May Bank Holiday 2026: Family Events Across the North East
Food festivals, dinosaurs, Roman re-enactments, steam trains, roller disco, and a free RNLI harbour day. Here's what's on this bank holiday weekend.
The May bank holiday weekend (Saturday 2 - Monday 4 May) is packed across the North East. From a food festival on your doorstep to Roman battles on Hadrian's Wall and free steam trains in County Durham, here's the family-friendly pick.
In Newcastle
Newcastle Food Festival at Exhibition Park runs all three days from 10am. International street food, artisan markets, live music (Oasis tribute Saturday evening, Pulp'd Sunday), plus a mobile farm, children's cooking classes, inflatable land, and a traditional funfair. Tickets from £6.95; dogs welcome.
The Great Dinosaur Escape at Life Science Centre — 25 moving animatronic dinosaurs up to 4 metres tall, Dino Ranger code-cracking challenges, and "The Dino Show." Included with standard admission (£15 adult/child, under-2s free). Open Saturday-Sunday 10am-5pm.
Around the World Club at the Great North Museum: Hancock — free multicultural craft activities including Turkish marbling, Arabic envelope art, and Maori poi ball making. Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 11am-4pm.
Skate Island at Newcastle Racecourse — roller disco with DJs, food stalls, and a Beach Club bar. Family sessions from £5.60. Book at skateisland.co.uk.
On the Coast
Blyth Harbour Day (Saturday only, 11am-4pm) is the standout — and it's completely free. Celebrating the 200th anniversary of Blyth RNLI Lifeboat Station with a Parade of Sail at noon, water rescue demonstrations at 2pm, tall ship tours, shanty singers, face painting, kite making, free helter-skelter, and street food. One of the best free family days out in the region.
Tynemouth Station Market runs Saturday and Sunday 9am-3:30pm — 150+ stalls under the Victorian canopy. Free to browse.
Northumberland
End of Empire at Chesters Roman Fort on Hadrian's Wall (Saturday-Sunday, 10am-5pm) — the Comitatus re-enactment group brings late Roman Britain to life with combat demonstrations, spears, swords, and javelins. Included with admission (adult ~£11, child ~£6.60, English Heritage members free).
King Oswald and the Battle of Heavenfield at Bamburgh Castle — living history re-enactment all three days, 10am-4pm. Plus "Little Makers: Crowning Glory" craft activities 11am-3pm.
Whitehouse Farm near Morpeth — character meets (Mickey & Minnie Saturday, Toy Story Sunday, Taylor Swift & Spider-Man Monday), magic shows, animal encounters, tractor rides, toboggan slide, soft play. Pre-booking strongly recommended: child £15.95, adult £16.95 online.
Alnwick Garden — Grand Cascade, Poison Garden tours, Treehouse restaurant, and Lilidorei adventure play. Children 0-16 free; adult £19.70.
County Durham
Beamish Museum has two special programmes running: the General Strike Centenary (marking 100 years since the 1926 Lock Out) in the Pit Village and 1900s Town, plus traditional May Day Celebrations on Sunday and Monday. All included with admission. Unlimited annual pass from £20.50.
Festival of Steam at Locomotion, Shildon — celebrate steam power at the national railway museum. Free admission all three days.
Circus Spectacular! at Hopetown Darlington — Monday only, 10am-3:30pm. Free. Plus the outdoor adventure play park.
Japanese Children's Day at Durham's Oriental Museum — free kimono dress-up and carp banner making, Saturday 1-3pm.
Gateshead
Gibside (National Trust) has three overlapping trails running: Festival of Blossom, Wonder World Earth Trail, and Meet the Beekeepers (all 2-4 May). NT members free.
Free LEGO Build at the LEGO Store, Metrocentre — build a Star Wars Starfighter and take it home. Saturday and Sunday only.
BALTIC — free contemporary art exhibitions on Saturday and Sunday (closed Monday). Current shows include "For All At Last Return" and Milly Thompson. Don't miss the rooftop views.
Free Events at a Glance
Blyth Harbour Day (Sat) — RNLI celebrations, tall ships, shanty singers, kids' activities.
Locomotion Festival of Steam (all 3 days) — national railway museum, Shildon.
Great North Museum crafts (Sat-Sun) — multicultural art activities, Newcastle.
Hopetown Circus Spectacular (Mon) — circus and adventure play, Darlington.
Japanese Children's Day (Sat) — kimono dress-up, Durham.
LEGO Build (Sat-Sun) — Star Wars Starfighter, Metrocentre.
BALTIC (Sat-Sun) — contemporary art, Gateshead Quayside.
All details correct at time of publication (1 May 2026). Check venue websites for latest availability — bank holiday events sell out quickly.