Events

Darlington’s people and traditions take centre stage at Hopetown

New exhibition explores what belonging means in Darlington

Martin Kemp and American Pie star heading to Metrocentre lights switch-on this week

'Pay the £2 or don't go' - County Durham garden centre backed after reindeer fee row

Fireworks, music and family fun bring Stanley’s school communities together

Fireworks, music and family fun bring Stanley’s school communities together

Record crowd enjoys spectacular school fireworks show in County Durham town

George Richardson, owner of Richardson’s Garden Centre near Seaham, with some of the reindeer at the centre’s popular Christmas attraction

George Richardson, owner of Richardson’s Garden Centre near Seaham, with some of the reindeer at the centre’s popular Christmas attraction

Garden centre boss 'angered' by backlash over new £2 reindeer admission fee

Alnwick Castle is set to host a two-day Christmas fair and a live festive concert later this month

Alnwick Castle is set to host a two-day Christmas fair and a live festive concert later this month

Christmas fair and festive concert coming to Alnwick Castle

From major celebrations in Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough to community events in villages and market towns, many switch-ons will feature fireworks, live entertainment, festive markets, Santa appearances and family activities.

From major celebrations in Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough to community events in villages and market towns, many switch-ons will feature fireworks, live entertainment, festive markets, Santa appearances and family activities.

Christmas lights switch-on

Christmas lights switch-ons 2026 - Full guide to events across the North East

Gymskin will headline Sunderland's afternoon entertainment programme.

Gymskin will headline Sunderland's afternoon entertainment programme.

Viral TikTok star who revived Madonna hit confirmed for New Year's Eve event

Teesside Park has announced its full festive celebration line-up, with live entertainment, Christmas markets and fan favourite characters across the park.

Teesside Park has announced its full festive celebration line-up, with live entertainment, Christmas markets and fan favourite characters across the park.

Christmas Markets

Teesside Park to kick off Christmas season with festive characters and live music

Participants take part in the annual Boxing Day Dip at Redcar Beach, one of several festive sea swims held across the North East to raise money for charity.

Participants take part in the annual Boxing Day Dip at Redcar Beach, one of several festive sea swims held across the North East to raise money for charity.

Here's the Boxing Day dips planned across the North East as festive tradition returns

Taste of Africa 2026 Durham residential

Taste of Africa 2026 Durham residential

'Warrior Women' exhibition to shine light on Black women's overlooked achievements

Chris Cooke said Middlesbrough Council was

Chris Cooke said Middlesbrough Council was

Middlesbrough Council

'Powerful' event set to highlight violence against women and girls in North East town

Flying Scotsman

Flying Scotsman returns to Darlington next weekend with tickets selling fast

Christmas Markets

STACK to host 60-trader festive night market on Christmas lights switch-on day

Remembrance Sunday events will take place across the North East on November 8, followed by Armistice Day events on November 11.

Remembrance Sunday events will take place across the North East on November 8, followed by Armistice Day events on November 11.

Remembrance Services

Remembrance Sunday 2026: Full guide to services taking place across the North East

An exclusive gala concert at St Peter’s Chapel in Auckland Palace is taking place next week

An exclusive gala concert at St Peter’s Chapel in Auckland Palace is taking place next week

Gala concert at Auckland Palace to support County Durham youth

Alpacas Nora and Glitz recently visited Wilton House, where they spent time with residents and staff

Alpacas Nora and Glitz recently visited Wilton House, where they spent time with residents and staff

Cultural attractions

Alpacas make special visit to residents at Darlington care home

Ferryhill Town Council has launched a competition to find the 'Best Festive Shop Window Display for 2026'

Ferryhill Town Council has launched a competition to find the 'Best Festive Shop Window Display for 2026'

Festive competition launched to find Ferryhill's best shop window

Sam Rushworth MP

Sam Rushworth MP

'This Remembrance weekend let’s put politics aside and focus on what unites us'

Murder mystery with new story every show comes to North East after sell-out LA run

Dave Clarke and Adam Shanley, who have been chosen as Durham's local heroes, will switch on the city's Christmas lights at Durham Christmas Sparkle on November 29.

Dave Clarke and Adam Shanley, who have been chosen as Durham's local heroes, will switch on the city's Christmas lights at Durham Christmas Sparkle on November 29.

Christmas lights switch-on

Durham community champions chosen for city's Christmas lights switch-on

Anna Temke, a midwife from Guisborough with neuroendocrine cancer, is raising awareness of the rare disease

Anna Temke, a midwife from Guisborough with neuroendocrine cancer, is raising awareness of the rare disease

North East midwife on mission to raise awareness of rare cancer after shock diagnosis

Rishi Sunak has officially reopened the historic Long Bridge in Barton following extensive restoration work

Rishi Sunak has officially reopened the historic Long Bridge in Barton following extensive restoration work

Rishi Sunak officially reopens historic North Yorkshire bridge after restoration

Arts Centre Washington has announced a packed programme of Christmas entertainment

Arts Centre Washington has announced a packed programme of Christmas entertainment

Festive fun comes to Washington with packed Christmas programme

The Spitfire in Durham during Remembrance Sunday in 2025

The Spitfire in Durham during Remembrance Sunday in 2025

Remembrance Sunday

Durham Spitfire to stay out of Market Place for second year as council explains why

Bonfire Night will arrive tomorrow (November 5), with organised displays planned across the North East. People planning to celebrate with fireworks at home are being urged to check the law and consider the impact on their local communities.

Bonfire Night will arrive tomorrow (November 5), with organised displays planned across the North East. People planning to celebrate with fireworks at home are being urged to check the law and consider the impact on their local communities.

What time can you set off fireworks? Bonfire Night laws and regulations explained

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service have urged families to choose organised displays rather than hold fireworks or bonfire celebrations at home.

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service have urged families to choose organised displays rather than hold fireworks or bonfire celebrations at home.

County Durham and Darlington emergency services issue warnings ahead of Bonfire Night

Visitors collect wristbands in the entrance hall ahead of an evening of after-hours art and entertainment at The Bowes Museum.

Visitors collect wristbands in the entrance hall ahead of an evening of after-hours art and entertainment at The Bowes Museum.

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Cultural attractions

The Bowes Museum after dark: get creative at Bowes Lates

Lydia Waddington has raised thousands through a netball tournament for the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS)

Lydia Waddington has raised thousands through a netball tournament for the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS)

Darlington keen teen spends days off raising thousands for Great North Air Ambulance

Not following the rules could land you with a £50,000 fine.

Not following the rules could land you with a £50,000 fine.

Expert warns homeowners this Bonfire Night mistake could lead to £50,000 fine

American Pie actor Thomas Nicholas is bringing a free live concert to Metrocentre in Gateshead, with support from North East artists Mitch Laddie and Matt Fairley.

American Pie actor Thomas Nicholas is bringing a free live concert to Metrocentre in Gateshead, with support from North East artists Mitch Laddie and Matt Fairley.

American Pie star Thomas Nicholas performing free show at Metrocentre this week

Six years of festive fun: The Elf Express returns to Stephenson Steam Railway.

Six years of festive fun: The Elf Express returns to Stephenson Steam Railway.

All aboard! Steam railway welcomes back magical Elf Express this Christmas

The interior of the library

The interior of the library

Northallerton Library event offers winter support, art and Morris dancing

A picture from the Stanley firework display 2025

A picture from the Stanley firework display 2025

Firework display

Free firework display to return to County Durham park this weekend

Stockton Council's firework display, Urban Waterfront Park on Sunday (November 1)

Stockton Council's firework display, Urban Waterfront Park on Sunday (November 1)

Firework display

Thousands flock to Stockton fireworks as riverside display returns after five years

There will be everything from football tops and band t-shirts to militaria and customised clothing, along with accessories, festival wear, trainers and caps.

There will be everything from football tops and band t-shirts to militaria and customised clothing, along with accessories, festival wear, trainers and caps.

Popular vintage market to bring 90s and 00s style to North East brewery

Shania is making her way to the UK

Shania is making her way to the UK

Country music legend Shania Twain to kick off major 2027 UK tour in North Yorkshire

Spectators were greeted by Father Christmas and the Gruffalo himself at Sunday evening's event.

Spectators were greeted by Father Christmas and the Gruffalo himself at Sunday evening's event.

Christmas Events

First look at Fenwick's magical Christmas window connected to singer Lola Young

Some of the spooky and spectacular sights on display as part of the Cotherstone pumpkin trail

Some of the spooky and spectacular sights on display as part of the Cotherstone pumpkin trail

Pictures - Last chance to explore 33 spooky displays on Cotherstone's Pumpkin Trail

wedding dresses

Asian Wedding Expo coming to North East with 50+ suppliers - dates and how to enter

Crowds gather as Santa arrives for a previous Darlington Christmas lights switch-on celebration in Market Square.

Crowds gather as Santa arrives for a previous Darlington Christmas lights switch-on celebration in Market Square.

Christmas lights switch-on

Darlington Christmas lights switch-on date confirmed with Santa, music and fireworks

The Story in Durham, which is hosting a programme of activities to mark Remembrance

The Story in Durham, which is hosting a programme of activities to mark Remembrance

Durham venue announces programme of events to mark Remembrance and Armistice Day

Diya painting, Indian snacks and a traditional Rajasthani marionette show will feature in Durham’s annual Diwali celebration

Diya painting, Indian snacks and a traditional Rajasthani marionette show will feature in Durham’s annual Diwali celebration

Cultural attractions

Durham Diwali celebration to bring music, food and family activities to museum

A frightening-looking line-up of Bishop Auckland College performing arts students at Aycliffe Bus Museum

A frightening-looking line-up of Bishop Auckland College performing arts students at Aycliffe Bus Museum

Pictures capture Halloween horror spectacular at County Durham bus museum event

Kynren Pyromusical

Kynren Pyromusical

Bishop Auckland skies lit up with spectacular fireworks as Kynren Pyromusical returns

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Cultural attractions

The Bowes Museum Winter Market returns for a weekend of festive experiences

30 pictures capture the characters bringing Whitby's Halloween Goth Weekend to life

Santa's Grotto will return as part of Ferryhill's Christmas Fayre and lights switch-on event this November.

Santa's Grotto will return as part of Ferryhill's Christmas Fayre and lights switch-on event this November.

Christmas lights switch-on

Christmas lights return to County Durham town after last year's event was cancelled

Durham Market Poppy display pictured organiser Louisa McLean

Durham Market Poppy display pictured organiser Louisa McLean

Sea of 16,386 donated handmade poppies honour County Durham fallen soldiers at market

Hylton Castle and its grounds will be home to a three-day programme of fitness, yoga, workshops and family activities.

Hylton Castle and its grounds will be home to a three-day programme of fitness, yoga, workshops and family activities.

Giant three-day health and wellness festival to take over historic North East castle

A cat gets into the Halloween spirit with a pumpkin

A cat gets into the Halloween spirit with a pumpkin

READER'S LETTER

Letters to the editor

Halloween can still be frightfully fun without spooking animals

Brad and Megan Stonebank at their Halloween house on Hunwick

Brad and Megan Stonebank at their Halloween house on Hunwick

See County Durham family's 'spooktacular' Halloween light show you don't want to miss

Gulf Bridge End Service Station in Durham has been given a Halloween makeover, with giant spiders, skeletons and pumpkins

Gulf Bridge End Service Station in Durham has been given a Halloween makeover, with giant spiders, skeletons and pumpkins

Durham petrol station transformed with giant spiders, cobwebs and dangling skeleton

Brocksbushes Christmas Fair 2026 near Hexham, Northumberland, runs November 12-15, with 70+ stalls, live music, workshops, festive food and gifts.

Brocksbushes Christmas Fair 2026 near Hexham, Northumberland, runs November 12-15, with 70+ stalls, live music, workshops, festive food and gifts.

North East farm's Christmas fair returns with more than 70 stalls and live music