The region’s events calendar is absolutely stacked full of amazing events! From children’s theatre and rocking live music, to stand-up comedy festivals and internationally renowned street performers – it’s all here! Get your diary handy…
Thursday 6th-Sunday 9th July
Tall Ships
Various venues, Hartlepool
Watch the amazing spectacle of a fleet of over 30 tall ships sailing into Hartlepool’s waters. This spectacular free event is one of the maritime highlights of the year, and Hartlepool’s buzzing Waterfront will be transformed by music, art, dance and performance throughout the weekend.
The amazing ships are a real sight to behold, coming in all shapes and sizes the ships and yachts will be racing from Den Helder in the Netherlands to Hartlepool and back across the sea to Norwegian Fredrikstad. It’s the largest competition for sail training ships in the world, so don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to see these majestic ships up close!
And that’s not all, a fantastic programme of events will accompany the ships’ arrival, with a packed family-friendly festival seeing performances from the likes of North East rockers Maximo Park and the iconic Grammy-nominated reggae band The Wailers, there’ll be sets from She Drew The Gun, John Bramwell, The Magic Numbers and The Sherlocks, plus some of the region’s finest talent including Holy Moly & The Crackers, The Young’Uns, Rob Heron & The Tea Pad Orchestra, Michael Gallagher, Smoove & Turrell, Amelia Coburn, James Leonard Hewitson, Dylan Cartlidge, Hector Gannet and many more.
Expect a vast array of entertainment across the weekend, from spectacular pyrotechnics to art installations, dance performance and much more.
Sunday 9th July
The Ladyboys of Bangkok
Darlington Hippodrome
The longest continually touring cabaret show in the UK, expect a fabulous performance from 16 glamorous girls (who just happen to be men!) in a fast-moving large-scale production which is filled with star-spangled sassiness, featuring 400 dazzling costumes, massive dance production numbers and more sequins than you’ve ever seen before!
Friday 14th-Saturday 15th July
Last Stop to Edinburgh Comedy Festival
The Georgian Theatre, Stockton-on-Tees
Renowned local comedy promoters Shoe Cake Comedy present a weekend of rib-ticklers who use the weekend to test out their Edinburgh Fringe material on a Tees Valley audience. Expect high quality adult and family comedy shows featuring familiar TV comics, award-winning acts and comedy legends including Jonny Pelham, Lou Conran, Bethany Black, The Halls of the Ridiculous and many more.
Saturday 15th July
Lindisfarne
ARC, Stockton
One of the most successful folk rock groups in the UK, a classic five-piece line-up is fronted by founding member Rod Clements, with this performance focusing on the band’s 1977 live LP Magic In The Air.
Sunday 16th July
Make & Mend Festival
Ormesby Hall, Redcar
If you’re feeling crafty don’t miss this excellent celebration creativity, where experts are on hand to provide demonstrations, offer inspiration and impress with their craft skills. There are numerous activities to join in with, from yoga to artist demos, wellbeing activities to gardening, not to mention an excellent makers market where you can find goodies from some of the region’s best independent makers and artisans.
Sunday 23rd July
Russell Howard
The Globe, Stockton-on-Tees
Stockton’s beautifully restored Art Deco theatre plays host to top telly comedian Russell Howard, whose cheeky and cheerful routines make him a real favourite. In his new show, he puts the world to rights in his own uniquely hilarious way.
Wednesday 26th July
A Taste of Improv
Rafferty’s Bar, Middlesbrough
Ever fancied having a go at improvised comedy? The good folks at Rafferty’s will hold your hand while you test your mettle, in this free taster session!
Friday 28th July-Sunday 30th July
Clubland By The Sea, Kiddstock & SoundWave Festival
Seaton Reach, Hartlepool
Hartlepool’s really being spoiled this month with world-class events, and this trio of festivals offers something for every music lover.
Friday night’s Clubland By The Sea will feature performances from floor-fillers like Bad Boy Chiller Crew, Love Inc, Flip N Fill, Ultrabeat and many more, alongside fun festival vibes, a huge outdoor stage with full-on light show and SFX production. On Saturday, the focus is on hardcore trance and dance, with sets including Radical Redemption, TNT, Deadly Guns, Alex Kidd, Joey Riot and many more. Sunday sees the indie kids take over, with live music from Bastille, Michael Gallagher, Finn Forster, ZELA, The Futureheads and more, plus a stand-up comedy tent and much more besides. Don’t forget the sunscreen!
Saturday 29th July
Hi! Street Fest
Middlesbrough Town Centre
With an aim of celebrating the history and heritage of the humble high street, Farrah the Fox (a giant mechanical puppet) will lead a street parade through the centre of Middlesbrough. She’ll be joined by local community groups, and there’ll be dance, music and performance for everyone to get involved in.
Thursday 3rd-Sunday 6th August
SIRF
Various venues, Stockton-on-Tees
Block out your diary for an unmissable outdoor arts festival experience. Stockton International Riverside Festival returns to Stockton-on-Tees for its 36th edition, and it’s jam packed with circus, dance, music and classic street theatre. The action kicks off at SIRF Green on Thursday evening with a special ‘Alive after Five’ welcome party on Stockton High Street from 5pm to get you warmed up for the weekend! This year’s official festival launch show is the spectacular ‘Perceptions’ by French company Bivouac at 7pm on Friday 4 August, with a repeat performance on Saturday night at 9.30pm. Then on Friday and Saturday, Stockton High Street will be teeming with performances throughout the day, with a jam-packed daytime programme including highlights from Knot in Hands (Rotterdam), Partneracrobatics, Electrio 28 (Catalonia) innovative digital piece and a huge family programme including Hikapee’s high energy circus theatre show and Tit for Tat’s Books – perfect for the whole family. Don’t miss the amazing Community Carnival on Sunday 6 August, as the party moves from the High Street to Trinity Green, where there will be lots on offer for families, children and young people including our carnival workshops.
Saturday 5th August
James
Darlington Arena
Darlington’s rugby arena will play host to celebrated indie band James, as they lead a star-studded line-up of indie and rock legends, including Maximo Park, The Pigeon Detectives, Editors, The Kairos and many more.
Tuesday 8th August
Bad Dad by David Walliams
Middlesbrough Town Hall
Don’t miss out on an opportunity to see celebrated author and funnyman David Walliams’ hilarious tale brought to life in the open-air by theatre company Heartbreak Productions. This warm-hearted tale follows the highs and lows of a father-son relationship, and is the perfect summer family entertainment.
Friday 11th-Sunday 13th August
Saltburn Folk Festival
Various venues, Saltburn-by-the-Sea
This friendly multi-venue festival by the sea is chock full of folk-fuelled music and performance. From internationally renowned musicians to dance and storytelling, the festival keeps traditions alive and encourages everyone to get involved. Live music comes from the likes of Lady Maisery, Ceitidh Mac, The Wilson Family, Katie Doherty & The Navigators, Catch The Sparrow, National Youth Folk Ensemble and many more.
Saturday 12th-Sunday 20th August
Billingham International Folklore Festival of World Dance
Various venues, Billingham, Darlington and Middlesbrough
One of the North East’s favourite international showcases of talent, the festival features performances from as far afield as Chile, Colombia, Georgia, Ghana, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, and of course the United Kingdom. This year’s theme is ‘The Dance of Time’, inspired by artist Salvador Dali’s Time sculptures; expect world-class dance performances and amazing theatrical spectacles, all ticketed on a Pay What You Decide basis.
Saturday 12th-Sunday 13th August
Middlesbrough Mela
Albert Park, Middlesbrough
This fantastic multicultural celebration is a real highlight of Middlesbrough’s events calendar. Experience colourful and vibrant music, dance performances, children’s activities, art, craft, delicious food stalls and an amazing atmosphere.
Saturday 2nd September
Last Train Home Festival
Various venues, Darlington
Hosted by Darlington-based music and arts collective Tracks, Last Train Home is a wonderful celebration of emerging talent from the North East and beyond. Taking place in venues clustered around the train station (and finishing in time for attendees to get the last train home!) performances will come from the likes of Life, Holy Moly & The Crackers, Wax Heart Sodality, Kate Bond, Low Girl, bigfatbig, The Peevie Wonders, Liz Corney and more, plus there’s a stand-up comedy stage too.
Venues in the Tees Valley have a year-round calendar of amazing events and performances, get a copy of the Tees Valley Guide and find out more about the region’s world-class venues!