- Play Hard
- 24th Mar 2026
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21 things to do in the North East this weekend
ArtyParti – Show & Tell – Sunderland
When: Thursday 26th March, 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Where: Port Independent
Price: £6.13
Arti Party is hosting their seventh live ‘Show and Tell’ podcast recording. The recording will be themed like a ‘show and tell’ event, where you are invited to “step up to the microphone”and share more about your most recent projects / artworks.
Explore a new opening – North East
When: Friday 27th March – Sunday 29th March
Where: North East
Price: free
We’ve rounded up a list of the newest openings across the North East. From cafes and restaurants to fitness studios and shopping. Get out of your routine and discover someplace new this weekend.
Sketch & Sip: Draw Your Partner – Sunderland
When: Friday 27th March, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Where: The Petal Patch
Price: £22.38
A relaxed evening of drawing for all abilities, with a glass of Prosecco or drink included!
Spring Equinox & Heart Opening Cacao Ceremony – Darlington
When: Friday 27th March, 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Where: Space Pilates
Price: £30
This special gathering takes place just after the Spring Equinox, experience a meditation, gentle movement, journalling, reflection and more in this welcoming and open space.
Candlelit Sound Bath & Meditation – Wylam
When: Friday 27th March, 7:00pm – 8:15pm
Where: Wylam Institute Community Association
Price: £14.25
A gentle Friday evening to unwind, reset, and ease into the weekend feeling calmer and more grounded.
Brigid Mae Power + Ben Cashell – Shieldfield
When: Friday 27th March, 7:00pm – 10:00pm
Where: Cobalt Studios
Price: £10.10
An evening of live music from Irish singer-songwriter Brigid Mae Power and cellist Ben Cashell in Cobalt Studios’ event space.
Crowd Karoke Hoe Down – South Shields
When: Friday 27th March, 7:30pm – 11:30pm
Where: The New Sundial
Price: £6.13
Get ready to sing your heart out and dance your boots off at the wildest Crowd Karaoke Hoe Down ever!
Milly Thompson: My Body Temperature Is Feeling Good – Gateshead
When: Saturday 28th March
Where: Baltic
Price: free
A new exhibit featuring artist Milly Thompson. These pieces articulate the struggles and triumphs of the female body gaining agency amidst the distorting pressures of mediated beauty standards.
Foundation Press: Starting Lines
When: Saturday 28th March
Where: Baltic
Price: free
This exhibition will feature material from the Foundation Press archive, including posters, banners, wallpapers and collaborative publications that traces their contribution and impact across design, print, and community practice over the last 10 years.
YANA Active’s Easter Social – Hop & Hunt – Ouseburn
When: Saturday 28th March, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Where: Deep North Ouseburn
Price: £11.55
Join in on a pre-Easter warm up with an easy 5km run or a 3km walk along Newcastle’s stunning quayside. Along the route there will be Easter eggs to find filled with YANA treats – find one and it’s yours to keep!
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award 2025 and Exploring Identity
When: Saturday 28th March
Where: Laing Art Gallery
Price: free
This spring and summer, discover two outstanding portrait exhibitions at Laing Art Gallery. From 28 March to 5 September 2026, visitors can explore the Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award 2025, the National Portrait Gallery’s prestigious annual painting competition, shown alongside Exploring Identity.
Journal & Book Binding Workshop – Rowlands Gill
When: Saturday 28th March, 10:30am – 4:30pm
Where: Lockhaugh Farm
Price: £87.38
Unplug, slow down and craft your own handmade journals with Lockhaugh Farm’s Artist in Residence. Enjoy a creative, mindful day in peaceful countryside.
Vivienne Westwood exhibition – The Bowes Museum
When: Saturday 28th March
Where: The Bowes Museum
Price: £19.50
Explore a multi-gallery exhibition honouring one of fashion’s most provocative and imaginative British designers, Vivienne Westwood.
Paint & Pause – Tynemouth
When: Saturday 28th March, 1:00pm – 3:30pm
Where: Durano Lounge
Price: £22.38
Enjoy a relaxed afternoon of creativity by the sea at Long Sands Beach, setting up underneath the area near Durano Lounge.
Charm + Chat Workshop – Jewellery Making Night – Whitley Bay
When: Saturday 28th March, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Where: For the Love of the North
Price: £41.88
An evening of creativity at this D.I.Y Charm + Chat Workshop – For the Love of the North in Whitley Bay.
Easter Cake Decorating Class – Gateshead
When: Saturday 28th March, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Where: Eighton Banks Village Hall
Price: £53.25
Get creative this Easter with a fun, hands-on cake decorating class!
Free Community Beach Yoga – Tynemouth
When: Sunday 29th March, 9:30am – 10:15am
Where: King Edward’s Bay
Price: free
Come together for a free monthly community yoga on the golden sands of King Edward’s Bay, nestled beneath the iconic Tynemouth Priory and Castle.
Easter Wreath Making Workshop – Derwent Manor
When: Sunday 29th March, 12:00pm – 4:00pm
Where: Derwent Manor Boutique Hotel
Price: £45
Create a beautiful, seasonal wreath to welcome spring into your home. Fun to make and perfect for your front door or table display!
YMP Spring Social – Sunderland
When: Sunday 29th March, 12:30pm – 3:00pm
Where: Pop Recs Sunderland
Price: £5.04
The YMP social is a supportive and talent filled gig, showcasing all of the amazing work the Young Musicians have been creating. It is an afternoon of incredible original music from up and coming North Eastern musicians.
Paint & Sip – Benton
When: Sunday 29th March, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Where: Black Bull
Price: £22.38
A little paint and sip at the Black Bull. All materials and inspiration provided – no skills needed but budding Tony Harts are very welcome!
Sunrise Beach Yoga – Tynemouth
When: Sunday 29th March, 6:15am – 7:00am.
Where: King Edward’s Bay
Price: £16
Enjoy a peaceful morning of sunrise yoga on the sand at King Edward’s Bay! Oh and stay around after class for a coffee and social!
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