Looking for something to do at the end of May or the start of June 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 29th May to Saturday 7th June.
Jurassic Takeover – Newcastle Utilita Arena – Sat 31st May
We’re starting off in Newcastle and taking a bit of a walk on the wild side with the Jurassic Takeover at the Utilita Arena on Saturday 31st May. I think this sounds like the perfect way to see out half term if you’ve got little ones who are into dinosaurs and would love the chance to up close with them. This is more of an experience than a show as it’s an interactive walkthrough that lasts for about an hour where you’ll train as a ranger, learn about baby dinosaurs in the hatchery, find out about dinosaur skeletons, meet and greet your favourite dinosaurs and so much more. There are also quieter areas and story time sessions for kids who might want something a bit slower paced. So if you’re looking to put something in the diary this weekend, this could be a great shout and there are limited tickets left, so grab yours from the Newcastle Utilita Arena website.
GemArts Mini Mela – Hopetown Darlington – Sat 31st May
This is another option that’s ideal for the last days of half term and what makes it even better is that it’s free to go along to. So Mela season is just around the corner and to get us in the mood, Hopetown Darlington are hosting a Mini Mela on Saturday 31st May with GemArts, who are an award-winning North East arts organisation specialising in South Asian arts. From 11 til 3, you’ll be able to get stuck into some Bollywood dancing, steel pan workshops or some creative making sessions. There’ll also be some henna artists on hand, so you’ll have your own little piece of artwork to take away with you. Entry to Hopetown is also free, so you’ll be able to explore the museum too, making this a fab full day out option.
Newcastle Food Festival – Leazes Park – Sat 31st May and Sun 1st June
Of course, I have to include something for the foodies in this list and this sounds like the ultimate thing. Newcastle Food Festival is back for its second year in Leazes Park following a smash hit of a debut last year. This is on Saturday 31st May and Sunday 1st June, and you can expect a bigger and better street food market, new artisan makers, brand new entertainment, demos from North East chefs, and new tribute acts to light up the stage. There’s going to be things for kids to do to, like magic shows, circus workshops and a fun fair, so it’s perfect for the whole family. It’s going to be an absolutely jam-packed couple of days and it is ticketed, so you’ll need to Newcastle Food Festival website to grab yours ASAP because they’re selling like hot cakes.
Big Days Out – Baltic Gateshead – until Sun 1st June
I’ve given half term a couple of mentions already, but this is something that’s great if you want something that offers lots of variety and isn’t just on one day. The Baltic in Gateshead run their Big Days Out during school holidays with a different theme each time, and for this half term, it’s all about Re:make, Re:think, Re:use. So until Sunday 1st June, there’ll be activities all centred around recycling and making things from what we already have. There’ll be sculpting from surplus items, a preloved toy swap, bike fixing, creative storytimes and loads more. And this is another one that’s completely free, so you just need to check out the programme on the Baltic’s website and go along on your chosen day.
Half term activities at Raby Castle – until Sun 1st June
The last of the half term options that I’m bringing to the table is a multitude of things to do at Raby Castle until Sunday 1st June. They’ve pulled out all the stops to offer something for children of all ages, including a new Little Gardeners Trail in The Plotters’ Forest playground, a seed planting station for them to take their own plant pot home, and a bumble bee safari. With a ticket for The Plotters’ Forest, kids get into the castle for free, and on Saturday, they can take part in the Victorian workforce day as well. It’s a real mixed bag and it’s always such a lovely day out at Raby Castle, so these activities are a fab little bonus. Take a look at the Raby Castle website to see the full programme and to check out the different tickets.
& Juliet – Newcastle Theatre Royal – Mon 2nd to Sat 7th June
There’s a couple of really cool things on at the theatre next week and the first is & Juliet at Newcastle Theatre Royal. This show has been a huge hit on the West End and Broadway, having scooped up an Olivier and WhatsOnStage award, AND a Tony nomination. This hilarious musical flips the script on the greatest love story ever told and asks, what would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo? Her story bursts to life through a playlist of pop anthems as iconic as her name, including Britney Spears’ …Baby One More Time and Katy Perry’s Roar, and it invites you to break free of the balcony and realise that there’s more to life after Romeo. So if you’re in the mood for a romcom filled with bangers, this is on from Tuesday 2nd to Saturday 7th June and you can get your tickets from the Newcastle Theatre Royal website.
Murder, She Didn’t Write – Darlington Hippodrome – Tues 3rd June
This sounds like another funny one, so if you want something a bit unserious, but with a crime-y, Agatha Christie feel, then you might like Murder, She Didn’t Write at Darlington Hippodrome on Tuesday 3rd. This is by Degrees of Error, who are an Edinburgh Fringe fave and are known for creating incredible sell-out shows. In this one, you’re invited to don your deerstalker, grab your magnifying glass and ready your ‘finger of suspicion’ because the troop will be creating an improvised murder mystery. The audience becomes the author as you create the setting and situation, then watch as hilarity ensues. It’s definitely a good option if you want something a little different and it’s been very popular, so if you want tickets, you’ll need to head over the the Hippodrome website ASAP.
MUNRO Festival – The Georgian Theatre – Sat 7th June
This one is for all the fans of live music who might be looking to get in the festival season spirit over the next week. After taking a year’s break, the all-day MUNRO Festival is back at the Georgian Theatre and neighbouring Green Room venue in Stockton on Saturday 7th. It’s promising a day of fantastic national, regional and international talent, and the programme is planned it such a way that there’s no clashes, so you can see absolutely everyone on the bill and maybe find your next favourite artists. The headliners are The Clause from Birmingham, who bring together the swagger of the 60s, the rolling groove of the 80s and the riotous verve and attitude of the 90s. They’ll be joined by Hartlepool’s Michael Gallagher, Liverpool’s The Kairos, and Welsh indie pop princess Megan Wyn, among many many others. You can get your tickets on The Georgian Theatre’s website and I recommend having a look pretty sharpish because I think this will be a sell out.
Make sure you check back next week for more amazing events!
