The North East's Great Big Quiz of 2025
Test your knowledge on the past 12 months (and find the answers) here
1. Spanning 2,000 years of British history, the knockout live show Kynren celebrated a major milestone this year. How long has the show been wowing audiences?
2. On its first ever tour of the UK, which hit musical made its way to Sunderland Empire this summer?
3. Born in North Shields, artist and inventor William Harbutt famously created which material?
4. Which incredible international sporting event had its opening match at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light, where England faced Team USA?
5. What is the name of the new train route running north of Newcastle which opened this year?
6. Alongside Perrie Edwards, Kings of Leon and Kaiser Chiefs, which international superstar hit the stage as a headline act as part of the Come Together Festival in Newcastle?
7. Which North East university was named the UK’s University of the Year 2026 by The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide?
8. It was announced that Olivier-award winning football drama Dear England is coming to Newcastle Theatre Royal in November, with local actors playing which famous footballers?
1. Spanning 2,000 years of British history, the knockout live show Kynren celebrated a major milestone this year. How long has the show been wowing audiences?
10 years.
2. On its first ever tour of the UK, which hit musical made its way to Sunderland Empire this summer?
Hamilton.
3. Born in North Shields, artist and inventor William Harbutt famously created which material?
Plasticine.
4. Which incredible international sporting event had its opening match at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light, where England faced Team USA?
Women’s Rugby World Cup.
5. What is the name of the new train route running north of Newcastle which opened this year?
Northumberland Line.
6. Alongside Perrie Edwards, Kings of Leon and Kaiser Chiefs, which international superstar hit the stage as a headline act as part of the Come Together Festival in Newcastle?
Robbie Williams.
7. Which North East university was named the UK’s University of the Year 2026 by The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide?
Durham University.
8. It was announced that Olivier-award winning football drama Dear England is coming to Newcastle Theatre Royal in November, with local actors playing which famous footballers?
Jordan Pickford and Jordan Henderson.
1. What is the name of England’s first National Trail, and what milestone anniversary did it celebrate this year?
2. Who was the local busker that Sam Fender brought out to play The Borders during his first show at St James’ Park in June?
3. It was all about the big screen in the North East this year. Which major horror sequel was filmed and premiered in the region this summer?
4. Name the new ITV show starring Sheridan Smith, based on a true story, which was filmed throughout the North East.
5. This year marked the 200th anniversary of the modern railway. Between which destinations in the North East did the first passenger journey take place?
1. What is the name of England’s first National Trail, and what milestone anniversary did it celebrate this year?
Pennine Way, 60.
2. Who was the local busker that Sam Fender brought out to play The Borders during his first show at St James’ Park in June?
Joe Bartley.
3. It was all about the big screen in the North East this year. Which major horror sequel was filmed and premiered in the region this summer?
28 Years Later.
4. Name the new ITV show starring Sheridan Smith, based on a true story, which was filmed throughout the North East.
I Fought the Law.
5. This year marked the 200th anniversary of the modern railway. Between which destinations in the North East did the first passenger journey take place?
Shildon and Stockton via Darlington.
Match the month to the event – we’ve even started it off for you!
- The prestigious MOBO Awards came to Newcastle for the first time.
- Local lad Joe McElderry brought the house down at Newcastle’s O2 City Hall.
- The Great North Run medals showed the wrong river and cities.
- Cult classic North East drama Byker Grove returned to streaming nearly 20 years after its final episode.
- The Galeon Andalucía first sailed up the Tyne.
- The spectacular Newcastle Puppetry Festival took over the centre of the city.
- The Mercury Prize was hosted in Newcastle, the first time the awards have taken place outside London, and Sam Fender took home the top prize.
- The Magpies won the Carabao Cup after 70 years without a domestic trophy.
- The final episode of Vera aired.
- Kylie Minogue raised the roof in Newcastle during her Tension Tour.
- The Market Pavilion, Blyth’s first cinema in more than 20 years, welcomed its first guests.
- The mesmerising light show Lumiere returned and expanded to include Shildon for the first time.
January The final episode of Vera aired.
February The prestigious MOBO Awards came to Newcastle for the first time.
March The Magpies won the Carabao Cup after 70 years without a domestic trophy.
April The spectacular Newcastle Puppetry Festival took over the centre of the city.
May Kylie Minogue raised the roof in Newcastle during her Tension Tour.
June The Galeon Andalucía first sailed up the Tyne.
July Cult classic North East drama Byker Grove returned to streaming nearly 20 years after its final episode.
August The Market Pavilion, Blyth’s first cinema in more than 20 years, welcomed its first guests.
September The Great North Run medals showed the wrong river and cities.
October The Mercury Prize was hosted in Newcastle, the first time the awards have taken place outside London, and Sam Fender took home the top prize.
November The mesmerising light show Lumiere returned and expanded to include Shildon for the first time.
December Local lad Joe McElderry brought the house down at Newcastle’s O2 City Hall.
1. Brambles Caught
(This landmark has stood guard on the North East coast for more than 1,000 years.)
2. Danced Tan
(These legends helped present the Carabao Cup celebrations.)
3. Dismal Outfight
(Take That will be heading here next summer.)
4. Inhuman Rachel
(This Sons of Anarchy star was born in Newcastle.)
5. Arthur Calmed Had
(Three rare Magna Cartas were shown here this autumn.)
6. Bimbo Tremor
(Middlesbrough legend who never fails to make us laugh.)
7. Buses Mum Woe
(This treasure trove first welcomed guests more than 130 years ago.)
8. Colts Jilt
(This legendary midfielder has more than 150 caps under her belt.)
9. Handrails Law
(This historic landmark stretched more than 70 miles in its prime.)
10. Nativity Spock
(This local darling is doing the North proud on Strictly Come Dancing.)
1. Brambles Caught (This landmark has stood guard on the North East coast for more than 1,000 years.)
Bamburgh Castle.
2. Danced Tan (These legends helped present the Carabao Cup celebrations.)
Ant and Dec.
3. Dismal Outfight (Take That will be heading here next summer.)
Stadium of Light.
4. Inhuman Rachel (This Sons of Anarchy star was born in Newcastle.)
Charlie Hunnham.
5. Arthur Calmed Had (Three rare Magna Cartas were shown here this autumn.)
Durham Cathedral.
6. Bimbo Tremor (Middlesbrough legend who never fails to make us laugh.)
Bob Mortimer.
7. Buses Mum Woe (This treasure trove first welcomed guests more than 130 years ago.)
Bowes Museum.
8. Colts Jilt (This legendary midfielder has more than 150 caps under her belt.)
Jill Scott.
9. Handrails Law (This historic landmark stretched more than 70 miles in its prime.)
Hadrians Wall.
10. Nativity Spock (This local darling is doing the North proud on Strictly Come Dancing.)
Vicky Pattison.
1. Approximately how many people took part in the Great North Run this year?
2. The new Roof of England Walk totals how many kilometres in length?
3. How many years has the National Trust cared for the Farne Islands?
4. How many episodes of Vera are there in total?
5. How old is the iconic swan at The Bowes Museum?
1. Approximately how many people took part in the Great North Run this year?
60,000.
2. The new Roof of England Walk totals how many kilometres in length?
301km.
3. How many years has the National Trust cared for the Farne Islands?
100.
4. How many episodes of Vera are there in total?
56.
5. How old is the iconic swan at The Bowes Museum?
252.
