What On Across the North East and Yorkshire This September
The last of the summer fun
Six The Musical
One of the catchiest musicals around is still entertaining audiences worldwide and you won’t want to miss Six when it comes to Sheffield this summer. The six wives of Henry VIII take to the mic for an 80-minute celebration of girl power.
1ST–12TH SEPTEMBER
Lyceum, Sheffield
sheffieldtheatres.co.uk
Summer Voyage: Travel and Trade
How did the Vikings survive at sea, and what did they trade? Find out in Jorvik’s new interactive temporal portal as you board the Summer Voyage.
UNTIL 6TH SEPTEMBER
Jorvik Viking Centre, York
jorvikvikingcentre.co.uk
Emerson Mayes: A Fleeting Presence
A Fleeting Presence brings together the quiet practice of landscape painting and wildlife printmaking as painter and printmaker Emerson Mayes displays his solo show at The Biscuit Factory – find out more about Emerson’s creations at livingnorth.com. This exhibition is one of many displays that form The Biscuit Factory’s Summer Season, showcasing more than 200 collections of original paintings, prints, sculpture, handcrafted homewares and jewellery.
UNTIL 6TH SEPTEMBER
The Biscuit Factory, Newcastle
thebiscuitfactory.com
Brick Explorers
Families will love discovering the wildlife sculptures and creative builds dotted throughout RHS Garden Harlow Carr. Once you’ve followed the trail, get involved in the brick building station to transform a city into a more wildlife-friendly space.
UNTIL 6TH SEPTEMBER
RHS Garden Harlow Carr
rhs.org.uk/gardens/harlow-carr
Operation Mincemeat
A clever and creative telling of a real (and successful) British intelligence operation during World War Two (where the secret service planted false plans on a corpse and floated it on to a Spanish shore), Operation Mincemeat is totally bonkers in the best way.
7TH–12TH SEPTEMBER
Leeds Grand Theatre
leedsheritagetheatres.com
Kynren
Kynren – An Epic Tale of England takes centre stage each summer, attracting visitors from around the world to its powerful outdoor performance that journeys through 2,000 years of history (from Roman Britain to Viking invasions and medieval England), performed on a vast 7.5-acre stage by a cast and crew of 1,000 volunteers. New for summer 2026, Kynren – The Storied Lands is an ambitious live-action day park, where history, myth and legend unfold through a series of spectacular shows and immersive experiences. Across the park, stories will be brought vividly to life through birds in flight, skilled horsemanship and moments of drama and action, set within striking, purpose-built landscapes. Read our review at livingnorth.com to find out more.
UNTIL 12TH SEPTEMBER
Flatts Farm, Bishop Auckland
11arches.com
Michael Ball: Glow
Musical theatre legend Michael Ball is on tour and stopping in York to perform with support from finalist of The Voice UK, Liss Jones.
12TH SEPTEMBER
York Barbican
yorkbarbican.co.uk
Line Drawing & Watercolour Workshop with John Harrison
In this workshop with Yorkshire artist John Harrison you’ll have a go at ‘line and wash’ (a pen and ink sketch technique, tinted with a wash of coloured ink or watercolour). You’ll work from reference photos as John offers advice, hints and tips throughout the session.
12TH SEPTEMBER
Raby Castle, Staindrop
raby.co.uk
DogFest On The Farm
Experience dog demonstrations, sheepdog trials and gundog displays as well as a packed programme of have-a-go activities at this event all about man’s best friend. Plus, celebrity chef James Martin will be cooking live and sharing practical nutrition advice for your dogs.
12TH & 13TH SEPTEMBER
Harewood House, Leeds
dogfest.co.uk
Saltaire Festival
From open gardens to poetry nights, there’s so much to get involved in at Saltaire Festival, and don’t miss the final weekend when the The Continental Market returns, the Golden Stage takes over the village, and there’ll be street food, live performances and stalls to browse.
12TH–20TH SEPTEMBER
Across Saltaire
saltairefestival.co.uk
Great North Run
Once again 63,000 participants will run from the heart of Newcastle to South Shields to fundraise, achieve a goal, and take part in this iconic race, which celebrates its 45th anniversary this year. Head to livingnorth.com for the best places to spectate, the perfect running playlist, and recipes to fuel your run.
13TH SEPTEMBER
greatrun.org
Tales on the Tyne
Following the success of Great North Snowdogs in 2016, Elmer’s Great North Parade in 2019, and Shaun on the Tyne in 2023, St Oswald’s Hospice’s fourth art trail will celebrate the charity’s 40th birthday and Beatrix Potter’s 160th anniversary. Get out and about across Newcastle and North Tyneside to spot super-sized sculptures inspired by Peter Rabbit and designed by artists from the region and beyond.
UNTIL 14TH SEPTEMBER
Newcastle and North Tyneside
talesonthetyne.co.uk
Harrogate Autumn Flower Show
Explore breathtaking exhibits from the nation’s top plant nurseries and societies, admire exquisite floral art within the Hall, and be inspired by extraordinary prize-winning fruit and vegetables at Harrogate Autumn Flower Show. Pick up expert gardening advice and explore everything you need to design your dream outdoor space. Plus, enjoy Newby’s magnificent gardens and family-friendly adventure playground. For your chance to win two tickets to attend on 19th September, plus VIP parking and a trug of gardening goodies, enter our competition at livingnorth.com.
18TH–20TH SEPTEMBER
Newby Hall & Gardens
flowershow.org.uk
Whisky Galore
During World War Two, life on the remote Scottish islands of Great and Little Todday takes a turn when a ship carrying 50,000 cases of whisky turns up – and the islanders try to get hold of the precious cargo before Captain Wagget of the Home Guard can stop them. This is a fast-paced, mischievous comedy packed with chaos.
21ST–26TH SEPTEMBER
Tynemouth Priory Theatre
tynemouthpriorytheatre.co.uk
Heathers The Musical
It’s back to school as Heathers The Musical heads to Darlington Hippodrome and it’s a matter of life and death at Westerberg High. Based on the iconic movie starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, you won’t want to miss this.
22ND–26TH SEPTEMBER
Darlington Hippodrome
darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk
Niall Horan
One Direction star Niall Horan is returning to Utilita Arena this September on his Dinner Party tour, joined by special guest Flowerovlove.
23RD SEPTEMBER
Utilita Arena, Newcastle
utilitaarena.co.uk
Mrs. Doubtfire
This West End hit comedy musical based on the beloved film is heading to Newcastle. Mrs. Doubtfire features all the hilarious moments we know and love, but with new music and dances. The whole family won’t want to miss it.
23RD SEPTEMBER–11TH OCTOBER
Newcastle Theatre Royal
theatreroyal.co.uk
Jane Eyre
Charlotte Brontë’s gothic romance has been adapted for stage by Conn Artists Theatre Company, following their recent adaptation of Far from the Madding Crowd. Don’t miss this new take on a tale of independence and courage.
24TH SEPTEMBER
Alnwick Playhouse
alnwickplayhouse.co.uk
Willow Weaving: Willow Hares
Head to The Orangery at Sledmere for the opportunity to create your very own willow hare with the expert guidance of Janice from Down2Earth. You’ll weave the hare’s body using a weaving technique, before adding ears and legs to give it a character, and complete a unique willow sculpture for your garden.
25TH SEPTEMBER
Sledmere House
sledmerehouse.com
AND Festival
The UK’s only nomadic festival of art, technology and digital culture (Abandon Normal Devices Festival) lands in Barnsley across four venues in the borough: Barnsley Civic, The Glass Works Barnsley, Parkway Cinema and Elsecar Heritage Centre. Over one transformative weekend, AND Festival returns to deliver extraordinary art and site-responsive installations, collaborating with visionary artists, creative technologists and collaborators that push the boundaries of immersive experiences. Expect playful opportunities to encounter the in-between. Join them to reimagine relationships between humans, landscapes, and the built environments that inform our daily rhythms.
25TH–27TH SEPTEMBER
Across Barnsley
andfestival.org.uk
Harvest Festival
Enjoy a traditional harvest gathering with hands-on activities, family-friendly challenges and plenty of community spirit at Auckland Palace when the Harvest Festival returns this September.
26TH & 27TH SEPTEMBER
Auckland Palace & Gardens, Bishop Auckland
aucklandproject.org
Maisie Adam: Whatsherface
Fresh from Taskmaster, A League Of Their Own and Last One Laughing, Maisie Adam is back with her new show, Whatsherface. You’re guaranteed a good laugh.
27TH SEPTEMBER
Tyne Theatre & Opera House, Newcastle
tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk
Lucy Beaumont: Bad at Quiz Shows, Good with Weirdos
Having lost a contestant £79,000 on The Wheel and after forgetting to revise for Mastermind, Lucy Beaumont isn’t great at quiz shows, but she is great at making us laugh. This September, she’s sticking at what she does best with her new stand-up show.
27TH SEPTEMBER
Middlesbrough Town Hall
boxoffice.middlesbrough.gov.uk
Seasonal Wreath Making
Join this wreath making workshop with The Crafty Hen at Alnwick Castle to create your own sustainable and seasonal wreath. You’ll use dried foliage, flowers and seasonal sprigs and enjoy a hot drink and a sweet treat. Then why not explore Alnwick Castle?
29TH SEPTEMBER
Alnwick Castle
alnwickcastle.com
Scummy Mummies: Hot Mess
Scummy Mummies Helen and Ellie are back with a new comedy show talking everything from menopause to mansplaining and teenagers to Tinder, with new songs, sketches, stand-up and sparkly catsuits.
29TH SEPTEMBER
Northern Stage, Newcastle
northernstage.co.uk
Chris Ramsey: Here Man
Following a successful spring tour, Chris has added a limited run of extra dates, including this one in Stockton. He’ll be telling audiences all about the things he can’t say on his hit podcast Sh**ged Married Annoyed.
30TH SEPTEMBER
Stockton Globe
stocktonglobe.co.uk
