Wander through a colourful world of joy at Middlesbrough Town Hall as Happy Rooms arrives. Families can explore 12 immersive, artist designed spaces packed with interactive art, confetti fanfares and a mini silent disco (27th July -30th Aug)

Dive into an explosive world of wonder at Playhouse Whitley Bay as Ministry of Science Live takes the stage. Families can expect liquid nitrogen clouds, fire tornadoes and exploding balloons (27th July)

Sing, dance and party at Bloom Middlesbrough as Pop Kids Live makes its summer debut. Young pop fans can expect an unforgettable concert experience packed with sparkle, high energy dance routines and spectacular tribute performances (27th July)

Get hands on with exotic animals at The Play Café Sunderland as Crazy Creatures visits. Little ones can look forward to a safe, interactive animal encounter meeting lizards, snakes and bugs right at their table (27th July)

Enjoy a magical summer adventure at Petite Street Playtown as adorable ponies visit the secure garden. Little riders can look forward to a short ride, grooming and plenty of cuddles with their new furry friends (27th July)

Glow crazy as Techno Tots Live brings a mini family rave to STACK Middlesbrough. Expect a live DJ spinning kid friendly dance tracks, neon lights, bubbles and plenty of glow sticks (27th July)

Snag a deckchair at Newcastle's Old Eldon Square for a free outdoor double feature. Catch the claymation fun of Chicken Run at midday, followed by the wild circus antics of Madagascar 3 in the afternoon (27th July)

Join the crew at The Fire Station, Sunderland, for Fireman Sam Live: The Great Pirate Rescue. Families can expect a fun stage show packed with catchy songs, dance routines and rescue action (28th July)

Level up at Bloom Middlesbrough with the interactive Superhero Training Academy. Young heroes can test their skills in custom obstacle challenges, master high energy dance routines and enjoy a family meal (28th July)

Transport back to the 13th century at Warkworth Castle for a medieval clash. Families can watch four armoured knights battle in gruelling hand to hand combat to crown a champion (28th-29th July)

Get ready to dance and shine at STACK Newcastle as K-POP Takeover arrives. Little pop fans can enjoy interactive games, high energy dance alongs and learn fun choreography to the biggest K-Pop hits (28th July)

Step into an enchanted winter wonderland at STACK Seaburn for the Ice Extravaganza. Little ones can look forward to live stage performances, a themed disco and an exciting character meet and greet inspired by Disney’s Frozen (28th July)

Grab a free deckchair at Newcastle's Old Eldon Square for a fantastic open air movie marathon. Gather the family to enjoy the charming morning tale of Stick Man, followed by Disney's magical animation Wish and ending with the bouncing green chaos of Flubber (28th July)

Enjoy a vibrant celebration of creativity as the Durham Fringe Festival takes over the city centre. Families can look forward to a spectacular multi venue lineup of theatre, live music, magic, comedy and interactive children's shows (29th-2nd August)

Let down your hair at Playhouse Whitley Bay for Reece Sibbalds hilarious family panto Rapunzel - A Tangled Tale. Audiences can expect a fast paced musical adventure packed with laugh out loud comedy, catchy songs and bright costumes (29th-30th July)

Head down to The Lambton Worm for a magical family fun day. Little ones can get up close and personal for cuddles, high fives and wonderful photo opportunities with Bluey and Chase (29th July)

Unleash your inner idol at Bloom Middlesbrough for K-Pop Summer Live. Young fans can expect electrifying stage performances, razor sharp choreography, a photo opportunity with the stars and free popcorn (29th July)

Join the summer holiday adventure at Blyth Beach for the free Squishmallow Mania Rock Hunt. Families can search the sands for hidden painted rocks, with every participating child winning a small prize and a chance to win a giant plush toy (29th July)

Head to the Great North Museum: Hancock for Mouse Tales - Storytime for under 5s and their families. Little ones can enjoy an interactive story and songs, followed by themed exploratory play and a special chance to touch a real museum object (29th July)

Pop down to Trinity Square, Gateshead, for Magic and Mayhem with Children’s Entertainer – Kevin Mangles. Families can expect a completely free, high energy morning of comedy, magic tricks and fun family entertainment out in the square (29th July)

Meet an amazing wild bunch at Acorn & Oak Play Cafe as Crazy Creatures visits the soft play area. Curious young explorers can get up close to hold, pet and learn about scaly snakes, tarantulas and skinny pigs under expert supervision (29th)

Get ready to dance and shine at St. James' STACK for the K-POP Takeover. Young fans can learn fun choreography, play interactive games and dance along to massive K-Pop hits (29th July)

Bring island vibes to STACK Middlesbrough for Celebration of Stitch. Little ones can look forward to a tropical family party packed with Hawaiian themed dancing, interactive stage games and a special meet and greet with everyone's favourite blue alien (29th July)

Unleash your imagination at The Word, South Shields, with their creative Lego Time drop in sessions. Families can enjoy a completely free day of bric building fun and create amazing structures together (29th July)

Grab a free deckchair at Newcastle's Old Eldon Square for an open air movie marathon. Enjoy the miniature mystery of Sherlock Gnomes, the magical romantic fantasy Stardust, and the stunning animated journey of Flow (29th)

Join the Pontypandy crew at the Tyne Theatre & Opera House for Fireman Sam Live: The Lost Pirate Treasure. Families can expect a swashbuckling stage adventure packed with clues, firefighting rescue action and original pirate songs (30th July)

Roll up to The Forum, Northallerton, for the spectacular summer panto Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Families can look forward to a dazzling circus themed production packed with riotous comedy, extraordinary special effects and jaw dropping live circus acts (30th-2nd Aug)

Take the family down to Bloom Middlesbrough for the high energy TINY DANCERS RAVE. Little party animals can hit the dance floor for a brilliant first clubbing experience packed with anthems from DJ Giggle and fun games (30th July)

Celebrate a massive milestone at Gateshead's ‘People's Park’ for the Love Parks Week: Saltwell Park 150 Celebration Day. Families can look forward to a completely free afternoon of live music, circus workshops, heritage walks and storytelling (30th July)

Dive into an ocean of fun at Acorn & Oak Play Cafe for Blippi & Ariel's Under the Sea Adventure. Little explorers can look forward to a magical themed party packed with music, high energy games and interactive soft play fun (30th July)

Grab your grass skirts and head to STACK Newcastle for the tropical Celebration of Stitch. Families can jump into a Hawaiian holiday party loaded with high energy stage games, limbo dancing and a fun photo op with the lovable blue alien (30th July)

Get ready to dance and shine at STACK Seaburn for the K-POP Takeover. Young fans can learn fun choreography, play interactive games and dance along to massive K-Pop hits (30th July)

Park yourself in a free deckchair at Newcastle's Old Eldon Square for a stellar movie marathon. Enjoy the hilarious secret agent action of Spies in Disguise, the gourmet comedy of Ratatouille and wrap up with the massive evening blockbuster Avatar: Fire and Ash (30th July)

Grab your light up headphones and head to the outdoor Parade Ground at The Fire Station, Sunderland, for the spectacular Silent Disco. Dance under the lasers to massive floor filling anthems from the 70s, 80s, 90s and 00s (31st July)

Head to the Cloister Lawn at Hexham Abbey for the spectacular music festival GlastonAbbey 2026. Families can sing along to an incredible weekend lineup of world class tribute acts covering Fleetwood Mac, Oasis, Ed Sheeran and the Arctic Monkeys (31st-1st Aug)

Step into a fairytale at Bloom Middlesbrough for the magical PRINCESS BALL. Families can enjoy a spellbinding live show packed with singing, dancing and a meet and greet with real princesses (31st July)

Step into an authentic Gladiator Encampment at Segedunum Roman Fort, Wallsend. Families can watch gladiators train, explore how they lived, try out hands on historical crafts and practice skills on a supervised archery range (31st-2nd Aug)

Head to the Peterlee & Horden Rugby Club Pitch for a completely FREE FAMILY FUN DAY. Turn up with no booking required to enjoy bumper cars, giant inflatable slides, a climbing wall and an outdoor cinema (31st July)

Set sail for The Play Café Sunderland for a swashbuckling Pirate Party. Toddlers can look forward to a treasure hunt of fun packed with high energy party games, pirate music, bubbles and interactive themed crafts (31st July)

Take a picnic blanket to The Cumberland Arms, Newcastle, for Storytime in the meadow with Cherry and Bee. Families can enjoy a completely free, pay what you can afternoon of magical outdoor storytelling, creative play and sensory props (31st July)

Step into a magical fairytale at The Little Play Place, Willington, for Princess Day with Smarty Party. Little royals can explore the immersive role play village alongside real princesses, enjoying live singalongs, interactive party games and royal training (31st July)

Head to Tweddle Farm to wrap up a day of animal fun with Foam Party Fridays. Families can hit the play park for a music filled bubble bash to dance and play in mountains of suds (31st July)

Head to Hopetown Darlington for the spectacular Birds of Prey Day. Families can get up close to majestic owls, hawks and falcons for photos, chat with expert handlers and watch two thrilling outdoor flying displays (31st July)

Unwind at Old Eldon Square for a Friday open air cinema double bill. Catch Mowgli's adventures in the live action remake of The Jungle Book, followed by the friendly ghost antics of the 90s classic Casper (31st July)

Bring Wallace & Gromit to life at Hopetown Darlington with the interactive Wallace and Gromit: All Systems Go AR Trail. Families can use a phone app to reveal 3D animated scenes, help build a rocket and snap selfies in the Techno Trousers (1st-31st)

Head down to Seaton Reach for Teesside's biggest musical celebration at the Open Jar Tribute Festival 2026. Families can sing along to over 20 world class tribute acts across two stages, alongside fairground rides and food stalls (1st August)

Step into a prehistoric adventure at Ushaw Historic House, Durham, for the spectacular Dinosaur Takeover. Families can come face to face with a massive T-Rex, see cute dino babies, dig for fossils and enjoy live training shows out across the grounds (1st-2nd)

Head to The Barking Dog, Wallsend, for a free entry Summer Family Festival. Families can enjoy a fantastic day packed with eight hours of live singers, giant inflatables, a BBQ, ice cream and fun toy stalls (1st August)

Explore the historic streets of the city centre for the completely free Enchanted Durham LEGO Trail. Families can hunt for spectacular fairytale brick models, collect hidden clues and pose for magical photos sitting inside a giant brick built Cinderella’s Carriage (1st-15th August)

Join a magical character takeover at Tweddle Farm for the Superheroes & Princesses weekend. Families can dress up as their favorite characters to enjoy live musical sing a longs, special meet and greets and free face painting alongside daily animal petting sessions (1st-2nd August)

Feel the full throttle thrill at Newcastle Racecourse for Monster Truck Motorfest Newcastle. Families can watch the mighty Slingshot monster truck crush cars, see daredevil motorbike stunts and enjoy live music, funfair rides and a Ms Rachel tribute show (1st-2nd August)

Visit the beautiful grounds of Hardwick Hall Hotel, Sedgefield, for the massive Bounce Extreme. Children under 12 can enjoy a spectacular two hour session packed with unlimited outdoor inflatables, giant obstacle courses and fun kids' rides (1st-2nd Aug)

Head to the outdoor Live Garden at Live Theatre, Newcastle, for the free Summery Tales family festival. Families can look forward to a birthday party atmosphere packed with live music, creative story inventing workshops and drop in illustrating sessions (1st Aug)

Grab a free deckchair at Newcastle's Old Eldon Square for a Saturday open air cinema double bill. Enjoy the hilarious mammal police investigation of Zootropolis 2, followed by the epic fantasy adventure of Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole (1st Aug)

Experience the ultimate stadium shaking party at the Darlington Hippodrome for the K-Pop All Stars tribute concert. Audiences can expect explosive live vocal numbers, breathtaking choreography and massive hits from global groups like BTS and BlackPink (2nd Aug)

Step into a galaxy far, far away at the Copthorne Hotel Newcastle for the 'Rebel Base North East' A Star Wars Fan Convention. Families and fans can look forward to a spectacular day packed with trader zones, immersive displays, free lightsaber training and a VIP meet and greet with original movie actors (2nd Aug)

Step into a world of magic at the Roker Hotel ballroom for A Royal Fairytale Adventure. Families can look forward to a spectacular royal ball featuring live stage singalongs, ballroom dancing and meet and greets with eight classic princesses, including Elsa, Ariel and Rapunzel (2nd Aug)

Head to Trinity Square for a delicious day out at the free entry Gateshead Food Festival. Families can enjoy mouth watering street food trucks, live acoustic music, local market stalls and free chef hat decorating workshops for kids (2nd Aug)

Head down to Mariners Park for the spectacular Let's Kick Diabetes Charity Match. Families can watch former Newcastle United striker Andy Carroll and a host of football legends take the pitch for an entertaining game raising vital funds for Diabetes UK (2nd Aug)

Hit the dance floor at Bents Park, South Shields, for the massive Bents Park Live summer finale. Legendary DJ Judge Jules headlines with a spectacular 10 piece live band alongside club classics from Ultrabeat, Phats & Small and Sweet Female Attitude (2nd Aug)

Ditch the living room and pull up a free deckchair at Old Eldon Square for a stellar Sunday out at the movies. Dive into the quirky metallic universe of Robots, before blasting off into deep space for the thrilling sci fi rescue adventure Mars Needs Moms (2nd Aug)