North Tyneside’s Summer Festival gets underway with some family fun in Whitley Bay this weekend, followed by live jazz and activities for the under-5s in Tynemouth Station on Monday.
Organised by North Tyneside Council, performers from around the world will bring free street circus shows to the Spanish City Plaza this Saturday and Sunday (July 23 and 24).
It will continue during the weekends throughout the school holidays; across the six-week break, performers will be appearing from Japan, USA, Spain, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand and Northern Ireland.
Cllr Eddie Darke, cabinet member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism, said: “We are really excited to bring lots of free family entertainment to the coast and Tynemouth Station.
“There’s also a packed programme of events taking place across the borough this summer and I’d encourage people to check it out.”
Starting this weekend, the circus events will be hosted by American Todd Various with shows from the UK’s Nat Lunatrick, Joseph D’Amour and Mr Wow alongside New Zealander Simon West.
Visitors can expect lots of tricks, stunts, fun and plenty of audience participation with shows on the hour between noon and 3pm.
The annual Whitley Bay Sandcastle Competition also returns this Sunday, 24 July, at 11am.
Weekday entertainment is returns to Tynemouth Station the following day, on Monday 25 July.
There are interactive sessions for those aged under five and their parents in the mornings from Piccolo Music, Startastic Tots, Glooptastic and more.
In the afternoon, a range of live jazz performances will take place from Zoe Gilby, Nick Pride, Vieux Carre Jazzmen and more.
Activities are free and offered on a first come, first served basis.
For more information or to download the full festival programme see www.visitnorthtyneside.com.