5 Top Hexham Events – Summer 2021

What’s on in Hexham this summer? We thought we’d share some Ecocabs recommendations for the next few months in and around Hexham, Northumberland. How about getting these unique events in the diary?

Rat Race The Wall – Saturday, 19 June – Sunday, 20th June

Hardy souls will be running or trekking 70 miles through Hadrian’s Wall Country starting at Carlisle and finishing in Newcastle. Those taking on The Wall across two days will overnight here in Hexham. Immerse yourself in the glorious Cumbrian/Northumbrian countryside while supporting Children With Cancer UK.

The Big Day Out – Hexham – Saturday, June 26

UPDATE: THIS EVENT HAS NOW BEEN POSTPONED BECAUSE OF THE EXTENSION IN COVID RESTRICTIONS

The Big Day Out is a free, largely outdoor event and it sounds great. Hexham is putting on live bands; salsa dancing; children’s activities; fairground rides; inflatables, trampoline bungee jumping; croquet; and classic cars.

The brilliant Baghdaddies will headline on the live music front. There’ll be plenty to eat and drink – including cream teas.    

Please keep an eye out on Visit Hexham’s social media for updates on Hexham’s Big Day Out.

Hexham Book Festival – Friday, 2 July to Sunday, 11 July

Our town’s book festival was much missed in 2020. In normal times, it takes place in the Queen’s Hall, but this year it is based in a Speigeltent in the grounds of Hexham Abbey. Authors appearing at Hexham Book Festival include Grace Dent, Jonathan Dimbleby, James Naughtie, Alison Weir and Lisa Jewell.

A successful offshoot of the main book festival is Hexham Children’s Book Festival. It runs from Monday 5 July to Sunday, 11 July in 2021. So much fun to be had here! The programme is jam packed and makes us feel sad that we’re not the right age range… Highlights include an aerial circus workshop, stand up comedy for kids and animation workshops from Aardman Animations.   

Romans Return to Vindolanda – Saturday, 7 August and Sunday, 8 August

We’re hugely lucky to have the Hadrian’s Wall UNESCO World Heritage Site on our doorsteps. Vindolanda brings the history of the Romans at Hadrian’s Wall alive. In August, the Ermine Street Guard re-enactment troop will be there for a weekend setting up a Roman encampment, running a Roman Army school and putting on military displays.  Check out Vindolanda’s website for lots of other entertainment this summer.

Tynedale Beer Festival – Corbridge – Friday, 3 September to Sunday, 5 September

Tynedale Beer Festival is hugely popular. As well as being a fantastic place to catch up with friends, it raises a lot of money for local charities such as West Northumberland Food Bank.  We’re proud to be sponsoring a local beer once more to show our support.

The festival is held in marquees at Tynedale Rugby Club.  You can look forward to a wide range of beers and ciders, wine, a gin and rum bar, prosecco, Pimms, street food and live music. The video below shows how things were in 2015.

We hope that you’ve enjoyed our short guide to what’s on in Hexham. Wherever you get to, we hope that you enjoy your summer!

If you’d like to book transport to any of the above, please give us a call on 01434 600600, book via our website or download the Ecocabs app.