A British Museum Spotlight Tour: Celebrating Ganesha: Exhibition at Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, opens on Saturday 
India is a land of gods and the Hinduism that originated in India is its most prominent religion. Among the many deities worshipped by the Hindus, Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god, holds pride of place in the hearts of people. The celebration of Ganesha takes place in the month of Bhadrapada (August - September) when thousands of clay statues and huge images of Ganesha are worshipped in households. The festival culminates with the immersion of Ganesha images and statues in lakes, rivers and the sea. The statues are accompanied by worshippers in a huge chanting procession. The object is a 13th century schist sculpture of Ganesha. At 119cm tall, this Ganesha depicts many of the major attributes of the popular Hindu god; this Ganesha is a corpulent figure and is shown holding a bowl of his favourite sweets whilst at the base of his lotus pedestal crouches his rat 'vahana' or vehicle. His anklets are of snakes, as is the sacred thread wound across his chest. The arch within which he stands is of a typical Indian decorative type with a lion mask ('kirttimukha') at the top, and aquatic monsters ('makaras') at each end. The Ganesha sculpture will be displayed alongside complimentary Gouache paintings and woodcut prints that depict Ganesh in traditional scenes. Celebrating Ganesha is touring to seven venues across the UK and each of Museum will highlight connections with their own collections. Runs until September 18.

Mediaeval fair, Village Green, Sedgefield, on Saturday
All things mediaeval to nearer modern day will provide a packed programme for a great family day out. The fair opens at 10am with a children’s parade beginning its colourful journey to the village greens led by the Flower Queen and her attendants. Walworth Falconry displays, Durham Rams and Black Sheep Morris add to events on the village green including mediaeval combat demonstrations by Escafeld Mediaeval Society, children's tug-of-war, fancy dress competition, face painting, Punch & Judy as well as other entertainment will take place on the village greens and in Ceddesfeld Hall Park. The park will host living history groups. See how the knights lived and worked; make candles, see Birds of Prey, Punch & Judy & children's entertainment with Pat's Puppets, face painting and small children’s rides which all add to what promises to be a bumper Fayre. Choral entertainment from the Lyrics Singers, as well as tunes from the Northumbrian Pipers will waft through the rafters. Various stalls bedeck the village green, selling an abundance of crafts and assorted wares. Traditional fair ground rides and games stalls complete the entertainment. 01740-620042. 

The Northern Echo:

Take a tour of the Clocktower, Darlington Town Centre, on Saturday, 9-5pm
A limited number of places are on offer for a free guided tour up the 152 year-old clock tower on two dates: Saturday, and Thursday May 26. The free tours will form part of the Love Your Local Market celebrations taking place in Darlington on Saturday, from 9am-5pm. Darlington will be joining more than 1,000 markets across the country. The day will feature regular and specialist market stalls, live music, Punch & Judy, balloon modeller, circus magician, face painter and family entertainment both inside the covered market and around the town centre, Town Centre. 9:00am-5:00pm. 

The Northern Echo:

Vincent and Flavia - The Last Tango, Darlington Civic Theatre, on Saturday, 7.30pm
The nation’s favourite Strictly Come Dancing stars in their ultimate farewell show. Fresh from their sell-out hit shows Midnight Tango and Dance ’Til Dawn, Strictly superstars Vincent Simone & Flavia Cacace have created their most moving production yet as they prepare to dance in their final ever show. Twenty years of dancing together has seen them become Strictly Come Dancing favourites, World Dance title-holders, create and star in their own West End productions – but now it is finally time for the nation’s best loved Argentine Tango Champions to say goodbye to the stage in a thrilling, new, live performance. Don’t miss your last chance to see this beautiful couple do what they do best live, in an intimate, passionate and explosive experience – it’s time for The Last Tango. Tickets on 01325-486555. 

Game and country fair, Scampston Hall, Malton this weekend, 9-5pm
With us all the agricultural attractions, horticulture displays, farm exhibits and class entries that form the backbone of the show, as well as many other things to appeal to the whole family. The Malton Agricultural Show is one of North Yorkshire's premier attractions for the summer, and this year is no exception. We have an excellent display on offer, including; farm produce, livestock, horses, fur & feather, vintage tractors, farmers' market, trade stands, craft fair, and more. There are numerous events to take part in, including the tug-of-war, a very fun dog show, or the many class events, craft marquee, farm market and so on. Also on Sunday.