What’s on in the North East this bank holiday weekend
11 gigs, events and festivals you don’t want to miss.
CANDLELIGHT: A TRIBUTE TO TAYLOR SWIFT
28th April
The Common Room, Newcastle upon Tyne
Discover all the ear-worm bangers and breakup blinders of Taylor Swift as you’ve never heard them before at The Common Room in Newcastle this April – beautifully arranged for a string quartet, played under the Wood Hall’s mesmerising stained glass window by the gentle glow of candlelight.
Tickets: from £25.00
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AMELIA COBURN
28th April
Washington Arts Centre
Catch exciting gothic-folk Amelia Coburn as she takes to the stage at Washington Arts Centre, in an intimate performance that audiences will look back on fondly as her star continues to rise.
Tickets: from £10.00
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SLICE WARS 2023: THE REBEL BASE
28th – 29th April
Wylam Brewery, Newcastle upon Tyne
With another bank holiday weekend comes another stellar street food battle at Wylam Brewery – this time uniting pizza and Star Wars. Spend your tokens on a range of themed pizza from different North East vendors, bop to tunes a live DJ spins, and enjoy some great beer and top BH weekend vibes.
Tickets: Free
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DARLINGTON FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL
28th April – 1st May
Darlington Market Square
Tantalise your tastebuds at Darlington Food & Drink Festival, where there’ll be an eclectic range of street food and drink stalls to browse all weekend. Plus, you can enjoy live demos and music from local bands, with fun workshops, face painting and entertainers for kids.
Tickets: Free
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NORTHERN KIN FESTIVAL
Friday 28th – Sunday 30th April
Ushaw, Durham
Jethro Tull, Levellers, Beth Orton, Ferocious Dog and Lindisfarne are the big hitters at this folk, rock and blues music festival, along with ‘I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker’ hitmaker Sandi Thom.
Tickets: From £42.01
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LOST MINDS FESTIVAL
Saturday 29th April
Leazes Park, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Ben Nicky, W&W, Sub Zero Project, Aly & Fila, Dr Peacock, Sickmode and Bryan Kearney lead the dance and trance revolution in this Newcastle festival this spring. Don’t miss the official afterparty, either.
Tickets: From £46.50
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GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS
29th April
Middlesbrough Theatre
If it’s your lot to entertain little ones this weekend, then join this charismatic cast for a pantomime jam-packed with hilarious moments, fantastic performers, specialty acts and high-energy choreography. The whole family will be wowed by the bold costumes and loveable characters, who you can even meet after the show.
Tickets: from £16.00
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SPRING CRAFT MARKET
29th April
Shipley Art Gallery, Gateshead
Indulge in a little retail therapy and browse a range of stalls selling beautiful handmade crafts by local makers at the Shipley Art Gallery this weekend. There’ll also be creative activities for all ages, so don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty before refuelling with some delicious baked treats from Urban Bakery.
Tickets: Free
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BIG NORTH TATTOO SHOW
29th – 30th April
Utilita Arena, Newcastle upon Tyne
The North’s biggest tattoo convention comes to town this bank holiday weekend, which will see almost 300 of the best international, national and local tattoo artists show off their incredible creativity. And, of course, no convention would be complete without a little entertainment: expect fire, magic, music and more.
Tickets: from £24.95
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THE GREAT BRITISH TRIBUTE FEST
Sunday 30th April
Leazes Park, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Antarctic Monkeys, Scam Fender, Kopycat Killers, Ohasis… you get the idea. Newcastle’s largest ever tribute festival is guaranteed to bring all the tunes we know and love for a bank holiday weekend like no other.
Tickets: From £20.00
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MICHAEL BUBLÉ
1st May
Utilita Arena, Newcastle upon Tyne
It seems Christmas has come early for us Geordies, as the king of modern crooners – Michael Bublé – brings his legendary voice and effortless charisma to the stage of the Utilita Arena. It’s been a while since we’ve seen him live, but we bet his performances have aged like a fine wine.
Tickets: from £87.50
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