What To Do This Weekend
Here's how to spend your weekend
Staying up Late
Tyneside’s award-winning late night culture crawl The Late Shows returns this weekend (Friday 16th and Saturday 17th). Art studios, performance venues, galleries, museums and libraries will all keep their doors open until late for guests, with interactive shows planned. Friday night will see dozens of events across the Ouseburn Valley and on Saturday venues across central Newcastle and Gateshead will stay open late to welcome you (all with free entry).
Night at the Theatre
This Sunday (18th) Newcastle Theatre Royal will be hosting Something in the Water – a unique celebration of true North East talent. A fast-paced live show, expect to see some familiar faces (Joe McElderry, Rosie Ramsey and Danny Adams to name a few), all hosted by Steph McGovern. It’s one not to miss.
Dance ’Til You Drop
Love it or hate it, you can’t ignore it – Eurovision is back this weekend. Running until Saturday (17th), tune in wherever you are to watch the kookiest and craziest performers from across Europe battle it out to be named Eurovision champion for 2025. Will the UK win this year? Of course not – but we’ll still be glued to our screens.
On ‘Yer Bike
We’re keeping our fingers crossed that the warmer weather is here to stay, but now is clearly a great time to get out and about. One of our favourite ways to explore is by bike, and there are so many great trails to choose from. In Northumberland, start in Wooler and take the route through Akeld and Kirknewton to College Valley for absolutely stunning scenery. In Yorkshire, the Cinder Track from Whitby to Scarborough is a great coastal route with amazing views.
Family Fun
This Sunday (18th) is International Museum Day and we’re so lucky to have tons of fantastic museums right on our doorstep. In Halifax, Eureka! The National Children’s Museum is great for young families, and in County Durham, award-winning Beamish The Living Museum of the North is an unbeatable day out for everyone.
Loving Local
There’s been a flurry of new independent openings that we’re loving at the moment – and you will too. At Budle Bay in Northumberland, Apothecafé is the new pop-up coffee van you need to know, offering a health-focused menu of coffee, tea and home baking. In Sunderland, The Chair is a new luxury coffee shop-cum-hair salon and in Otley the Secret Garden Café is a new spot with an outside space that’s a real sun trap. In Leeds, Brew and Bao (from the same minds behind Brew York) is the place to go for craft beer, cocktails and Asian fusion food (plus keep your eyes peeled for their next venue in Knaresborough, due to open soon).
Sporting Chance
It’s Newcastle Falcons’ final home game on Friday night when they face Gloucester, who are looking for a win to help secure a place in the final top four of the Premiership. It’s also the last home game for captain Callum Chick who has been at the club since the age of 12 and who leaves at the end of the season to join Northampton Saints. Friday night games are always fun so head along and give all the boys your valuable, vocal support. KO is 7.45pm.
Staying In
Taking it easy this weekend? Spend time showing your garden some TLC. Now is the time to be watching out for pests, removing faded springtime bedding and taking care of your climbing plants’ new shoots. Looking for a DIY project? Here's how to build your own brick barbecue grill in the garden – just in time for summer hosting. For plenty more gardening tips head to our gardening section to find our gardening expert Ross Pearson's helpful advice.
Off to The Races
Get your summer started early this weekend at the Dante Festival at York Racecourse. Taking place across three jam-packed racing days, racing enthusiasts know this is not one to miss, and is a key trial for the Epsom Derby. It’s always great fun so head along on Thursday and Friday for the final two days of world-class racing and unbeatable hospitality.
