Here you can find a list of events local to the north east of England – for national and international events please see the Events page on the OBOD website.
Monthly Events:
Durham Pagan Moot – open to Druids as well as Wiccans, Heathens and like-minded and / or curious people in the Durham area. On the 1st Tuesday of every month (except January) upstairs at the Head of Steam pub on North Road in Durham starting at 7pm. Whilst the stairs are wide, there is no disability access.
Gateshead Pagan Moot – run by Gateshead Wiccans and Pagans, last Saturday of the month at the Cafe Under The Spire. Next moot is the Mabon Moot on Saturday 31st August 2024 from 12 noon to 3pm.
Newcastle Astrology Group – meet every second Saturday of the month starting at 2pm at the Cafe Under The Spire in Gateshead with Darlington-based Astrologer Ben Potter. Contact Ben to be added to the WhatsApp group, where most information about the group is posted.
Wear Valley Moot – open to all pagans and seekers. Meet on the third Tuesday of the month at the The Stanley Jefferson Wetherspoons pub in Bishop Auckland Market Place starting at 7.30pm.
Seasonal Events:
Celebrate Beltane at Thornborough Henge in North Yorkshire – the circular earthworks known as henges were the cathedrals of Stone Age Britain. At Thornborough, three giant henges where built 5,000-years-ago to form a single ritual complex, making Thornborough Henge one of Britain’s most important prehistoric sacred sites. Each year we gather in this special place to celebrate the festival of Beltane that marks the beginning of summer. Beltane at Thornborough is an opportunity for people to join together in celebration, and connect with the rich spiritual and folk traditions of this ancient land. For up to date information about the next gathering check out their Facebook page.
The Summer Solstice: Myths and Mayhem of Midsummer – talk at Newcastle Castle on Saturday 8th June 2024 at 6pm with Icy Sedgwick – The summer solstice falls on 20 June this year, while 24 June marks Midsummer Day. One is astronomical, the other an ancient quarter day. Whether Midsummer is an ancient festival or not, people have been celebrating it in Britain since at least the late 14th century. It’s a time of divination for the remainder of the year, summer parades and bonfires, casting spells, and community celebrations. This talk will explore the history of summer solstice celebrations, the plants associated with Midsummer, the long-running link with fire, and the magic most often discussed at this time of year — including love magic!
Solstice at Sentry Circle – SPIRIT AT SENTRY invites you to welcome the dawn of SOLSTICE. Join others at this friendly gathering where we gather at the SENTRY STONES and watch the sunrise of SOLSTICE. Bring your drums, instruments and voices, as all are welcome at the circle and especially around the campfire. 19th June – 23rd June 2024. Day visitors welcome and entry for day visitors is free, camping £10 per adult per night.
Oakleaf Camp – top pagan camp in the north, takes place every summer at Lime Tree Farm near Masham. This year’s dates are July 26th – July 29th 2024. For up to date information check out their Facebook page.
Thornborough Archaeology Group in partnership with English Heritage – On Saturday 27th July 2024 we are hosting a Thornborough Open Day at West Tanfield Memorial Hall, consisting of an introductory lecture by Professor Jan Harding, an opportunity to handle prehistoric artefacts, and a tour by English Heritage guides of some of the monuments. When making the booking you will have to decide between attending the morning session (10am-12.30pm) or the afternoon session (1pm-3.30pm). Tickets are free and available via Eventbrite. Travel information if going by bus from Darlington – Arriva Service X26/X27 Darlington to Richmond Bus & Hodgsons Service 159 Richmond to Ripon Bus & Harrogate Bus Company Service 36 from Ripon to Harrogate.
Newcastle Witches Memorial Talk – On the anniversary of the executions, join Dr. Katie Liddane as she explores the Newcastle witch trials of 1649-50 and the trial of Jane Martin who was taken from Northumberland to be held at the castle while she awaited her fate. Ever wondered where the images of the pointed hat, broomstick and being burned at the stake come from? This talk begins by breaking down these stereotypes to get a closer understanding of what it was actually like to be accused of witchcraft in the early modern period and moves on to delve deeper into the circumstances that set the stage for a witch hunt in Newcastle. As well as a look at the notorious Scottish witchfinder invited into the town, and the people who made accusations, Dr. Liddane works with what little evidence is left to recreate the lives of those convicted and to remember them moving forward. Saturday 24th August at 18.15 at The Harbottle Suite, The Black Gate, Castle Garth, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1RQ. (Second date, added after the first talk on Wednesday 21st August sold out).
The Mega Misfit Market – taking over Darlington Market Square for an entire weekend!!! Saturday 31st August – Sunday 1st September 2024 from 11am. Over 40 confirmed traders, 4 bands lined up for Saturday, good food and the best atmosphere! Organised by our friends at Rage and Love.
The Routes and Connections of Thornborough’s Central Henge – This guided tour of the Central Henge helps visitors understand the importance of this sacred triple henge site. The Central Henge of this unique triple henge monument is the easiest to see of the three and this guided tour helps the visitor better understand it. These huge Neolithic Henges are a product of their landscape, using local material in their construction and influenced by the River Ure, in both location and design. During this tour you will hear about how the henges were constructed, what they would have looked like and what you would have seen when they were first created. The earlier cursus feature was important to the placing of the Central Henge. Learn what a cursus is and how to locate it, as it is difficult to see unless it is pointed out. Find out what makes this a Sacred Site and why people still see it as such today. The skyscape was important so find out more about the henge’s links to the sun and the stars. The Henges were part of an important trading network stretching from the Lake District to the East Coast and links to the north and south of the country. Find out more about what was traded and trade routes which centre on the Henges, as well as the links to other henges and monuments in the local area and beyond. The Bronze Age heralded a change in the henge’s use. Learn about the significance and location of the difficult-to-see Bronze Age features that are part of the Henge’s landscape. The Central Henge is undergoing preservation and this will be explained during your visit. Friday 6th September / Sunday 8th September / Friday 13th September / Sunday 15th September 2024
Connecting to our Ancestors at Thornborough’s South Henge – Almost hidden from view from the road, the South Henge of this unique triple henge monument is surrounded by ancient features, however as all of these have been either destroyed or damaged this complex site is challenging to understand without help. This guided tour focuses on the connections our Ancestors had with this site, unlocking the secrets hidden in the landscape connecting the Neolithic features with those of the Bronze Age. These huge Neolithic Henges relate to an earlier rare triple ditch barrow not far from the South Henge and this relationship will be discussed during the tour. The Henges are a product of the connections our Ancestors had with the land, water and sky. The tour will help visitors identify features in the landscape so this relationship can be better understood and why the Henges are thought to be Sacred to our Ancestors. Visitors will also find out about how the henges were constructed, what they would have looked like and what would have been seen when they were first created. With the onset of the Bronze Age the use of the site and the relationship with the land changed. Visitors will learn about the Bronze Age features around the South Henge and their significance. Find out more about nearby features thought to be mortuary enclosures, the now ploughed out rare double pit alignment and the links between the alignment and the bronze age barrows, both on the site and in the neighbouring field. Friday 6th September & Sunday 8th September 2024
South Park Bat Walk – Tuesday 10th September 2024 with Pippa Smailing, Darlington Borough Council Parks and Country Ranger.
Tees Cottage Pumping Station Steampunk Weekend
Guided Heritage Walk – Guided walk to an archaeological dig. There will be an opportunity for the public to view the finds and information in Loftus Town Hall from 1pm to 3pm and then we will leave from outside Loftus Town Hall TS13 4HG at 2.15pm to walk up to the dig site, where we will hear information and see demonstrations on early Neolithic salt production techniques dating back 6,000 years. The route is on country lanes of approx 1.5 miles each way. The Town is served by Arriva 5 and X4 buses and there are numerous free car parks in Loftus. 2.15pm Sunday September 15th 2024
Mabon at Thornborough Henge – an annual gathering to celebrate the Autumn Equinox at Thornborough Henges, all paths are welcome in friendship and peace. This year’s gathering is from Friday 20th September 2024 at 12 noon to Sunday 22nd September 2024.
The Glittering North – a celebration of the region’s Norse and Viking heritage, weaving together tales of folklore and myth, with live music, dance and captivating puppetry which comes alive after dark. Raby Castle, 12th October – 3rd November 2024
Nightmare Soiree – Something wicked this way comes! Darlington’s first supernatural event, are you ready to be scared? Live music from the Mua Ha ha’s, spooky stalls, Death disco with the Shrieking witches and ghost stories with TV’s ‘Help my house is haunted’ presenter and historian Neil Storey. Come and support this unique event it’s going to be spine-chillingly good! Tickets £25 must be pre-booked (age 14+). Saturday 26th October 2024, 7pm-11pm, The Dolphin Centre, Darlington.
Shamanic Art Weekend with Georgien Wybenga at The Barnes Institute in Whitburn near Sunderland, Saturday 9th – Sunday 10th November 2024, booking via Samantha Euphemia Soul Song.
Northumbrian Gorsedd – run by Victor Ball and Marc Johnstone, who also run the Coventina Seed Group, our sister OBOD seed group based in the Corbridge area. The Northumbrian Gorsedd is a Community Interest Company (CIC) which runs seasonal events and ceremonies throughout the wheel of the year at Dilston Physic Garden, such as the yearly Wassailing ceremony in January. Many of their events are now no longer publicly advertised as they are so heavily over-subscribed (the willow circle at Dilston Physic Garden where they are held only holds a maximum of 35 people). Please email them at northumbriangorsedd@btinternet.com for information about upcoming events and how to book.