Watch highlights from Blyth Celebrates Launch Weekend here: https://youtu.be/HpqvzI3tXn0 Vintage Blyth, Sat 13 & Sun 14 Sept, 10am to 5pm, Market Place, BlythSalt & Smoke, Fri 26 to Sun 28 Sept, various times, starts at the Market Place, Blyth.

Blyth Celebrates kicked off in style over the August Bank Holiday weekend, welcoming more than 8,000 visitors to its spectacular Launch Weekend (23 & 24 August). Families, friends, and visitors from across the region flocked to the town centre to enjoy a host of free, fun and creative experiences - from live performances and workshops to colourful street entertainment - marking a powerful start to the town’s new creative celebrations programme, which runs until March 2026.

Following the success of the launch, September sees two further flagship events take centre stage: Vintage Blyth (Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September), a vibrant weekend of nostalgia and retro celebration in the town centre produced by ASP Events, and Salt & Smoke (Friday 26 to Sunday 28 September), a theatrical journey through the streets and stories that have shaped Blyth, produced by Novo Theatre. Alongside these highlights, a rich programme of community-led workshops, performances, and celebrations ensures the town buzzes with activity throughout the month.

The Market Place will be transformed into a kaleidoscope of 1940s-1980s charm as Vintage Blyth takes over the town centre. Classic cars line the Market Place, swing and rock ’n’ roll echo from every corner, and retro fashion and heritage displays invite visitors to step back in time. Families can dance in the open air, browse vintage stalls, and soak in live music from across the decades, bringing a joyful sense of nostalgia to the heart of Blyth.

Audiences are invited to embark on a theatrical journey through Blyth’s streets as Salt & Smoke uncovers 500 years of local history beginning at the Market Place. Visitors will be led through hidden corners and familiar streets alike, encountering stories inspired by Blyth’s history - from the bustling 18th-century salt trade to 200 years of commerce and industry, and even the golden age of cinema.

“Salt & Smoke will take our audiences on a journey through Blyth's past and explore some extraordinary locations in the centre of the town,” said Joe Hufton, Artistic Director at Novo Theatre. “There will be untold historical tales, characters from the town's past, and more than a touch of magic. Salt & Smoke will transform how you view the streets of this brilliant place. We are thrilled to be working with Blyth Celebrates to be part of this exceptional programme.”

These headline events are complemented by a lively programme of Blyth Celebrates Funded Projects, created by local artists and community groups. Families can visit The Happy Space (Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 September), a bright inflatable dome in Ridley Park filled with crafts, stories, and playful activities. Radio Makers with Koast Radio (Saturday 6 September) offers budding broadcasters the chance to find out more about creating their own radio show and learn new skills. Meanwhile, children aged 8 to 11 can craft their own Seaside Souvenir (Saturday 6 September) with Cabinet of Curiosity Studio, designing keepsakes inspired by Blyth’s coastal charm.

Blyth Blooms (Monday 8, Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September), led by Sally Southern and Nicola Lynch, allows participants to make delicate felt flowers and contribute to a growing community artwork, while on Saturday 13 September Georgia Hill’s Shadow Puppet Workshop offers families the chance to create characters and stories in miniature theatres. Music also fills the Market Pavilion as Ashington & District Male Voice Choir presents a Male Voice Choir Celebration, bringing harmonies and community spirit to life. `

The Travelling Tales Workshop (Friday 19 September) is a chance to join artist Hannah Kelly for a day of creative workshops where you can design and decorate your own ceramic tile for the Travelling Tales storybook. With two sessions, one for children and one for adults, everyone can enjoy the fun.

On Friday 19 and Friday 26 September Crafting the Stories of Blyth at CVA Blyth Community Hub invites locals to share their stories and contribute to a collaborative art exhibition, while Blyth Family Pride (Saturday 20 September) delivers a youth-led celebration of music, stalls, and sparkle. On the same day, We Are Family turns the Market Pavilion into an interactive photo studio where families and allies can create pride-themed portraits inspired by community members.

Meta4 Dance Company gathers the memories of Blyth’s fishing families during Fisherfolk: Stories from the Sea (Thursday 18, Monday 22 & Tuesday 23 September), which culminates in two moving performances on Saturday 27 September in the Market Place. This live dance and storytelling experience brings the town’s maritime heritage to life, drawing on the voices and experiences of local people.

“September is all about celebrating Blyth’s unique stories and spirit - from heritage and theatrical adventures that bring thousands together, to grassroots projects where people can make, sing, dance, and share their experiences,” said Cllr Wendy Pattison, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism at Northumberland County Council. “This is community creativity at its best, and it shows what happens when we invest in people, place, and pride.” Blyth Celebrates is part of Energising Blyth, a £95 million regeneration programme to renew, grow, and connect the town, delivered by Northumberland County Council with funding from the UK Government, Northumberland County Council, and the North East Combined Authority, alongside support from other partners.

For full details, updates, and ways to get involved, visit www.blythcelebrates.co.uk.