00:00Newcastle and the Northeast are offering a rich and varied season of art, history, science and family experiences for visitors in the first half of 2026, with something to discover in every corner of the region.
00:14In Gateshead, the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art presents For All At Last Return, celebrating the beauty and fragility of the world's oceans through film, sculpture and photography.
00:24Nearby on the quayside, the Glasshouse International Centre for Music hosts a year-round programme of orchestral, contemporary and world music, featuring headline shows such as Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in concerts, alongside regular concerts by the Royal Northern Symphonia.
00:41South Shields Museum and Art Gallery combines major touring exhibitions with displays exploring local history.
00:47In Newcastle, the Great North Museum, Hancock brings together natural history, archaeology and ancient civilisations, while the Discovery Museum explores innovation, engineering and the Northeast industrial story through interactive galleries for all ages.
01:01In the heart of the city, Newcastle's Life Science Centre features immersive 360 degree planetarium shows, including Queen Heaven and Bump in the Night, alongside hands-on galleries where science comes alive for families and curious minds alike.
01:16Newcastle Castle plays a central role in the city's historic offer.
01:21Visitors can explore the medieval keep and black gates, enjoy panoramic rooftop views and take part in themed tours and seasonal events that bring the city's origins vividly to life.
01:31Beneath the streets, the Victoria Tunnel offers a powerful perspective on Newcastle's past.
01:36Guided tours lead visitors through this preserved 19th century tunnel, revealing its role in coal transport and its later use as an air raid shelter during the Second World War.
01:45The Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art hosts the Turner Prize this autumn.
01:49In the lead up, the gallery is hosting new contemporaries, showcasing emerging UK artists, alongside displays from its permanent collection.
01:57Along Hadrian's Wall, visitors can explore forts at Housesteads, Vindalanda and Chesters with guided walks, living history displays and opportunities to engage with ongoing archaeology.
02:07Beamish Museum continues its immersive open air experience with its 1950s town recreating mid-century life through costumed interpreters, workshops, fairground rides and cinema screenings.
02:19For those drawn to the night sky, Northumberland's dark skies take centre stage early in the year.
02:24The Northeast Dark Skies Festival brings together stargazing, night walks and storytelling, while Kielder Observatory offers year-round astronomy sessions, expert talks and astrophotography nights within the International Dark Sky Park.
02:39From contemporary art and live performance to museums, medieval castles, underground tunnels, scientific discovery and outdoor adventure.
02:49Newcastle and the Northeast offer a season of exploration, creativity and inspiration for all visitors in 2026.
02:57Newcastle and the Northeast Dark Skies Festival
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