Summer in Middlesbrough
Summer is in full swing in Middlesbrough so we’ve put together a list of our favourite events and venues to make the summer of ’25 the best yet.
Top 5 events
Middlesbrough Mela 2025 – Saturday 16 August-Sunday 17 August – Albert Park
Back and bigger than ever, 2025 marks the Mela’s 35th anniversary! To celebrate, the event promises delicious food, world-class entertainment and some mega surprises.
Party in Acklam Park – Saturday 24 August, 12pm-9.30pm – Acklam Rugby and Cricket Club
Acklam’s answer to Glasto, this family-friendly festival features live music, local DJs and lovely food with fairground rides for the kids (and grown ups!)
Orange Pip Market – Saturday 30 August – 12.30pm-6pm
Soak up the sun and fun at Orange Pip on Baker/Bedford Street. Catch up with friends and family, have a mooch round the stalls and fill your boots with tasty food.
Middlesbrough 10K – Sunday 31 August – 9am-12pm
Get ready, set and go for Middlesbrough’s running event of the summer. Whether you’re a seasoned sprinter, beginner jogger or a cheerleader on the sidelines, this promises to be a proud day for everyone involved.
Summer shows at Bloom
With Mamma Mia, Dirty Dancing, The Beatles, Elvis and Taylor Swift, Bloom is the place to be if you love a good tribute act. They even have princess events for the little ones!
Top 5 for outside dining
Acklam Hall
Tomahawk at Acklam Hall has plenty of historical charm and a great menu.
Cook’s Café
Grab your cuppa and cake to-go for the perfect picnic in Stewart Park!
Small plates, hearty meals and don’t forget to grab a selfie in front of the Dovecot’s iconic photo wall before heading outside to chill in the sun.
The Treebridge
A gorgeous outdoor area for lunch with a view of Roseberry Topping!
If you’re after food, drinks and live entertainment with plenty of space to sit and dance, STACK is for you.
Top 5 for kids
Rainy day?! No problem! Head down to the Dorman Museum for exciting activities away from grey clouds. Explore the museum or book onto some of their events listed below:
Create an Insect Workshop – Friday 8 August – 10:00am – 3:30pm
Dino Day – Friday 15 August – 10:00am – 4:00pm
Big Science- Superb Slime – Saturday 30 August – 10:30am – 12:30pm
Eco Workshops – Saturday 19 July – Saturday 23 August
VR Ride- Pirate Jungle Adventure – Saturday 19 July – Saturday 30 August
Survival Status Safari Trail – Saturday 19 July – Sunday 31 August
At InflateSpace, kids can speed down slides and bounce high in the sky on giant inflatables. It’s so much fun, you’ll want to join in with the kids!
With electric karting, crazy golf, bowling, darts, pool and a VR zone, there’s so much to see and do at Level X. Do it all in a day or make the fun last all summer.
If you have any budding artists to entertain this summer, check out MIMA’s art trolley, every Saturday from 11pm-3pm.
Old McDonald has nothing on Newham Grange Farm. Meet the animals, play in the park or take a woodland walk in the sun. Plus, the Adventure Play Zone has lots on offer including ride on tractors, mini golf, sandpit and lots of play equipment. And don’t forget to step into the world of imaginary play in the amazing miniature play town!
Open every day this summer between 10am and 5:30pm (last entry at 4pm). Check the list below for events and meet and greets:
Saturday 2 August: Frozen princesses meet and greet
Sunday 3 August: Spider-Man meet and greet
Saturday 9 August: Shadow and Knuckles meet and greet (Sonic the Hedgehog)
Sunday 10 August: Sonic and Tails meet and greet (Sonic the Hedgehog)
Saturday 16 August – Sunday 17 August: Old McDonald, Little Bo Peep, the Queen of Hearts and other popular nursery rhyme characters will be taking over the Farm. Expect meet and greet sessions, songs, stories and games throughout the weekend
Sunday 23 August: Bluey and Bingo meet and greet
Sunday 24 August: Stitch and Angel meet and greet
The characters will be making regular appearances between 10.30am and 3.30pm. All sessions are included in standard ticket price. You can book your tickets on Newham Grange website.
Visit the animals at Newham Grange Farm.
Top 5 for teens
Armageddon Airsoft Paintballing
Get suited and booted for an action-packed day of paintballing at Armageddon Airsoft Paintballing. Play as a team or do teens vs parents, it’s the ultimate summer day out.
Gates of Cerberus
This is paradise for tabletop gamers. They’ve got an events calendar packed with Pokémon, DnD and loads more, plus a café with tasty treats!
Heavenly Desserts
Sweeten up the six weeks holidays with dessert for dinner at Heavenly Desserts.
Middlesbrough Sports Village
With gym facilities, football pitches and badminton courts, there’s something for even the sportiest teen at Middlesbrough Sports Village. And, with the velodrome and the skate park, you know they’ll have a wheely good time.
How do you get a teenager to put down their phone?! You take them to Putter Chaos, of course!
Try a sweet treat at Heavenly Desserts.
Top 5 for couples
Cherry Hill Garden Centre
Is there anything more romantic than a wander around Cherry Hill? Stroll hand-in-hand around the patio furniture, pick up some plant pots and order a couple of paninis at the café.
Over 30s Dayclub at Empire
Still got it… but only until about 8pm? Get yourself to Empire for a full-blown day disco!
Quiz night at Play
Quiz whizz couples, you need to get down to Play. From music to Marvel, Taylor Swift to The Simpsons, there’s a quiz for everyone!
Catch a match at Riverside Stadium
The Champions League kicks off again this summer. You’ll be couple goals if you head down to the Riverside for a match this season.
Roxy Movies
Cinema date nights have never been so Instagrammable! Grab your snacks, snap a shot in the foyer then cosy up with your favourite movie.
Top 5 for summer specials
It’s the summer of slices at Panuozzos! Kids eat for £1 throughout the summer holidays.
T&Cs: Available Wednesday-Saturday until 5pm. One child per paying adult.
Save on your steak at Rio this summer! Lunch is available for just £20 from 12pm-3pm and dinner is just £30 between 4.45pm-6pm.
T&Cs: Available from Sunday-Friday until Friday 29 August. Use code ‘RIO20’ or ‘RIO30’ when booking.
Order any adult meal and get a free kid’s meal throughout the 6-week holidays.
T&Cs: Not valid with any other offers.
Toby Carvery
It’s all gravy at Toby Carvery this summer. Kids eat for just £1 from Monday-Friday.
T&Cs: Offer available via the Toby Carvery app.
Tomahawk at Acklam Hall
Children under 12 eat for free at Tomahawk! Get one free children’s meal with every adult meal.
T&Cs: Available Monday-Friday between 12pm-4pm. Offer ends Monday 1 September.
Top 3 outdoor activities
Roller skating at Albert Park
Let the good times roll at Albert Park’s roller rink. Get your skates on and have some fun – beginners and pros welcome!
A round of golf at Middlesbrough Municipal Golf Centre
You don’t have to be Happy Gilmore to swing a club this summer. Book a round at Middlesbrough Municipal Golf Centre.
Picnic with prehistoric pals at Teessaurus Park
With plenty of space to run, hide and roar in the company of huge models of a T-rex, stegosaurus, triceratops, brontosaurus, brachiosaurus and a woolly mammoth, Teessaurus Park is a free family favourite!
And that’s a wrap on our favourite places for fun in the sun, summer mode is officially activated!