To mark the start of a new chapter in our autumn diaries, here are a few fun things to do this October in the North East
Is it just me, or did the month of September feel oh-so-long? I don’t know about you, but I’m looking forward to October in the North East. After all, this is the month when we get the true taste of autumn, with trees full of colour, bright sunshine (on a good day), and fresh, crisp air, giving us all a sense of calm after what felt like the most chaotic, busy, and, of course, iconic summer.
Bad Lads at Live Theatre
When: From 2 October
Price: From £11
No better way to kick off October in the North East than by watching a gripping show, and Bad Lads is just what the doctor ordered.
Bad Lads tells the gripping and devastating true story of the boys held at Medomsley Youth Detention Centre in County Durham in the 1980s. The production gives a voice to those who suffered horrendous abuse in a shocking and uncomfortable story that needs to be told.
Keep your eyes peeled – I’ll be reviewing this one!
Worthy Wax Candle Making Workshop in Newcastle
When: 4 and 12 October
Price: £40
As a self-proclaimed lover of candles, I of course had to include a candle-making workshop in this round-up because nothing screams autumn like a good, cosy event. Blend your own fragrance, choose the right wax, and pour your very own autumnal candle – the perfect addition to your home.
Signature Chocolate Making Experience at The Canny Chocolate Company
When: 4, 11 and 18 October
Price: £69
Talking about dreamy workshops, you won’t want to miss this Signature Chocolate Making Class, and here’s why. Upon arrival, you’ll be welcomed with a delicious mug of hot chocolate. Then, roll up your sleeves and immerse yourself in the full chocolate-making experience. Using the finest ingredients, you’ll create your own chocolate truffles, a chocolate bar, and chocolate mendiants, plus enjoy plenty of chocolate tasting, gift wrapping, and all the fun extras.
London Film Festival Dinner at Tyneside Cinema
When: 8 October
Price: From £60
London Film Festival in the heart of Newcastle? Yes, please! And not just any film festival, this one comes with a three-course meal. Spend a couple of hours watching the premiere of ”Wake Up, Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery” while enjoying Ham Hock Terrine for a starter, Roast Chicken for the main, and Apple Crumble Tart to sweeten the deal (vegetarian options available). Dinner and a movie? Cute. My dream date.
Oktoberfest Newcastle
When: 11, 18 and 25 October
Price: From £7.50
Beer lovers, this one’s for you. Try a wide range of beer offerings, from German lagers to wheat beers, plus plenty of other spirits and cocktails. Munch on German staples such as pretzels, currywurst, and frankfurters, and most importantly, spend a day in the midst of Bavarian madness. Come one, come all.
Nordic Baking at Blackfriars
When: 12 October
Price: £175
Is there anything that screams autumn more than a baking workshop? I don’t think so, and this one sounds especially cosy. Taking place at Blackfriars, you’ll spend a full day mastering the art of Scandinavian baking and learning the secrets that make it so special. By the end, you’ll leave not only with delicious goodies but also with valuable skills to take your home baking to a whole new level.
The Suggestibles at The Stand
When: 16 October
Price: From £7
To add some goofs and laughs to your October in the North East, head to The Stand, where you supply the suggestions and The Suggestibles provide the laughs. Just like every one of their shows, there’s no script, which means no two shows are ever the same. So if you’ve seen them once already, you might want to come along again, bring a friend, and spend an evening escaping the hustle and bustle, just for a little while.
Day Fever at The Boiler Shop
When: 18 October
Price: £14.43
Since nightclubbing is more or less dead, Day Fever at The Boiler Shop (starting at 3 pm, by the way) is the perfect way to dance the day away. With party tunes from Jon McClure of Reverend & the Makers, Vicky McClure, Jonny Owen, and the gang, it’s time to put on your dancing shoes, and still be in bed by 9 pm. What a dream (not mine, but somebody’s).
Swan Lake at Tyne Theatre and Opera House
When: 27 October
Price: From £39.25
Could never say no to a good ballet, and this one’s a must-see if you haven’t already. It tells the tale of two women, Odette and Odile, who resemble each other so closely they can be mistaken for one another. But Odette is cursed by an evil spell to live as a swan by day and a woman by night. A beautiful story set to Tchaikovsky’s magical score, it’s the perfect way to spend an autumn evening, if you ask me.