Blyth Celebrates with a feast of free family fun

25 Jun 2025

From August 2025 to March 2026, Blyth town centre will come alive with a vibrant programme of free events, festivals, live performances, hands-on activities and creative experiences for all ages – all part of Blyth Celebrates.

From a giant inflatable sculpture and a vintage market to a lantern parade, a fire garden and pop-up cinema events, there’ll be something for everyone to enjoy.

Councillor Wendy Pattison, Cabinet Member for Sport and Culture at Northumberland County Council said: "We’re delighted to be closely involved with this fabulous project through our £95m Energising Blyth programme.

"Blyth Celebrates is about bringing people together, showcasing creativity, and making unforgettable memories right here in the town. “It’s about putting creativity at the heart of the town’s regeneration, and we’re thrilled to invite everyone to get involved.”

Blyth Celebrates Launch Weekend will kick things off in August. Produced by Blyth Town Council, ASP Events and outdoor arts experts Walk the Plank, this exciting weekend of live music and creative workshops will take place on the newly redeveloped Market Place and coincide with the grand opening of Blyth’s new Market Pavilion – a cinema, events and socialising venue in the heart of the town.

The weekend will end with a spectacular finale: the People Powered Parade, produced by Walk the Plank. A dazzling procession led by a life-sized, bicycle-powered replica of Stephenson’s Rocket - brought to life by local residents, will wind through the town centre before finishing at the Market Place for a special closing event full of music and surprises.

In September, Vintage Blyth will invite visitors to step back in time as the Market Place transforms into a treasure trove of retro style, upcycled goods, live music and traditional funfair rides, produced by ASP Events. Meanwhile, Salt & Smoke: Stories of Blyth, produced by award-winning, Northumberland-based company Novo Theatre (formerly November Club), will offer immersive walking tours filled with live storytelling and unforgettable characters that reveal Blyth’s past, present, and future.

October will bring a half-term full of play, creativity and discovery. Visitors will be able to explore Luminarium - a stunning inflatable sculpture featuring glowing tunnels and colourful spaces, created by international artists Architects of Air. Continuing the fun, Let’s Play, produced by Blyth Town Council, will fill the Market Place with energetic games, pop-up fun, and playful challenges for all ages. The week will end with a spooky twist, as families will be invited to make their own puppets before joining in the spook-tacular Halloween Parade outside on the Market Place, also produced by Blyth Town Council.

As the nights grow darker, Earth, Wind & Fire Garden will light up Ridley Park in November. Produced by Walk the Plank, this spectacular Fire Garden will mix sculpture, sound, water and flame in a breathtaking display. The weekend will begin with a magical lantern parade, created by Blyth-based Headway Arts.

In late November, Blyth’s much-loved Christmas Lights Switch-On will return, presented by Blyth Town Council in partnership with Blyth Celebrates. It will kick off a month of festive fun with live performances, music and family-friendly entertainment. Visitors will be able to enjoy magical pop-ups, surprise moments and an enchanting Advent Trail across the town centre.

There’ll be plenty more to come in 2026. February will see the launch of the Blyth Film Festival, bringing movie magic to both familiar and unexpected places around the town.

In March, Blyth Celebrates will wrap up in style with the Festival of Energy – a highvoltage weekend of interactive exhibits and talks that shine the spotlight on Blyth’s global leadership in clean energy innovation. This finale will be delivered in partnership with Port of Blyth, ORE Catapult, Energy Central Campus, and Newcastle University.

Alongside these headline events, Blyth Celebrates will also support unique events, artist commissions and community projects through the Blyth Celebrates Fund – giving artists, organisations and community groups the chance to bring their creative ideas to life.

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.

To find out more or get involved, visit www.blythcelebrates.co.uk. Sign up to the mailing list to receive early updates on events, behind-the-scenes stories and ways to get involved.

Images courtesy of Andy Kruczek and Blyth Town Council