- Play Hard
- 11th Feb 2026
- 0
- 0 minute
New festivals, can’t-miss openings and celebratory events – Northumberland’s 2026 line-up is here
- Advertisement Feature
If you thought Northumberland was already shining bright, 2026 is here to prove that sometimes the best things happen after dark (or over a very good dinner)
From the first-ever North East Dark Skies Festival to brand-new Michelin-starred dining, film festivals and landmark anniversaries, the year ahead is packed with reasons to plan a visit to Northumberland.
Here’s what to put firmly in your diary.
NEW FESTIVALS FOR 2026
The first North East Dark Skies Festival
Friday 13th – Saturday 21st February
February 2026 marks a celestial first: the North East Dark Skies Festival, celebrating the region’s gold-tier dark skies – some of the best in Europe. It’s a big deal, considering that around 85% of people in the UK have never experienced a truly dark sky. Northumberland, however, is practically showing off.
Spanning coast, countryside and forest, the festival invites us all to slow down, look up and reconnect with the natural world. Expect stargazing sessions, storytelling, guided night walks, creative workshops, and family-friendly adventures, all against an inky-black backdrop sprinkled with stars.
Leading the way are the region’s observatories, including Kielder Observatory and Battlesteads Observatory, with programmes covering everything from exoplanets and aurorae to moon watching, cosmology and practical ways to reduce light pollution.
What to expect:
As part of the Dark Skies Festival, February comes alive after dark with events in some wonderfully atmospheric locations, from the Astronomy Photographer of the Year 16 exhibition at The Sill and cosy “star-grazing” picnics at Hiddle Hut, to a magical sunset-to-star rise walk to Holy Island.
Families can enjoy coastal stargazing sessions, yogalates under the stars at Beadnell Bay, wildlife-focused night walks at Hepple Estate and immersive astronomy evenings at the Twice Brewed Inn, alongside dusk walks with beer tastings, kids’ stargazing, late-night observatory sessions and even an evening forest bike ride in Kielder – a festival that truly spans everything from cosmic wonder to fireside comfort.
The First Blyth Festival of Film
Friday 6th February – Saturday 21st March
From the night sky to the silver screen, 2026 also sees the launch of the first-ever Blyth Festival of Film, produced by Market Pavilion and presented as part of Blyth Celebrates. Over six weeks, screenings will pop up across community venues, the Market Place and the flagship Market Pavilion cinema, turning the town into a playground for film lovers.
The programme mixes classics, cult favourites, short films and new discoveries, alongside creative activities and exhibitions. Highlights include free screenings at Buffalo Community Centre, a Sideways and wine-tasting night, Valentine’s Day romance with films like Casablanca and Brief Encounter, and a £1 & 1p half-term film club that makes cinema more accessible than ever.
NEW OPENINGS WORTH TRAVELLING FOR
Freyja, Heddon-on-the-Wall,
Autumn
The team behind Michelin-starred Hjem are back with an ambitious new project: Freyja, opening autumn 2026 at Close House Estate. This world-class restaurant with 12 on-site rooms blends modern Nordic-influenced dining with historic parkland surroundings – just 10 minutes from Newcastle, yet deep in Northumberland’s calm.
Seasonal menus will showcase produce grown on site in collaboration with Hexhamshire Organics, while the architecture takes inspiration from grand 19th-century garden buildings. Think glasshouse pavilions, green roofs, and guest rooms cleverly nestled into the landscape. Destination dining, redefined.
Wildhive Eshott Hall, Morpeth
Spring/summer
Eshott Hall reopens in 2026 under new custodians Wildhive Collection, bringing their signature blend of relaxed luxury and nature-led wellbeing. Expect elegant Georgian interiors, woodland cabins, seasonal dining celebrating Northumberland’s larder, and a spa experience designed for deep switching-off. Romantic, restorative and very on-brand for the county.
No.31
Hexham’s food scene just got even tastier. No.31 is the new Italian-inspired spot from the Beaumont Hotel team, offering delicious pinsas, shareable small plates, and all the vibes for a fun, relaxed dining experience. Set to open in 2026 – we can’t wait to see (and taste) what’s on the menu. More info coming soon…
Fratelli’s
Following its success in Ponteland, Fratelli’s is bringing authentic Italian and Sardinian flavours to Hexham, right opposite the Abbey. With a stylish interior and a sun-soaked al fresco terrace perfect for summer sipping, this new spot promises a feast for all the senses. Details on the opening are coming soon. More info TBC.
BIG ANNIVERSARIES AND OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
2026 is also a year of celebration across the county. Kielder Forest turns 100. Berwick Lighthouse celebrates its 200th anniversary, The Alnwick Garden turns 25 and Northumberland National Park marks 70 years, with exhibitions, hikes and special events planned.
Outdoor lovers, this one is for you. In 2026 you can now tackle the Cheviot 7 Peaks Challenge – a fully catered endurance hike with gourmet pit stops (because this is Northumberland) – or join milestone events like the 10th Dirty Reiver gravel race and The Northumbrian endurance challenge.
Rachael Ellis
Head of Content
After gaining a first in her BA Media and Journalism degree at Northumbria University, Rachael worked at Newcastle’s leading regional newspaper with her stories being picked up in national and global newspapers. She spent two very successful years giving a voice to those communities across the North East who otherwise…
Subscribe
Subscribe now to receive our twice-weekly emails and exclusive offers for High Life North readers.