What To Do This Weekend
Here's what not to miss this weekend
Food Glorious Food
Kickstart your summer with the free, three-day Sunderland Food & Drink Festival in the heart of Sunderland. The city’s most-loved event of the year, from 6th–8th June (Friday to Sunday), enjoy delicious street food, fresh produce, crafts, live music, kids’ activities and more. Don’t miss the fabulous ABBA tribute Voulez 2 and X-Factor star Sharna Laidlow in Keel Square, and tuck into food from favourites such as Little China Noodle Bar, Karahi & Spice, Twisted Chick and Istanbul Grill. For more, head to sunderlandfooddrinkfest.co.uk.
What’s New?
Looking for a new haunt this weekend? In Bishop Auckland the Beehive Pantry & Deli has recently opened its doors, offering a tempting mix of hot drinks, baked goods and fresh produce from local suppliers. In Sunderland, Mogi Café is the new speciality bakery you need to visit, with a blend of Greek pastries, savoury bites and salads on the menu. For young families, The Little Calf in Ilkley is a recently opened play café where kids can explore a ‘mini Ilkley’ complete with a café, vets’ clinic and town hall. In Leeds, the beloved Japanese restaurant Fuji Hiro is set to reopen any day now, so keep your eyes peeled.
Head in a Book
The weather may not be the best this weekend, so instead of losing yourself in the countryside, why not lose yourself in a new book? Barter Books remains an unbeatable favourite in Northumberland, and in Sheffield Rhyme and Reason is a multi-coloured gem of a bookshop. In Grassington, The Stripey Badger has a great section for kids to explore too. For more inspiration, take a look at our list of our favourite independent bookshops around.
Loud and Proud
June is pride month and Yorkshire is starting the party. York Pride returns this Saturday (7th) for a free one-day festival with a packed line-up on the main stage, a parade, a family area and more. Kirklees Pride also returns this Saturday (7th) with food and drink, live performances and independent makers spread across Kings Street, Queens Street and the Piazza in Huddersfield.
On the Big Screen
Catch a movie and support a good cause at the same time this weekend at Gosforth Central Park, where Gosforth Central has announced the return of The Royalty Cinema, an outdoor movie extravaganza. From 7th–8th June (Saturday to Sunday) seven movies will be shown and with deckchair seating, food stalls and family favourite movies like Paddington in Peru and Wicked, this is not one to miss – all proceeds from the screenings will be donated to Gosforth Play Park. Tickets are on sale online now.
Put on a Show
Whether you’re singing your heart out or taking in a show, there’s plenty on this weekend. This Sunday (8th) Lionel Ritchie will be taking us through his greatest hits at Sheffield Utilita Arena and until Saturday (7th) you can still catch & Juliet at Newcastle Theatre Royal, where the famous heroine ditches the tragedy for a fresh start. At Alnwick Playhouse this Friday (6th), Jeff Brown’s new play The Bench will be showing. We caught up with Jeff ahead of the play's tour to chat football, Look North and more.
