Looking for weekend activities to keep you entertained?
There's plenty to do both in Newcastle and across the North East on what's set to be a warm, if occasionally cloudy, weekend.
This weekend marks the return of The Late Shows, which see Newcastle and Gateshead's cultural sites make rare-late night openings for a range of fun, thought-provoking and unusual events. Elsewhere, there's music at the Utilita Arena, fascinating art exhibitions in Durham and circuses in Northumberland and Gateshead.
Read more: Durham Cathedral to open at night as free one-off treat for visitors
Here's our round-up of just a few of the events going on across the region this weekend:
Throw yourself into a 'good ole barn dance' at Ouseburn Farm - Friday, 7-11pm
One of the Late Show events will see the popular farmyard will be turned into a 'good ole barn dance' Hootenanny with straw bales, strings of lights, live music and maybe even some line dancing.
Local bands will be setting the Americana mood for a family-focused affair and there will be a barbecue using the farm’s own produce.
Find out more at https://thelateshows.org.uk/2022/ouseburn-farm
See Newcastle in a new light from atop the Cathedral's Lantern Tower - Saturday, 7pm-11pm
It's a sight that has dominated the local skyline for hundreds of years, but few have seen the breathtaking view from the top until it recently opened for tours. This weekend there's limited availability for an atmospheric nighttime tour.
The Lantern Tower promises to be a real eye-opener for those up to the climb and for those who aren't there will be a film screening revealing all about it.
Find out more at https://newcastlecathedral.org.uk/visit/things-to-do/lantern-tower/
Rock out with Foreigner, Whitesnake and Europe at Utilita Arena - Saturday, 7.30pm
Three veterans of rock will be joining forces for a show at Utilita Arena on Saturday night and there are tickets still available. The legendary artists have been touring the UK and now it's Newcastle's turn for a visit.
Adverts for the show say: "Together both Whitesnake and Foreigner boast a catalogue that spans the decades with seminal and anthemic hits such as “Here I Go Again”, "Still Of The Night" and “Is This Love” [Whitesnake], “I Want To Know What Love Is” and “Cold As Ice” [Foreigner] to name a few. Very special guests Europe will bring their electrifying “The Final Countdown” and more to this U.K. arena tour."
Get tickets at https://www.utilitaarena.co.uk/events/detail/whitesnake-and-foreigner
Take in an adrenalin-filled circus show in Gateshead - Saturday and Sunday from 12.30pm
Planet Circus are bringing what promises to be a nail-biting show tight rope walkers, trapeze artists and stunt bikers to Gateshead this month and you can go and watch them perfom this weekend.
The Brazillian circus performers even come with holy approval after having their stunt bikes blessed by a Geordie priest this week.
They will be performing two shows a day in Gateshead until Sunday, May 22. Tickets are available at: https://planetcircusomg.com/
Discover Life Science Centre by night - Saturday, 7pm - 11pm
Another Late Show that could be brilliant for all ages is the late-night opening of the Life Science Centre. Exploring the centre at twilight you can wonder at Gaia – the mesmerising, glowing, seven-metre replica of Planet Earth.
Or take an easel and create your own masterpiece, inspired by an astronaut’s view from Space. Visitors can enjoy the brand-new live planetarium show, and get creative with silk banner painting, bug hotels and other hands-on activities - plus there's a bar available.
There's more information at https://thelateshows.org.uk/2022/life-science-centre
Learn about fascinating Japanese prints at Durham's Oriental Museum - Saturday and Sunday
This weekend sees the last two days of an exhibition at Durham University's Oriental Museum exploring monogatari, a traditional form of Japanese literature.
Created in partnership with the National Museum of Japanese History, the exhibition explores how images of famous tales of samurai, travellers and heroes during the 18 th and 19 th centuries in Japan inspired art created during the real life conflicts at the end of the 19 th century and early 20 th century.
Find out more at https://www.dur.ac.uk/oriental.museum/whatson/details/?id=49864
Enjoy the delights of the circus in Prudhoe's Tyne Riverside County Park - Saturday, 3pm and 6pm, Sunday, 12.30pm and 3pm
Family entertainment will be brought to you by an international cast of performers as Circus Montini visits Prudhoe, Northumberland.
The show promises a "fast-paced, non-stop, 60 minute production packed full of comedy, juggling, balancing, acrobatics, stunts and more".
If you miss it this weekend, you can catch them in Wooler next week. Seats are £9.50 - £14.
For more information, visit https://circusmontini.com/venues
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