So the cold is beginning to creep in and we have decided to look at some of the events we will be going to in the next few months. Starting with something a little spooky and our annual trip pumpkin picking. This year we are excited to visit not one but two amazing places for pumpkin picking. Whether or not you feel its just another American tradition that has come over here or not, it’s so much fun and we have loved in recent years adding it to our Halloween events. We are first taking a trip to a brand new local pumpkin picking place which is called Baydale pumpkin patch just a stone throws away from us in Darlington! Open from 11am – 4pm on the following dates: 8th – 10th Oct, 15th – 17th Oct, then right the way through from 22nd – 31st Oct. Do check out their Facebook page for all their updates and we would recommend booking up quickly!
https://www.facebook.com/baydalepumpkinpatch
Another great place to visit for pumpkin joy is Yorkshire pumpkins who are ready to welcome visitors across the North East. The whole family can come along to join the fun, they have thousands of pumpkins to choose from and delicious refreshments for all ages to enjoy.
Yorkshire pumpkins is open from 10-4 on 16th & 17th October then every day from 21st October until 31st October.
This year the pumpkin patch will be ticketed – tickets are available on their website and cost £1 per person and this cost will be deducted from the price of your pumpkins. Everyone must have a ticket except babes in arms.
Lodge Farm, Cundall, York YO61 2RN, just 7 minutes from J49 of the A1(M) and 3 minutes from the A168!
info@yorkshirepumpkins.com or call 01423 360203
https://www.yorkshirepumpkins.com/
Who doesn’t love a trip to Mother Shipton’s cave, especially at Halloween time! There are lots of spooky goings on, follow a creepy trail and see the petrifying well in all it’s glory!
https://www.facebook.com/mothershiptons
Check out their Facebook page for all opening times and information!
A spooky thriller is coming to Darlington Hippodrome this September starring Antony Costa, Tracy Shaw and Britt Ekland this production is guaranteed to spook you just before Halloweens month is upon us. The cat and the canary! Twenty years after the death of Mr. West, his descendants gather to learn who will inherit his vast wealth and the hidden family jewels. Within moments, the heritage hunters turn into prey. Walls crack open, shadows loom, and dark secrets are revealed. Who is The Cat? His movements soundless, unnoticeable, and his vengeance swift! Who will feel his horrible grasp next? Building on the phenomenal decade-long success of The Agatha Christie Theatre Company, The Classic Thriller Theatre Company presents their fifth production, with an adaptation of this famous stage thriller which went on to spawn three hit movie versions.
Rock of ages is also coming to the stage and looks to be a lively and energetic show for all the musical lovers this Autumn. 24th-27th September don’t miss it!
ROCK OF AGES is the hilarious musical comedy lavished with over 25 CLASSIC ROCK ANTHEMS, including ‘Don’t Stop Believin”, ‘We Built This City’, ‘The Final Countdown’, ‘Wanted Dead or Alive’, ‘Here I Go Again’, ‘Can’t Fight this Feeling’ and ‘I Want To Know What Love Is’, played loud and proud by an AWESOME live band. Starring KEVIN CLIFTON as Stacee Jaxx, alongside Luke Walsh (lead role ‘Drew’ Rock of Ages 2018/19 tour), Rhiannon Chesterman (‘Mrs Henderson Presents’), Ross Dawes (‘Phantom of the Opera’), Gabriella Williams (‘Mama Mia’), Jenny Fitzpatrick (‘Tina The Musical’), returning favourites Vas Constanti, Andrew Carthy, Erin Bell and new talent Joe Gash as ‘Lonny’ in the ultimate ’80s rock ‘n’ roll musical. Leave it all behind and lose yourself in a city and a time where the DREAMS are as BIG as the HAIR, and yes, they can come true!
Blood brothers is our final mention and starts it’s run this month at Newcastle theatre royal. This classic show never fails to be passionate and emotive.
Few musicals have received quite such acclaim as the multi-award winning Blood Brothers. Bill Kenwright’s production surpassed 10,000 performances in London’s West End, one of only three musicals ever to achieve that milestone. It has been affectionately christened the ‘Standing Ovation Musical’, as inevitably it “brings the audience cheering to its feet and roaring its approval” (The Daily Mail).
The superb score includes Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged hit Tell Me It’s Not True. Tickets available here: https://www.theatreroyal.co.uk/whats-on/blood-brothers/
A Halloween pantomime is the way forward at Darlington Majestic theatre! postponed over summer the Wizard of Oz looks to be a great show for all the family.
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/darlington/the-majestic-theatre
Nightfall is Teesside’s new light festival which is set to become an exciting addition to the region’s cultural calendar. The event aims to bring people together to experience the magic of illuminated artworks and performance after dark. We aim to transform people’s perception of a familiar space and create a shared night-time experience, where people can come together, be inspired and enjoy the wonder of the moon.
Nightfall was first delivered in Centre Square, Middlesbrough in 2016. The event was nominated for the Best Teesside event in the Journal Culture Awards and we have since worked hard to develop it into a magical and entertaining experience which visitors will love. After a year at Preston Park in 2019 and an online event in 2020 Nightfall is back for 2021 at our new home, the beautiful Stewart Park in Middlesbrough.
Nightfall is produced by Stellar Projects, producers of creative projects and imaginative events. Based in Stockton-on-Tees, Stellar Projects has a passion for creating amazing collective experiences, for making those ‘you just had to be there’ moments. Our projects bring people together, using innovative approaches to create events that amaze and entertain.
https://www.nightfallfestival.co.uk/
Ormesby hall Middlesbrough is one of our favourite family days out it’s just perfect for a Sunday stoll and explore of the stunning grounds and stately home. Just recently I attended the Make and Mend festival which was brilliant. There are so many Halloween events so do check them out if you can!
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ormesby-hall/features/halloween-adventures-at-ormesby-hall
Beamish festival of light is also back for Christmas and looks to be even more fabulous than ever before. If their last event was as good as this one then it sure will be brilliant!
https://www.beamish-hall.co.uk/forest-of-light/
So now onto something a little more festive…..December will be upon us soon no doubt, and I love getting excited about it all so here is my round up of what we will be seeing this season. As always we are transparent and these are events our family love to promote in exchange for tickets.
A little Christmas magic at what looks to be a fantastic show at the Princess Alexandra theatre Yarm. The Nice List is described as a Christmas Santomime and looks great fun for all the family. On from 18th-19th December tickets are available now and we are looking forward to feeling festive soon!
https://www.thepaaonline.org/whats-on/the-nice-list-a-magical-family-santamime/
Darlington Hippodrome says you shall go to the ball this Christmas with the spectacular family pantomime Cinderella. Packed with all of the traditional pantomime ingredients audiences expect, Cinderella features laugh out loud comedy, stunning scenery, beautiful costumes and plenty of boos and hisses. Join Cinders as she goes from rags to riches, outwits her very ugly sisters and meets her dashing Prince Charming. Starring much-loved Steps singer, television personality and West End star FAYE TOZER! Middlesbrough-raised stand-up comedian PATRICK MONAHAN will star as Buttons. After these crazy times how amazing to get to see a Panto this year, we can’t wait!
https://www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk/whats-on/Cinderella
As usual we will continue to update this blog as new events come in, i’m trying to get organised this year! We love to support our lovely businesses and there is certainly a lot happening in our area this year to talk about!
Coming soon: My ‘All I want for Christmas’ blog looking at some fabulous little businesses as well as larger brands and what we’ve spotted for gifts for you and your families and friends! If you’d like to be featured let me know manicmumdaysevents@gmail.com
I’m Cassie, a mum of 3, (most of the time I haven’t had chance to straighten my hair or drink a hot cup of tea) trying to juggle life as we all are and failing some of the time, but try and see my glass as half full!