What's on this summer: our pick of local fun days and festivals

By Terence Walsh | TWDA Design | Northumberland web design
Reading time: ~5 minutes | Category: Local Info

Introduction

Planning your summer events Consett / North East 2026 diary? Summer’s nearly here, and there’s plenty going on across the North East — from a cycling festival on our doorstep in Consett to a fortnight of funfair rides in Newcastle. We’ve pulled together the dates, costs, and the practical bits (travel and parking) so you can plan your days out without the faff.

We put this together because we’re local too — our studio is at Carterway Heads, just outside town. If your business needs a site to match, here’s web design in Consett.

“We’ve been to most of these over the years with the family. Honest advice — don’t even bother trying to park close to the action, go Park & Ride instead, and if you’re heading to the funfair with the kids, budget for it. Ride prices add up fast once everyone wants a go.”

Terence Walsh – TWDA Creative Services – Web design in Consett

The Hoppings — 19 to 28 June, Newcastle Town Moor

Europe’s largest travelling funfair returns to the Town Moor for ten days, with classic rides, sideshows and fairground food, plus the new 85-metre Elevate85 attraction.

Where: The Town Moor, Newcastle
Cost: Free entry. Individual rides typically cost £2–£5, with specialist rides priced higher
Travel and parking: Onsite parking is accessed via the Grandstand Road entrance near the Blue House roundabout — it’s pay-on-arrival only this year. If you’d rather avoid the crowds and queues, the Town Moor is a short walk from Haymarket Metro station.

In the Park — 8 and 10 July, Exhibition Park, Newcastle

Two big nights of live music at Exhibition Park, with Lewis Capaldi headlining on 8 July and Paul Weller on 10 July.

Where: Exhibition Park, Newcastle
Cost: Ticketed — check the official listing for current prices and availability
Travel and parking: Exhibition Park is close to Jesmond and Haymarket Metro stations, both an easy walk away. On-street parking nearby is limited, so public transport is your best bet for an event of this size.

Lost Minds Festival — Saturday 11 July, Exhibition Park, Newcastle

A full day of dance music across multiple stages, back for its fifth year.

Where: Exhibition Park, Newcastle
Cost: Ticketed
Travel and parking: Same as above — Jesmond and Haymarket Metro stations are the easiest way in, and we’d recommend leaving the car at home for this one.

Newcastle Pride — 25 and 26 July

A full weekend of parades, performances and family-friendly events across the city centre.

Where: Newcastle city centre
Cost: Free for most events (some ticketed extras may apply)
Travel and parking: With the city centre as the focus, expect road closures and busy pavements. Metro or train into Newcastle Central is by far the easiest option.

Durham Fringe Festival — 29 July to 2 August

Five days of performing arts — theatre, comedy and live performance — across venues in Durham city.

Where: Various venues, Durham city centre
Cost: Varies by show — many events are free or low-cost
Travel and parking: Durham’s city centre car parks fill up quickly in summer, so the Park & Ride services or a train into Durham station are worth considering.

Weardale Show — Saturday 29 August

England’s oldest open-air agricultural show and Durham’s biggest, celebrating the county’s farming heritage with livestock, displays and traditional show classes.

Where: Weardale (near Stanhope)
Cost: Check the show’s official site for ticket prices nearer the date
Travel and parking: This is a rural showground event, so on-site parking is available — allow extra time for the drive over from Consett, as it’s a scenic but winding route.

Free all summer: Discovery Museum, Newcastle

If you want something free and indoors for a rainy day, the Discovery Museum’s exhibition on energy and the climate crisis in the North East runs right through to 6 September.

Where: Discovery Museum, Newcastle
Cost: Free
Travel and parking: A short walk from Central Station — the train is the simplest option if you’re coming from Consett.

Double Check

A few of these dates and prices may shift slightly, so it’s always worth double-checking with the organisers before you set off — but hopefully this gives you a head start on planning your summer. If you spot anything we’ve missed that’s happening near you, let us know — we’d love to add it.

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