Christmas may have been and gone, but there is no such thing as the January blues when there is so much going on in 2022! As the Tees Valley welcomes in the new year, expect an exciting programme of events and festivals, from buzzing concerts, cultural festivals, delicious food events, and everything in between.
Here are just a handful of things to look forward to in Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees.
Sports at the Riverside Stadium
Feel the thrill of watching live sport in 2022. Whether you’re going to a regular matchday, or enjoying one of these exciting events, the atmosphere is bound to be amazing.
England’s Women’s football team will be taking to the Riverside on Thursday 17th February, so why not head down to support the lionesses? Watch as England and Canada clash in the Arnold Clark Cup, or see Germany and Spain go head-to-head on the same day.
The Rugby League World Cup is finally coming to the Tees Valley in 2022, so why not head to the Riverside Stadium and watch a good game of rugby? The Cook Islands men’s international rugby league team will base themselves in the Tees Valley, before you cheer them on as they play their fixture against Tonga at the Riverside Stadium on 30 October 2022.
Keep your eyes out on the Rugby League World Cup website for the latest ticket details. Whether you are a Rugby League fan or you just fancy taking your squad for a family day out, it is sure to be an exciting afternoon of sport.
Live Music to look forward to
The Killers will be coming out of their cage and straight to the stage at the Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough. The exciting concert was due to go ahead in 2020 but look on the Brightside – two years of anticipation will be worth it to see the record-breaking band in the flesh. This sold-out event is the best way for lucky ticketholders to kick off the bank holiday weekend on 1st June 2022.
Paloma Faith will be visiting the Tees Valley TWICE in 2022, performing at Darlington Arena and the newly renovated Stockton Globe Theatre, which welcomed huge acts like The Rolling Stones and The Beatles back in the 1960’s. As part of Paloma’s ‘The Age of Optimism Tour’, the popular singer-songwriter will take to the stage at Stockton Globe on 13 June 2022 and Darlington Arena on 16 July 2022… What can get ‘Better Than This’? Get your hands on tickets for Stockton Globe or Darlington Arena.
An exciting calendar of Events and Festivals
In 2021, we saw the return of many events and festivals across Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees and they promise to be even bigger and better for 2022.
Save the date for the region’s biggest free outdoor art and street theatre festival the Stockton International Riverside Festival (SIRF) planned from Thursday 4 until Sunday 7 August 2022, the national festival of sustainability, the Festival of Thrift in September, and Hartlepool Waterfront Festival, which returns in the summer.
Alongside our annual calendar of events, the Tees Valley is home to some fabulous food festivals that are bound to get your taste buds going!
The Orange Pip Market will be back with its amazing street food, artisan treats, live music, workshops and more. The exciting event will take over Middlesbrough on the second Saturday of each month during summer 2022, so you can get your monthly fix of live entertainment and lovely food all in one place!
If street food is on your dream menu, hit up Saltburn Food Festival, an event which sees the streets of Saltburn transform into a foodie hotspot filled with takeout trucks and independent market stalls every July. Darlington Food and Drink Festival is yet another amazing annual event to treat your taste buds to! Feast on flavours from around the globe, enjoy pop-up performances, and check out the newly renovated street food kitchen at Darlington Indoor Market.
If that isn’t already enough to get excited about, moving into 2022 means we’re only one year away from the world-famous Tall Ships, which will see plenty of vessels (and visitors!) sail into Hartlepool in Summer 2023.
Try something new in 2022
There are some exciting things in store for 2022! The brand-new The Regent Cinema on Redcar Seafront is well underway, so you can be watching a blockbuster by the beach as soon as March 2022! The three-screen cinema will seat up to 200 people, whilst offering spectacular sea views and providing an amazing events space… We can smell the popcorn already!
Guisborough Town Hall, which has stood empty since 2013, is getting the revamp it deserves! The grade II listed building sits proudly on the Market Place and is currently undergoing restoration ready for next March. This historic venue will be transformed into a space for exhibitions, tourist information, accommodation for walkers and cyclists and even a gin distillery.
Things you might have missed in 2021
So many amazing independents popped up across the Tees Valley in 2021, so why not make some time in 2022 and try all the new venues you may not have visited yet?
In 2021, The Stockton Globe Theatre threw open its doors and welcomed visitors back for the first time since 1997. If you haven’t had chance to visit this grand venue which once hosted The Beatles, why not book a show for 2022? Book everything from concerts, comedy gigs, tribute acts and more here.
Another exciting venue new to the Tees Valley is the gorgeous Kirkleatham Walled Garden, which boasts a huge event space, beautiful seasonal blooms, and a traditional tearoom serving sweet treats featuring ingredients picked straight from the gardens.
Stuck on eateries to find your next foodie fix? You’ll be spoilt for choice in the Tees Valley, with a range of cafes and restaurants who only just opened in 2021.
Check out Wynyard Hall’s new restaurant, The Glass House, an exciting new concept which brings hand-picked ingredients to your plate. Land straight into street food heaven at the newly renovated Darlington Indoor Market or try vegan cookies and coffee at Maple & Dough in Guisborough, who opened its doors during Autumn 2021.
For a cosy dining experience with delightful views of Roseberry Topping, look no further than Pinchinthorpe Hall, who offer a range of delicious dishes using locally sourced ingredients.
Bank holidays galore!
We all love a long weekend, and 2022 is full of them! Easter weekend begins on 15th April, swiftly followed by The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee on 2nd and 3rd June. So why not fill those extra days off with fun things to do in the region?
Head off on a staycation whilst saving your work holidays, with accommodation options ranging from luxury country houses, quaint cottages, and boutique B&Bs.
Feel like you’re in a fairy tale with an overnight stay at North Shire. Featured on LadBible, this magical spot is home to the world’s only Hagrids-Hut, and offers accommodation inspired by some of your favourite movie scenes.
If you’d like a cosy cabin with an off grid feel, you’ll find the perfect stay another 2021 addition Kip & Nook. Their gorgeous cabins and lodges are perfect for a romantic getaway or night away with your nearest and dearest. Hop into their steamy hot tubs, order handmade pizza to your room, or get the log burner going on a cold night.
Spend your bank holiday weekend in Darlington’s latest B&B, Houndgate Townhouse; a boutique hotel offering so much more than just a good night’s sleep. Feast on fresh seafood cooked on an open fire, while away the night with wine pairings or sip on their signature cocktails.
Enjoy a weekend of exploring woodlands and visiting amazing independent businesses in Guisborough, why not make a night of it and stay in the grand surroundings of Gisborough Hall? Enjoy afternoon tea by a roaring fire in the lounge, dine in the Chaloner’s restaurant, or bring along your canine companion for a pet friendly stay.
Don’t forget to share all the fun you’re having in the Tees Valley by using #EnjoyTeesValley and tagging us on social media.
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