby Folk Week to see which is best for you and enjoy!
Make sure you check back next week for more amazing events!
