Sunday 31st December is the last day of the year in 2017. It is New Year's Eve. Many people will see the old year out with a party, welcoming in the New Year with toasts of champagne, fireworks, first-footing, singing Auld Lang Syne and exchanging good wishes for a 'Happy New Year'.
How will you and your family be celebrating? We've compiled a list of FREE ways to have some family fun in North East England on New Year's Eve from 10am right up until midnight.
DURHAM
1. CHURCHES TOGETHER NEW YEAR'S EVE SERVICE ... AT DURHAM CATHEDRAL FROM 6PM
Join with the Churches of Durham and gather for a service of reflection on the past, of thanksgiving for the blessings of God in the present and of hope for the year to come. You are invited to gather in Durham Market Place at 6.00pm with lanterns and process to the Cathedral for 6.30pm.
2. DIGITAL CHRISTMAS TRAIL InDURHAM ... ACROSS DURHAM CITY CENTRE
The extra special festive-themed augmented reality digital trail ends of New Year's Eve. Follow the trail around Durham's historic streets and shops, take some snaps and hey presto, see who pops up! Will you find a snowman, some reindeer or perhaps even Santa himself? Simply download the Digital Christmas Trail map – and see how many interactive, augmented reality experience you can find.
Ready... Download the Zappar App for free from your App Store and stand on the "TAKE A PHOTO" spot.
Steady... Get a friend to stand on the "IN THE PHOTO" Spot then scan the scene making sure you have the trail poster in shot.
Go... See the magic appear!
SOUTH SHIELDS
3. SHIVER ME TIMERS ... AT THE WORD FROM 10AM – 4PM
Shiver Me Timbers: Pirates on Page, Stage and Screen exhibition is anchored in The Word. Go and feast your eyes on some of the most iconic pirates in this swashbuckling exhibition which is perfect for the whole family to enjoy.
NORTHUMBERLAND
4. CHRISTMAS ROBIN TRAIL ... AT HAUXLEY WILDLIFE DISCOVERY CENTRE, AMBLE FROM 10AM-4PM
Try your hand at the Christmas robin trail on its last day at Hauxley Wildlife Discovery Centre in Amble, and learn some interesting facts about the unofficial bird of Christmas along the way! Follow the robin around the reserve and use the clues to find out his/her name and receive a reward. Ask at reception for more details. Open 10am-4pm.
5. THE TAR BAR’L ... IN ALLENDALE 11PM ONWARDS
Also known as the Tar Barl, Bah'l, Bahl, and Baal - the spellings are various as it is a contraction of 'barrel' - the Tar Bar’l is perhaps one of the most spectacular examples of fire festivals still practiced today. This sizzling ceremony has been celebrated for at least 160 years, though some believe it began in the Middle Ages.
Key figures in this tradition are the guisers, forty-five local men who carry whiskey barrels filled with burning hot tar in a colourful procession through the town. On the night locals and visitors alike flock to the town for this night of revelry as music and dancing fill the streets.
From 11pm, the crowds gather in the town centre to see the guisers called upon to do their duty. At 11:30pm, the torches are lit and the barrels ignited. Each guiser lifts the flaming barrels up onto the top of their heads and fall in behind the band. At midnight, they arrive at the Bar’l fire in the town centre. The barrels are then used to ignite this ceremonial bonfire, as everyone shouts “Be damned to he who throws last”.
GATESHEAD
6. METROGNOMES PANTO ... AT intu METROCENTRE AT 12 NOON AND 2PM
Spend New Year’s Eve watching the Metrognomes in their own Beauty & the Beaast Panto at 12noon and 2pm. Herbert, Sherbet, Maggot and Rusty invite you to be their guests in Exhibition Square, intu Metrocentre. For more information about the Metrognomes’ panto and Christmas events at intu Metrocentre; visit www.intu.co.uk/inspire-me/christmassing-at-intu-metrocentre
NEWCASTLE
7. EAST OF THE SUN, WEST OF THE MOON ... AT EXHIBITION PARK FROM 4PM - 7PM
There is no carnival from Grey’s Monument this year, instead, the action has moved to Exhibition Park and the Town Moor. an exciting, beastly bonfire and breath-taking firework display on the Town Moor.
East of the Sun, West of the Moon takes inspiration from Norse mythology and local folklore. A bonfire uncannily resembling a giant beast’s lair will form the centrepiece to the evening’s theatrics before culminating in a firework finale.
This family-friendly early evening celebration will also feature a range of funfair entertainment and food and drink concessions to keep everyone entertained prior to the main event.
The event space on the Town Moor will be open from 4pm for visitors to gather and enjoy the funfair and entertainment from Heart FM. The main performance will begin at 5pm and will include the lighting of the theatrical bonfire and culminate with fireworks by 6pm. The fun fair and concessions in Exhibition Park will be open from 12 noon until approx. 9pm.
All timings are approximate and subject to change.
This is a free but ticketed event – no tickets will be available on the day.
NEWCASTLEGATESHEAD QUAYSIDE
8. MIDNIGHT NEW YEAR'S EVE FIREWORKS ... ON QUAYSIDE AT 12PM
New Year's Eve Midnight Fireworks return with a bang to NewcastleGateshead Quayside to welcome 2018. Night owls can welcome in 2018 at the stroke of midnight in the city, as fireworks light up the Tyne against the iconic backdrop of the seven bridges. This FREE special display is made possible thanks to the support of local quayside businesses.
All timings are approximate and subject to change. Please contact event organiser in the event of any queries!
Thank you for reading My Boys Club in 2017! Wherever you spend New Year's Eve we wish you all the best for 2018!
Deb x
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