The Year in Events and Festivals
Middlesbrough hosts a brilliant calendar of events throughout the year drawing in an international mix of performers and audience. Below find a summary of the big cultural events of the year so you can avoid missing out on a great time.
Animex World-class professional animation festival (February)
Now into its second decade, Animex exists to bring artists, designers, directors, producers, professionals and students together for a week of events and activities revolving around the creation of animation and computer games.
AV Festival International festival of audio visual and electronic arts (March)
AV Festival is an international festival of electronic arts, featuring visual art, music and moving image. A biennial event, the Festival takes place across NewcastleGateshead, Sunderland and Middlesbrough in North East England. The Festival includes new commissions, exhibitions, concerts, performances, film screenings, workshops and debate at many of the region's outstanding cultural venues and public sites.
Download AV Festival 2012 Brochure
AV Festival: As Slow as Possible
Middlesbrough Local History Month (May)
Throughout May Middlesbrough Libraries offer a rich and varied programme of events, displays and talks.
Middlesbrough Local History Month 2011 Programme
Intro (formerly Middlesbrough Music Live) a festival of live music and cutting edge arts (June)
Intro brings together a mind-boggling array of great new talent spread over a dozen locations in the heart of Middlesbrough.
A fresh new name will see the festival known as INTRO from this year, and will again feature dozens of bands spread across ten stages right in the heart of the town centre.
Making waves nationally, as a brilliant festival to catch up and coming talent, the likes of The Sunday Times, the Telegraph and the Guardian have ranked it alongside major players like Glastonbury and V among the Top 100 Festivals in the U.K.
Download: Intro Festival 2011
Links
2012 Announcement
In light of the current financial climate - Middlesbrough Council must cut nearly £14 million from its budget for 2012/13 and more than £50 million over four years - and given the town’s participation in both the London 2012 Olympics celebrations and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, it has been decided not to hold the Intro Festival this year.
Middlesbrough Council’s Arts and Events team will concentrate on a vibrant programme of entertainment throughout the year, with highlights including a flagship Olympic Torch Relay evening event, which will also feature music.
Councillor Charlie Rooney, Middlesbrough Council's Executive Member for Regeneration, said: “The Diamond Jubilee and the London Olympics are once in a lifetime events, so it’s only right that this year we should concentrate our efforts and resources on the important roles we have to play in them.
“It’s no secret that, with the Council facing so many Government cuts, we have to look at everything we do, so it’s also a good opportunity to take a break, take stock and plan for the future."
A decision on the festival’s future will be taken in due course.
Middlesbrough Fashion Week (June)
Middlesbrough Fashion Week is host to runway shows, style events, retailer discounts, competitions and great giveaways. Fashion Week brings together the town's independent retailers, designers and high street brands to work in collaboration with one another to create must-attend events for fashionistas.
Middlesbrough Fashion Week on facebook
Middlesbrough Fashion Week on twitter
Middlesbrough Fashion Week
Middlesbrough Fashion Week returns in June 2012. Stay tuned for details.
Download: Middlesbrough Fashion Week 2011 Magazine
Middlesbrough Fashion Week 2011 Magazine
Middlesbrough Literary Festival A feast of literature and entertainment (June-July)
June heralds the arrival of Middlesbrough's third annual Literary Festival, and it is destined to be thought provoking, funny and imaginative – full of stories, dreams, creative workshops and experiences.
Download: Middlesbrough Literary Festival 2011
Middlesbrough Literary Festival 2011
Links
Middlesbrough Literary Festival
Middlesbrough Literary Festival on facebook
Middlesbrough Literary Festival on twitter
Sky Ride Middlesbrough (July)
A free family friendly cycling event. The 7km traffic-free Sky Ride route heads out from the Cycle Circuit and takes in some of Middlesbrough’s wonderful green spaces and attractions including Newham Grange Country Farm. July 10th 2011.
Download Sky Ride Middlesbrough 2011 Leaflet
Sky Ride Middlesbrough 2011 Route Map and timetable
Middlesbrough Mela A celebration of diverse cultures and sports (July)
One of the north east's largest multi-cultural events celebrates its 22nd birthday in 2012.
Middlesbrough Mela Sponsorship Opportunities for 2012
Middlesbrough Mela Sponsorship Opportunites
Exciting opportunities exist for businesses who act quickly to become partners in this vibrant festival. Multiple sponsorship levels are available.
Download the sponsors pack and/or use our Contact form and select "Mela sponsorship."
Download: Middlesbrough Mela 2011 - Last year's brochure
Middlesbrough Mela 2011 Brochure
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Middlesbrough Mela Community Website
Middlesbrough Mela on facebook
Cleveland Show (July)
Agricultural and horticultural show with stalls and ride.
Cleveland Show on Middlesbrough Council website
Discover Middlesbrough (September)
2 week festival in partnership with Heritage Open Days celebrating the best of Middlesbrough.
2011 marks an important anniversary for Middlesbrough as we celebrate the centenary of our iconic Transporter Bridge come discover the best of Middlesbrough!
SuperGay Middlesbrough LGBT Pride (September)
In May of this year the SuperGay committee took the decision to not hold SuperGay this year. Read their statement here.
Middlesbrough Pride 2011 and additional LGBT activites
Local promot
ers Think Pink will be hosting a 10-hour Middlesbrough Pride party on September 10th with a live performance by X Factor Finalist Rachel Adedeji. RSVP on Facebook
Middlesbrough Pride presents a one-off life drawing class in mima Gardens Drag queens, Gina Tonic and Miss Tickle, will strike a pose or two for you to capture. Materials and drawing advice provided alongside summer tunes and drinks offers from café Prego. September 8th, 5.45-6.45. £5 per person. Booking not required. RSVP on Facebook
We are very proud that Middlesbrough will be the first location in the North East to host Living My Life - An exhibition of inspirational portraits celebrating the lives of Trans people at We Are Open Gallery, 148 Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough from the 16th until the 23rd of September 2011. Open daily 10am-5pm (except Sundays).
Boro Buzz (October)
Boro Buzz is 2 weeks jam packed with cures for autumn boredom: from paintballing to partying, dancing to DJing, adventure to art making.
Download Boro Buzz 2011 Brochure
Christmas Celebrations (November - December)
Lights switch on, reindeer parade winter festivities and special events.
Christmas Celebrations in Middlesbrough
Download Middlesbrough Christmas 2011 Brochure
Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge Centenary Celebrations (2011)
Download the Transporter Bridge Centenary Celebrations leaflet
The Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge has been a symbol of the area since it was opened in 1911. We are proud to celebrate its centenary this year with a host of special events, exhibitions and celebrations. It is the largest working transporter bridge in the world and a landmark symbol of Middlesbrough's engineering and industrial might. It has starred in film and television and is a beloved landmark and icon for our region.
See http://www.lovemiddlesbrough.com/transporter100
Middlesbrough on London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay Route
Middlesbrough is today confirmed as one of the key stops on the Olympic Flame’s journey around the UK.
The town will play host to the Flame with a spectacular evening celebration in the build-up to the London Olympic Games.
The stop-off in Middlesbrough is part of the traditional Torch Relay which starts in Greece and culminates in the opening of the games in July 2012.
Plans are under way for a fitting celebration in Middlesbrough to mark the arrival of the Flame on June 17 next year.
The event will showcase the town’s culture and heritage, and reflect both its sporting achievements and support for the London Games.
Middlesbrough is one of 66 Evening Celebration locations and six island visits across the UK confirmed today by the London 2012 Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG).
The evening events will offer thousands of people the opportunity to come together and get involved in celebrations and share in the Olympic spirit.
As part of the celebration, LOCOG and the Presenting Partners Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung will stage exciting entertainment shows where a cauldron will be lit from the Olympic Flame, marking the end of the day’s proceedings.
Nominate someone you know to be a torchbearer
Do you know someone inspirational who should be a torchbearer?
Get your nomination in by June 29, 2011.