What To Do This Weekend
From the return of Living North's Christmas Fair at York Racecourse to the release of Wicked: For Good, here's how to spend your weekend
Show Time
While we wait for a (hopefully) white Christmas, it’s snowing indoors at York’s Grand Opera House. Until Sunday (23rd) the multi-award winning global phenomenon Slava’s SnowShow invites audiences into a world of fantasy – a dream-like place where a bed becomes a boat and the audience end up ankle-deep in snow. Yes, really. Read our review here for what to expect. With the recent announcement that Purely Belter-inspired play Gerry & Sewell is transferring to London’s West End prior to its return to Newcastle Theatre Royal next year, the team behind the hit show are putting on a new football-themed play at Live Theatre (with performances until Saturday 22nd). In Big Ange, one woman wants to change everything in a fractured political world.
Celebrate With Us
Join us for a jam-packed day at our Christmas Fair when it returns to York Racecourse this weekend (Thursday 20th–Sunday 23rd November). We’re thrilled to invite you to the biggest and best seasonal shopping event in Yorkshire, with more than 250 carefully-selected stands, from artisan designer-makers, local food producers and fashion retailers to homewares, gifts and accessories, and of course special Christmas decorations. Tickets are available on the door! We can’t wait to see you there. Plan your visit here.
Good Sport
The Toon Army will descend on St James’ Park on Saturday (22nd) as NUFC face Man City in the Premier League, then on Sunday (23rd) Leeds United play against Aston Villa at Elland Road. Sporting excitement continues at our local racecourses with the start of Jumps season. Head to Catterick Racecourse for their ‘Start of the Jumps’ raceday on Friday (21st) with seven races scheduled for the opening meeting of the National Hunt season.
See the Light
From Friday 21st Northern Lights is putting on a mile-long light trail around Temple Newsam, whilst one of the most spectacular Christmas light trails returns to the grounds of Auckland Palace this year – AGLOW has some of the largest light installations in the country. Or head along to the Cathedral Precinct in Wakefield for live music and entertainment before the Christmas Light Switch-On which launches this year’s light trail. For more magical trails to follow, click here.
Defy Gravity
It’s the weekend every Wicked fan has been waiting for, so expect queues at your local cinema. Wicked: For Good, the second part of the hit Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo film, is flying to a screen near you from Friday 21st (with a few sneaky double bill screenings the day before) so don’t miss it. To celebrate, why not visit Castle Howard which has been transformed into the magical world of Oz for Christmas? Elsewhere, Ophelia Balls and Bonnie Lad are bringing a wickedly themed quiz, karaoke and cabaret performance to Northern Stage on Thursday 20th to get you in the spirit. There’s merch on sale almost everywhere too, but why not be a little more subtle in your celebrations? With Christmas closing in fast, the jewel-inspired tones of emerald green are everywhere in interiors – here are our top picks.
Tipi Tipples
The return of Christmas markets and regionwide festivities means our favourite Alpine tipis are back. Christmas shoppers have already been sipping a mulled wine by the fire in Newcastle’s Lazy Bear tipi (with live music every day) whilst others have been doing the same at Moosenwirt Alpine Bar at Newcastle Christmas Market and THOR'S tipi in York, and in Northumberland this weekend The Tempus’s Alpine Tipi returns with live music, festive wood-fired pizzas, winter cocktails, and cosy firepits under the stars.
Deck the Halls
Our favourite historic houses, castles and attractions are celebrating Christmas in style. From Saturday 22nd, for the first time in more than 50 years, the ground-floor rooms of Raby Castle will be dressed for the festive season with evergreens, gifts and Christmas trees, while Lotherton’s hall, gardens and grounds will all be decorated for perfect festive photo opportunities.
What’s New?
Sunderland AFC legend Kevin Phillips has officially opened a brand-new Football Foundation PlayZone in Silksworth Park which will host football, netball and basketball, as well as walking versions of each sport. Following the success of their award-winning Hull and Beverley stores, Art and Soul have opened a store in Queens Arcade in Leeds selling fun gifts and artworks. Plus, Starbake Patisseries (which first launched in Bradford but now has outposts across Yorkshire) has opened in Huddersfield serving delicious freshly baked cakes, pastries and sweet treats.
