A GUIDE to what's on across the region

Friday, August 10

Barnard Castle: I is a Big Friendly Giant, become The BFG and bring the story to life by creating your very own Big Friendly Giant ears and dream horn! In addition, explore the original illustrations from the book in The BFG in Pictures exhibition. Children must be accompanied by an adult, for whom normal admission applies. The Bowes Museum. 10:30am-4:00pm. On all week01833-690606.

Barnard Castle: Natural Creation sculptural installation, Natural Creation by artist Rob Mulholland is a sculptural installation near Low Force waterfall in upper Teesdale. Polished metal figures and shapes connect us to the underlying geology of this special place. Park at Bowlees Visitor Centre (donation required), and there is an easy 500m walk to the artwork. Bowlees Visitor Centre. On until October 22. 01833-622145.

Beamish: Summer of Fun, every day at Beamish Museum there’ll be amazing activities for all the family to enjoy. Enjoy Musical Mondays with a whole host of traditional music around the museum. On Try it Tuesdays learn new skills, including sewing and baking bread on the range, across the site. For Women’s Wednesdays, listen to the stories of the Suffragettes and march for your right to vote in The 1900s Town! During Thunderous Thursdays you can see the explosive Just One Spark demonstrations and discover the dangers of working in a coal mine. Join us for Sleuthing Sundays and try to work out who killed poor old Joe. There’ll be plenty to see and do. Beamish Museum. 10:00am-5:00pm. 0191-370 4000.

Bishop Auckland: Kynren: An Epic Tale of England, a live action extravaganza that takes you on a journey through 2,000 years of history, myth and legend. Taking place on a vast open air stage with a huge lake at its centre hiding a host of surprises, you’ll meet many of the characters and events that have shaped the north east - and the country as a whole - as the 29 scenes, encompassing the Roman occupation to World War II, unfold in front of your eyes. Flatts Farm.

Bishop Auckland: Summer exhibition, arts from across the region. No 42, Market Place. 01388-743750.

Blyth: Northern Free-Style Karate, Blyth, Twice weekly Freestyle Karate Club. St Cuthberts Church Hall. 7:00pm-8:30pm. 07747713302.

Darlington: Archery Sessions for All, for everyone aged 6-7 years upwards and regardless of abilities. Inclusion Archery. 1:00pm-8:00pm. 01325-628850.

Darlington: Quaker Women in 19th Century Darlington, a small display of photographs and books from the Local Studies Collection. Centre for Local Studies, Darlington Library. 9:00am-5:00pm. on all week. 01325 349630.

Darlington: Strength and Conditioning Workshops, Mowden Park RFC. 10:00am-11:30am. 01325 350267.

Durham: Lovely Lanterns, come along and make a Chinese paper lantern. All activities are drop in (any time between 1 and 3 pm) unless otherwise stated. Oriental Museum. 1:00pm-3:00pm. 0191-3345691.

Eaglescliffe: Blue Bayou, live music. Cleveland Bay. 8:00pm.

Houghton-le-Spring: Summer fun, feed lambs, pet the chicks and rabbits, see piglets, meerkats, donkeys and more. more information visit www.downatthefarm.co.uk. Down on the Farm. On all week.

Middlesbrough: Harry Potter, an exhibition that captures the traditions of folklore and magic at the heart of the Harry Potter stories. Dorman Museum. 10:30am-3:30pm. 01642 813781.

Middlesbrough: Sofar Sounds Middlesbrough, hands up if you’ve ever been to a gig where you couldn’t hear a thing. The answer: Sofar Sounds. Venture into the unknown with a music event in a secret venue, with secret acts. You’ll be given the address to a secret venue (anywhere from an ancient church to your neighbour’s living room) where you’ll listen to the musical talents of 3 breath-taking acts. Come in, the door’s open. Age 14+. The venue address will be emailed to ticket-holders 24 hours before the event. Booking is essential. To reserve tickets, visit: https://www.sofarsounds.com/middlesbrough. Secret venue. 8:00pm-11:00pm.

Newcastle: The Jersey Boys, the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, Theatre Royal. Also on Sat. 08448-112121.

North Shields: Stephenson’s Rocket and exhibition, come and see Robert Stephenson’s iconic steam locomotive Rocket. Runs until September 9. Stephenson Railway Museum. 0191-2007146.

Northallerton: Friday Night at the Forum - Psychic Medium, join Norah for an evening of psychic readings and guidance. The Forum. 7:30pm-9:30pm. 01609-776230.

Northallerton: Tiddler and other terrific tales, woven together with live music, puppetry and a whole host of colourful characters from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s best-loved titles. The Forum. 1:00pm-2:00pm, 3:30pm-4:30pm. 01609-776230.

Pateley Bridge: Minifigure Trail, Brick By Brick have organised a trail around Nidderdale this summer holidays, featuring local businesses and attractions. Each location has a special minifigure somewhere on site. Find the minifigures at each venue and make a note of their name in the trail booklet. Bring your answers to Brick By Brick to claim your prize!

Penshaw: Kubix Festival including Ronan Keating and Peter Andre, major music festival. Herrington Country Park. 3:30pm-10:30pm.

Pickering: Charity Shop, Action Medical Research Ryedale Committee pop-up charity shop selling clothes, books, bric-a-brac, etc Middleton Village Hall. 10:00am-4:00pm. 07990-973340.

Reeth: Laura Cortese & the Dance Cards, all the way from the USA, live music, Memorial Hall. 8:00pm. 01748-884759.

Spennymoor: Party in the Park, live performances, children’s entertainment and activities and more. Jubilee Park. 6:00pm-11:00pm.

York: A personal Collection of Vivienne Westwood Shoes, Explore the passion that shoes can inspire through this prized private collection of Vivienne Westwood shoes, chosen for their beauty, innovation, and artistry. To complement the exhibition, follow the footsteps of fashion through the ages with a display of footwear dating back to the 18th Century selected by Dame Vivienne Westwood from our historic collection. Runs until April 28. Castle Museum.

York: The Secret Garden, Theatre Royal. Runs until 01904-623568.