SPRING-SUMMER
Get ahead and plan your Spring/Summer adventures across the North East and Yorkshire.
Here are our top picks for events and happenings during the warmer months…
North East
From 1st April
Farne Islands
Named as David Attenborough’s favourite places to see nature in the UK, visitors may be able to spot over 23 species of wildlife including dolphins, grey seals, puffins and other seabirds and even occasionally Minke whales in the area. Get the boat from Seahouses to explore the 3 accessible islands Inner Farne, Staple (this one is only open May – July) and Longstone but there are 28 in total. Make time to visit head to Seahouses, a colourful fishing village with a busy harbour and plenty of shops and attractions to enjoy.
13-15th May
Hexham Jazz Festival
This year will see the Hexham Jazz Festival heading to Hexham Abbey featuring top acts from around the UK including Jo Harrop, Club de Nord, Paul Edis, Graeme Wilson and The Abbey Finn Trio. Tickets can be purchased via Queen’s Hall Arts with a Weekend Rover ticket for £35 and students £20, with profits being donated towards research at Newcastle University’s ‘Centre for Cancer.”
Explore Warden Hill and a make a ‘surprise discovery.’
Enjoy breath-taking views and spectacular walks in Northumberland National Park, including a Warden Hill trail named recently by the Guardian as a ‘surprise discovery,’ that looks down on to two great river valleys. The North and the South Tyne join and to the west is the tilted whinstone ridge of Hadrian’s Wall.
7th May
Heart of England Raceday at Hexham Racecourse
Put your bets on with a firm fixture at Hexham racecourse on Saturday 7th May, with 7 races including The Heart of England Hunter Chase. Tickets range from £12-20 and under 18’s are free, but must be registered online in advance to secure a space.
4-5th June
Hexham Regatta
One of the UK’s most popular one-day regattas organised by Hexham Rowing Club this historical event encourages a fantastic level of competition and sees crews battle it out for medals on the River Tyne.
Yorkshire
From 12th March
Robert Indiana Exhibition at Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Yorkshire Sculpture Park will host the first major UK exhibition of sculpture painting and prints by American artist Robert Indiana spanning his 60 year career, from 12th March until 8th Jan 2023. With themes of unity, love and acceptance running through his work, Indiana’s iconic LOVE sculpture welcomes visitors to YSP.
20-22nd May
Bridlington Kite Festival
See some of the world’s largest inflatable kites take to the sky over the dramatic cliffs of East Yorkshire. The Bridlington Kite Festival brings kites of all shapes and sizes to the skies above Sewerby Fields with displays, professional demonstrations and supervised sessions.
Explore Warden Hill and a make a ‘surprise discovery.’
Enjoy breath-taking views and spectacular walks in Northumberland National Park, including a Warden Hill trail named recently by the Guardian as a ‘surprise discovery,’ that looks down on to two great river valleys. The North and the South Tyne join and to the west is the tilted whinstone ridge of Hadrian’s Wall.
11-12th June
“Books by the beach”
The Scarborough Book Festival
This wonderful book festival will include appearances from the BBC’s Jeremy Vine, Frank Gardner, the V&A’s Claire Wilcox and British Bake-Off winner David Atherton. For more details of the programme and tickets contact the YMCA theatre at
24-26th June
Armed Forces Day at Scarborough
Scarborough will host the national event for Armed Forces Day in association with the Ministry of Defence. The event attracts over 200,000 visitors and is an action-packed programme of spectacular air and ground displays and an extensive military parade.
