Sport – the Tees Valley secured a fixture for the postponed Rugby League World Cup 2021 , held in 2022 .
Popular – hundreds of people attend the regular Orange Pip Markets in Middlesbrough .
Make no mistake , tourism in Tees Valley is bouncing back following the Covid-19 pandemic and is ready to emerge stronger than ever .
Our mixture of great events since the start of 2022 – including a Riverside gig by the Killers , securing the postponed Rugby League World Cup 2021 and our host of fantastic regular festivals – has seen our visitor numbers skyrocket compared to the year previously .
Overall visitor numbers are up 37.4 per cent on 2021 , with overnight visitors jumping by 51.2 per cent and all giving Tees Valley a £ 1.07m economic boost – 41.5 per cent higher than the year before .
This puts us in great shape to attract even more people to our region , get them heading to our great attractions , spending in our high streets and helping grow our hospitality sector .
There ’ s plenty to be excited about and 2023 has already seen the crowds drawn to the likes of the Arctic Monkeys at the Riverside – with some 32,000 people adding around £ 1m to the area .
Hartlepool ’ s Tall Ships Races , too – one of the UK ’ s biggest free events of the year – was expected to pack out the town and the wider region in summer 2023 as part of a huge , packed programme taking place the length and breadth of Tees Valley .
The regular schedule of fantastic festivals taking place this – and every – year includes the renowned Stockton International Riverside Festival , taking place August 3-6 . It will be bringing its famed brand of global music , dance , theatre and street performers to the centre of Stockton to keep people entertained .
Middlesbrough Mela , one of the biggest and most spectacular multicultural festivals in the North-East , will also be back with food , drink , performances , music and more in Albert Park on August 12 and 13
Taste of Africa is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2023 , with the vibrant showcase and celebration of African culture continuing to bring communities together and build knowledge of history and heritage . Its Africa Caribbean parade and carnival will be hitting Middlesbrough on August 26 ahead of the main event in Middlesbrough Town Hall on Saturday October 21 .
The Festival of Thrift ’ s celebration of sustainable living will take place in the new location of Billingham this September . Ethical enterprises such as local makers , food producers , artisans , upcyclers , fixers and recyclers , craftspeople and artists will be once again out in force for a weekend of workshops and entertainment on September 23 and 24 .
Getting to the art of the matter , Middlesbrough Art Weekender has this year expanded to take up the whole week ! Middlesbrough Art Week will run from September 28 to October 7 , with exhibitions
VISIT TEES VALLEY showcasing the best our creatives have to offer .
The ever-popular Hartlepool Folk Festival will be returning to the town between October 6 and 8 , with big-name acts including Altan , Martin Simpson , John Kirkpatrick and John Hegley lined up at the Historic Headland . There ’ s fun for all too , with the Hartlepool Family Folk Festival running alongside the main event , with marvellous music , circus entertainers , dancers and stories .
Even as the days get colder and the nights draw in , there ’ s plenty to do , with the spectacular and striking Nightfall light show extravaganza returning to the region for 2023 . The dates are still to be confirmed , but it ’ s definitely not one to miss .
All of that and more is set to wow crowds in the coming months , with plenty of regular activities and events like Middlesbrough ’ s Orange Pip Market happening right across Tees Valley .
As we continue to drive up visitor numbers , there ’ s plenty to come in 2024 . More big-name acts are being lined up now as we show how we ’ re punching above our weight and rivalling big cities for glittering nights out , while communities across our towns , coast and country boast an intimate , friendly feel .
Whatever you want to do or see , you can find it if you Visit Tees Valley .
Are you a Tees Valley hospitality business looking to get the word out about what you have to offer ? Or maybe you run an attraction or head up a venue that runs regular events . If you ’ re one of the reasons someone should come and Visit Tees Valley , tell us – and the public – about it .
At VisitTeesValley . com , which has replaced EnjoyTeesValley . com as the region ’ s tourist destination website , you can advertise your business or attraction absolutely free .
And if you live outside of the Tees Valley , the website ’ s your one-stop shop to find out where to eat , drink and stay while you take in one of our fab festivals or events .
Sign up , submit your business or simply browse for what ’ s on by checking out VisitTeesValley . com
15