- Play Hard
- 9th Sep 2026
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20 things to do in the North East this weekend (9th – 13th September 2026)
Looking for things to do in the North East this weekend? Look no further.
From the Great North Run taking over the region to a candlelit dance thriller, a viral Coffee Rave and plenty of pre-race shakeouts, these are the fun things to have on your radar this weekend.
Matthew Bourne’s The Car Man – Newcastle
When: Wednesday 9th to Saturday 12th September
Where: Theatre Royal
Price: Tickets from £22.00
Matthew Bourne’s award-winning dance thriller transforms a 19th-century Spanish cigarette factory into a greasy 1950s American garage-diner, fuelled by heat, desire and an unstoppable spiral of greed and betrayal. 15+.
Live Skies in the Planetarium – Newcastle
When: Thursday 10th September
Where: Life Science Centre
Price: £10.00
Take a tour of the night sky exactly as it appears that evening, exploring the history and mythology of the constellations with a special focus on the Summer Triangle. Over-18s only.
NE1’s Runners’ Restaurant Weekend – Newcastle
When: Friday 11th to Monday 14th September
Where: Various venues across Newcastle
Price: Simply show your medal, race bib or confirmation email to claim.
NE1 and Great Run team up for the official Runners’ Restaurant Weekend, with exclusive discounts and freebies across some of Newcastle’s most popular restaurants.
No Club Running Club: Great North Run Pop Up Shop – Newcastle
When: Friday 11th to Saturday 12th September
Where: BottleWorks
Price: Free entry
Pop-up exclusives both days, plus a relaxed 5K social run around Ouseburn Valley on Saturday, with free doughnuts from Deep North to finish.
Tipsy Taster Night – County Durham
When: Friday 11th September
Where: Bradbury Glade
Price: £30.00
A fun date night sampling Bradbury Glade’s Ultimate BBQ Menu, with complimentary drinks, canapés, live music and fairy-lit surroundings. All ages welcome, whether you’re planning a wedding here or just after a good night out.
GNR Shakeout – Newcastle
When: Friday 11th September
Where: LOCAL_HQ
Price: Free
A social 5K shakeout run before race day, followed by drinks, banana bread and a race prep Q&A with On Athlete Cal Johnson.
Trails & Tails: Roseberry Topping Hike – North Yorkshire
When: Saturday 12th September
Where: Newton-under-Roseberry Car Park
Price: £5.00
An easy, social hike up Roseberry Topping with stunning views, adjusted to suit the group’s pace. All levels welcome, dogs too, with fresh fruit, snacks and water included.
Shakeout Part II: The Great North Run Edition – Sunderland
When: Saturday 12th September
Where: Wild Fire City
Price: Free
Meet at 9am, run at 9:30am, then refuel with post-run food, drinks and Great Run vibes. No sign up, no fee and everyone’s welcome.
Rant & Ramble Coffee Rave – Newcastle
When: Saturday 12th September
Where: STACK Newcastle (Worswick Bar)
Price: £10.00
Rant & Ramble brings its viral, alcohol-free Coffee Rave to Newcastle for the first time, with live drums, huge tunes and a feel-good dancefloor to kick off Great North Run weekend. Everyone’s welcome, you don’t need to be running to join in.
Pre-Race Mobility Session and Panel Talk – Newcastle
When: Saturday 12th September
Where: Freight Island
Price: £15.00, or £10.00 for Runner’s World UK Club members
A Pilates-based stretch and mobility session followed by a celebrity panel talk on race day, mindset and motivation. Every attendee takes home a yoga mat and water bottle.
Great North Run Shake Out at Kip & Nook – Darlington
When: Saturday 12th September
Where: Kip & Nook
Price: Free (reserve a spot online)
Choose a 5km at your own pace or a competitive 10km, with a live DJ, coffee and freshly baked treats to refuel afterwards. Runners, non-runners and nervous first-timers all welcome, with £150 Kip & Nook vouchers up for grabs for the fastest runner in the 10K.
Awakened Breath – Newcastle
When: Saturday 12th September
Where: The Common Room
Price: £22.00
A conscious, connected breathwork session combining calming techniques with meditation to support nervous system balance, led by accredited teacher Vicky Middleton.
Craig’s GNR Pasta Party – Newcastle
When: Saturday 12th September
Where: LOCAL_HQ
Price: £25.00
Two sittings of unlimited carb-loading before the big race, with proceeds from every ticket going into a charity raffle prize pot.
Girls Get Together: Autumn Candle Making Class – North Yorkshire
When: Saturday 12th September
Where: Sunday Coffee & Kitchen
Price: £37.00
Hand-pour your own candle with Astrollogy Candles, picking your autumnal scent and a label to make it entirely yours, plus a drink and stuffed cookie included. Beginner-friendly, ages 18+, solo attendees welcome.
The R&B Orchestra – Newcastle
When: Saturday 12th September
Where: Digital
Price: Tickets from £20.29
A live orchestral reimagining of golden-era R&B, from Alicia Keys and Usher to TLC and Destiny’s Child.
AJ Bell Great North Run – Newcastle & South Shields
When: Sunday 13th September
Where: Starts at Central Motorway, Newcastle
Price: Free to watch
Grab a spot along the route and show some support, whether it’s the crowd-powered climb between miles 8 and 12 or the famous finish-line atmosphere. Expect road closures across the city, so plan your travel in advance.
Great North Run Watch Party – Newcastle
When: Sunday 13th September
Where: Newcastle Castle
Price: Included with annual pass
Watch the Great North Run unfold from the rooftop of the Castle Keep, with breathtaking views of the Tyne Bridge and a spectacular vantage point as the Red Arrows fly past. Includes a photo frame, a bell to ring in support, and a banner to colour in.
Folk in the Park – Sunderland
When: Sunday 13th September
Where: Barnes Park
Price: Free entry
Local craft stalls, interactive instrument workshops and performances from emerging artists, closing with a lively set from the Keel Assembly Ceilidh Band.
Coffee Cupping – North Shields
When: Sunday 13th September
Where: Baristocracy Coffee
Price: Free (reserve a spot online)
Taste and discuss three different coffees with fellow coffee lovers, honing your flavour identification skills whatever your experience level. Free, capped at 10 people, with the roastery open to the public afterwards.
SOUND – North Shields
When: Sunday 13th September
Where: We Rise Studio
Price: £20.00
A deeply restorative sound journey designed to guide you into profound relaxation and nervous system regulation. Not suitable during pregnancy.
Check out our events page for upcoming events worth knowing about in the North East.
Molly Ferry
CONTENT ASSISTANT
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