What's On in the North East for Kids & Teens - July 2022

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I'm pleased to share a bumper guide of events taking place this July in the run up to the kids breaking up from school.


As always, this guide has been written in advance and it is super important to click the links to the official websites and check for the most up-to-date information from venues themselves as the information provided in this post may have changed. 


Before we jump in, I have recently started posting regularly on TikTok and if you have the app, I'd love for you to give me a follow here (or just search for North East Family Fun). 

The Birmingham 2022 Queen's Baton Relay in Durham & Seaham 

• 14 July - A FREE drop in event not to be missed
  
  The Birmingham 2022 Queen's Baton Relay is set to visit Durham City and Seaham on Thursday, 14 July as part of it's final journey through England ahead of this year's Commonwealth Games. Get involved with the celebrations and cheer on the incredible Batonbearers as they pass. 
  
  Timings (subject to change - check website/social media for up-to-date info):
  
  Durham City 
  Claypath (15:01)
  Prebends Bridge (15:24)
  The Racecourse ((15:39) 
  
  Seaham 
  North Terrace (17:21) 
  Terrace Green (17:24) 
  Vane Tempest Car Park (17:44) 
  
  The best viewing spots in the city will be Palace Green, Prebends Bridge and the Racecourse. 
  
  Find out more here.

Durham Brass Festival 10-17 July 

Durham Brass Festival is back! Taking place between 10-17 July, there is something for everyone with a cracking line up of events including: 

• Yolanda's Band Jam - this CBeebies children's show has been dubbed Jools Holland for kids and is now being brought to the live stage. Expect lots of music and dancing as the joy of music and instruments are shared. Find out more and book here. 
  
  
• FREE gigs across the community
  
  
• A FREE Party in the Park at Wharton Park on 16 July from 6pm. Bring a picnic and enjoy the live music and atmosphere
  
  
• FREE Weekend Music in the streets of Durham City 
  
  This is just a small selection of what's on. You can see the full line up here.

Summer of Fun at Beamish, the Living Museum of the North 

Beamish has a whole summer of fun planned with additional summer activities running from 2 July - 31 August. 

Visitors can enjoy: 

• Outdoor sketching club on the 1950s terrace 
• Football fun at the newly re-opened Coronation Park & Recreation Ground
• 1950s Crafts in the Welfare Hall 
  
  
• Hobby Horses and traditional toys at Spain's Field Farm 
  
• Admire period transport in action during Transport Thursdays 
  
  
• Join in with traditional Georgian Games including card games and draughts at 1820s Pocklerley Old Hall 
• Try traditional crafts in the 1900s Pit Village 
  
  
• Every day in the school holidays try the teddy bear trail - can you spot all of the teddies? 
  
  You can use your Unlimited Pass of Friends of Beamish Membership to enjoy all of the above events and more.  If you'd like to arrive before 1pm, please pre-book a timeslot online ahead of your visit. If you'd like to arrive after 1pm, you do not need to pre-book and can just turn up (last admission 1 hour before closing). 
  
  Find out more & check out other events taking place across the summer at Beamish here. 

Mouth of the Tyne Festival 

Mouth of the Tyne Festival returns to Tynemouth from 7-10 July. There is loads going on across the weekend including: 

• Sophie Ellis-Bextor live at Tynemouth Priory and Castle (a perfect gig to enjoy with the family) 
• FREE community parade 
• FREE Street Performers in Tynemouth. 
• FREE Family Gardening Activities inspired by Mr Bloom 
• FREE Pop Up Silent Disco and Jazz Stage on Front Street 
• FREE Tynemouth Station Market with Community Stage, Craft Area and Under 5s Area 

Find out more and check out the full programme with all the info you need here. 

Circus Vegas in Newcastle 

The Circus is heading to Newcastle this month

🍿 Nuns Moor Newcastle on selected dates 15-24 July

🍿 Use code 'Elvis' when booking online via ticketmaster to receive a discount of up to 30%

🍿 Brand new show featuring jaw dropping acts, high wire walkers, quick change artists, wheel of death performers and the most talented dare devil performers

Find out more and book discounted tickets here.

16 & 17 July 

16 July - Game Changers FREE Event at The Common Room - find out more and book a FREE ticket here 

Find the Common Room next door to Newcastle Central Station (super convenient for public transport). On Saturday they are hosting a FREE family event which will launch a summer of FREE activities. 

You can expect: 

• Performances from Backworth Colliery Band
• Drop-in LEGO engineering challenges 
• Drop-in Papercraft activities
• Heritage tours of the building
• A first look at their 'Game Changers' exhibition which shares individuals, inventions and innovations which have ties to the institution from the past 170 years and looks forward to what we can expect from North East innovators in the future
• Expect to learn more about North East pioneers including Robert Stephenson and Lord Armstrong
  
  *Funding for this festival has been made possible thanks to National Lottery Players via the National Lottery Heritage Fund. 

All activities are FREE and there is a lovely and stylish (yet still child-friendly) bar/cafe where you can grab a drink or a bite to eat too. 

Find out more and book your free ticket here. 

• Yolanda's Band Jam at Gala Durham - find out more and book here 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Junk Journalling Club at Seven Stories - find out more and book here
  
  
• Circus Vegas in Newcastle - buy discounted tickets here 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Rothbury Traditional Music Festival - find out more here 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Creative writing club for ages 8+ at Seven Stories - find out more and book here 
  
  
• Hadrian's Wall 1900 Festival - Wall in Motion at Great North Museum (free, drop in) - find out more here 
  
  
• FREE drop in Party at the Park at Wharton Park (part of Durham Brass Festival) - find out more here
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Durham Brass Festival - find out more here 
  
  
• FREE Ouseburn Festival - find out more here (click on the images below to zoom in and check what's on)  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• FREE Pony Event at Stepney Bank Stables - find out more here
  
  
• Meccano Weekend (+ Summer of Fun Activities) at Beamish Museum - find out more here 
  
  
• Buses at Beamish Weekend - find out more here 
  
  
• Seashore Safari at Souter Lighthouse (drop-in) - find out more here 
  
  
• Meet and Greet Paddington at Head of Steam Darlington - find out more here
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• What the Ladybird Heard Event at Seven Stories (under 6's) - find out more and book here 
  
  
• Block Printing Workshop at Seven Stories - find out more and book here 
  
  
• Plessey Woods Country Fair - find out more here 
  
  
• World War II Event at Heugh Battery - find out more here 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Go Strawberry Picking - read our guide to where to go strawberry picking in North East England here
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Puppet Making Workshop at Seven Stories - find out more and book here 
  
  
• Festival by the Sea in Blyth - find out more here 
  
  
• FREE Encanto Kids Club at Secret Garden Seaton Delaval - find out more here 
  
  
• A Northumberland Menagerie at Museums Northumberland (drop-in) - read our guide here
  
  
• FREE Drop In Family Days at BALTIC - find out more here 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Birds of Prey at Alnwick Castle - find out more here 
  
  
• Spidey + Ariel / Rapunzel and Captain America and Face Painting at Jesmond Beach Box Family Beach Camp - find out more and book here 
  
  

For the rest of July, please see my Summer Holiday What's On Guide (coming soon - will link here once it's been published).