Looking for something to do at the end of August or the start of September 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 29th August to Saturday 7th September.
Whitby Pirate Festival – across the town – Fri 30th Aug to Sun 1st Sept
We’re starting off in Whitby for something that I think sounds pretty cool. From Friday 30th until Sunday 1st, pirates are descending on the seaside town for Whitby Pirate Festival, an annual event that aims to raise funds for the RNLI and marks the 20th anniversary of the Whitby Pirate Society. Now this is a hugely popular event with people coming from all over the country to attend, and for very good reason because it’s absolutely jam-packed with things to do. There’s weekend-long entertainment on the bandstand, shanty music on the Endeavour, geocache treasure hunting, an auction for the Pirate King title and so much more. And there’s also a competition for the best dressed pirate, so if you’re going along, make sure you turn up in your best get up. It sounds like it’s going to be a corker of a weekend, but if you need any more info, take a look at the Whitby Pirate Festival website.
Annie – Whitley Bay Playhouse – until Sat 31st Aug
If you’re missing the sun, then I’ve heard it’ll be coming out in Whitley Bay and that’s because Annie is on at the Playhouse. I’m sure we all know and love this musical, but if not, Annie is set in 1930s New York where our star is living out her days in misery at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. Determined to find her real parents, her luck changes when she is chosen to spend Christmas at the residence of famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. But the road to happiness away from the orphanage isn’t without its bumps, so you’ll have to go along to find out what happens. This fantastic production includes the unforgettable songs Hard Knock Life, Easy Street and Tomorrow, and I can bet my bottom dollar that you’ll love it. It’s on until Saturday 31st and you can get your tickets on the Whitley Bay Playhouse website now.
North East Dog Festival – Kirkley Hall, Newcastle – Sat 31st Aug and Sun 1st Sept
If you’re a dog lover, you’re going to be obsessed with this. On Saturday 31st August and Sunday 1st September, you can head to Kirkley Hall in Newcastle for the North East Dog Festival, so basically two full days of all things pawsome, and of course, dogs are absolutely welcome to come along. There’ll be 10 different ‘have a go’ activities, like agility, flyball and sniffer dog training. There’s going to be a main arena where you can watch a range of tournaments, displays and shows, as well as speakers in the wellness tipi. There’ll also be breed hangouts where you can meet like-minded owners, street food and absolutely tons of dog-themed traders. It sounds like a great event that you’d be barking mad to miss out on, so if you fancy it, make sure you grab your tickets from the North East Dog Festival website.
Comic Con Mania – Beacon of Light, Sunderland – Sun 1st Sept
For fans of all things comics, sci-fi, horror, gaming or cosplay, you’ll love Comic Con Mania at The Beacon of Light in Sunderland on Sunday 1st. And no fandom is going to be left out because there’s all sorts of entertainment and attractions on the line up, like movie props, fil and TV set recreations, retro gaming, a cosplay masquerade and so much more. There’s also going to be a huge market, selling merchandise and collectables from all our your favourite franchises, and special guests to meet and greet. Standard tickets are £11 or £5.50 for 12 and unders, and it could make for a great day out if you’ve got self proclaimed geeks in the family. If you want to see the full line up for the day or buy your tickets, check out the Comic Con Mania website.
Defying Gravity: West End Women – Darlington Hippodrome – Sun 1st Sept
Get ready for belting tunes and breathtaking ballads with Defying Gravity: West End Women at Darlington Hippodrome on Sunday 1st. This show is a celebration of women who have made their mark on the stage and the iconic female characters that we know so well. Featuring the best loved songs from the West End and Broadway, performed by a cast of incredible vocalists and an all female band, this is a must-see for anyone who loves musical theatre. There’ll be songs from Wicked, Les Mis, Mamma Mia, Waitress and so many more, so it’s guaranteed to be an absolutely spectacular night. If you fancy it, it’s on this Sunday and you can grab your tickets from the Hippodrome website.
Morpeth Summer Festival – The Stanners – Sun 1st Sept
If you want to see out the summer in style, then you might like the Morpeth Summer Festival. This day-long festival is happening on Sunday 1st at The Stanners and it sounds like a real mixed bag with something for absolutely everyone. There’s going to be a funfair, vintage cars, pony rides, a junior football tournament and a huge market with traders and street food, so it’s going to be a day that’s full to the brim with things to do. And the best bit is that it’s totally free to attend and enjoy, so if you’re after something for the whole family this weekend, this could be perfect. To get more info and a rundown of timings for the day, take a look at the Morpeth Fair Day Facebook page.
Heathers the Musical – Newcastle Theatre Royal – Tues 3rd to Sat 7th Sept
The North East is saying greetings and salutations as it welcomes Heathers the Musical to the region. Following a smash hit in London’s West End and two record-breaking national tours, the show is heading to Newcastle Theatre Royal with a bang from Tuesday 3rd to Saturday 7th. This dark comedy, rock musical is based on the teen cult classic film that starred Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, following Veronica Sawyer, a loner navigating life at Westerberg High School. She’s unexpectedly taken under the wing of the three beautiful and cruel Heathers, and her dreams of being popular start to come true. Then she meets the mysterious JD and things take a dark turn. There are still tickets left on the Theatre Royal website, but you’ll have to be quick to snatch them up if it sounds up your street!
Tees Folk 2024 – Stockton Globe – Sat 7th Sept
This isn’t until Saturday 7th, but I thought I’d bring it to the table so that nobody misses out on tickets. Tees Folk is back at the Stockton Globe after a hugely successful inaugural event in 2023. Bringing the very best of world class folk and acoustic music to Teesside, this year, the festival is celebrating the talents and sounds of the genre with a full Scottish line up. There’ll be the acoustic folk and post-rock electronic sounds of Lau, the Glasgow-based quarter Gnoss, and Hannah Rarity, who was the winner of the BBC Young Traditional Musician of the Year, but there’s lots more on the line up too. It sounds like it’s going to be a really lovely evening and so if you’re a fan of folk music or just love a live music-centred night out, this is on Saturday 7th and you can get your tickets on the Stockton Globe website.
Make sure you check back next week for more amazing events!
