Free October Half-Term Family Fun in North East England

***Regional Events***

This October we have found over 30 free family fun events and activities taking place across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and County Durham. There are Halloween themed events and activities, science-based fun, nature, comedy and plenty of pumpkins too. So wherever you go we hope you have a spooktastic time!

TAKE-OFF FESTIVAL

Saturday 21 October

Durham City Centre

TakeOff Festival is England’s leading festival of theatre for children and young people. Produced by Theatre Hullabaloo it is a week-long festival of shows, workshops and family fun for children in venues across the North East. TakeOff Festival Family Day will take place Saturday 21 October in Durham City Centre. Free shows include.

THE FLYING BAZAZI BROTHERS

Friday 20 October 12.30pm-1pm & Saturday 21 October 11am-11.30am

Millenium Place, Durham City

Bounding onto the stage like Wham in cheap suits after too much Lucozade, this riotous double act dance, juggle and fall over each other for your viewing pleasure. These juggling superstars bring their sell out 1996 Vegas show to the streets. Strap yourselves in, it’s gonna be huge. Ridiculous dancing, dad humour and a surprising amount of skill and dexterity make for what just might be the most rewarding 30 minutes of your life. Aimed at all ages. No need to book, just turn up.

 

THE STORY SPINNER

Saturday 21 October - Performances at various times between 10am & 2pm

Clayport Library, Durham City

These tales will agitate the funny bone and stimulate the nerve endings and become family favourites to be told and retold by children and passed on to their children. Tailor-made for the age of each audience – choose a tale from The Story Emporium – see it come to life.  Aimed at children aged 5-12. No need to book, just turn up.

MICRO-SHAKESPEARE

Saturday 21 October between 12noon & 3pm

Gala Theatre, Durham City

Open the box, put on the headphones, follow the instructions and transform into an amazing puppeteer. Don’t fancy performing – take a seat, grab your popcorn and enjoy a mini-Shakespeare classic. Micro-Shakespeare is an interactive installation which casts the audience as a performer or viewer in an intimate 8 minute performance. There are five boxes to choose from, covering Hamlet, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Tempest. Choose one box for 8 minutes of fun or perform or view all five. Aimed at children 7 and older. Just turn up – no need to book. Limited capacity.

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Pumpkin Trail

Saturday 21 to Sunday 29 10 am – 4pm

Woodhorn Museum, Ashington, Northumberland

Are you brave enough to find all of our pumpkins that are hiding in the shadowy corners of Woodhorn Museum? Pick up one of our Halloween trail sheets at the Welcome Desk and explore the museum to find the hidden pumpkins. If you find all of the pumpkins, take your sheet back to the Welcome Desk in return for a small spooky treat! Free event but suggested donation £1.

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MEET THE LAMBTON WORM CHARACTERS

21 October & 22 October - 10.30-11.30am and 2-3pm.

The Word, National Centre for the Written Word, South Tyneside

As part of The Word's fun-filled Birthday celebrations, they will be joined be this year’s Customs House panto characters from The Lambton Worm who will be in the building entertain visitors and posing for photos! On both Saturday 21 & Sunday 22 October the lovable characters will be around the building between 10.30-11.30am and 2-3pm. If you're heading to the panto this year, come along and meet the characters before!

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FABLAB DROP-IN

Saturday 21 October - 10am-2pm

The Word, National Centre for the Written Word, South Tyneside

Come along to celebrate The Word's 1st Birthday and get to experience the FabLab for FREE. Learn about everything the state-of-the-art FabLab can do, from 3D printer, laser cutting to vinyl cutting! You can even design your own item and see it made on our laser cutters!

This is for all ages so the whole family can join in!

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A BEGINNERS GUIDE TO ASTRONOMY

Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 October 7pm–8pm / 8pm–9pm / 9pm–10pm

Wildlife Discovery Centre, Hauxley Nature Reserve, Northumberland

NASTRO (Northumberland Astronomical Society) invites you to go along and see what astronomy is all about. Enjoy a half-hour presentation on the Northumberland night sky, followed by a look at the stars through the telescope in the observatory (weather permitting!).Please note: Observing is dependent on the weather, and remember to wear clothing that is suitable for the conditions. Free but please book a place online for this

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OCTOBER HALF-TERM FUN

Saturday 21 October - Sunday 29 October

Stephenson Railway Museum, North Tyneside

The Museum will be open every day during the school half-term holidays with events and activities on selected days:

Sunday 22 October - heritage trains running

Thursday 26 October - Make & Take Thursday, Eliot Smith dance previews, heritage trains running

Sunday 29 October - Halloween Special with lots of spooky activities and heritage train rides

The Waggonway Tearoom will also be open

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SAFC Fan Fest

Monday, October 23, 2017

Stadium of Light Sunderland

SAFC Fan Fest is a free event for supporters of all ages, giving fans a rare opportunity to watch the first team train, as well as take part in a range of free activities in and around the Stadium. From boarding the first team bus to meeting the players after training at dedicated signing sessions, fans are set to experience a fantastic day out this half term. Fan Fest will feature a specially created action-packed Fan Village, featuring a wide range of activities from partners such adidas, Utilita, Everyone Active, Mercedes-Benz and the Foundation of Light. Local organisations including the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service and North Tyneside Mountain Rescue will also be in attendance.

More information: Fan Fest is completely free to attend and fans are asked to register their interest 

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Halloween activities at intu Metrocentre

Monday 23 – Sunday 29 October

Intu Metrocentre, Gateshead

• Monday 23 – Sunday 29 October: Creepy crafts, Town Square, near House of Fraser: 11 am – 6 pm, 23 – 28 October, 11am – 5pm 29 October
• Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 October: The Big Trick or Treat: 11 am – 6 pm 28 October, 11am – 5pm 29 October

Free pumpkin buckets can be collected from the customer service lounge in Lower Blue Mall opposite Wilko. Please note, pumpkin buckets will be issued on a first come, first serve basis so arrive early to avoid disappointment. Activities are free, with no booking required and are open to all ages.

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NORTH PENNINES STARGAZING FESTIVAL 2017

Monday 23, Wednesday 25 & Friday 27 October - 10.45am – 3.45pm
Allendale, Alston and Stanhope, County Durham

To celebrate the dark night skies and stargazing opportunities in the North Pennines the area’s first Stargazing Festival is being organised for Autumn Half Term 2017. You’ll find lots of events across the AONB running between Saturday 21 and Sunday 29 October.

Pop-up Planetarium

A journey through the universe in our spectacular planetarium dome. This immersive experience will take you to infinity and beyond, touring our solar system before heading through the Milky Way to other galaxies. The show is suitable for all ages, lasts for approximately 45 minutes, and takes place every hour, on the hour (11am, 12noon, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm).

FREE admission (and no need to pre-book) but limited seating space (20 people per show). Please arrive early to avoid disappointment. Pop into the hall to secure your place on a later showing or just turn up 10-15 minutes before the hourly shows and see if there are places.

• Monday 23 October 10.45am – 3.45pm Allendale
• Wednesday 25 October 10.45am – 3.45pm Alston
• Thursday 27 October 10.45am – 3.45pm Stanhope

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PAW Patrol heroes Chase & Marshall at Manor Walks

Tuesday 24 October 11am – 4pm

Manor Walks Shopping and Leisure, Cramlington, Northumberland

Come along to Manor Walks Shopping and Leisure this October Half Term to listen to some pawsome adventures! On Tuesday 24th October, PAW Patrol fans can see Chase & Marshall during story time sessions, led by a narrator, in the Centre Mall at 11am, 12:00pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm and 3:30pm. There will also be opportunities to take a photos of the two heroic pups. 

As seen on Nick Jr. PAW Patrol, produced by Spin Master Entertainment, is a TV series about a boy named Ryder who leads a team of rescue pups – Marshall, Rubble, Chase, Rocky, Zuma and Skye – who save their town, Adventure Bay, from everyday emergencies. 

More Information: Children will have the opportunity to enjoy the story time sessions by pre-booking a free RSVP ticket online.  Please Note: There will also be some free tickets available on the day of the event, per session, which will be issued on a first come first served basis. 

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HALLOWEEN TREMENDOUS TUESDAY

Tuesday 24 October - 11am–3pm

South Shields Museum and Art Gallery, South Tyneside

The Halloween Tremendous Tuesday is inspired by the colourful Mexican festival The Day of The Dead, or Dia de los Muertas. Honour your dead (or living) pets with our Dia de los Muertas crafts; make elaborately decorated skulls and skeletons using flowers, beads, buttons and more.

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Celebrate Science

Tuesday 24 – Thursday 26 October - 10am–4pm

Palace Green Library, Durham City

The free, family-friendly science festival returns this October half term.  Now in its 8th year, Celebrate Science will once again bring science to life, with amazing activities and exciting experiments showing younger children how science shapes their world.

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Halloween activities at intu Eldon Square

Wednesday 25 – Saturday 28 October

intu Eldon Square, Newcastle upon Tyne

Halloween Activities from 11 am – 4 pm in Grey's Quarter, next to Giraffe:

• Wednesday 25 October: The fangtastic school of vampires: Little ones can learn the tricks of the trade with Count Dracula himself, make a vampire cape and enjoy free face painting.
• Thursday 26 October: Scream screen: Pose for a bewitching photo at the interactive scream screen and take part in a host of fun Halloween games including donut bobbing and the monster shuffle sack race.
• Friday 27 October: Electric boo galoo silent disco: Children can enjoy free spooky Halloween hair styling and face painting, then showcase their monster moves in an electric boo galoo silent disco.
• Saturday 28 October: The Big Trick or Treat: Pick up a free pumpkin bucket in Grey’s Quarter near Giraffe World Kitchen and collect some free goodies from stores and restaurants with pumpkins in their windows.

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Half Term Curiosities Featuring the Crochet Brothers

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens

Drop in for a day full of FREE fun activities and curiosities. Get crafty as you make your own giant moustaches and beards with tempting textiles and try different techniques including knitting, weaving and rag-rug making. Dressed in your disguise, follow the Curiosities Trail to uncover the strange stories of our museum treasures and claim a prize badge.

You just might meet 'The Crochet Brothers' - L Prang and Boston - with their crochet beards and timeless vintage clothing. Accompanied by live music and their infamous three wheeler trike, they have stories to tell! So come closer, listen in and take a look inside the curiosity machine; you never know what or who you might find.

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CALLIGRAPHY WITH MANNY LING: DROP-IN SESSION

Thursday 26 October 1- 1 am–2pm

The Word, National Centre for the Written Word, South Tyneside

People of all ages are invited to have a go at Calligraphy. Manny Ling will be on hand with different drawing and writing tools to teach you the basics. Dr Manny Ling is a calligrapher, designer and educator. He is a Senior Lecturer in Design at the University of Sunderland and specialises in calligraphy, lettering, typographic design, editorial design and print-based media. Ling is a world-renowned calligrapher and has exhibited work internationally as well as showcasing it in many major publications.

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IMAGINE THAT: FAMILY DAY

Thursday 26 October - 11am-3pm

Gateshead Library, Gateshead

Suitable for ages 8+ Juice Festival and Gateshead Library invite you to explore stories in new and exciting ways. Travel to distant lands with the Von Turr Salon, meet author Chloe Daykin to hear extracts from her book Fish Boy, make your own unusual book, and have a go at creating an illustration to be added to our pop-up exhibition!

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DEATH TO CULTURE 

Thursday 26 October - 4pm-6pm

Gateshead Library, Gateshead

Join Gateshead Library to celebrate all things spooky as they explore the Day of the Dead, Steam punk and Gothic culture in this culture extravaganza! With face painting, bag making, wall decorating, a murder mystery, Halloween traditions, prizes, an author appearance and lots of tasty goodies- it’s going to be a killer night! Head along to enjoy the festivities and make this a Halloween to remember. FREE Entry, just select ‘going’ on their Facebook page.

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NORTHUMBERLAND WILDLIFE TRUST AT THE PARK

Friday 27 October - 10am-3.30pm

Pets Corner, Jesmond Dene, Newcastle

Head along and find out more about NWT's work to protect our region’s wildlife and have a go at some seasonal fun games and activities. Free but donations are welcome to cover the cost of materials. Dress appropriately for the outdoors. All children must be accompanied.

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HALLOWEENY FELTY FACES

Saturday 28 October - 10am-12noon

Gateshead Library

Boo! Drop by the Gallery across the morning and make some new spooky, scary friends out of felt to take home and decorate your house ready for Halloween!

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Pumpkin Lantern Workshop in Dalton’s Den

Saturday 28 October 10am–4pm

Dalton Park, County Durham

FREE Pumpkin Lantern Workshop in Dalton’s Den, the garden area next door to M&S Outlet. No need to book,  just pop in.

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Halloween Trail & Spooky Crafts

Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 October - 10am - 4pm

Prince Bishops Shopping Centre, Durham City

Join in some freakishly fun, FREE Halloween activities at Prince Bishops Shopping Centre in Durham city. There'll be a haunting Halloween trail around the shopping centre and free messy play and arts and crafts from ARTventurers, Durham.

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FREEDOM ON THE TYNE

Sunday 29th October

NewcastleGateshead

Freedom City 2017 is a city-wide programme commemorating the 50th anniversary of Dr Martin Luther King being awarded an honorary degree by Newcastle University.

On Sunday 29th October a great drama will engulf NewcastleGateshead, inspired by Dr Martin Luther King Jr. and epic civil rights struggles from across the globe, both past and present. Out of the buildings and through the streets of NewcastleGateshead will come a unique afternoon of theatre, music, dance, circus and art to celebrate the courage and sacrifice of those who have led the long march for civil rights.

Starting from different locations across the city, the stories from Selma, Alabama 1963, Amritsar, India 1919, Sharpeville, South Africa 1961, Peterloo, Manchester 1819, and the Jarrow Marches, Tyneside 1936 will be woven together in a unique immersive performance featuring a local cast of hundreds that will develop throughout the day. As night falls, an uplifting climax will bring the city to a standstill for a memorable moment of light, sound and theatre.

What are your plans for the October half term? 

Deb x