Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
What's On in Newcastle, Gateshead & Northumberland
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STEAM TO GREEN
1st January-6th September 2026
Venue: Discovery Museum
Address: Blandford Square, NE1 4JA
Website: www.discoverymuseum.org.uk
Discovery Museum's FREE exhibition tells the story of energy & the climate crisis in the North East by looking back to the industrial revolution, & forward to the pioneering contributions in green technologies...
NORTH EAST DEAF YOUTH THEATRE
21st February-31st December 2026
Time: Third Sat
Venue: Gosforth Civic Theatre
Address: NE3 3HD
Website: www.gosforthcivictheatre.co.uk
Third Saturday every month, 9.30-11.30am, FREE monthly workshops for deaf children and young people aged 5 - 12 years. North East Deaf Youth Theatre explores all aspects of theatre-making including, creative...
ALNWICK CASTLE OPENS FOR 2026
27th March-25th October 2026
Time: 10am-5pm
Venue: Alnwick Castle
Address: Alnwick, NR66 1NQ
Website: www.alnwickcastle.com
There are many exciting things to do at Alnwick Castle every day. Take a guided tour & learn about the history of Alnwick Castle or its use as a filming location, have a go at archery & test your abilities...
THE GREAT DINOSAUR ESCAPE
28th March-27th September 2026
Venue: Life Science Centre
Address: Times Square, NE1 4EP
Website: www.life.org.uk
Dinosaurs have taken over Life Science Centre this Easter with the North’s biggest collection of animatronic dinosaurs. Follow the trail around the centre to hunt them down, from towering four-metre-high...
TREASURE : HIDDEN, LOST, FOUND
28th March-20th September 2026
Venue: Great North Museum
Address: Barras Bridge, NE2 4PT
Website: www.greatnorthmuseum.org.uk
Your chance to see why buried history matters. Step into the fascinating world of treasure & see some amazing archaeological finds from across the North of England. Roman coins, Viking Age silver, & a...
SWING BRIDGE 150
13th June-20th December 2026
Venue: Discovery Museum
Address: Blandford Square, NE1 4JA
Website: www.discoverymuseum.org.uk
A small display in the Turbinia Atrium charting 150 years of the iconic Swing Bridge that connects Newcastle & Gateshead, with historical objects, images & archival material. Unveiled in 1876, Lord...
EXPERIENCE CENTRE FOR LIFE FOR LESS THIS SUMMER
25th June-1st September 2026
Venue: Life Science Centre
Address: Life Science Centre, NE1 4EP
Website: www.life.org.uk
You might have heard that the Government is slashing VAT for family organisations like Life over the summer holidays & so they are passing the savings onto their visitors. The new ticket prices...
TREASURE MUSEUM TRAIL
29th June-20th September 2026
Venue: Great North Museum
Address: Barras Bridge, NE2 4PT
Website: www.greatnorthmuseum.org.uk
Explore the museum to find treasure, solve puzzles, & claim prizes in this exciting FREE new treasure trail during museum hours!
SOUTH TYNESIDE HOLIDAY CLUB
17th July-30th August 2026
Time: (times vary)
Venue: Various locations across South Tyneside,
Address: NE32-34.
Website: www.southtyneside.gov.uk/holidayclub
Fun, free activities & meals for children receiving benefit related FSM in South Tyneside. Activities include sports, music, arts, crafts, outdoor & indoor challenges, treasure trails, wellbeing & healthy...
DAILY ARTS & CRAFTS
18th July-31st August 2026
Time: 12-3pm
Venue: Woodhorn Museum & Country Park
Address: NE63 9YF
Website: www.northeastmuseums.org.uk/woodhorn
Six weeks of fun, hands-on arts & crafts activities inspired by local artworks & stories with a different activity every fortnight. Drop-in - no booking required. Annual pass admission applies; children...
DRAGONFLY FESTIVAL
18th July-31st August 2026
Time: 10am-5.30pm
Venue: WWT Washington Wetlands Centre
Address: NE38 8LE
Website: www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/washington
Enjoy a self-led dragonfly family adventure! Pick up a spotter guide to help you & head to the amphibian ponds to spend a while exploring the area & seeing what wildlife you can spot. On a sunny day, you...
ESCAPE THE GAOL TRAIL
18th July-31st August 2026
Venue: Hexham Old Gaol
Address: Hallgate, NE46 3NH
Website: www.museumsnorthumberland.org.uk
Visit Hexham Old Gaol this summer & pick up an escape the gaol trail to find out all about characters linked to the gaol. Collect the letters to discover who will help you escape! Drop-in, no need to...
GREAT BRITISH SUMMER
18th July-6th September 2026
Time: 10am-5pm
Venue: Belsay Hall, Castle & Gardens
Address: NE20 0DX
Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/belsay-hall-castle-and-gardens
Celebrate a classic Great British Summer inspired by timeless holiday traditions & a fun day out for the whole family. Enjoy the fairground activities, pick up new tricks at the circus skills station &...
SUMMER OF FUN
18th July-12th September 2026
Venue: Gateshead Town Centre
Address: NE8
Website: www.gateshead.gov.uk/events
FREE family events all Summer long. See the advert on Page 6 or visit the website for full details.
HERITAGE TRAIN RIDES
19th July-30th August 2026
Time: Sundays & Thursdays
Venue: Stephenson Railway Museum
Address: Middle Engine Lane, NE29 8DX
Website: www.stephensonrailwaymuseum.org.uk
Take a four mile return trip (35-40 minutes) following the route of the coal trains from the collieries to the River Tyne behind a vintage locomotive in 1950s passenger carriages. Adults from £9, Kids...
MINIBEAST HUNTING, DEN BUILDING & POND DIPPING
20th July-26th August 2026
Venue: WWT Washington Wetlands Centre
Address: NE38 8LE
Website: www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/washington/
Explore the world of soil, leaves & dry wood as you hunt for mini-beasts in Hollowood. Use a dusting brush, magnifying glass & observation trays to get a closer look of woodlice, millipedes, stink bugs...
FAMILY CRAFT SESSIONS
22nd July-26th August 2026
Time: Wednesdays 11am - 12.30pm & 1-3pm
Venue: Arbeia Roman Fort
Address: Baring Street, South Shields, NE33 2BB
Website: www.arbeiaromanfort.org.uk
Free craft activities every Wednesdays during school holidays. 11am - 12.30pm & 1-3pm. No need to book, donations welcome.
WILD WEDNESDAYS
22nd July-26th August 2026
Time: 11am-3pm
Venue: Woodhorn Museum & Country Park
Address: NE63 9YF
Website: www.northeastmuseums.org.uk/woodhorn
Every Wednesday throughout the Northumberland summer holidays, join our Learning Team for a day of free, family-friendly activities inspired by the natural world. Enjoy wild-themed crafts, take part in bug...
FREE CRAFT ACTIVITIES
23rd July-27th August 2026
Time: 11am - 3pm
Venue: Stephenson Railway Museum
Address: Middle Engine Lane, NE29 8DX
Website: www.stephensonrailwaymuseum.org.uk
Every Thursday 11am-3pm Free craft activities with a different theme every week.
THINGS THAT GO - OPENING SUMMER 2026
31st July-28th February 2027
Venue: Discovery Museum
Address: Blandford Square, NE1 4JA
Website: www.discoverymuseum.org.uk
Discovery Museum’s brand-new gallery space will launch with a free playful transport exhibition. From boats & bicycles to tractors, trains & planes, explore the exciting world of transport through hands-on...
DINKY DINOSAUR ADVENTURE DAY
31st-31st August 2026
Time: 10.30am-3.45pm
Venue: Stephenson Railway Museum
Address: Middle Engine Lane, NE29 8DX
Website: www.stephensonrailwaymuseum.org.uk
Calling all young explorers & dinosaur fans - get ready for a roar-some adventure on August Bank Holiday. Meet & greet a bunch of adorable baby dinosaurs & take a train ride, too! Book your time-slot online.
COWGATE YOUNG THEATRE MAKERS
7th September-14th December 2026
Time: 4-5.30pm
Venue: The Cowshed
Address: Houghton Avenue, Cowgate NE5 3UT
Website: www.unfoldingtheatre.co.uk
An exciting new drama group for children & young people aged 8-14 every Monday 4-5.30pm during term-time that uses drama, theatre-making, movement & creative writing to create & share stories. Delivered...
EAST END STORY MAKERS
9th September-16th December 2026
Time: 4-5.30pm
Venue: The Lighthouse Project
Address: NE6 2FT
Website: www.unfoldingtheatre.co.uk
A creative group for children & young people aged 7-14 every Wednesday during term-time that uses drama, music, movement, creative writing & food to create & share stories. Places are free but must be...
HERITAGE OPEN DAYS
11th-20th September 2026
Venue: Venues across Tyneside & Northumberland
Website: www.heritageopendays.org.uk
England’s largest festival of history & culture! Every September thousands of volunteers across England organise events to celebrate our fantastic history & culture. It's your chance to see hidden places...
SATURDAY ART CLASSES
12th-12th September 2026
Time: 10.15-11.45am & 1-2.30pm
Venue: Laing Art Gallery
Address: New Bridge Street, NE1 8AG
Website: www.laingartgallery.org.uk
An inclusive art class held on the first Saturday of every month for 10-15 year olds. £7 per child.Pre-booking essential at www.laingartgallery.org.uk.
CLASSIC CARS
13th-13th September 2026
Time: 10am-5pm
Venue: Tynemouth Priory
Address: NE30 4BZ
Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/tynemouth-priory-and-castle
A fantastic day out for motoring enthusiasts & families alike with an impressive collection of beautifully preserved vintage & classic vehicles, meet passionate owners at one of the North East's most iconic...
BLYTH LIFEBOAT 200
15th-20th September 2026
Time: 11am-5pm
Venue: Market Pavilion
Address: Blyth, NE24 1BQ
Website: www.greatnorthumberland.co.uk/whatson
Celebrate 200 years of lifesaving in Blyth through this FREE exhibition of film, photography & local stories. Discover portraits of crew members & volunteers, watch a short film created by local young...
BLYTH LIFEBOAT 200 SCHOOLS DAY
17th-17th September 2026
Time: 10am
Venue: Market Pavilion
Address: Blyth, NE24 1BQ
Website: www.greatnorthumberland.co.uk/whatson
A special day for schools celebrating Blyth’s lifeboat heritage. Pupils can enjoy exhibition visits, film screenings, creative activities, water safety sessions & opportunities to meet local lifeboat...
FAMILY ART CLASS
19th-19th September 2026
Time: 10.30am - 12 noon & 1-2.30pm
Venue: Shipley Art Gallery
Address: Prince Consort Road, NE8 4JB
Website: www.shipleyartgallery.org.uk
A monthly Saturday art class for 7 - 12 year olds & their grown ups. At each session you'll be guided by a professional artist to discover a different art technique, such as watercolours, ceramics, mixed...
NORTH EAST DEAF YOUTH THEATRE
19th September-31st December 2026
Time: Third Sat
Venue: Gosforth Civic Theatre
Address: NE3 3HD
Website: www.unfoldingtheatre.co.uk
Third Saturday every month, 9.30-11.30am, FREE monthly workshops for deaf children and young people aged 5 - 12 years. North East Deaf Youth Theatre explores all aspects of theatre-making including, creative...
OPEN EVENING
21st-21st September 2026
Time: 6-8pm
Venue: Jarrow School
Address: NE32 5PR
Website: www.jarrowschool.com
Jarrow School would like to welcome prospective parents to their Open Evening from 6-8pm. They pride themselves on teaching a curriculum that has something for everyone, tailoring the option subjects studied...
MRS DOUBTFIRE
23rd September-11th October 2026
Venue: Newcastle Theatre Royal
Address: NE1 6BR
Website: www.theatreroyal.co.uk
Helloooo, poppets! Mrs Doubtfire, the hit musical comedy based on the much-loved film, is heading to Newcastle! With laugh-out-loud moments, catchy new songs and dazzling dance numbers, it’s a heart-warming...
SEPTEMBER PRE-SCHOOL DAY
25th-25th September 2026
Time: 9.30am-3pm
Venue: Life Science Centre
Address: Times Square, NE1 4EP
Website: www.life.org.uk
Pre-school days provide the perfect opportunity for you & your little ones to try new things, make new friends & have lots of hands-on fun. Enjoy exciting activities that have been developed with children’s...
MISSION OUTER SPACE
26th-26th September 2026
Venue: Northern Stage
Address: NE1 7RH
Website: www.northernstage.co.uk
Blast off with Mission Outer Space – an interactive show for 4-7 year olds. What are the chances we’re not alone in the universe? How do you even begin to look for alien life? Explore these questions...
DISCOVER & GROW
2nd-23rd October 2026
Time: Every Friday 10.15 & 11.15am
Venue: Market Pavilion
Address: Blyth, NE24 1BQ
Website: www.greatnorthumberland.co.uk/whatson
Creative play sessions for babies, toddlers, pre-school children & their grown-ups. Through storytelling, sensory play, music, movement, puppetry & hands-on making, families can explore themes of community,...
OCTOBER HOME EDUCATION DAY
2nd-2nd October 2026
Time: 10am-3pm
Venue: Life Science Centre
Address: Times Square, NE1 4EP
Website: www.life.org.uk
Enjoy a fantastic day (10am-3pm) of learning with other home educators. Home Education Days give home educated children the chance to take part in curriculum-linked workshops inspired by current STEM...
SATURDAY ART CLASSES
10th-10th October 2026
Time: 10.15-11.45am & 1-2.30pm
Venue: Laing Art Gallery
Address: New Bridge Street, NE1 8AG
Website: www.laingartgallery.org.uk
An inclusive art class held on the first Saturday of every month for 10-15 year olds. £7 per child.Pre-booking essential at www.laingartgallery.org.uk.
FAMILY ART CLASS
17th-17th October 2026
Time: 10.30am - 12 noon & 1-2.30pm
Venue: Shipley Art Gallery
Address: Prince Consort Road, NE8 4JB
Website: www.shipleyartgallery.org.uk
A monthly Saturday art class for 7 - 12 year olds & their grown ups. At each session you'll be guided by a professional artist to discover a different art technique, such as watercolours, ceramics, mixed...
HALLOWEEN HALF TERM
24th October-1st November 2026
Time: 10am-4pm
Venue: Belsay Hall, Castle & Gardens
Address: NE20 0DX
Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/belsay-hall-castle-and-gardens
Gather your little monsters for a ghoulishly good day out. Join the Great Pumpkin Party & celebrate the season with entertainment including interactive storytelling, spooky games, devilish disco fun, themed...
NOT NOW BERNARD
24th-24th October 2026
Time: 11am & 2pm
Venue: Gosforth Civic Theatre
Address: NE3 3HD
Website: www.gosforthcivictheatre.co.uk
Enjoy a wildly funny, physical theatre adaptation of David McKee’s much-loved picture book, bursting with chaos, live music made from instruments & household objects, plus an ENORMOUS purple monster....
DENNIS’ LITTLE CHIP SHOP OF HORRORS!
29th-31st October 2026
Venue: Customs House
Address: South Shields, NE33 1ES
Website: www.customshouse.co.uk/theatre
It’s spooky season at The Customs House & everyone’s favourite dafty Dennis (Glen Richard Townsend) is back! He’s got himself a job at the local chippy, however the chip shop is far from tip top...
DISNEY ON ICE presents DISCOVER THE MAGIC
11th-15th November 2026
Venue: Utilita Arena
Address: NE4 7NA
Website: www.utilitaarena.co.uk
Celebrate Disney magic as Disney On Ice presents Discover the Magic, a fast-paced, family-friendly production that follows the search for Tinker Bell through stunning worlds. Explore the colorful spirit...
ELF THE MUSICAL
18th-21st November 2026
Venue: Tyne Theatre & Opera House
Address: Westgate Road, NE1 4AG
Website: www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk
Elf the Musical is based on the 2003 feature film of the same name which features Buddy (as the Elf), & who doesn’t quite seem to fit in to Santa’s workshop, in more ways than one. Not only is he really...
SLEEPING BEAUTY
20th November-2nd January 2027
Venue: Customs House
Address: South Shields, NE33 1ES
Website: www.customshouse.co.uk/theatre
Chaos is coming to Cooksonville as the beloved story of Sleeping Beauty is retold with a Customs House twist. When the dastardly fairy Narcissus curses the Palace, Dame Bella & the ever-eager Dennis are...
THE CHRISTMAS SORTING OFFICE
21st November-2nd January 2027
Venue: Northern Stage
Address: NE1 7RH
Website: www.northernstage.co.uk
Every year, in a top secret location, the North East Sorting Office receives thousands of letters to Santa from children (and sometimes grown-ups!) from all across Tyne & Wear. It’s Remi’s...
JACK & THE BEANSTALK
24th November-17th January 2027
Venue: Newcastle Theatre Royal
Address: NE1 6BR
Website: www.theatreroyal.co.uk
Follow Jack as he scales a beanstalk of epic proportions in search of his fortune in Cloudland. Doomed to sell his trusty cow, can Jack outwit the evil giant to win riches beyond his wildest dreams? Climb...
THE SNOW QUEEN
3rd December-2nd January 2027
Venue: Northern Stage
Address: NE1 7RH
Website: www.northernstage.co.uk
In a town called Stifle lives a girl named Gerda. She is the only child in Stifle – until Kai arrives. When the cruel Snow Queen whisks Kai away, Gerda embarks on an epic adventure, leaving...
ALADDIN
4th December-3rd January 2027
Venue: Tyne Theatre & Opera House
Address: Westgate Road, NE1 4AG
Website: www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk
This year's fun-packed family pantomime at the Tyne Theatre is Aladdin, from the same team behind last year’s spellbinding Christmas production of Cinderella & The Little Mermaid at Easter. Laugh at...
SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARFS
4th December-3rd January 2027
Venue: Whitley Bay Playhouse
Address: NE26 1LZ
Website: www.playhousewhitleybay.co.uk
Mirror Mirror on the wall, it is time for one of the greatest pantos of them all! This year the Playhouse bring the North East's own Michelle Heaton home as Snow White in this fairy tale adventure. Tickets...
THE SNOW QUEEN OF SPITSBERGEN
18th-20th December 2026
Venue: Gosforth Civic Theatre
Address: NE3 3HD
Website: www.gosforthcivictheatre.co.uk
A sensory immersive winter adventure through the frozen north & into the heart of the Snow Queen's winter- a magical journey about friendship, resilience & finding hope & joy in the coldest of places....
WHERE DO ALL THE KITTIWAKES GO AT CHRISTMAS
19th-31st December 2026
Venue: Live Theatre, Quayside,
Address: NE1 3DQ
Website: www.live.org.uk
Live Theatre present this deliciously wintry play about Christmas, sprinkled with ideas from local schoolchildren. Ever wondered where all those cheeky seaside birds go when Christmas comes & there aren’t...