Looking for something to do in mid 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 12th September to Friday 20th September.
Abigail’s Party – Northern Stage, Newcastle – from Fri 13th to Sat 28th Sept
We’re starting in Newcastle at the fabulous Northern Stage theatre for Abigail’s Party and we’re all invited. This 1977 play is one of Mike Leigh’s most famed pieces of work and is a cult classic comedy that has been performed across the UK and even on TV. Beverly, the queen of suburbia is hosting a cocktail party, and next door, 15 year old Abigail is hosting a party of her own. No one can stop thinking or talking about Abigail’s party and something must be done. And what transpires is the soiree from hell that is too awkward to leave. This is on from Friday 13th until Saturday 28th, so if you’re in the mood for a trip to the theatre, this could be a great shout and you can get your tickets on the Northern Stage website.
One Night in Nashville – Sunderland Fire Station – Fri 13th Sept
We’ll be transported to the Deep South with One Night In Nashville at the Sunderland Fire Station. This show will be bringing an authentic slice of the buzzing honky tonk in downtown Nashville to the North East, perfectly capturing the energy and atmosphere of an evening in the home of country music. It promises a plethora of country hits past and present, from Johnny Cash to Dolly, and Chris Stapleton to Kacey Musgraves, so the six piece band and vocalist are guaranteed to have you stomping and singing along. If you fancy it, that’s on Friday 13th for one night only, so get on the Fire Station website quick to snatch up the last of the tickets.
Taste of Africa – Middlesbrough – Sat 14th Sept
Get ready to groove and celebrate as Taste of Africa makes a dazzling return to Middlesbrough on Saturday 14th. Marking the prelude to Black History Month in October, this event will be bringing a burst of culture and colour to the town centre with a fantastic array of things to see and do. From 11am to 3pm, there’s going to be drumming workshops, storytelling, arts and crafts, dancing and food stalls for the whole family to enjoy. There’s also going to be a parade that starts at the town hall and weaves its way through the town centre and down Linthorpe Road, so don’t miss out on that. It should be a really fun day out and it’s free to enjoy, so one to keep in mind for family-friendly options this weekend.
Durham Brick Show Weekend – Ushaw House – Sat 14th and Sun 15th Sept
Another one that’s great for families is the inaugural Durham Brick Show Weekend at Ushaw House on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th. Lego fans are going to absolutely love this event that centres around an exhibition of models, all made from the little plastic bricks. There’ll also be trade stands to browse, so if you’ve been looking for the ideal piece or mini figure to add to your collection, you may just find it here. As well as the exhibition and shopping, there’s going to be some fab things to do, like brick pits for people to flex those creative muscles in, a speed building challenge to see who can build the tallest tower in one minute, and a Lego trail around the house to test your mini figure spotting abilities. Entry for this is free with a day pass or for Ushaw members, so you could make a day out of it with the grounds and cafe as well. If you need any more info, take a look at the Ushaw House website.
Newcastle Allotment & Garden Festival – Exhibition Park – Sun 15th Sept
The green-thumbed among us will absolutely love this – it’s the return of the huge Newcastle Allotment & Garden Festival. This free festival will be on in Exhibition Park on Sunday 15th, and as the name might suggest, it’s all about growing and sustainability, but also about wellbeing. The programme is absolutely jam-packed with so many things to see and do, like veggie fermenting workshops, herb garden creation demos, beekeeping and allotment tips talks, and so much more. There’s also lots of non-planty things to do, like henna painting, a silent disco and circus workshops, so there really is something for the whole family. And if you’re a keen gardener, there’s a produce and plot competition, so if you’ve got a showstopper, you might want to think about entering. It sounds like it’s going to be a brilliant day and if you need any more info, you can take a look at the Urban Green Newcastle website.
G4 20th anniversary show – Whitley Bay Playhouse – Wed 18th Sept
I can’t quite believe it’s been 20 year since G4 were on the X factor because I remember them so vividly, but yep, G4 are about to go on their 20th anniversary tour with a stop at the Whitley Bay Playhouse. The Kings of Popera blend their classical training with popular tunes to bring a whole new feeling to songs we know and love, like their haunting version of Radiohead’s Creep and their exhilarating take on Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody. You can also expect to hear songs from their brand new album, so this is definitely one to go to if you’re a fan. They’re on for one night only on Wednesday 18th, so if you want to experience their stunning vocals, amazing harmonies and electric atmosphere, book your tickets on the Whitley Bay Playhouse website.
Women X Film Festival – Darlington Hippodrome – Fri 20th to Sun 22nd Sept
If you’re a film fan or maybe somebody who wants to work in the film industry, Women X at the Darlington Hippodrome could be right up your street. This is a weekend-long film festival that celebrates the talents of women in film, and it’s on from Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd with 73 short films to see, family film screenings, panel discussions and workshops. If you’re someone who simply likes watching films, you can go along for the ten screenings that show a number of short films each, or if you’d like a career in film, there’s roundtables with filmmakers and producers, and workshops on creating characters and moodboards. There’s also plenty of fun things to do, like crafting sessions, an evening quiz on the Saturday and an awards ceremony on the Sunday, so it’s going to be a packed weekend. You can find more info and the tickets on the Women X website.
Last chance to visit The Happy Rooms, Middlesbrough – on Fri 13th to Sun 15th and Fri 20th to Sun 22nd Sept
Last but certainly not least, we’ve got The Happy Rooms in Middlesbrough. Now, I mentioned this right at the start of the school holidays, but we’re getting down to the final days of the event, so if you want to take your kids along, the time is now. It’s open Friday 13th to Sunday 15th, then Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd, then it’s closing it’s doors. If you haven’t seen The Happy Rooms, it’s in the old M&S building and is a collection of 12 different rooms that are designed to encourage play, creativity and imagination. There’s things like a giant marble run, a silent disco, an animal party and so much more. I took my two goddaughters along in the holidays and they loved it and still talk about it when I see them, so I can’t recommend it highly enough. Don’t miss out on this one, get your tickets while you still can on the Happy Rooms website.
Make sure you check back next week for more amazing events!
