Blyth is getting ready to celebrate – and everyone's invited.
Saturday 23 & Sunday 24 August 2025 | Market Place, Blyth | Free Entry
This August, Blyth Celebrates kicks off with a vibrant weekend of free, family-friendly events to mark the official opening of the town’s striking new Market Pavilion and the transformation of the Market Place.
Across two packed days, visitors can enjoy everything from live music and interactive street theatre to creative workshops and activities, and delicious food.
Produced by Blyth Town Council, ASP Events and Walk the Plank, this launch marks the first major milestone in the Blyth Celebrates programme - a showcase of creativity and community running through to March 2026.
The weekend promises something for everyone. On the main stage, hosted by family favourite Dan Charles, audiences can enjoy live sets from The Sam Fender Experience, dance-along energy from Rave & Play, ‘Battle of the Band’ finalists Pandora, a sparkle-filled Diva Drag Show from Drag Castle, and a showstopping performance from Phil Davids and The Good Time Band. Sling Time Dance will get parents and their little ones moving joyfully and The Phoenix Theatre offers a sneak peek of its Christmas pantomime Aladdin, packed with laughter and adventure.
Around the Market Place, the fun continues with street theatre and walkabout acts, including the unpredictable antics of The Wild Beasts of Silly, the giant bubbles and stilted characters of Storm in a Teacup, and the disco-infused energy of Team BGee
alongside the comic policing of PC Gone Mad - both from MarkMark Productions. Enjoy live music from Blyth Valley Samba and be amazed by the hula hoop skills of Bee Enchanted Circus, among others.
Creative workshops will keep all ages busy, from puppet-making with Made by Racoons and drumming sessions with Blyth Valley Samba, to circus skills with Bee Enchanted Circus, and nature activities run by Northumberland Wildlife Trust and
Stronger Shores. And if you’re in the mood to take things slow, the Relaxation Garden offers the perfect place to unwind.
The weekend is also packed with interactive experiences. Silent Disco Adventures invites everyone to slip on glowing headphones and dance like nobody’s watching. Budding musicians can join Come & Play Day for a morning rehearsal and a lively
Market Pavilion performance with Yamaha Music School. There will also be free screenings of Blyth 2050 – A Portrait of a Town in the Market Pavilion, a short film created by Candle & Bell, offering a fascinating glimpse into the town’s future from the
residents themselves. Families can step into the cosy Story Time Tent for enchanting tales, while Izzy the Face Painter transforms faces into sparkling butterflies or roaring Dragons.
The bustling food market will be brimming with tasty street food - from wood-fired pizza to sweet treats. Enjoy mouth-watering Greek wraps and loaded fries from Gyros Gang, bold pork crackling from The Crackling Guy, and freshly made waffles and indulgent
shakes from The Waffle Company. You can also buy handcrafted spirits from Clarence Spirits, nostalgic Kitty’s Homemade Ginger Wine to take home, or treat yourself to unique homemade scones from High Tea by Julie. And that’s just a taste – more stalls
will be popping up throughout the weekend. *Charges apply*
Rounding off the celebrations will be the unmissable People Powered Procession, marking 200 years since the first passenger railway. Led by a life-sized, people-powered replica of Stephenson’s Rocket and featuring a giant puppet of George Stephenson, this
joyful street celebration honours Blyth’s proud industrial past and bright future in green energy. Expect music, movement, community spirit, and a spectacular finale in Market Square, with powerful percussion from Ladies of Midnight Blue, local groups, and
some very grateful horses hitching a ride.
“The Blyth Celebrates Launch Weekend marks an exciting moment for Blyth,” said Cllr Wendy Pattison, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism at Northumberland County Council. “It’s a celebration of place, of people, and of what happens when we
invest in the wonderful community of Blyth. The new Market Pavilion is not just a building - it’s a symbol of regeneration and opportunity. This event brings together families, artists, businesses and the wider community, and I hope everyone joins us in making it
truly unforgettable.”
Alongside the main programme, the weekend also features a series of events made possible through the Blyth Celebrates Fund. On Saturday, visitors can add their own story to Travelling Tales by Hannah Kelly - a glowing storybook installation that will light
up the town later in the year. A Cultural Awareness Day at the Market Pavilion, presented by the Dialogue Society, offers a colourful celebration of global cultures through crafts, food, and art. On Sunday, don’t miss the Male Voice Choir Celebration at the Market Pavilion - an uplifting performance from Ashington & District Male Voice Choir filled with music and community spirit.
Running alongside these special events, the Market Pavilion will also host a lively programme of performances, featuring Blyth Community Choir, and other local acts, giving visitors even more reasons to enjoy the vibrant festival atmosphere.
Dan Ellis, Director of Market Pavilion, said: "Our opening weekend was an incredible success, with more than 5,200 visitors coming through our doors to explore everything
Market Pavilion has to offer. It’s been amazing to see the community embrace this new space, and we’re thrilled to celebrate the start of the Blyth Celebrates festival and events programme right on our doorstep. Hosting a weekend of high-quality, eclectic events that
bring people together for music, culture and creativity is exactly what Market Pavilion is here for - and this is just the beginning.”
No tickets or booking are needed for Blyth Celebrates Launch Weekend - just come along, join the celebration, and make some memories in the heart of Blyth.
Blyth Celebrates is part of Energising Blyth, a £95 million regeneration programme to renew, grow and connect the town. It is being delivered by Northumberland County Council, funded by the UK Government, Northumberland County Council and North East
Combined Authority, with support from other partners.
the mailing list for updates and ways to get involved.