Looking for something to do mid-January 2025 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 16th to Friday 24th January 2025.
The Pirates of Penzance – Darlington Hippodrome – Thurs 16th to Sun 19th Jan
We’re starting in Darlington, but more specifically, at the Hippodrome for Pirates of Penzance. This is musical theatre at its best with a story about a young man who is mistakenly apprenticed to a band of pirates and its a comedy opera, so you can expect some funny twists and turns. This a fresh new production of the iconic show, with a 50 strong company, singers of international repute and a Sullivan-sized orchestra. If you fancy a bit of culture, this is on from Thursday 16th until Sunday 19th and you can get tickets on the Darlington Hippodrome website.
TWO Candlelight Concerts (Adele and Taylor Swift) – Ushaw House – Fri 17th Jan
If there’s one thing we really love in the North East, it’s a candlelight concert and lucky for us, there’s two on at Ushaw house on Friday 17th. So first up, we’ve got a tribute to Adele at 6pm, so you can expect heart melting renditions of Make You Feel My Love, Someone Like You and Hello. And the next is a tribute to Taylor Swift at 8:30pm, so this is definitely one for all the Swifties out there to check out. Both of these concerts will be held in the chapel at Ushaw, which will be so magical when bathed in the glow of the candlelight and filled with the sounds of the string quartet. Like I say, these are on Friday 17th, so if you want tickets, you’ll need to book through the Ushaw House website ASAP.
Drag Me To The 80s – Billingham Forum Theatre – Fri 17th Jan
If Adele and Taylor are a bit too current for you, you might be interested in Drag Me To The 80s at the Billingham Forum Theatre. Get ready to dance, sing and be captivated by the powerhouse performers who redefine the stage and bring the spirit of the 80s roaring back to life. The show features an incredible full live band and the music of a number of 80s icons, including Madonna, Abba, Erasure, Wham and so many more. This is the perfect opportunity to get glammed up and get your dancing shoes on, so if you’re free on Friday 17th, get your tickets on the Billingham Forum Theatre website.
Children’s Activity Trails – Sunderland National Glass Centre – Fri 17th to Fri 31st Jan
This is something that’s fun and free for you to do with kids from this weekend. The Sunderland National Glass Centre have created some activity trails to help explore the gallery in an exciting way. Kids will be able to follow the animals and even design their very own in the Menagerie exhibition. There’s an activity in the Skin We Live In exhibition to help little ones learn about the portraits and have a go at drawing their own. And there’s a snakes and ladders game, inspired by the wriggling snakes above the Glass Centre stairs. Entry to the centre is free and the trails are free, so this is a fab option for a low cost day out. They’re on from Friday 17th until Friday 31st, so make sure you go along and check them out.
Family Stargazing – High Force Waterfall – Tues 21st Jan
So on Tuesday 21st, we have the chance to see a rare celestial event. Six planets will align in the sky, with Mars, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn visible to the naked eye, and we won’t be able to see this again until the year 2080. If you want to see this up close and personal, you can join a Family Stargazing event at High Force Waterfall. There’ll be a talk about the alignment and how to spot it, then there’ll be a guided stargazing experience. This is a family-friendly event with all ages welcome, and it would be such a unique and memorable experience. It’s incredibly limited with just 40 tickets available, so if you want to go, you’ll need to hotfoot it to the Raby Estate website to book.
Birdsong – Newcastle Theatre Royal – Tues 21st to Sat 25th Jan
Another theatre option for you now with Birdsong at Newcastle Theatre Royal. This brand new production marks the 30th anniversary of the international bestselling novel about one man’s journey through an all consuming love affair into the horror of the First World War. Starring award-winning actor Max Bowden, best known for the role of Ben Mitchell in EastEnders, and following a harrowing story of love and loss, this is definitely a play that will pull on the heartstrings. If you want to see this unforgettable show, this is on from Tuesday 21st until Saturday 25th, and you can get tickets on Newcastle Theatre Royal’s website.
RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch – National Trust Crook Hall Gardens and Wallington – Fri 24th to Sun 26th Jan
Next weekend marks RSPB’s annual Big Garden Birdwatch where people are encouraged to report on the birds that visit their garden, yard or chosen outdoor space. And if you want to join in, you could take a look organised sessions at Crook Hall Gardens on Friday 24th or Wallington on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th. You’ll receive an ID sheet to help you figure out which birds you’re seeing, a tally sheet and maybe even some binoculars to make sure you’re spotting as many birds as possible. You’ll need to pay the admission charge for the site, but the event is free to take part in. Make sure you go to the RSPB website to sign up to the Birdwatch, then go to the National Trust website for more info about the sessions.
Flower Power Fest – Wylam Brewery – Fri 24th and Sat 25th Jan
Last but certainly not least, we’ve got the fifth annual Flower Power Fest at Wylam Brewery. This is a vegan and vegetarian festival, and it’s free to attend and open to everyone, whether you’re already eating a plant-based diet, want to give it a try or just love really good food. There are loads of vegan food vendors lined up, like Saving Nemo, who offer plant-based fish and chips, Beanie Bun, who’ll be slinging whole food burgers, and Veganatomy, who’ll be serving up fish-free sushi. There are honestly so many options, as well as beers from the brewery and dancing into the night. As I mentioned, this is a free entry event, so if you fancy it, it’s on Friday 24th and Saturday 25th, and if you need any more info, you can take a look at the 44Events social media channels.
Make sure you check back next week for more amazing events!
