Whether you’re serious about steam, crazy about cars or fascinated by farming, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at Beamish Museum this year.
We’ve got a packed programme planned, with some brand new events as well as the return of some firm favourites. We will also be opening several new exhibits in its 1950s Town and 1820s Landscape making 2023 an exciting year for visitors.
Learn about the role of women in the 1820s, early 1900s, 1940s and 1950s as the museum celebrates International Women’s Day (11th & 12th March). Be amazed by ingenious activities during Science Weekend (18th & 19th March) and join in with family activities on Mothering Sunday (19th March).
Prepare for a steam spectacular as a selection of road steam, locomotives and internal combustion engines visit the museum for the Beamish Steam Gala (1st & 2nd April).
Enjoy a cracking day out at Beamish this Easter (7th to 10th April) with lots of egg-citing activities. Take part in an Easter egg trail, see and taste traditional Easter baking, and try your hand at Easter crafts and egg-cellent activities.
Marvel at a Napoleonic Muster display in the Georgian Landscape (15th & 16th April), see the Sunderland & District Classic Vehicle Society display (16th April) and take part in traditional May Day Celebrations (1st May).
Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Beamish Tramway during Fares Please (6th to 8th May), along with Coronation Celebrations. The museum’s Tramway opened in 1973 to re-create the experience and atmosphere of tramway operation while giving visitors the chance to travel back in time.
Trot along to the museum for Horses in Harness (10th & 11th June), enjoy the Classic Car Day, organised by North of England Classic & Pre-War Automobiles Club (18th June) and see the start and finish of the 50th Reliability Run, a 150-mile run through Durham and Yorkshire for cars, motorcycles and commercial vehicles registered before 1956 (18th June). Brass at Beamish will also be taking place this weekend.
The museum will be hosting the World Quoits Championship (1st & 2nd July), see members of the National Quoits Association battle it out across this two day event, and unleash your inner inventor with amazing science, technology, engineering and maths activities during Crank It Up! (1st & 2nd July).
Visitors can learn more about the fascinating story of upland farming during the Farming in the 1950s weekend (8th & 9th July) and admire traditional tractors on display at the museum during the Beamish Tractor Show (22nd & 23rd July).
Green-fingered folk can take their home-grown produce along to Beamish Allotment, Garden and Flower Show (26th & 27th August), learn about life on the Home Front during the Second World War during Dig for Victory (31st August to 3rd September) and see a whole host of cars, lorries, vans and bikes at the Autumn Transport Gala (9th & 10th September).
There’s plenty of autumn and winter activities planned too, including the magical Christmas at Beamish celebrations, with the dates to be confirmed.
There’ll also be regular musical performances by brass bands in the bandstand in The 1900s Town, choirs in The 1900s Pit Village chapel and 1950s musical acts taking to the welfare hall stage.
Paul Foster, Events Manager at Beamish Museum, said: “From firm favourites including the Beamish Steam Gala, a traditional Easter and Dig For Victory to the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Beamish Tramway, there’s plenty to look forward to this year.
“Make sure you use your Beamish Unlimited Pass or Friends of Beamish membership to come along to the museum, explore new exhibits, take part in exciting events and make fantastic memories!”
As if exciting events weren’t enough, the museum will be opening several new exhibits in its 1950s Town and 1820s landscape.
New exhibits opening in The 1950s Town later this year include a pair of police houses and their associated single-storey office, semi-detached houses, a terrace of aged miners’ homes and bowling green and pavilion.
In the 1820s Landscape, the museum is due to open a Georgian pottery and Drover’s Tavern where visitors will be able to enjoy Georgian-inspired food and drink.
Beamish Museum’s daytime events are included in admission and are free to Beamish Unlimited Pass holders and Friends of Beamish members, pay once and visit free for a whole year.
See our full list of events or check opening times to plan your next visit to Beamish Museum!