What’s on in the Tees Valley in 2026

Start the month with Taste of Redcar & Cleveland (4th – 15th March), offering discounts in restaurants and cafés across the borough. Then visit Coronation Park in Loftus for Village of Light (6th – 7th March), a free community event featuring light art and family fun.

For theatre lovers, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical comes to Darlington Hippodrome (10th – 14th March) following its record-breaking London run, starring Danny Beard as Mr. D.

Banish any lingering chill with a visit to Butterfly World or celebrate Mother’s Day (15th March) with afternoon tea at Wynyard Hall for an elevated experience.

Where to stay: Gisborough Hall for an early spring stay in the countryside.

Darlington Food Festival will be making the Early Bank Holiday weekend (1st – 4th May) even tastier. It’s a hotspot for street food and live music, so it’s a brilliant way to start the month.

For the Spring Bank Holiday weekend, head to Hopetown Darlington for the Vintage Weekend on 23rd – 25th May for 1940s fashion, vintage stalls, live music and dancing, and classic cars. It’s set to be a nostalgic weekend that can be enjoyed by all ages.

If you want to take in some late spring nature, have a stroll at RSPB Saltholme, hike up Roseberry Topping to see the bluebells or visit the lambs at Newham Grange Farm with the family.

Where to stay: Walworth Castle to sleep like royalty in a 12th century room.

Festival of Thrift returns to Kirkleatham on 4th and 5th July, celebrating sustainability with creative workshops, fashion, stalls and entertainment. It’s always a highlight in the Tees Valley calendar, so isn’t one to miss.

Another summer favourite is Saltburn Food Festival (26th July), the region’s biggest food festival. Make sure you get there early with room in your bag because it’s impossible to come away empty handed.

For families, The Happy Rooms are back from 21st July to 30th August at Middlesbrough Town Hall, featuring immersive, artist-designed spaces created to spark children’s imaginations. Tickets will be available from the Stellar Creates website.

Make the most of the summer with a spa day at Rockliffe Hall or head to Koze’s Summer Wine Festival. Keep your eyes on their socials for a date announcement.

Where to stay: Roseberry Retreat for hot tub stays in the sun.

Women X Film Festival (17th – 20th September) will celebrate female and non-binary voices in cinema, showcasing inspiring films, discussions and creative talent from across the industry. They’ve added an extra day on for 2026 too, making the event bigger and better than ever.

After a sell-out debut UK tour, Lucy Beaumont will be at Middlesbrough Town Hall on 27th September with her hilarious show, Bad at Quiz Shows, Good with Weirdos. If you loved her on Taskmaster, Celebrity Traitors or Mastermind, this’ll be up your street.

September sees the return Heritage Open Days, so take a look at the official website to see which Tees Valley spots are taking part. You could also head to the coast for the Great British Beach Clean from 18th – 27th September.

Where to stay: Houndgate Townhouse for a boutique stay within walking distance of fabulous places to eat.

As the festive season gets into full swing, the towns are lit up with Christmas lights. Each borough has their own light switch on, but some towns do their own, including Yarm and Billingham. There’s sure to be a switch on event near you.

Darlington is a must-visit to start your Christmas shopping. There’s a brilliant variety of high street names and a fantastic independent community to find something truly unique. Plus, there’s oodles of places to eat and drink, so you can make a day of it.

Fourteen Drops Market Hall will be bringing their Festive Wine Festival back during the month, which is the perfect way to wind down into the season. Keep your eyes on their socials for a date announcement.

Where to stay: Keeper’s Cottage for a winter stay straight out of The Holiday.