What's on in the North East this summer? [2024]
Looking for fun days out in the North East this summer? Find the best events with help from our local experts.
Summertime is just around the corner and there are so many cool events happening around the North East.
Want in? We've put together a list of our favourite events happening this summer across Northampton, Sunderland, Durham and Newcastle.
There's something for everyone, with a mixture of family-friendly fun and leave-the-kids-with-grandma vibes. So, go on – get some dates in the diary!
Sywell Airshow 2024
Dates: Saturday 22 June and Sunday 23 June 2024
Times: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Saturday); 6 p.m. (Sunday)
Where: Sywell Aerodrome, Hall Farm, Sywell, Northamptonshire, NN6 0BN
Get your summer off to a flying start at Sywell Airshow, where you can watch majestic planes soar through the sky. You can enjoy ground attractions too, including an impressive collection of classic cars.
Tickets start from £45. Under 12s get in for free.
Pride in the City Concert
Date: Saturday 29 June
Times: 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: Sunniside Gardens, Sunderland, SR1 1UL
Celebrate everything LGBTQ+ at the Pride in the City Concert. You'll be partying with East 17, Choriza May, Union J's Jamie Hensley and many more exciting acts.
Oh, and did we mention it's free? Sweet!
Formula 1 British Grand Prix 2024
Dates: Thursday 4 to Sunday 7 July
Times: full timetable to be released soon
Where: Silverstone Circuit, Towcester, Northamptonshire, NN12 8TN
Rev up your engine for a weekend of non-stop action at this year's Formula 1 British Grand Prix. High-octane races will get your heart pumping during the day – and the nightly entertainment will keep you on a high. This year's acts include Stormzy, Kings of Leon, Pete Tong and Rudimental.
Day tickets start at £65 with a 50% discount for kids under 11. Entry is free for children under two.
Durham Brass Festival
Dates: Friday 5 to Saturday 13 July 2024
Times: different for each event
Where: various locations across Durham City Centre
Brass yourself – Durham Brass Festival is going to be a real showstopper. This unique nine-day festival celebrates brass music in all its forms.
Some events have a fee, while others are free.
Summer Streets Festival
Dates: Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 July
Times: line-up coming soon
Where: Cliffe Park, Sunderland
The annual Summer Streets Festival is back and bringing the festival vibes to Sunderland. Previous years have featured musicians, outdoor arts performers, spoken-word artists, comedians, workshops and more.
Entry is free.
Mouth of the Tyne Festival
Dates: Thursday 11 to Sunday 14 July
Times: event times differ
Where: Tynemouth Priory and Castle, Pier Road, Tynemouth, NE30 4BZ
There's a party in the castle and you're invited. It's called Mouth of the Tyne Festival – and what a line-up it's got! Get your groove on to Ocean Colour Scene, Rick Astley (sold out), Andrew Cushin, Heather Small and many more top acts.
Tickets start at £30.25 for adults and £14.85 for children (six to 15 years old).
Welton Soapbox Derby
Date: Saturday 13 July
Time: racing starts at 12 a.m.
Where: Welton, Daventry, Northamptonshire
Ready, set, go! The Welton Soapbox Derby is back this summer and it's just as weird and wonderful as it is impressive. The kids (and you big kids) will love it.
It's free to spectate and all funds raised by the racing teams will be distributed to local charities.
Pride in the City
Dates: Friday 19 to Sunday 21 July
Times: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Newcastle City Centre
Another pride event you don't want to miss, Pride in the City is back after a three-year hiatus. The theme this year is "unapologetically visible", with organisers on a mission to show Newcastle how beautiful and vibrant the queer community is. It promises a show-stopping lineup to prove it, too.
Tickets start at £7.50.
Kynren: An Epic Tale of England
Dates: every Saturday from 27 July until 14 September
Times: event times differ each week
Where: Flatts Farm, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, DL14 7SF
Take a journey back through time and join young Arthur on his epic quest at Kynren: An Epic Tale of England. This family-friendly outdoor theatre extravaganza will have you on the edge of your seat as you travel through the last 2,000 years of English history.
Tickets start at £27 for adults and £17 for children aged four to 17.
Seaham Food Festival
Dates: Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 August
Times: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closes 4 p.m. on Sunday)
Where: Seaham Town Centre, Seaham, County Durham
Ooh… we love a good food festival, don't we? Combine it with a day at the beach and you're winning this summer at Seaham Food Festival.
You can pick up irresistible local treats from across the region and enjoy live music, celebrity chef demonstrations and more.
Summertime Live
Date: Saturday 10 August
Time: last entry 6 p.m.
Where: Delapré Abbey, London Road, Northampton, NN4 8AW
Not going to Ibiza this year? No problem – Summertime Live will sort you right out. Dance until your feet hurt to the likes of Classic Ibiza, MistaJam, Charlie Hedges, Lisa Maffia and many more amazing acts.
Tickets start at £35.75.
Northampton Balloon Festival
Dates: Friday 16 to Sunday 18 August 2024
Times: 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. (10:30 p.m. on Sunday)
Where: The Racecourse, Kettering Road, Northampton, NN1 4LG
The only way is up, especially when we're talking about the Northampton Balloon Festival. Watch the sky fill with spectacular hot air balloons and all the entertainment that follows.
Tickets are just £2.75 online or can be purchased on the day.
Dinosaurs in the Park
When: Friday 16 August to Sunday 1 September
Where: Delapré Abbey, London Road, Northampton, NN4 8AW
If you're looking for a totally roar-some day out for you and the kids, Dinosaurs in the Park has you covered. You'll explore the Dino Trail and walk amongst the 40 life-sized moving and roaring dinosaurs.
Tickets start at £7.20 and under threes go free.
Need some wheels to get you to these events? Rent a car with us here at MVH Rental. With branches in Gateshead and Sunderland, we're the top choice for cheap car rentals in Newcastle and the whole of the North East. You won't find a better price locally. If you do, we'll match it. Book online today.
