An annual highlight on the city's calendar, the free Middlesbrough Music Live presents some of Britain's best young talent at the Town Hall, the Empire and city centre outdoor stages. The Zutons' rootsy pop sound earns them top billing.
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Jun 2010 (annual)
Labelled the most spectacular multi-cultural celebration in the Tees Valley and the biggest event of its kind in the North East, Middlesbrough Mela is one massive party. The two-day event at Albert Park features music, workshops and the fabulous Mela Bazaar.
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Jul 2013 (annual)
Focused on the riverside along the River Tees, the Stockton International Riverside Festival (SIRF) celebrates the madcap world of street arts and has been at the forefront of the town's regeneration. Don't miss the community carnival and parade.
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Aug 2013 (annual)
James Cook was born on 27 October 1728 at Marton, just to the south of present-day Middlesbrough. The interactive Captain Cook Birthplace Musuem here, set in the picturesque landscaped grounds of Stewart Park, celebrates his life and achievements.
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Daily; not Mon
Originally known as Bellasses Park, then later the People's Park, Darlington's South Park covers an impressive 26 hectares, and gets its current name from the simple fact that it is south of the town centre. It has recently undergone a £4 million restoration and refurbishment to secure its place at the heart of the town's recreational facilities.
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Daily
The University of Durham Botanic Garden, all 18 acres of it, is set in mature woodland with plenty of exotic trees from America and the Himalayas.
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Daily
Described by author Bill Bryson as "the best cathedral on planet Earth", Durham Cathedral occupies a site of worship dating back 900 years. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is a place of deep spiritual, architectural and historical significance.
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Daily
The Oriental Museum is the only museum of its kind in the United Kingdom, entirely devoted to art and archaeology from cultures throughout the Orient. The term Oriental is used as it was in the 19th century, to describe the civilisations of Asia and the Near East and the Islamic cultures of North Africa. The collections range from prehistoric Egypt and China to the work of living artists.
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Daily
Durham's Old Fulling Mill now houses archaeological material, mostly from north-east England, but also from the Swiss Lakes, Ancient Greece and Rome. Historically, the collections reflect Durham University's academic interests and excavations.
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Daily
Given UNESCO World Heritage status in 1986 to share with Durham Cathedral, Durham's castle is one of the few English buildings to have been continuously inhabited for over 900 years. It is a medley of architectural styles and together both buildings dominate the city centre of this ancient market town.
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Daily
Durham's annual literary festival plays host to authors, poets and writers during three weeks of events. The 2006 line-up included 14 events featuring 29 writers across a number of venues - for more information and updates on this year's events, please keep an eye on the festival website.
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Sep - Oct 2008 (annual)
Set in superb landscaped grounds, the Durham Light Infantry Museum tells the story of County Durham's regiment from 1758 to 1968, with particular emphasis on both world wars.
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Daily
The Sunderland International Air Show showcases military and civilian aircraft, parachute teams and stunt flying. On the ground, there are trade stands, RAF, Royal Navy and Army displays and entertainment along the seafront at Roker and Seaburn.
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Jul 2013 (annual)
The Aykley Heads Police Headquarters organise the annual Guy Fawkes celebrations in Durham, featuring fireworks and a bonfire. Refreshments are available and there's ample parking at County Hall.
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Nov 2013 (annual)
Commissioned in 1994 by Darlington Borough Council, David Mach's extraordinary life-size brick model of one of Sir Nigel Gresley's distinctive A4 class locomotives is the largest contemporary public sculpture in Britain.
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Daily
Darlington's Railway Centre and Museum takes a spooky turn at the family-friendly Halloween Fun Day. A bird handler with an owl and fiendish face-painters are on hand to create a creepy atmosphere, and magicians and storytellers sustain it.
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Oct 2013 (annual)
On the route of the original Stockton & Darlington Railway - the world's first steam-worked public railway - the Darlington Railway Centre & Museum celebrates the famous and evocative age of steam.
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Daily
Sunderland AFC play their home matches at The Stadium of Light. The Premier League runs between August and May and full fixture lists can be found on the club websites. Please note: games may be rearranged due to cup or television commitments.
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18 Aug 2012 - 19 May 2013 (annual)
The wittily titled Rhythm & Brews Festival appeals to fans of both great music and authentic beer. In addition to the music at the Darlington Arts Centre, the festival culminates in a free open-air concert on Darlington Market Square.
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Sep 2013 (annual)
Darlington's joint centres for the visual and performing arts are housed in Victorian and Edwardian buildings, linking the past to the present under one organisational umbrella. Together the Darlington Arts Centre and Darlington Civic Theatre provide a year-round programme of art exhibitions, theatre, musicals, films, dance and performing arts.
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Daily
South Shields' Great North Dog Walk once again attempts to break its own record of the largest numbers of walkers and their dogs. There are four routes ranging in distance across beautiful coastal paths with breathtaking sea views.
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Jun 2013 (annual)
Visitors step back in time at the The North of England Open Air Museum in Beamish, just outside Newcastle. An 1820s steam train transports you to Pockerely Manor and a 1913 colliery village, complete with actors in ornate costumes.
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The reconstructed Colliery Village at the Beamish open-air museum hosts the Beamish Agricultural Show each year, featuring produce from local gardeners and the Beamish estate. The finest is auctioned off after a Harvest Festival in the chapel.
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Sep 2013 (annual)
History comes to life at the Beamish open-air museum, devoted to the re-enactment of Northern English life from 1800 to the 20th century. Visitors explore traditional houses, farms and shops, all painstakingly restored and brought to life by actors in period costume.
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Nov 2012 - Apr 2013; not Mon or Fri (various dates)
The extraordinary life of the Venerable Bede, a 7th-century monk and chronicler of early Christianity, is celebrated at Bede's World in Jarrow, where he lived and worked.
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Daily
International magicians gather in South Tyneside this spring for another edition of the International Magic Festival. Attended by a host of much-loved British and foreign stars, spellbound visitors can count on a captivating and confounding display of tricks and conundrums.
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Mar 2013 (annual)
The Segedunum Roman Fort, Baths & Museum examines what life was like on the Roman frontier at Hadrian's Wall, combining finds unearthed at the fort with interactive computer displays.
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Daily
One of Britain's liveliest modern art galleries, the Baltic Centre occupies a former flour mill on Gateshead's waterfront. Exhibitions from the likes of Brian Eno and Beryl Cook cause occasional controversy. Visit the Rooftop Restaurant for great views.
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Daily
In post-recession parlance, fiddles are perhaps most commonly associated with dodgy politicians' imaginative expenses claims. The Sage Gateshead's Fiddles on Fire is all about the instrument, however, with its programme a long weekend of music and merrymaking.
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Apr - May 2013 (biennial)
Newcastle's variable weather means the name SummerTyne occasionally reads ironically but this event remains popular whatever the conditions. A festival of Americana, SummerTyne brings three days of American blues, gospel, soul and rock music to the city's Sage Gateshead.
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Jul 2013 (annual)
The largest commercial art fair in North-East England, the NewcastleGateshead Art Fair offers an expansive range of unique artwork from local, national and international galleries. Most is available to buy, with prices ranging from under £100 to substantially more.
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Sep - Oct 2013 (annual)
Jazz stars from across the world perform at Newcastle's Sage Gateshead music centre as part of the Gateshead International Jazz Festival. A series of workshops, pre-concert talks and master-classes runs alongside a packed performance schedule.
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Mar 2013 (annual)
Gateshead's distinctive music venue hosts performers in everything from folk to opera. The Norman Foster-designed building sits under a vast stainless steel dome, and has seen performances from the resident Northern Sinfonia to Jason Donovan in its two auditoria.
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Daily
The streets of Tynemouth and South Shields welcome quirky street performers, acrobatics, live music, dance and comedy for the annual Mouth of the Tyne Festival. Spontaneity is celebrated in the programme, so expect some last-minute surprises in the line-up.
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Jul 2013 (annual)
Upholding the 19th-century tradition of finding the heaviest gooseberry has always been of utmost importance at Egton Bridge in North Yorkshire. Some 200 years after its origin, competition entrants at St Hedda's Schoolroom are as enthusiastic as ever.
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Aug 2013 (annual)
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