From magical children's puppet shows to a family festival, there are plenty performances and events in and around Newcastle to keep all ages entertained this summer now that the long school holidays are under way.
We've pulled together just a few of them to give a taster of what's on offer and they include ideas aimed at grown-ups too. Among them are shows taking place this weekend as well as others that are newly announced and have tickets available to book now.
Ticket-wise, one show has a pay-what-you-feel offer and also remember that Newcastle 's Summer in the City is under way which includes free activities as well a programme of free film screenings that will run until September.
Read more: Newcastle's Summer in the City programme
We also have a guide to free things to do around the region over the holidays and some suggestions for top local camping sites.
Shows and events to enjoy around Newcastle
This Show Is Rubbish - Alphabetti Theatre
Having just opened on Thursday, this musical adventure story - combining puppetry and music - is having its world premiere at the Newcastle theatre where it is running until August 13. With Saturday morning performances included, Hazel Monaghan's story - which revolves arond a mother and daughter - offers plenty opportunities for families to explore a tale about imaginative ways to protect the world.
It's only 55 minutes-long which is probably ideal for its target audience of three to eight-year-olds. Tickets are pay-what-you-feel - see here to book.
Fables at the Kitchen Table - Live Theatre
A world of storytelling, puppetry, song and music awaits for young ones this weekend when this family show will add a touch of magic to the Newcastle quayside theatre. It's aimed at children aged from three to eight who are invited to join storyteller Soph who, from her kitchen table, will be taking them on a journey through adventure stories from around the world and including Aesop classics which will bring to life characters such as the friendly lion; boastful hare and chilled-out tortoise.
The Stute Theatre show will have four performances over the weekend - at 11am and at 2pm on both Saturday, July 30 and Sunday, July 31. Tickets cost £10 for adults and £3 for children. Under-threes can go along for free.
True Colours Theatre: True Imagination - The Playhouse, Whitley Bay
More than 100 performers from True Colours Theatre will be coming together for a show of singing, dancing and sheer fun this Saturday, July 30 which celebrates inclusivity and acceptance. The charity says the line-up will include all ages and its performers face a range of issues such as confidence problems, anxiety, autism and ADHD.
Among them will be young carers and others with life-limiting conditions and complex needs - and all are celebrating the chance to perform together without any stigma or differences. To support the charity and buy tickets to the show which will begin at 6pm call at the Payhouse box office or see here. They cost £10 plus booking fee.
Drag Mania - Central Park
RuPaul's Drag Race stars will be in Newcastle on August 14 for a touring drag convention and show which will be stopping off at Central Park in Times Square with meet-and-greet opportunities too. Among those set to appear are Alyssa Edwards, Gothy Kendoll, Aja, Kandy Muse, Nicky Doll, Ellie Diamond, Dahlia Sin and Awhora.
Tickets cost £60 for two people for the VIP convention, the chance of a meet-and-greet and entry to the show or £25 for show only. See here.
Gateshead Summer Festival
The rugby club home of the popular annual beer festival will be hosting a two-day summer event this August which promises more of the same with music, beer, cocktails and food. The festival will run in Gateshead Rugby Football Club's Low Fell grounds on the weekend of August 27-28.
On the menu will be live music - with The Understudies headlining on the Saturday and The Brit Pack on Sunday - alongside contiental beers and lagers, ciders and cocktails. There also will be a Gin Shack and Prosecco Bar. There will be plenty family entertainment on the Sunday, including a face painting and activities hosted by The Kiln Pottery Studio.
To see the full music line-up and to book tickets, which are £12 (free to under-18s) see here.
Kynren - Bishop Auckland
If you haven't seen this outdoor extravaganza before then now's the chance to take a ringside seat for the rollicking journey through 2,000 years of history in a theatrical showpiece packed with live action pieces, charging horses, battle scenes and fireworks. Its new season will run on Saturdays from August 6 to September 10.
Find out a full list of dates here and more about the show, which is produced by 11Arches, and for tickets - £26 for adults and from £16 for under-18s, plus a £1 booking fee - see here. Children aged three and under can attend for free if sitting on an adult’s knee.
Shows to book now
Sir Ranulph Fiennes - Newcastle, Sunderland and Stockton
The famous explorer will be finding his way to the North East later this year having added three local dates to his tour which sees him discuss his adventurous life from childhood and school misdemeanours to the present day and including his expeditions and record-breaking achievements along the way where he frequently risked life and limb. Sir Ranulph, described by the Guinness Book of Records as ‘the world’s greatest living explorer', will be at Sunderland Empire on September 25; Tyne Theatre & Opera House in Newcastle on November 3 and Stockton Globe on December 13.
He was the first to reach both Poles, the first to cross the Antarctic and Arctic Ocean and the first to circumnavigate the world along its polar axis. He currently another mission under way - the Global Reach Challenge - aiming to become the first person in the world to cross both polar ice caps and climb the highest mountain on each of the seven continents.
His shows are said to be both light-hearted and poignant. To book for the tour - Sir Ranulph Fiennes: Living Dangerously – see here.
Everybody's Talking About Jamie - Newcastle
The show that everybody is talking about has announced a return date to the city and although it's ages off you can bet there will be a huge demand for tickets. The West End musicial about the teenager who rises above predjudice to earn his place in the spotlight is a hit with audiences.
It's based upon the 2011 documentary Jamie: Drag Queen at 16, about the life of Bishop Auckland teen Jamie Campbell, and it proved a winner on its local run at the Theatre Royal last autumn. It will be back in 2024 - from January 16-20 - and tickets, priced from £20, are already on sale: see here.
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