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- 23rd Sep 2026
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17 things to do in the North East this weekend (23rd – 27th September)
Looking for things to do in the North East this weekend? Look no further.
From Britain’s biggest art prize landing in Middlesbrough to a choice of autumn wreath-making workshops, a West End musical based on everyone’s favourite film nanny and Joe McElderry bringing his brand new tour to Consett, these are the events to have on your radar this weekend.
Mrs. Doubtfire – Newcastle
When: Wednesday 23rd September to Sunday 11th October
Where: Newcastle Theatre Royal
Price: Tickets from £21.00
The West End’s hit comedy musical, based on the beloved film, brings Daniel’s desperate alter ego Euphegenia Doubtfire to the stage with fabulous new songs and dazzling dance numbers.
Effie’s Opening Party – Newcastle
When: Friday 25th September
Where: Ouseburn Yard
Price: Free entry
Effie’s celebrates the opening of Ouseburn’s newest vintage store with a party, complete with free drinks and goodies.
Full Moon Soul Sanctuary Sound Bath – Sunderland
When: Friday 25th September
Where: Pennywell Business Centre
Price: £16.96
A restorative 90-minute sound bath, immersing a small group of 10 to 12 in the healing tones of crystal and Himalayan singing bowls, chimes and gongs.
Ocean Film Festival – Whitley Bay
When: Friday 25th September
Where: Playhouse Whitley Bay
Price: Tickets from £17.50
A cinematic celebration of the world’s oceans, featuring surfers, divers and scientists across a collection of short films from the team behind the Banff Mountain Film Festival.
Kimchi Workshop – Newcastle
When: Saturday 26th September
Where: Maldron Hotel Newcastle
Price: £60.00
A hands-on kimchi-making workshop from KC Square, learning the history and technique behind the Korean staple, with vegan or original, traditional or spicy options to choose from.
NE1 Newcastle Dragon Boat Race – Newcastle
When: Saturday 26th September
Where: River Tyne Quayside
Price: Free to watch
Teams of paddlers race colourful dragon boats between the Tyne Bridge and Millennium Bridge in support of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, with live entertainment along the Quayside.
Impressions of Light: Masterpieces from MuMa Le Havre and The Bowes Museum – County Durham
When: Saturday 26th September to Sunday 14th March 2027
Where: The Bowes Museum
Price: Day tickets cost £20.00, membership options also available
Impressionist masterpieces from France arrive in the North East, with works by Monet, Boudin, Courbet, Pissarro and more, many shown in the UK for the first time.
Turner Prize 2026 – Middlesbrough
When: Saturday 26th September to Monday 29th March 2027
Where: MIMA
Price: Free entry
Britain’s biggest art prize lands in Middlesbrough for the first time, with four shortlisted artists, Marguerite Humeau, Simeon Barclay, Tanoa Sasraku and Kira Freije, showing work that spans sculpture, textiles and live performance.
Dried Flower Wreath Workshop – County Durham
When: Saturday 26th September
Where: Raby Castle
Price: £65.00
Deborah from Periwinkle Barn guides you through building a layered dried flower wreath, using preserved foliage, grasses, seed heads and berries, in Raby Castle’s Conservatory.
Autumn Wreath Workshop – Gateshead
When: Saturday 26th September
Where: Gibside Stables
Price: £55.00
A relaxed, hands-on autumn wreath workshop, learning to bind seasonal foliage onto a mossed wreath ring before personalising it with autumnal embellishments, no experience needed.
Fashion Britain: BFC x ELLE UK National Designer Panel – Newcastle
When: Saturday 26th September
Where: Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art
Price: Free
Genevieve Devine and Barbour’s Ian Bergin join a panel exploring the North East’s influence on their creative journeys, part of the BFC’s new Fashion Britain programme.
Girls Get Together: Craft and Chat – Stockton-on-Tees
When: Saturday 26th September
Where: Sunday Coffee and Kitchen
Price: £28.88
An evening of crafting and chatting, personalising a tote bag, makeup bag, claw clip and keyring, beginner-friendly with a drink from Sunday Coffee included.
An Evening of Kate Bush – Durham
When: Saturday 26th September
Where: Durham Cathedral
Price: Tickets from £18.33
Let Me In bring a ten-piece band and the Mike Nowland String Quartet into Durham Cathedral for a night moving chronologically through Kate Bush’s catalogue, from The Kick Inside to Aerial, taking in classics like Running Up That Hill, Cloudbusting and Wuthering Heights, plus a full performance of the Ninth Wave suite from Hounds of Love.
Joe McElderry in Concert – Consett
When: Saturday 26th September
Where: Empire Consett
Price: Tickets from £35.00
South Shields-born X Factor winner Joe McElderry welcomes his brand new tour, celebrating the songs and career of one of the North East’s own.
Active Sunderland BIG Walk – Sunderland
When: Sunday 27th September
Where: Herrington Country Park
Price: Tickets from £7.50
A choice of 3, 6, 9 or 13.5-mile routes around Herrington Country Park, with fun activities for families and beginners, or a proper challenge for experienced walkers chasing a personal best.
Bark in the Park Dog Show – County Durham
When: Sunday 27th September
Where: Raby Castle
Price: Raby members go free, child tickets from £8.00 and adult tickets from £10.00
A dog-friendly day out with agility demonstrations, have-a-go training sessions and a Fun Dog Show, plus all-day access to the Deer Park and Walled Gardens.
RESTORE + SOUND – North Shields
When: Sunday 27th September
Where: We Rise Studio
Price: £25.00
A 90-minute reset combining 45 minutes of restorative yoga with a 45-minute immersive sound bath, beginner-friendly and suitable for all levels.
Check out our what’s on calendar for upcoming events worth knowing about in the North East.
Molly Ferry
CONTENT ASSISTANT
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