What's On Across the North East and Yorkshire This January
Everything you'll want to see and do as we launch into 2026
Late Night Discovery
During the darkest hours of the night, go stargazing at Kielder Observatory with expert astronomers guiding you on a journey of astronomical discovery. You’ll also take part in hands-on activities with meteorites or experiments with light when you become a Late Night Discoverer.
SELECTED DATES IN JANUARY
Kielder Observatory
kielderobservatory.org
John Cleese’s Fawlty Towers: The Play
Nearly 50 years since it aired, Fawlty Towers is now a brand-new stage play adapted by comedy legend John Cleese. Nostalgic, hilarious and fresh from a sold-out West End season, you won’t want to miss it.
6TH–10TH JANUARY
Leeds Grand Theatre
leedsheritagetheatres.com
The Woman in Black
Now one of the longest running theatre shows in the history of London’s West End, this gripping production of The Woman In Black is a must-see at Grand Opera House York… if you dare.
6TH–10TH JANUARY
Darlington Hippodrome
darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk
13TH–17TH JANUARY
Grand Opera House York
atgtickets.com
Rachel Fairburn & Chris Cantrill Work in Progress
This special evening in comedy will see these two brilliant comedians try brand new material at The Stand for their forthcoming shows.
11TH JANUARY
The Stand, Newcastle
thestand.co.uk
The Sam Fender Experience
If you weren’t one of the lucky ones to see Sam at St James’ Park, this is the next best thing. This special Sam Fender Tribute Night will be led by Jack Bowater and his four-piece band.
16TH JANUARY
The Old Barn, South Causey Inn
southcausey.co.uk
Matt Reed’s Junkbox
One comedian, one box of miscellaneous items, and complete improvisation make up Matt Reed’s Junkbox. Bring something suitable (or unsuitable) along, then sit back and see what unfolds. Matt will pull one item out at a time and try to make it funny – he’ll always find a way.
16TH JANUARY
Arc Stockton Arts Centre
arconline.co.uk
Candlelight: Rings and Dragons
Concerts by candlelight are growing in popularity thanks to the
multi-sensory experience they create. This one is specifically for fantasy fans with a musical programme featuring the Game of Thrones theme, Winter is Coming, and The Passing of the Elves.
16TH JANUARY
Leeds City Museum
feverup.com
The Southmartins
Fronted by Paul Heaton, The Southmartins put on a combined performance of The Beautiful South and The Housemartins tracks – so look forward to your favourite songs including Happy Hour, Rotterdam, Don’t Marry Her and Song For Whoever.
17TH JANUARY
O2 Academy Leeds
academymusicgroup.com
Crocodile Shoes by Jimmy Nail
Local legend Jimmy Nail is joining a group of musicians to bring the songs from the hit BBC One TV series Crocodile Shoes to Live Theatre. This is an early run-up to a new stage musical currently in development.
UNTIL 18TH JANUARY
Live Theatre, Newcastle
live.org.uk
The Rocky Horror Show
Richard O’Brien’s legendary rock ‘n’ roll musical, The Rocky Horror Show continues to entertain audiences and it’s coming back to Sunderland Empire. Fans of the film won’t want to miss it. Read our review at livingnorth.com.
19TH–24TH JANUARY
Sunderland Empire
atgtickets.com
Miss Saigon
Michael Harrison’s incredible new production of Miss Saigon is now on tour. It’s a heart-breaking story told through two hours and 40 minutes of music (including an interval), which is performed by a fantastic live orchestra. Read our review here.
20TH–24TH JANUARY
Hull New Theatre
hulltheatres.co.uk
Top Hat the Musical
One of the most popular musicals, see your favourite tracks Cheek to Cheek, Top Hat White Tie and Tails and Puttin’ on the Ritz performed in Top Hat The Musical when it comes to Sheffield in the new year.
20TH–24TH JANUARY
Lyceum, Sheffield
sheffieldtheatres.co.uk
Aladdin
Just because Christmas is over, doesn’t mean pantos have to be. Alnwick Theatre Club are bringing the story of Aladdin to Alnwick Playhouse to keep the joy of panto going beyond the festivities.
20TH–24TH JANUARY
Alnwick Playhouse
alnwickplayhouse.co.uk
An Evening with Davina
TV favourite and wellness advocate Davina McCall will be in conversation at York Barbican, sharing personal stories and lots of laughs. There’ll be an audience Q&A too.
22ND JANUARY
York Barbican
yorkbarbican.co.uk
The Eternal Shame of Sue Perkins
Sue Perkins’s brand-new stand up show is her first in over a decade. She’ll share the unlikely happenings from a career in the spotlight.
22ND JANUARY
Cast, Doncaster
castindoncaster.com
Great Yorkshire Chase
Doncaster welcomes the new year in with the Great Yorkshire Chase, a hugely popular National Hunt Premier Handicap which takes place over three miles.
23RD & 24TH JANUARY
Doncaster Racecourse
doncaster-racecourse.co.uk
Al Murray: All You Need Is Guv
Everyone’s favourite pub landlord is back on tour, bringing his hot takes to Stockton Globe. There’s a chance to meet Al Murray for a photo before the show, and if you book fast you can guarantee a spot in the ‘splash zone’.
24TH JANUARY
Stockton Globe
stocktonglobe.co.uk
Strictly Come Dancing The Live Tour 2026
Strictly may come to an end in December but fans can continue their love for the show when it heads out on tour in January. Don’t miss it when it comes to Utilita Arena, Newcastle featuring a sensational line-up of celebrities and pro dancers, alongside judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, and Craig Revel Horwood, with Janette Manrara returning to host.
27TH & 28TH JANUARY
Utilita Arena, Newcastle
utilitaarena.co.uk
FRIENDS! The Musical Parody
Oh, my, god! If you love Friends, or even still binge-watch the episodes daily (now on Netflix), this musical is a hilarious heap of nostalgia. Read our review at livingnorth.com
27TH–31ST JANUARY
The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford
bradford-theatres.co.uk
Weird
Double, double toil and trouble! This electrifying pop-powered musical reimagines Shakespeare’s Macbeth through the eyes of the fiercely fabulous and fun three witches, The Weird Sisters!
30TH & 31ST JANUARY
Newcastle Theatre Royal
theatreroyal.co.uk
Turner Prize
The world’s most exciting visual arts prize is in Bradford for the first time. Don’t forget to explore the Turner Prize 2025 exhibition at Cartwright Hall Art Gallery in Bradford until February 2026.
UNTIL 22ND FEBRUARY
Cartwright Hall Art Gallery, Bradford
bradford2025.co.uk
Luminescence: A Winter Light Trail
This winter, Swinton Estate is inviting visitors to its inaugural Luminescence – A Winter Light Trail, set amidst the lakes and woodland garden of Swinton Park Hotel near Masham. Running until the end of February, the landscape is illuminated by a light installation depicting the magic of the natural world.
UNTIL 22ND FEBRUARY
Swinton Park Hotel
swintonestate.com
Streets Above
A selection of photographs of the roads, buildings and terraced houses built over Segedunum Roman Fort, its bathhouse and the surrounding area are on display at the fort. Take a look to learn more about this area’s fascinating history.
UNTIL 28TH FEBRUARY
Segedunum Roman Fort, Wallsend
northeastmuseums.org.uk
Marshmallow Laser Feast: Of the Oak
Step into the Chapel at YSP for this immersive experience by internationally acclaimed artist collective Marshmallow Laser Feast. Projected on a floor-to-ceiling screen, Of the Oak will bring the Chapel to life over winter, and the installation is accompanied by a surround-sound audio environment composed from 24 hour recordings made by sound artist James Bulley and arborists at Kew Gardens and Wakehurst Kew’s wild botanic garden in Sussex.
UNTIL 15TH MARCH
Yorkshire Sculpture Park, West Bretton
ysp.org.uk
