Great Exhibition of the North - What's On For Kids & Teens | Gateshead Quays

*This is a paid collaboration with Gateshead ALive

If like me, you've found the whole Great Exhibition of the North programme a little confusing and are not exactly sure what's going on or what there is for kids and families to experience, fear no more. I've teamed up with the Gateshead ALive to share 20 fabulous events taking place on Gateshead Quays for kids, teens and families as part of the exhibition across the summer. Grab your diaries and get planning a fabulous summer to remember. The Great Exhibition of the North is a one-off event and I'm of the personal belief that we should get out there and enjoy it. All events are FREE and drop-in so no booking is required. Events take place on Gateshead Quays in the space between Sage and Baltic unless specified otherwise.

Free Family Events - Gateshead Quays | June 2018 

30 June | Flying Free on Gateshead Quay 

Head to Performance Square (outside of the sage) at 11:45am and then 12:15pm and 12:30pm at Baltic Square (outside of the Baltic) to watch this special one-off performance. Local schools have teamed up with Gateshead dance artists and choreographed a special routine celebrating the Angel of the North's 20th anniversary and the Quayside resident kittiwakes. Pop down to support and champion their hard work. FREE drop-in event.

30 June | Grow Your Own | Performance Square on Gateshead Quays | 11am, 12noon, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm

Grow Your Own

Sit amongst the flowers and the grassy lawn and enjoy the magical disappearing slugs in this recreation of Peter Rabbit's escape from Mr McGregor. Hilarious street theatre for the whole family. FREE drop-in event - simply turn up at your chosen performance time. Find out more here. 

Free Family Events - Gateshead Quays | July 2018 

1 July | Football Crazy | Performance Square on Gateshead Quays | 11am, 12noon, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm 

Football Crazy

Welcome to the world's only mobile football stadium. With a game of three halves, a confused referee and a crowd ready to give 110%, this is a football match like no other! FREE drop-in event - simply turn up at your performance time. Find out more here.

7 & 8 July | The Inflatable Church of Love - Queer on the Quay | 11am - 5pm 

Inflatable Church of Love

Curious Festival is back! Celebrating LBGTQ culture they bring you the Culture of Love.  A funky, inflatable church will pop up inside Baltic Square and this is a chance to bring anyone you love to enjoy some colourful wedding celebrations. Dress up, not down and look out for the Tea Ladies on Saturday who will be inviting guests to their special tea parties. Weddings are not legally binding but they are lots of fun and open to everyone. FREE drop-in event - simply turn up. Find out more here.

14 July | GemArts Masala Festival Launch | 11am - 3pm

Odissi dancers

Celebrate the launch of GemArts' Masala Festival and watch as a giant Rangoli (traditional Indian art) is created on the floor with a blend of Masala spices and then have a go at making your own Rangoli with your family to take away. You can also watch Odissi dancers blend movement, sound and pattern as part of the celebrations. FREE drop-in event - simply turn up. Find out more here. 

20 - 22nd July | SummerTyne at Sage Gateshead | From midday

Welcome to the Sage's Summer Music Festival where families are welcome all day. Celebrating American Roots Music, this feel-good festival brings together legendary legends and rising stars for one big party. The concourse and Jumpin' Hot stages (outside of the Sage) are FREE and drop in - simply turn up. Check out the line up and find out more here. 

28 July | Mobile Seed Library at Baltic Square | 11am - 3pm 

Mobile Seed Library

Drop-in and meet The Newbridge Project Gateshead artists with their self-build tandem bike and mobile seed library. They'll be chatting with passers-by about growing your own and you can try your hand at using origami techniques to create a seed pot full of kale, pea, bean and onion seeds. FREE drop-in event - simply turn up. Find out more here. 

29 July | Thoughtful Huge Family Painting at Performance Square | 11am - 3pm 

Join the fabulous Thought Foundation for a creative experience the whole family can join in with. Wearing an old T-shirt is recommended as you join in with this huge collaborative project to create one huge piece of art on the Quayside floor. Get messy and Get Creative. All ages are invited from ages 0-99+. FREE drop-in event - simply turn up. Find out more here. 

Free Family Events - Gateshead Quays | August 2018 

4 & 5 August | First Person at Baltic Square | 11:30am, 1:30pm and 3pm 

Two players enter a virtual world in pursuit of happiness. The first person to find happiness wins! This virtual reality game has been specially designed for outdoor public spaces, expect VR, physical theatre and silent disco technology. Kind of like a real-life version of Ready Player One in Gateshead! Perfect for older kids, teens and families. FREE drop-in event, simply turn up at your chosen performance time. Find out more here.

11 & 12 August | Pop-up Choir at Baltic Quays & Performance Square 

Pop-up choir

Drop in across the weekend and enjoy a variety of community and professional choirs as they sing their favourite songs across the weekend. You can even join in too. FREE drop-in event, simply turn up. Find out more here.

18 & 19 August | Baltic Square Food Market | 11am - 6pm 

Baltic Food Market

The organisers behind the popular Staithes and Low Fell Market are heading to Baltic Square this weekend. Expect an artisan street market, the region's finest food and produce, fresh flowers, plants, handmade drinks, crafts and a bike shed bar. There will be pop-up street performers throughout the day too (on the hour between 11am-4pm). FREE drop-in event, simply turn up and enjoy. Find out more here. Find out more here. 

18 August | Liver Cottage Mobile Kitchen at Baltic Square | 11am, 12noon, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm

Liver Cottage

A fun, live, cook walk and theatre show. Cooking 'Al Tesco' these chefs will no-doubt wow audiences with their signature dish - 'Pan-fried pizza crusts with medallions of air-dried chewing gum'. FREE drop-in event, simply turn up at your chosen performance time.  Find out more here.

19 August | Anyone for Tennis at Baltic Square |  11am, 12noon, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm

Anyone for tennis

Britain's top outdoor, miniature tennis comedy show will be popping up at Baltic Square on the hour between 11am - 4pm. Expect highly strung players, temper tantrums, a posh umpire and slow-motion replays - so exactly like the same thing! FREE drop-in event, simply turn up at your chosen performance time. Find out more here. 

25 August | DJ Booth and the Wheels of Steel Street Performance | 11am, 12noon, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm

DJ Booth

Experience the Wheels of Steel Mobile Disco and Cabaret complete with a mobile disco ball, mullets, bingo calling and lots of cheesy music. FREE drop-in event, simply turn up at your chosen performance time. Find out more here.

26 August | Green Finger Folk Street Performance | 11am, 12noon, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm 

Green Finger Folk

You will find two huge topiary bushes nestled in gigantic terracotta pots where you'll meet Gilbert and Norbert - two mischievous garden fairies waiting to solve your gardening problems and have a chat. FREE drop-in event, simply turn up at your chosen performance time. Find out more here. 

27 August | Pirates of Menspants Street Performance | 11am, 12noon, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm 

Pirates of Menspants

We are all at sea on Gateshead Quay! Keep your eyes peeled for two pirates in their barnacle-covered pirate ship - they're on the lookout to recruit a few new shipmates.... FREE drop-in event, simply turn up at your chosen performance time. Find out more here.

Free Family Events - Gateshead Quays | September 2018

1 & 2 September | The Extraordinary Garden | 11am - 5pm 

The Extraordinary Garden

An inflatable, interactive garden comes to Gateshead Quays. This is your chance to walk through inflatable plants, greet giant ladybirds and watch the flowers grow. There will also be pop-up street theatre performances throughout the day that is sure to make you giggle. FREE drop-in event, simply turn up. Find out more here.

I have to say, I think every single one of these events looks fantastic. I wish I could go to them all! I'm definitely going to try and get to at least a couple. Follow the hashtag #GetGateshead and use this to share your photos from the events and don't forget the new By The River Brew Co shipping containers are on hand to provide lots of lush food and refreshments. There will also be the chance to enjoy some al fresco cakes and drinks in Performance square.

Location Map

Gateshead Quays Location Map

Please remember, events can change so always re-check details before heading out to avoid disappointment. Let me know which events you fancy........