From immersive theatre and heritage exhibitions to family activities, performances and seasonal celebrations, Blyth Celebrates has revealed its new line-up of events running from August 2026 to March 2027.
Following the hugely successful Energising Blyth 2025/26 programme that attracted more than 90,000 visitors while helping establish Blyth as one of Northumberland's emerging cultural destinations, Blyth Celebrates returns with an exciting line-up of free and affordable events, performances, exhibitions and creative experiences.
Funded by Northumberland County Council, the programme will bring together artists, community organisations and cultural partners to deliver activity across Blyth town centre, with the Market Pavilion continuing to play a central role as a hub for creativity and community events.
Returning highlights include Novo Theatre’s immersive storytelling experience Salt & Smoke: Stories of Blyth and Halloween and Christmas celebrations produced by Blyth Town Council. The programme also welcomes new additions including Best in the World from Unfolding Theatre - a hilarious, heroic and heart-warming show about darts - alongside opportunities for residents and visitors to explore local heritage and get creative.
Blyth Celebrates begins in August with free family Whirling Windmill Workshops from Moving Parts Arts, inviting children and families to get creative by designing colourful spinning windmills to take home and enjoy outdoors.
September brings a packed programme of activity including a special celebration of 200 years of lifesaving in the town. Presented by Blyth RNLI in partnership with Fresh Creative Aspirations CIC, Blyth Lifeboat 200: Our Town, Our Story invites families and residents to explore a community exhibition, film screenings and schools’ activities, while learning about the RNLI’s historic role in Blyth.
Later that month, Novo Theatre returns with its acclaimed Salt & Smoke: Stories of Blyth, inviting audiences on a theatrical journey through the streets of Blyth to uncover stories from the last 500 years - from the bustling 18th century salt trade to centuries of commerce and industry, and the town’s golden age of cinema.
Creative opportunities continue with Reclaim / Remake / Reveal, where participants transform unwanted clothes into bold wearable artworks, while younger children and their grown-ups can enjoy Cherry & Bee’s Play, Discover, Grow - a series of creative play-based sessions featuring storytelling, sensory play, music, movement and making activities inspired by community, celebration and belonging.
Two Blyth Celebrates events return later in the year, with Blyth Halloween: Trick or Treat in October and Christmas in Blyth in December. Presented by Blyth Town Council, both events bring family-friendly creative activities, seasonal entertainment and opportunities for the community to come together in the town centre.
November brings opportunities for audiences to get creative and experience live performance. Little Robot CIC presents Blyth Comedy Campus – a welcoming series of workshops exploring stand-up, comedy writing and performance for over-18s. Award-winning Unfolding Theatre brings Best in the World to the Market Pavilion - a joyful exploration of darts, ambition and everyday triumphs. Through true stories of success, live darts and plenty of humour, audiences are invited to explore what it really means to be “best in the world” in this uplifting theatrical experience.
The programme continues in February, with Blyth: Your Story Starts Here, a creative celebration of books, storytelling and imagination for children and their families presented by Stefanie Simpson. Looking ahead to March, Blyth Festival of Film, presented by Market Pavilion, returns with screenings, special events and film-making opportunities.
Cllr Wendy Pattison, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure & Tourism at Northumberland County Council, said:
“Blyth Celebrates has become one of Blyth’s great success stories and we’re proud to fund it. Last year's Energising Blyth programme attracted more than 90,000 visitors, supported local businesses, brought communities together and helped showcase Blyth as an exciting destination for culture and creativity.
“The programme returning this year demonstrates the growing ambition of Blyth's cultural offer. From major community celebrations and immersive theatre to family activities, film and heritage events, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
“What makes Blyth Celebrates special is the way it connects people with the town's stories, places and communities. Whether you're a lifelong resident or visiting Blyth for the first time, this programme offers fantastic opportunities to experience everything the town has to offer.”
Blyth Celebrates in 2026/27 is funded by Northumberland County Council. Salt & Smoke: Stories of Blyth returns as part of the Blyth Celebrates programme. It was originally commissioned as part of the Energising Blyth regeneration programme delivered in 2025/26 by Northumberland County Council with funding from the UK Government, Northumberland County Council, and the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority.
To explore the full programme and find out how to get involved, visit www.blythcelebrates.co.uk.
