- Play Hard
- 14th Oct 2026
- 0
- 0 minute
15 things to do in the North East this weekend (14th – 18th October 2026)
Looking for things to do in the North East this weekend? Look no further.
From doughnut-fuelled 5Ks to trail runs with a live DJ, a new Pre-Raphaelite exhibition at the Laing and pumpkins at every turn, these are the events to have on your radar this weekend.
Pumpkin Trail – Northumberland
When: Wednesday 14th October to Sunday 1st November
Where: Woodhorn Museum
Price: Included with museum admission
Woodhorn Museum has hidden pumpkins in the shadowy corners of its galleries and colliery buildings. Grab a trail sheet, hunt down as many as you can, then take your completed sheet back to the welcome desk. Manage to spot them all? There’s a sweet treat with your name on it.
Autumnal Printmaking with Cloe Sparrow – Durham
When: Thursday 15th October
Where: Dead Dog Gallery, Durham Sixth Form Centre
Price: £6.13
Artist Cloe Sparrow leads autumnal printmaking, using natural materials to play with texture, layering and seasonal colour. This session, Print Exploration, is all about experimenting and building towards a handmade book filled with prints.
Dried Floral Broom Workshop – Durham
When: Thursday 15th October
Where: Houghall Campus, East Durham College
Price: £35.00
Make your own dried floral broom, led by the college’s experienced floristry team. No experience needed and all materials provided, just bring your creativity and leave with a seasonal, slightly witchy make of your own. A relaxed weeknight craft session.
Lyla’s Pumpkin Paint & Sip – Hartlepool
When: Friday 16th October
Where: Lyla Belle’s Cafe
Price: £20.00
Paint a pumpkin with friends over a pumpkin-spiced latte or a cocktail. Your ticket includes a welcome drink and all materials, plus an autumnal cocktail and food menu to enjoy alongside – a seasonal way to spice up your Friday evening.
Sunrise Pilates – Tynemouth
When: Saturday 17th October
Where: King Edward’s Bay
Price: Free
Roll out your mat on the sand for a 45-minute Pilates flow as the sun rises. Bring warm layers, and stick around afterwards for an optional sea dip, coffee and a walk.
Pre-Raphaelites: Art and Poetry – Newcastle
When: Saturday 17th October to Saturday 13th February 2027
Where: Laing Art Gallery
Price: Included in admission
This Saturday marks the unveiling of the first large-scale exhibition to explore the links between Pre-Raphaelite art and literature. With over 100 paintings, drawings and objects, many never shown in Newcastle before, it’s one for art and literature lovers alike.
Weezy Pop Launch in Baltic Shop
When: Saturday 17th October
Where: BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art
Price: Free entry
North East jewellery brand Weezy Pop opens its own space inside BALTIC, bringing all things colourful with it. Snap, stack and style your own look with the handmade, interchangeable charm system, plus a new BALTIC x Weezy Pop charm collection to discover.
The Art of Making – Northumberland
When: Saturday 17th October
Where: Roman Army Museum
Price: £25.00
A conversation celebrating craft, past and present, bringing together Vindolanda curator Barbara Birley, 2026 artist-in-residence Susie MacMurray and experimental archaeologist Sally Pointer. They explore the ancient weaving and spinning skills behind MacMurray’s new Vindolanda artwork, Again & Again & Again.
Girls Get Together: Newcastle Book Club – Newcastle
When: Saturday 17th October
Where: Reform Studio
Price: £7.75
A friendly monthly book club with no set book and no pressure, just a relaxed hour chatting about whatever you’re reading over a tea, coffee or matcha. This session has a Halloween twist, turning pre-loved book pages into ghost bunting.
Halloween Ghosts Needle Felting Workshop – Morpeth
When: Saturday 17th October
Where: The Creative Studio
Price: £33.22
Make your own felted Halloween ghosts in this beginner-friendly needle felting workshop. The team guides you through the craft step by step, so no experience is needed, just turn up, have a go and let your creativity loose.
Pumpkin Pie Making – Newcastle
When: Saturday 17th October
Where: Pink Lane Bakery
Price: £55.00
Pink Lane Bakery’s head pastry chef leads a hands-on evening class in pumpkin pie making. You’ll make buttery sweet pastry and a smooth, spiced pumpkin filling, then take home your pie and the recipe to bake it again. Tea, coffee and refreshments included.
Queen Heaven 360° Immersive Dome Show – Newcastle
When: Saturday 17th October
Where: Life Science Centre
Price: Adult £24.00, carer £17.00
Queen’s biggest hits meet immersive visuals in Life’s 360° Planetarium for a second October date. Approved by Queen, the show pairs classic videos and archive footage with soaring solar-system visuals, set to Bohemian Rhapsody, We Will Rock You and Radio Ga Ga. 13+, with under-18s accompanied by an adult.
Fuelled by Doughnuts Run Club – Tynemouth
When: Sunday 18th October
Where: Deep North
Price: Pre-order your choice of doughnut for £4.00
Deep North and Wild Wellness host a 5K all-abilities run from the Tynemouth coffee shop, followed by tea or coffee and a doughnut back at the shop. Pre-select your doughnut when you book. A sociable, treat-powered start to Sunday, whatever your pace.
October Run Club – Darlington
When: Sunday 18th October
Where: Kip & Nook
Price: Free
A morning trail run, with a 5.5K at your pace or a 10K race, a live DJ, and coffee and snacks to refuel. All abilities and ages welcome, dogs included and free on-site parking. The first man and first woman home in the 10K each win a £150 voucher.
Art Goss Zine Club – Sunderland
When: Sunday 18th October
Where: Port Independent
Price: £6.13
A relaxed zine-making session celebrating women artists through history. Spin the Art Goss wheel to pick an artist, learn her story, then make a page however you like, drawing, collaging or stitching. Everyone’s pages become a zine you take home.
Check out our what’s on calendar for upcoming events worth knowing about in the North East.
Molly Ferry
CONTENT ASSISTANT
Subscribe
Subscribe now to receive our twice-weekly emails and exclusive offers for High Life North readers.