Looking for something to do at the start of July 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 3rd July to Sunday 13th July.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Pride & Prejudice – Kirkleatham Museum – Thurs 3rd and Fri 4th, and Fri 11th July
We’re starting off in Redcar, but more specifically at Kirkleatham Museum. They’re kicking off their summer events with two outdoor theatre shows that are perfect for all the family. First up, they’ve got A Midsummer Night’s Dream on Thursday 3rd and Friday 4th, and this production turns Shakespeare’s play on its head with live music, outrageous comedy and high energy. The second is Pride and Prejudice on Friday 11th, and this particular production has toured the UK and Europe for seven years with sell out crowds and nationwide critical acclaim. Forget about stuffy costume dramas, this play is vibrant, sparkling and packed with laughs. Both of these are appropriate for all ages, including kids, so book your tickets via the Enjoy Redcar & Cleveland website and bring a picnic to make a real trip of it.
Whitby Soul Weekender – Whitby Pavilion – Fri 4th to Sun 6th July
The annual Whitby Soul Weekender is back at the Whitby Pavilion from Friday 4th to Sunday 6th, bringing three days of Northern soul, Motown and modern soul to the town. This has been a staple event since 2002 and you’ll be grooving to classic tunes from renowned artists like The Temptations, Diana Ross, and Marvin Gaye. The weekend will be filled with electrifying live performances, incredible DJs, a fantastic atmosphere, and non-stop dancing. You can either buy individual day tickets, but there’s the option for a full weekend ticket if you really wanted to make it an occasion. You can find more info about the event and how to get your tickets on the Whitby Pavilion website.
KAPOW – Stockton Globe – Sat 5th July
If you’re a fan of all things sci-fi, you’ll love KAPOW at the Stockton Globe. This is an annual, free and family-friendly festival that’s all about celebrating sci-fi and fantasy, and it’s back on Saturday 5th. There’s going to be iconic characters to meet from a range of films and TV shows, activities and workshops to get involved with, a fabulous market to browse with all kinds of collectables, and a quiet area to relax away from the hustle and bustle. And of course, dressing up is absolutely encouraged, so if you’ve got a cosplay you want to show off, now is the perfect time! Like I say, this is a free event and you don’t need a ticket, so just visit the Stockton Globe on Saturday between 10am and 4pm to join in the fun.
Ouseburn Festival – across Ouseburn Valley – Sat 5th and Sun 6th July
The huge Ouseburn Festival is back for two days of community spirit, creativity and culture on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th. It’s a free and feel-good celebration with live music, exhibitions, workshops, markets and family-friendly activities right across the Ouseburn Valley, and when I tell you the programme is massive, it’s absolutely massive. There are Victoria Tunnel taster tours, Tyne boat trips, pottery workshops, community garden exploring and so much more. These are all happening at venues across Ouseburn, so this is a great way to explore the area. This is always such a hugely popular event and most of the activities are unticketed, so just head there this weekend to get stuck in. But some of the activities are ticketed, so if you want more info on those, head to the Ouseburn Trust website.
Summer Streets Festival – Cliffe Park, Sunderland – Sat 5th and Sun 6th July
On to another festival now and this one is all about live music and performance. Summer Streets Festival started in Sunderland in 2014 and is a music, arts and community event that has hosted countless musicians, outdoor arts performers, comedians and spoken-word artists from around the world. It’s on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th with a packed music line up across three stages, including Smoove & Turrell, Paul Smith of Maximo Park, and the Royal Northern Sinfonia. And as well as the music, there’s dance theatre to see, a silent disco, music workshops, kids craft activities, and food and drink. This is all happening in Cliffe Park in Roker, and it’s totally free to enjoy with no ticket needed. Visit the park this weekend to join in or visit the Summer Streets Festival website to see the full programme.
Way Back When: 1940s Weekend – Ushaw House – Sat 5th and Sun 6th July
This is something a little bit different, but sounds like a lot of fun. Ushaw House is holding Way Back When, a 1940s weekend on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th, which promises to be two days of all things vintage and nostalgic. They’ve really pulled out all the stops to have this event transport us all back in from, including a 40s vehicle display, vintage vocalists, jive dancing, a firing display, and British Army cuisine. There’s also going to be 40 vintage and handmade stalls selling everything from couture headwear and retro homeware to antiques and art. This event is included with a day pass and you can buy yours on the Ushaw House website, but if you have an annual membership, you can visit for free.
Newcastle Comic Con – Vertu Motors Arena – Sun 6th July
This is another one for sci-fi fans or maybe people who like a bit of horror, gaming or comics. Newcastle Comic Con is back and this time, it’s at Vertu Motors Arena on Sunday 6th with a whole day of all things geeky. Of course, there’ll be a celebrity guests to meet and greet, but there’ll also be a dinosaur zone, stage talks, games tables, cosplay masquerade and so much more. And of course, there’ll also be a huge market with merchandise and collectables from all of your favourite franchises. It’s going to be a jam-packed day and a perfect option for the whole family. Entry is £10 and £5 for under 16s, and you can pay on the door in cash, so no need to book a ticket in advance, but if you want any more info, have a look at the Unleashed Evens website.
Mouth of the Tyne Festival – Tynemouth Priory and Castle – Thurs 10th to Sun 13th July
Last but certainly not least, the mega Mouth of the Tyne Festival is back from Thursday 10th to Sunday 13th, bringing four days of incredible music to Tynemouth. The whole long weekend is centred around a massive line up on each day, with headliners including UB40 and Elbow, but there’s so much more to it. There’s going to be a whole host of street entertainment, a community stage with local artists and choirs, a festival parade and a silent disco. It’s been really popular so far and some of the dates are showing as sold out, but there are resale tickets available on Ticketmaster and you can check out the whole programme on the Mouth of the Tyne Festival website.
Make sure you check back next week for more amazing events!
