Tourism and travel

Come and join us for our much loved annual Christmas Market. There will be a variety of handmade arts and crafts, local food and drink, mulled wine, Santa's Grotto...and some special guests!

The Alternative Christmas Market has 50 stalls representing the best of the North East's charitable, upcycled, fairtrade, ethical and locally sourced goods. From larger organisations like Oxfam and Traidcraft to smaller producers showcasing jewellery from Nepal, or upcycled furniture and knitwear, this is the place to buy original, thoughtful and ethical gifts this Christmas and to learn more about organisations that work in this sector. There’s a fairtrade cafe and spaces to relax as you catch your breath from all the shopping. A great November day out.

The biggest breakthrough band of 2014, 5 Seconds of Summer! ‘Sounds Live Feels Live’ arena tour follows the overwhelming demand for the 2015 ‘Rock Out With Your Socks Out’ tour which took the band all over the world performing for over a million fans across three continents.

The band spent the summer performing SOLD OUT headline shows across the UK, Europe, the US and Australia including three massive SOLD OUT nights at the SSE Wembley during their ‘Rock Out With Your Socks Out’ 2015 worldwide tour, playing to a legion of loyal fans and proving that 5SOS’s electric live performances continue to be the cornerstone of their remarkable success.

5SOS were one of the biggest breakthrough stories of the last two years; five multi-million selling singles, a self-titled debut album that not only topped the US Album Chart (going to #1 globally on iTunes in 76 countries) but also became the third biggest pre-order in iTunes history and the biggest US debut by an Australian artist ever.

Following the success of their award winning production of the musical Hairspray, West End Operatic Society are back and this time with the well-loved family classic Oliver!

A Dickens tale, Oliver! tells the story of an orphan boy who is kicked out of the workhouse and, after being sold as an apprentice to an undertaker, runs away and is taken in by a gang of juvenile pickpockets, but is it the life Oliver really wants? Set in Victorian London with memorable characters such as Fagin and the Artful Dodger, the story takes the audience on a journey through Oliver's adventures and mishaps.

With fun-filled numbers like 'Oom-pah-pah and 'Who Will Buy?' to the more poignant 'Where is Love' and 'As Long As He Needs Me' this promises to be a show that will be enjoyed by all, young & not so young!

So 'Consider Yourself' invited to a fun filled Easter treat for the whole family in April 2016.

Tickets go on sale on Monday 5th October 2015 at 10am 

Due to overwhelming demand following his recent Sell-out UK, Australian and South African dates DYLAN MORAN star of Black Books, Shaun of the Dead and Calvary will bring his latest show OFF THE HOOK back to the UK for a limited run during spring 2016

Expect a master class in comedy

MORAN who has been referred to as The Oscar Wilde of comedy, has recently been sharpening his deceptively rambling stand-up in unusual places including Kiev, Moscow and Kazakhstan – making him the first western comic to perform in St Petersburg.

This new show, OFF THE HOOK, is MORAN’S first stand up show for more than three years. Having received overwhelming reviews in the UK, OFF THE HOOK is a hilarious glimpse into MORAN’S unique take on love, politics, misery and the everyday absurdities of life all delivered with poetical panache.

We’ll start with the basics and build up the essential foundations so that you develop good habits to ensure your Lindy Hop technique looks and feels great. Suitable for all levels including absolute beginners.

Back for its 6th year the Newcastle Asian wedding Exhibiton returns this year bigger and better than ever. Expect to see a whole host of local and national wedding suppliers to make your event spectacular!

BRIDES... & GROOMS

if you're getting married this is one event you do not want to miss! Many of the exhibitors including our amazing venue of the Marriott will have some very special deals on the day!

A truly international Christmas market with stalls from Germany, France, Belgium, Holland and Spain, Newcastle city centre's Monument area is transformed into a cosmopolitan market place with stalls packed full of unusual Christmas gifts and festive foods including delicious marzipan stollen, Dutch cheeses, plants and bulbs, Belgian chocolates and German sausages.

A special awards dinner honouring Sunderland AFC Ladies’ debut season in the Women’s Super League 1.  The event will include a luxurious three-course meal and entertainment, as well as an awards ceremony celebrating the team’s players and staff who will be in attendance.

Tickets £30.  To book please call 0871 911 1200 (option 8), email ladies@safc.com or visit www.sunderland.fawsl.com/tickets

Sparks will be flying on the 1st of November in the coastal town of Blyth, Northumberland.  The popular event promises a four hour marathon of Bonfire fun, including a spectacular firework display and remarkable light show. Entertainment will be provided for the whole family with an exciting fun fair and live music from the likes of Sunderland-based indie rock band Frankie and the Heartstrings. The Newcastle based, hip hop duo The Great and the Magnificent will also be performing. 

The event kicks off at 2pm-7pm on the 1st of November with the firework display starting at 6:30pm. To gain entry, wristbands can be purchased for £1 from the Keel Row shopping centre in Blyth, North Tyneside.

The port of Blyth dates from the 12th century however the development of the modern town only began in the 18th century. Situated along the coast, Blyth was a prosperous mining and ship building town which thrived back in the day. Nowadays, the port is used for shipping paper and pulp from Scandinavia for the newspaper industries of England and Scotland.

Blyth Quayside is an up and coming area in North Tyneside with recent investment being put into stunning housing developments. There’s also a huge range of restaurants in the area to choose from including the renowned seafood restaurant, The Boathouse, which frequently receives outstanding reviews for their authentic menu and the harbour side setting which offers scenic views.