19 things to do this Father’s day weekend

Cullercoats Festival logo against a bright yellow background.

Cullercoats Festival – St. George’s Church

When: Friday the 13th June, 12:00pm – Saturday the 14th June 11:59pm

Where: St. George’s Church

Price: free

The Cullercoats Festival brings together arts, crafts, music, poetry, heritage and culture in a celebration of the local community.

There will be an exciting programme of events taking place across Cullercoats, including creative sessions, displays, sea activities, children’s entertainment and more. Check out their website for the full agenda!

CHECK IT OUT

Working Lass – Zine Making Workshop

When: Friday the 13th June, 10:00am – 12:00pm

Where: Hills Art Centre

Price: free

Join the sensational Miki Rogers for a creative celebration of 10 trailblazing North East women and their role in the liberation movement as part of our Working Lass project.

✨ Come along to our zine-making session to:
– Learn about these incredible women
– Reflect on and honour the women in your life
– Keep the celebration of North East women alive through creativity

CHECK IT OUT

A herb garden in a wooden crate.

Growing Herbs at Home – Hut on the Green

When: Friday the 13th June, 1:00pm – 4:00pm

Where: Hut on the Green

Price: £65

In this half-day workshop at Hut on the Green, you’ll learn how to grow a luscious and fragrant herb garden.

An expert will teach you things like what potting mix to use, how big your pots should be and which herbs are best to grow from seeds or cuttings. You will then get to make up your own potting mix and plant some herbs to take home, including mint, basil, lemongrass and coriander or fenugreek.

CHECK IT OUT

Brewery Tour & Tasting Experiences – Anarchy Brew Co.

When: Friday the 13th June, 7:00pm – 8:30pm

Where: Anarchy Brew Co.

Price: £22

Enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of Anarchy Brew Co. with a member of the brewery team.

You’ll delve into the history of the brewery and get a glimpse into the brewing process, as well as learning more about each beer. Your tour will start with a sample and you’ll also have the opportunity to try a selection of tasty beers in the taproom.

CHECK IT OUT

Metal beer kegs sit in a row. White text overlays a black banner at the top of the image. It says: Anarchy Brew Co Brewery Tour and Tasting.
Annie Gray book talk at Alnwick Castle.

Book Talk with Annie Gray – Alnwick Castle

When: Friday the 13th June, 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Where: Alnwick Castle

Price: from £12

Historian, author and broadcaster Annie Gray will be visiting Alnwick Castle to talk about her latest book, ‘The Bookshop, The Draper, The Candlestick Maker: A History of the High’.

With excerpts from her book, Annie will paint a messy, bustling picture of human history. Explore tearooms, grocers, toyshops and more, and view some rarely-seen items from the Alnwick Castle archive.

CHECK IT OUT

FREE Community Beach Yoga – Cullercoats Beach

When: Saturday the 14th June, 8:00am – 8:45am

Where: Cullercoats Beach

Price: free

Kickstart your day with this free community event held by Shore Yoga.

Head down to Cullercoats beach for a revitalising 45-minute yoga flow on the sand. This will be followed by an optional dip in the sea for those who are brave enough… or opt to chill on the beach for a bit instead!

CHECK IT OUT

Lots of people sit on yoga mats on a sandy beach. They face the sea, where an instructor stands ready to lead them through a yoga flow.

Alnmouth Arts Festival

When: Saturday the 14th June, 10:00am – Sunday the 15th, 8:45am

Where: Hindmarsh Hall, Alnmouth

Price: free

A vibrant annual event where the stunning coastal village of Alnmouth throws open its doors to show the best of Northumbrian artists.

A weekend to explore Alnmouth and browse art, crafts, and creations from local designers, showcased in Hindmarsh Hall as well as venues throughout the village.

CHECK IT OUT

The Ouseburn Market – Stepney Bank

When: Saturday the 14th June, 10:00am – Sunday the 15th, 3:00pm

Where: Stepney Bank

Price: free

Head to Newcastle’s coolest cultural quarter for The Ouseburn Market this summer. More than 60 unique traders and makers will set up shop for the weekend, offering everything from ceramics and prints to candles and brownies.

Pick up something special, enjoy street food from local traders, grab yourself a cup of speciality coffee and soak up the summer vibes!

CHECK IT OUT

Ouseburn market dates for summer 2025.
An unseen person paints a watercolour depiction of Raby Castle using blue and yellow paints.

Landscape Painting Workshop – Raby Castle

When: Saturday the 14th June, 10:00am – 3:00pm

Where: Raby Castle

Price: £75.50

This relaxing workshop lets you soak up the beautiful setting of Raby Castle while learning the key elements of landscape painting.

Artist Jo Pickering will lead the way, teaching you the fundamentals of composition, perspective, and the selection of materials. You’ll be encouraged to be creative as you paint, resulting in a piece of art that reflects your own interpretation of the landscape around you.

CHECK IT OUT

Dad’s Go FREE This Fathers Day – Raby Castle

When: Saturday the 14th June, 10:00am – Sunday the 15th, 3:00pm

Where: Raby Castle

Price: free for Dad’s!

Enjoy a family day out this Father’s Day at Raby Castle… made all the better with free entry for dad!

Ride the tractor, watch the deer being fed, explore winding woodland paths or discover regal rooms inside the castle. There are so many memories to make!

CHECK IT OUT

A father wearing a cap and sunglasses holds his son close to him. He points out something in the distant fields.
Two men stand in the stone archway to Alnwick Castle. They are dressed in grey peacoats, white trousers and tall black hats. They both hold a musket across their bodies. They are part of the Percy Tenantry Volunteer Army.

68th Durham Light Infantry – Alnwick Castle

When: Saturday the 14th June, 10:00am – Sunday the 15th, 5:00pm

Where: Alnwick Castle

Price: free with general admission

See the impressive Percy Tenantry Volunteers in action!

You’ll have a chance to watch live drill sessions, handle objects and hear more about this voluntary army, which was set up over 200 years ago by the 2nd Duke of Northumberland. There will also be hourly musket firings, giving you an idea of what a battlefield would have sounded like.

CHECK IT OUT

Make Your Own Banner with Bianco Perry – Flaura Rose

When: Saturday the 14th June, 11:00am – 1:00pm

Where: Flaura Rose

Price: £33.22

Local textile artist Bianco Perry is renowned for her fun and quirky banners. Now, you can make one of your own during this fun session at Flaura Rose!

Come up with your own message to embellish onto your banner and get stitching under the guidance of the banner queen herself. You’ll leave with a fun hanging for your wall and maybe even some new friends.

CHECK IT OUT

Textile artist Bianco Perry wears a black and white spotty blazer. She holds her arms out, showing off the many banners around her. The one hanging on the wall behind her says: Chip Butty.
Endless Love Tapes' at Bishop Auckland Pride

Endless Love Tapes’ at Bishop Auckland Pride

When: Saturday the 14th June, 11:00am – 9:00pm

Where: Bishop Auckland College

Price: free

Endless Love Tapes brings a poignant and personal dimension to this vibrant event — a
celebration of love, unity, and shared humanity.

Join in on a day full of music, karaoke, food and drink and more!

CHECK IT OUT

Chilli In The Garden – Ouseburn Garden

When: Saturday the 14th June, 12:00pm – 5:00pm

Where: Ouseburn Garden

Price: free

Love your food spicy? Chilli in the Garden is the festival for you!

Pop along to Ouseburn Garden and sample products from a broad range of artisan chilli producers. There will also be other stalls to browse, along with drinks deals and music.

Make a day of it and explore the rest of Ouseburn while you’re there!

CHECK IT OUT

Red and orange poster with drawings of chillies, chilli bottles and flames. Cursive text reads: Chilli in the Garden, Saturday 14th June, 12p to 5pm, Ouseburn Garden.
Kip and Nook run Club

June Run Club at Kip & Nook

When: Sunday the 15th June, 10:00am – 1:00pm

Where: Kip & Nook

Price: free

Lace up and hit the trail with us for an unforgettable morning run. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just love a good time, this is the run club you won’t want to miss!

After you crush the 5.5k, the party kicks off with a live DJ, fresh coffee, and epic snacks to refuel and vibe out. This is a free event, all food & drinks are to be paid for at the venue on the day.

CHECK IT OUT

Morning Sound Bath and Meditation – Raby Castle

When: Sunday the 15th June, 10:00am – 11:00am

Where: Raby Castle

Price: £17.25

Find some time for yourself during this sound bath and meditation session at Raby Castle.

Led by meditation instructor Stephen, you’ll enjoy a calming guided meditation accompanied by the ethereal tones of Tibetan and crystal singing bowls. This combination will allow you to sink into a serene state of relaxation, emotional equilibrium and mental clarity.

CHECK IT OUT

Three gold metal singing bowls of different sizes are lined up on a white surface. There are also wooden batons and sticks for creating sounds on the bowls.
A person holds an orange snake in their hands.

Zoolab – Alnwick Castle

When: Sunday the 15th June, 11:00am – 3:00pm

Where: Alnwick Castle

Price: free with general admission

From frogs to snakes and creepy crawlies, this Father’s Day Zoolab show at Alnwick Castle looks at the dads of the animal kingdom.

Get hands-on with live creatures and learn what being a father means for these special guests. This is a rare opportunity to get up close to some exotic animals while spending quality time with dad!

CHECK IT OUT

Free Father’s Day Festival – The Barking Dog

When: Sunday the 15th June, 12:00pm – 6:00pm

Where: The Barking Dog

Price: free

Spend quality time with your dad, grandad, step dad or any other person in your life who deserves to be celebrated this Father’s Day!

This free festival promises live music, giant inflatables, ice cream, and a free BBQ burger for dad. There will also be a DADDY-EOKE karaoke competition, where the winner will receive 10 free pints!

CHECK IT OUT

Poster depicting a bouncy castle, BBQ, balloons and bunting beneath a blue sky. Red text reads: Father's Day Festival, 15 June.
Flames rise from a BBQ grill as someone uses tongs to cook food.

Father’s Day BBQ – The Secret Garden, Jesmond Dene House

When: Sunday the 15th June, 1:00pm – 3:00pm

Where: Jesmond Dene House

Price: £36

Beers, burgers and sunshine – what better way to spend a Father’s Day afternoon?

Take dad to The Secret Garden at Jesmond Dene House for a relaxed BBQ in beautiful surroundings.

CHECK IT OUT

User Avatar
Nula Jewel Power

creative writer and photographer

Subscribe

Subscribe now to receive our twice-weekly emails and exclusive offers for High Life North readers.