What's On in the North East and Yorkshire in June
Don't miss these sensational events for the start of summer
Love, Loss and Football
The Bench tells the story of two young people struggling to survive against the odds. Vicky is a single mum, overwhelmed by everyday pressures, while Adi (the local team’s new signing) is struggling to find his place on and off the pitch. They meet by chance on a park bench and discover they have more in common than they might at first have imagined. To find out more about The Bench, hear from its writer, award-winning journalist Jeff Brown, at livingnorth.com.
The Bench
22ND MAY– 21ST JUNE
Venues regionwide
carolewproductions.com
Funny Man
Fresh from the absolutely hilarious Last One Laughing, presented by Jimmy Carr
(a must-watch by the way), Rob Beckett is back on the road with his stand-up show Giraffe. From Bromley to Brisbane, his new show is going worldwide but you won’t want to miss it whilst he’s in York.
Rob Beckett: Giraffe
4TH & 5TH JUNE
York Barbican
yorkbarbican.co.uk
Crime Time
Apparently 90 percent of people believe they can get away with murder. In this stage show research psychologist and psychopathy expert Cheish Merryweather invites you to investigate the five types of ‘stagers’: The Planner, The Creator, The Cleaner, The Concealer and The Inflictor. If you’re a true crime fan, you won’t want to miss this.
Murder: Staged
5TH JUNE
King’s Hall Ilkley
bradford-theatres.co.uk
Read All About It
Best selling novelists and non-fiction authors from around the UK will come together for Books By The Beach in Scarborough this month. Guests can expect to meet CWA Gold Dagger Award winner Belinda Bauer, broadcaster Jeremy Vine and EastEnders and Gavin and Stacey star Larry Lamb who’ll be discussing his debut novel, All Wrapped Up.
Books By The Beach
6TH–8TH JUNE
Scarborough
booksbythebeach.co.uk
See Birds
Yorkshire’s Flamborough Headland is one of the best places in the country to see puffins from land (and many other seabirds). Yorkshire Puffin Festival celebrates that. Alongside expert-led guided walks and boat trips, visitors can expect to learn plenty more about this iconic seabird.
Yorkshire Puffin Festival
7TH & 8TH JUNE
Flamborough Cliffs
ywt.org.uk
Artful
North Yorkshire Open Studios is back showcasing artists and makers as they open their doors to the public this summer. From the Dales to the moors to the coast of North Yorkshire, visitors can meet creators at a variety of venues across the region including painters Dotty Earl and Ione Harrison and mixed media artist Jane Burnley.
North Yorkshire Open Studios
7TH–8TH JUNE & 14TH–15TH JUNE
Across North Yorkshire
nyos.org.uk
All Night Long
Award-winning musician Lionel Richie will be performing his timeless hits at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena this summer. You might not be Dancing on the Ceiling but you’re sure to be dancing in the aisles.
Lionel Richie: Say Hello To the Hits
8TH JUNE
Utilita Arena, Sheffield
utilitaarenasheffield.co.uk
Ladies First
Join this special afternoon where original letters, documents and poems will shed light on key female figures in Raby’s history. Visitors will hear excerpts from the Handbook for Raby Castle written by the 4th Duchess of Cleveland as well as letters home written by Sally Coles Stevenson, wife of the American Ambassador.
Voices of The Past: Women of Raby
8TH JUNE
Raby Castle, Staindrop
raby.co.uk
It’s a Mystery
Degrees of Error will create a classic murder mystery on-the-spot in this improvised comedy show where you become the author. All you have to do… is solve it!
Murder, She Didn’t Write
12TH JUNE
Cast, Doncaster
castindoncaster.com
Laugh Out Loud
Katherine Ryan is swapping the screen for the stage as she continues the tour of her new live show, Battleaxe – a masterclass in how to enter your Battleaxe era, whatever that may be.
Katherine Ryan: Battleaxe
13TH JUNE
Middlesbrough Town Hall
boxoffice.middlesbrough.gov.uk
Read All About It
Historian, author and broadcaster Annie Gray will share everything you need to know about her latest book, The Bookshop, The Draper, The Candlestick Maker: A History of the High Street, at Alnwick Castle this summer. Visitors will also have the chance to view rarely-seen items from the Alnwick Castle archive relevant to the subject of this special talk.
Book Talk with Annie Gray
13TH JUNE
Alnwick Castle
alnwickcastle.com
Like a Rolling Stone
In June 1975, Christopher Sykes joined the Rolling Stones Tour of the Americas – his first ever Rock n’ Roll tour as a photographer, The photographs that he took were for use in a tour diary that was to be published the following year, and this exhibition showcases a selection of the best of them. Don’t miss this chance to see a unique collection of memories.
Christopher Simon Sykes: On tour with the Rolling Stones 1975
13TH JUNE–6TH JULY
Sledmere House & Gardens
sledmerehouse.com
Perfect Picnic
The Northumberland Miners’ Picnic promises a fun-filled day out for all the family. As with all events at Woodhorn Museum, it’s rooted in local heritage but the picnic also has a contemporary twist. Mr Wilson’s Second Liners will be back to headline the main stage.
Northumberland Miners’ Picnic
14TH JUNE
Woodhorn Museum, Ashington
museumsnorthumberland.org.uk
Something Different
You’d be pushed to find a more unique day out than watching homemade soapbox racers hurtle down a track in Yorkshire. Spectators can expect excitement around every corner as teams speed around the track in the hopes of becoming soapbox champion. There’ll be food stalls, live music, and activities to keep the whole family entertained throughout too.
Humber Soapbox Derby
14TH JUNE
Humber Bridge
humberbridgesoapboxderby.co.uk
Start Your Engines
Car enthusiasts can see a variety of vehicles, from vintage classics to modern motors, at Brodsworth Hall and Gardens. There’ll also be remote control car racing, live music and bikes on display at this special event.
Classic Cars for Father’s Day
14TH–15TH JUNE
Brodsworth Hall and Gardens
english-heritage.org.uk
Off the Rails
Beginning with a glass of fizz at Leeming Bar station, sit back and enjoy a scenic journey through the Yorkshire Dales whilst being served delicious food in one of the heritage carriages in this special Father’s Day experience on the Wensleydale Railway.
Father’s Day Lunch
15TH JUNE
Wensleydale Railway
wensleydale-railway.co.uk
Let’s Go Fly a Kite
Following last year’s inaugural event, Redcar’s free, family-friendly kite festival is back to bring colour to skies above Majuba Beach. Marvel at some of the largest and most spectacular kites in the world. There’ll be displays to music, a Chinese dragon, inflatable kites and children will even have a chance to fly their own.
Redcar Kite Festival
14TH–15TH JUNE
Redcar
redcarcleveland.co.uk
The Story of Tonight
It’s the one we’ve all been waiting for. Hamilton is touring the UK and Ireland for the very first time and it’s finally time to see it at Sunderland Empire – the only North East dates for this tour. You’d be a fool to Say No To This, and once you’ve seen it, we’re sure You’ll Be Back. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s masterpiece is based on Ron Chernow’s biography of Alexander Hamilton and tells the founding father’s story with hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B and Broadway inspired tracks. Don’t throw away your shot, and book tickets now.
Hamilton
17TH JUNE–26TH JULY
Sunderland Empire
atgtickets.com
Rock Out
Three of the best tribute bands in the UK are rocking out at Queen’s Hall Arts Centre this summer. Hear your favourite DC tracks, see a four-piece tribute to Thin Lizzy and enjoy a North East-based Iron Maiden tribute band.
Hexham Rocks
20TH JUNE
Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, Hexham
queenshall.co.uk
All The Small Things
Jack Dee’s new show is all about the small things, like Zoom protocol and what’s new in the world of radiators. It doesn’t matter what the subject is, he’ll make it funny. Book tickets to find out for yourself.
Jack Dee
21ST JUNE
Gala Durham
galadurham.co.uk
Celebrating Comedy
Marking the 20th anniversary of Tim Minchin’s hilarity on the British comedy scene, the singer-songwriter, pianist, comedian and actor is on tour with his show Songs The World Will Never Hear… and we can’t wait to hear them.
Tim Minchin: Songs the World Will Never Hear
23RD JUNE
First Direct Arena, Leeds
firstdirectarena.com
24TH & 25TH JUNE
O2 City Hall Newcastle
academymusicgroup.com
Sweet Symphony
Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra, a 23-piece ensemble led by acclaimed conductor Ben Crick, are bringing a spectacular Proms performance like no other to Auckland Palace this summer. Bring your flags and your friends for this evening of celebration.
Proms at the Palace
27TH JUNE
Auckland Palace, Bishop Auckland
aucklandproject.org
Music Man
After a break in 2024, Northern Chords Festival returns with a line-up of musicians including BBC Young Musician of the Year pianist Martin James Bartlett, and its very first opera – Dido and Aeneas – conducted by founder Jonathan Bloxham. The Opening Gala concert takes place on Friday 27th June in St. Mary’s the Virgin Church in Whickham, while Bach and Schubert on Saturday 28th June is a concert presented at Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle. Don’t miss it.
Northern Chords Festival
27TH–29TH JUNE
Newcastle
northernchords.com
Pawsome
This action-packed, music-filled production is based on animated series PAW Patrol, and Ryder and his team of pups will head on a pirate-themed adventure to uncover hidden treasure. In this interactive live stage show, young audience members will learn pirate catchphrases, and help the pups follow the treasure map to solve picture puzzles.
PAW Patrol Live!
28TH JUNE
Utilita Arena, Newcastle
utilitaarena.co.uk
Be Brave
Unleash your inner warrior at Royal Armouries Leeds in this international exhibition (showing for the first time in the UK). See Roman artefacts from Pompeii and the Colosseum and immerse yourself in interactive experiences.
Gladiators: Heroes of the Colosseum
FROM 28TH JUNE
Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds
royalarmouries.org
Art Attack
This summer, Hartlepool will be filled with colour when walls across the town turn into giant artworks, led by local mural artist Lewis Hobson, who you can learn more about at livingnorth.com. Drawing on Hartlepool’s history, the murals will take inspiration from songs, poems and stories to show what makes Hartlepool special. Watch the murals being painted, learn about the stories behind them, and try art for yourself, then don't miss the special exhibition of Lewis's work at Hartlepool Art Gallery.
Hartlepool Mural Festival
FROM 28TH JUNE
Hartlepool Art Gallery
culturehartlepool.com/art-gallery
More Tea Vicar
Reverend Richard Coles is the only British vicar to have had a number one hit single and appear on Strictly Come Dancing, and you’ll have seen him most recently in the I’m A Celebrity jungle. In this show you’ll hear anecdotes and there’ll be a question and answer session about his time in the jungle.
Reverend Richard Coles: Borderline National Trinket
29TH JUNE
City Varieties Music Hall, Leeds
leedsheritagetheatres.com
To The Rescue
Norman wants to go on an adventure to impress his friends, and he decides to follow two famous animal explorers into the mountains. When he discovers a rare red squirrel, one of the explorers decides to take the glory for themselves, and Norman’s left stranded in a cave. Can Fireman Sam save the day?
Fireman Sam Live
29TH JUNE
The Customs House, South Shields
customshouse.co.uk
A Cracking Day Out, Gromit
Legendary duo Wallace and Gromit will be making a special guest appearance at Whistlestop Valley where there’ll also be steam trains and fun for all the family, including unlimited rides on the miniature railway.
Wallace & Gromit
29TH JUNE
Whistlestop Valley, Huddersfield
whistlestopvalley.co.uk
Shoot Your Shot
Thimbleby Shooting Ground has announced the launch of its 2025 Simulated Game Days, offering an exciting shooting experience on the 3,000-acre Thimbleby Estate near Northallerton. Its much-loved Classic Simulated Game Days will return alongside Single Peg Simulated Game Days and an exciting new addition, the Glorious Grouse Simulated Game Day. They replicate the challenge of traditional driven game shooting but with clay pigeon shooting in place of live birds.
Simulated Game Days
THROUGHOUT SUMMER
Thimbleby Shooting Ground, Northallerton
thimblebyshoot.com
Rat Out
This colourful public art trail will see 50 giant rat sculptures (decorated by artists) take over East Yorkshire and Hull for summer. The Grand Charity Auction at the end of the trail will raise funds to support the vital work of The Daisy Appeal, a charity which helps people living with cancer, heart disease and dementia.
A Mischief of Rats
THROUGHOUT SUMMER
Hull and East Yorkshire
amischiefofrats.co.uk
Dynamic Duo
This new exhibition celebrates the 250th anniversaries of landscape painter JMW Turner and novelist Jane Austen by bringing the work of these two icons together. Amongst the display will be Turner’s famous paintings of Harewood and Harewood’s first edition copy of Sense and Sensibility.
Austen and Turner: A Country House Encounter
UNTIL 19th OCTOBER
Harewood, Leeds
harewood.org
