***FREE EVENTS***
There is plenty to celebrate in July. The school holidays will begin, it's Wimbledon, the sun shines and it is warm(er). It's also my wedding anniversary so a good month for us!
With over 25 free family events and activities throughout North East England in Northumberland, Newcastle, Gateshead, South Tyneside, Sunderland, Durham and Middlesbrough - where will July take you this year?
OUSEBURN FESTIVAL
Saturday 1 & Sunday 2 July
Ouseburn, Newcastle
The evening of Saturday sees the NARC Fest bringing the best local live music in the Ouseburn Valley's venues. Sunday is full of activities in the open air around the Ouseburn, in the Farm, Stables, Seven Stories, food market and crafts in Lime Street and music on the Village Green.
Saturday: NARC. FEST
- LIVE MUSIC & COMEDY
- ARTS & CRAFTS
- VICTORIA TUNNEL TOURS
- HERITAGE TOURS
Sunday: FAMILY DAY
- CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES
- MUSIC, ARTS & CRAFTS
- BOAT TRIPS & STALLS
- FESTIVAL PARADE
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intu SUMMER PARTY
Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 July 11am - 5 pm
intu Eldon Square Shopping Centre, Newcastle
- Live music near Debenhams
- Kids' fun opposite HMV
- Summer party tombola next to Giraffe
- Foodie Freebies near Debenhams
- Garden games next to Giraffe
- Beauty demos and face painting around escalators outside Boots and John Lewis
- Buskers outside Waitrose
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intu SUMMER PARTY
Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 July 11 am - 5 pm
intu Metro Centre, Gateshead
- Beach and Pirate Ship Lower Exhibition Square
- North Tyneside Steel Band Lower Exhibition Square
- Crazy Golf Course Lower Town Square
- Digital Caricaturist Lower Qube
- Topshop Photo Booth Lower Qube
- Roaming Entertainment Throughout intu Metrocentre Malls
- Tasty Summer Treats Lower Exhibition Square
- Giant Buzz Wire Competition Upper Green Mall, Topman Balcony
- The Big Day Out Shopper - Sand Sculpture Lower Town Square
- Craft Activities The Village
- 99th Garrison Star Wars based costume group across the centre
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SUMMER PARADE
July 1 1pm-4pm
South Shields
The annual Summer Parade is one the biggest carnival parades in the North East. This year's parade celebrates the magic and wonder of children's storytelling. Inspired by favourite tales such as Cinderella, Peter Pan, The Jungle Book, Hansel & Gretel and Arabian Nights, this is a must see event for all ages. South Shields FC will lead this year's parade. Cheer them on as they pass on an open bus and help celebrate their historic season and FA Vase win at Wembley Stadium.
The parade starts at 1 pm outside of the South Shields Town Hall, before travelling through the town centre along Fowler Street and Ocean Road to Bents Park on the seafront, where the fun will continue with music, entertainment and much more.
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SCREEN ON THE GREEN
1 July onwards
Old Eldon Square, Newcastle
The sun is out and the nights are long, summer is upon the city once again. The Screen on the Green will be returning in summer 2017. An essential part of summer in Newcastle, NE1 proudly offers its outdoor cinema to one and all every year. They host free film screenings of family favourites, new movies and old classics on a huge cinema screen in the heart of the city at Old Eldon Square!
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SPRINGWELL VILLAGE 1940s WEEKEND
Saturday & Sunday 1 & 2 July
Springwell Village, Tyne and Wear
Springwell Village is hosting a 1940s Weekend from 30 June to 2 July, celebrating the history of the Second World War and the heritage of the village during this period and in the years before the war. Enjoy a weekend of live music and dance, living history and re-enactments, family activities, food and drink.
Activities include:
- Bowes Railway - free entry all weekend with re-enactors on site 10.30am-5.30pm each day.
- Exhibition of old photographs and artefacts, Springwell Village Community Venue, 10am-4pm, Saturday 1 July
- Children's party with games and dancing, Springwell Village social club, 12-2.30pm, Saturday 1 July
- National Garden Scheme Gardens open for charity, Woodlands, Peareth Hall Road, 1.30-4.30pm, Saturday 1 July, £3 entry
- Afternoon tea with The Darling Dollies, Springwell Village Methodist Church, 3-5pm, Saturday 1 July
- 1940s dance with music by The Bright Street Big Band, Springwell Village Community Venue, from 7.30pm, Saturday 1 July, tickets £8 from the venue.
- Memorial Service and talk by Tom Davidson LoH, Ex-Warrant Officer Flight Engineer, 466 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force, Springwell Village Methodist Church, 11 am, Sunday 2 July
- Picnic in the park with children's activities, Seldom Seen Park, 2-4pm, Sunday 2 July
- Tea time 1940s jazz, Springwell Village Community Venue, 1-4pm, Sunday 2 July
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SCIENCE, ENGINEERING & ENVIRONMENT FAMILY FUN DAY
Saturday 1 July 10 am – 4.30 pm
Barnes Park, Sunderland
A family fun day focussed on all things science, engineering and the environment. Take part in scientific experiments including making rockets and slime, build your own bridge, grow your own plant and find out more about Sunderland's amazing history in science and engineering. Plus, enjoy story-telling, crafts, sports, illustrators, music, face painting and food stalls. Barnes Park is a great day out for all the family with wonderful walks, play areas, bowling greens, tennis courts and a cafe.
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CARTA’s & CHARTERS FAMILY FUN DAY
Saturday 1 July, 10 – 4.30
Durham Cathedral, Durham City
Meet the Medieval villagers as they take up residence within the Cloister Garth – encounter a delightful array of sounds, sights and smells from a bygone era and learn about their daily life living under the rights of the Forest Charter. See demonstrations of pastimes and skills, be entertained with mumming plays and games and try your hand at skills such as rope making, butter churning and striking your own coin. Please note, a small charge may apply to some optional activities.
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BRASS BANDS
Sun 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 July 2pm – 4pm
Bents Park, Sea Road, South Shields
Enjoy the sounds of music all summer long at these free brass band concerts, part of the South Tyneside Festival. They are a firm favourite with visitors and take place at South Shields Amphitheatre every Sunday afternoon throughout July. This event is perfect for combining with a Sunday stroll along the promenade next to the amphitheatre and taking in the lovely views of the sandy beaches and the rugged coastline!
- 2 July - Sunderland Monkwearmouth Salvation Army Band
- 9 July - South Shields Salvation Army Band
- 16 July - South Tyneside Brass Band
- 23 July - Craghead Colliery Band
- 30 July - Bear Park & Esh Brass Band
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DRESSERFEST – FAMILY FUN DAY
Sunday 2 July 10.30am – 3 pm
Dorman Museum, Middlesbrough
Join in the celebrations of the anniversary of Christopher Dresser's pioneering visit to Japan, with free arts and crafts activities for all the family!
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KOMMUNITY NIGHT MARKET
Friday 7 July 5 pm – 11.30pm
Market Street, Newcastle
The monthly Night Market in association with Oxjam Newcastle will showcase the best food, fashion, music, art and creativity in the North East with a live broadcast from Nova Radio! Dedicated kids area available from 5pm-7pm and all children must be accompanied by an adult and offsite by 8 pm.
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CHOPWELL WOODFEST
Sunday 9 July 10:30 am - 4:00 pm
Chopwell Woods
Access through main entrance off Hookergate Lane, High Spen
A free event with lots for the whole family to do, bringing the heritage of the area to life. Make a willow hurdle, have a go on a pole lathe, turn your hand to pottery, learn about wool spinning or felting and much more. Bring a picnic or buy from one of the food stands, there will be wood-fired pizza, hog roast and BBQ, drinks and ice cream. Parking will be in the main car park and on forest tracks and charged at £5 per car – there will be a bike parking area, just bring a lock.
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SUNDAY CONCERTS AT BENTS PARK
Sundays in July Gates open 12.30 pm
Bents Park, South Shields
- Sunday 9 July - KT Tunstall
- Sunday 16 July - Busted
- Sunday 23 July - Louisa Johnson, 5 After Midnight and Jedward
- Sunday 23 July - Sister Sledge
These events are free admission, however following huge demand for the concerts in previous years you can now purchase a Priority Access Ticket for £5.
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NE1 NEWCASTLE MOTOR SHOW
Saturday & Sunday 8 & 9 July, 10am – 4pm
Grey Street & surrounding areas, Newcastle
The NE1 Newcastle Motor Show returns Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th July 2017 for the biggest and best show yet! Show favourites are returning to display, including Aston Martin, Bentley, Porsche, Infiniti, Volvo and Tesla, and their stands will be fully stocked with the latest from their marque. This year Old Eldon Square will become the intu Eldon Square fan zone, and be packed full of games and entertainment, from pedal cars to remote-controlled car races, reaction testers to steady hand games. We’ll also have our Screen on the Green there showing kids movies, as well as something for the older folk later in the afternoon. Grab an NE1 deckchair and take a load off your feet until you’re ready to head back to the exhibits!
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SEAHAM CARNIVAL WEEKEND
Friday – Sunday 14 – 16 July
Seaham, County Durham
Seaham is holding their annual Carnival weekend with live bands and films on the big screens.
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PEGSWOOD FAYRE DAY
Saturday 15 July, 12 noon - 3 pm
Pegswood, Northumberland
A fun day out starting with a parade with Morpeth Pipe Band, village and school banners leading to lots of activities on the Welfare Field including Dog Show, Dance Demonstrations, Dog Agility, live music, funfair rides, archery and much, much more.
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SUMMER STREETS FESTIVAL
Saturday 15 July
Sunderland
A free, family festival celebrating music, art and community. This year's festival promises to be packed with music, colour, sights and sounds. The line-up includes some of the North-East's best live bands such as Frankie and the Heartstrings, Warm Digits and Oompah Brass Band. There's also loads of hands-on workshops, kids entertainment and great food & drinks.
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MIDDLESBROUGH MELA
Saturday & Sunday 15 & 16 July
Middlesbrough
Held every year since 1990, the Mela celebrates Middlesbrough's culture and diversity. It's one of the North East’s largest and longest established multi-cultural festivals, which is always guaranteed to boast a packed line-up of world-class artists, alongside a feast of food, fashion, entertainment, a family fairground, and a popular bazaar packed full of stalls. Middlesbrough's Centre Square will be transformed into a bustling multicultural hub of feasting, performance and dance.
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SUNDERLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW
Friday 21 to Sunday 23 July
Sunderland
Starting with its traditional spectacular launch party at Cliffe Park on the evening of Friday 21 July, this year’s event at Roker and Seaburn is held over the weekend of Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 July.
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SUMMERTYNE AMERICANA FESTIVAL
Friday 21 to Sunday 23 July
Sage Gateshead
Celebrating the finest American roots music this feel-good festival brings together some legendary artists, a whole bunch of rising stars and the best of the next generation for a weekend long party and some UK only shows. As well as the many paid for concerts there are free events too!
Indoor Concourse Stage
Friday 21 July
6.30pm - Stax Academy Revue
10.15pm & 11.15pm - Cyndi Cain
Saturday 22 July
12.45pm - Laura Oakes
2 pm - SummerTyne Choir with Cyndi Cain
3.15pm - Danni Nicholls
4.30pm - Paul Carella
5.45pm - Massy Ferguson
7 pm - Cyndi Cain
10.15pm - Gerry R & The E-Types
Sunday 23 July
12.45pm - The Kentucky Cow Tippers
2 pm - Luke Whittemore
3.15pm - Chloe Chadwick
4.30pm - Rosenblume
5.45pm - Guest Performance
7 pm - Hayley McKay
10.15pm - Guest Performance
Saturday Jumpin' Hot Stage – Performance Square 12 pm - 7 pm
12noon - STAX ACADEMY REVUE / DEXETER
1.15pm - FARGO RAILROAD COMPANY
2.30pm - VERA VAN HEERINGEN TRIO
3.45pm - HOWLIN’ RIC AND THE ROCKETEERS
5 pm - AMYTHYST KIAH (USA)
6.15pm - EARL THOMAS & BAND (USA)
Sunday Jumpin' Hot Stage – Performance Square 12 pm - 7 pm
12noon - BRADLEY CRESWICK WESTERN SWING SINFONIA
1.15pm - ROBERT VINCENT & BAND
2.30pm - ERROL LINTON BLUES BAND
3.45pm - JONATHAN TERRELL (USA)
5 pm - HIGH PLAINS JAMBOREE (USA)
6.15pm - THE SAVOY FAMILY CAJUN BAND (USA)
Please note timings and line-up are subject to change.
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GLENDALE FESTIVAL
Saturday & Sunday 22 & 23 July
Wooler, Northumberland
Glendale Festival is a two-day event this year, starting with a Family Fun day on Saturday which includes a car boot sale and Carfest with veteran, classic and custom cars in Ferguson's Yard, Wooler on A697. From noon there are free traditional games, sporting events and bouncy slide as well as three "Duck Derbys" when hundreds of plastic ducks will race down Wooler Water. A tug of war rounds off Saturday's events. Sunday's Glendale Festival starts at noon in Wooler High Street with a pipe band parade followed by live music, street entertainment, children's activities and much more. The live bands go on until 9 pm.
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INVASION VIII
Sunday 23 July, 10 am – 4 pm
Woodhorn Museum, Ashington, Northumberland
The 8th instalment of the annual Sci-Fi extravaganza, INVASION will take place on Sunday 23rd July. Meet a host of science fiction characters ranging from Daleks to Doctors, Jedis to Jawas and much more! Do you or your family members love dressing up? Make sure you don your finest Sci-Fi, Comic & Super Hero outfits for this brilliant and fun family day out!
Programme:
- 10am-4pm- Photos with the characters- Grab a photo with your favourite hero, villain, alien or monster.
- 10am-4pm- Sci-Fair- Pick up fun toys, collectables and sci-fi merchandise.
Admission to the event and museum are free, parking is £3.50.
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SHIVER ME TIMBERS - PIRATES ON PAGE, STAGE AND SCREEN
Until January 2018
The Word, South Tyneside
Batten down the hatches and hoist up The Jolly Roger for a new exhibition – Shiver Me Timbers – Pirates on Page, Stage and Screen anchored at The Word from Thursday 25 May. If you think you know about pirates, think again. Sponsored by Port of Tyne, this immersive exhibition is something the whole family will enjoy. Not only will it celebrate pirates and their iconic seafaring adventures, but will transport budding crew mates back into the golden age of piracy.
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JURASSIC GARDENS
Every day until Sat September 30, 2017
Monday - Saturday 10am - 4pm & Sunday - 12noon - 4pm
Sunderland Museum & Wintergarden, Sunderland
Hidden amongst the lush vegetation of an indoor garden a whole series of amazing dinosaur models are waiting to be discovered. See a baby T-Rex as it hatches from its giant egg, watch a stegosaurus and a triceratops grazing on the greenery and spot some pteranodons flying overhead. Hunt down a velociraptor before it finds you and try not to disturb the sleepy crocodile as it lurks by the pool. The collection now also includes an impressive 3-metre high Utahraptor, a baby Camarasaurus and a huge Pterodactyl with a 2-metre wingspan.
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L.S.Lowry
Mon – Sat until Saturday 9 September
South Shields Museum
2017 marks 130 years since Lowry’s birth. In the later years of his life, he spent much of his time in the North East, particularly in Sunderland and South Shields. Here the sea became a prominent theme in his work. He also became increasingly interested in creating humorous images and caricatures. This exhibition presents some examples of his pictures from this period, including ‘Four People’, on loan from a private collector, which presents an intriguing scene set in Marine Park, South Shields.
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GRUFFALO SPOTTERS TRAILS
Every Day
Hamsterley Forest & Kielder Water and Forest Park
Bring the Gruffalo and other characters to life with this brand new Gruffalo Spotters trail and exciting augmented reality app. Download The Gruffalo Spotter app at home, then visit Hamsterley Forest in Durham or Kielder Water and Forest Park in Northumberland. Along the trails look out for clues which lead to footprint marker posts - point the app at these and watch Mouse, Fox, Owl, Snake and the Gruffalo appear before your eyes!
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LITTLE LANDMARKS
Until Sat 30 September
South Shields Museum
See ten familiar South Shields landmarks, from the old to the very new, rebuilt in miniature with LEGO®. Also, see if you can spot local characters among the LEGO® Minifigures.
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HADRIAN's CAVALRY
Until Sun 10 September 2017
Arbeia Roman Fort, South Tyneside & Great North Museum, Newcastle
Hadrian’s Cavalry explores the role and daily life of the Roman army’s cavalry forces in a unique wall-wide exhibition that stretches the full 150 miles of the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site area – from Maryport in the west to South Shields in the east.
Free events include:
UNCOVERING CAVALRY – WHAT ARCHAEOLOGY TELLS US ABOUT ROMAN CAVALRY
Arbeia Roman Fort, South Tyneside
The Hadrian’s Cavalry exhibition at Arbeia Roman Fort consists of objects found in the barracks where the soldiers lived and include two outstanding items from elsewhere in the Empire that match finds from the fort itself. Visitors to Arbeia will also be able to explore the museum’s fascinating permanent exhibition which delves deeper into the lives of the Romans who lived and worked at this Roman Fort. Don’t miss the finest of archaeological findings which were discovered in and around the Fort when it was excavated.
SHOCK AND AWE – THE POWER OF THE ROMAN CAVALRYMAN’S MASK
Great North Museum, Newcastle
A cavalry trooper projected a powerful image. Their appearance reflected the power of the Roman Empire as well as the man behind the mask. or the very first time, two bronze ‘Ribchester-style’ Helmets are being displayed together at the museum.
Please check with event organisers before travelling and wherever you go, we hope you enjoy yourself this month,
Deb x
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