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Jesmond Food Market (General Interest)

Jesmond’s fantastic food market brings local produce, exotic hot foods and lots more. Pick up a festival programme at the Community Stall.

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Father Robert Benson (Event Cancelled)

The broadcaster and academic Professor Eamon Duffy makes a welcome return to Holy Name Church to tell the fascinating story of Father Robert Benson, the most famous Catholic Priest in Edwardian England, and his extraordinary family. Fr Benson’s father was Archbishop of Canterbury, while one brother wrote “Land of Hope and Glory” and the other wrote the Mapp and Lucia novels. This event has been cancelled.

​Open Day (Social)

A warm welcome to all at the Orchard Open Day. Children’s crafts and games, including the famed snail race for punters of all ages, or simply bring a picnic and relax under the canopy of fruit trees. Enjoy the beauty of this peaceful spot, located in the North West corner of St Andrew’s Cemetery. If you haven’t visited the Orchard before, prepare to be surprised!

​Spring Concert (Music)

Northumberland Orchestral Society present “Ein Marchen”, suite from incidental music to the fairy tale “Raduz and Mahulena”, by Josef Suk, “Vysehrad”, the first of the six Ma Vlast symphonic poems, by Bedrich Smetena, and “Rhapsody on a theme by Paganini” by Serge Rachmaninoff, with piano soloist David Murray. The conductor is Alastair Lord.

Heritage Tour (Local History, Guided Walk)

Come and join the Friends of Jesmond Old Cemetery on one of their informative tours. There are over 25,000 burials within the walls of this beautiful Victorian garden cemetery; we’ll tell you the stories of some of the North East’s famous, and not so famous, ladies and gentlemen. To book a place email friendsofjoc@gmail.com.

“Jesmond Festival Special” Steam Train Rides (General Interest)

Ride on the model railway as guests of the Tyneside Society of Model and Experimental Engineers. The tracks are situated behind Wylam Brewery, at the northern edge of the park.

Gosforth Go-Ride (Children, Active Fun)

Children: Try our cycling Skills Loop, at the Boat House.

We’ll be setting up a route including ramps, a seesaw, limbo and more. Suitable for children aged 4-16, of all abilities. Bring your own bike and cycle helmet; helmets are compulsory for all riders. Gosforth Go-Ride is a British Cycling affiliated youth cycling club which normally meets in Exhibition Park on Saturday mornings during term time.

Try Croquet (General Interest)

Tyneside Croquet Club invites you to come along and try out croquet, for free, including all equipment and tuition. Suitable for men and women, croquet is a game of skill and strategy, and a great way of making new friends. Soft shoes are required on the lawns and surrounds. Children (over 6) could play with an adjacent “toy” set, but must be accompanied by an adult. No dogs on the lawn.

Semitones (Music)

An informal concert by Jesmond’s very own small orchestra, for residents, staff, relatives and friends. If you wish to attend, leave plenty of time to check with staff in advance.

Temperance, Titty Bottles and Trains (This Walk is now Fully Booked)

City Guide Julie Jacques will lead you on an exploration of High West Jesmond. Pre-booking is essential for this walk, as places are strictly limited – email juliemjacques@btinternet.com .

Choral Evensong (Music) 

A special service to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III. The music will include the Ayleward Responses, Stanford, Evening Service in B flat, and Handel, Zadok the Priest .

Coffee and Cake (Social)

Coffee, cake and an opportunity to look around this beautiful church.

Seafarers of Jesmond (Unless there are late cancellations, this walk is now fully booked)

Keith Jewitt will explore the maritime heritage of Tyneside, through a gentle walk around memorials in All Saints Cemetery. Places on this walk must be pre-booked by emailing info@jesmondfestival.org.uk . Please do not turn up if you have not pre-booked. Free, but donations towards next year’s festival would be welcome.

Coffee and Cake (Social)

Coffee, cake and an opportunity to look around this beautiful church.

Plastic Free Jesmond and Sandyford (General Interest)

Awards presentation for businesses who have supported the aims of “Plastic Free Jesmond” during 2022/23. For further information see https://facebook.com/PlasticFreeJesmond . All welcome!

Coffee and Cake (Social)

Coffee, cake and an opportunity to look around this beautiful church.

Seafarers of Jesmond (Local History, Guided Walk)

Keith Jewitt will explore the maritime heritage of Tyneside, through a gentle walk around memorials in All Saints Cemetery. Places on this walk must be pre-booked by emailing info@jesmondfestival.org.uk . Please do not turn up if you have not pre-booked. Free, but donations towards next year’s festival would be welcome.

Glorious Gardens (General Interest)

Presentation to the winners of the 2023 Glorious Gardens Competition. All welcome! Come and pick up some tips for your own garden.

Coffee and Cake (Social)

Coffee, cake and an opportunity to look around this beautiful church.

Music for the Pool: Lunchtime Recitals (Music)

Tiana Chan (soprano), accompanied by David Murray (piano). Tickets £8, at the door, in support of Jesmond Pool and Gym. The soloists in the lunchtime recitals on 25, 26 and 27 May are all students preparing their Graduation repertoire, so come along and support stars of tomorrow!

Fun and Games (Active Fun, Children)

Lots of fun and games to be enjoyed by children aged up to 12 years old.

Tyneside Flats to Tankerville (This walk is now fully booked)

John North and Dee Pass, City Guides, lead you on an exploration of the growth and development of West Jesmond. Places on this walk must be pre-booked by emailing John on norths_2000@yahoo.co.uk . Please do not turn up if you have not reserved a place. Free, but donations towards next year’s festival welcome.

Big Questions Cafe (General Interest, Social)

One of a series of three gatherings sponsored by Jesmond URC (the others are on 27 April and 22 June – you can attend one or all three, as you choose). The topic on 25 May is “Torn: Can we Re-weave the fabric of our Community?” The evening will start with a meal provided by Magic Hat Café, followed by a presentation by Tim Evans, Nurture Development, and plenty of opportunity to discuss the issues raised. Free, but donations welcome, some of which will go to Jesmond Library. Please book through https://bit.ly/tornfabric . For further information email sirmons.urc@outlook.com  or go to https://www.bigquestionscafe.org.uk .

Friday Cafe (Social)

An opportunity to look around this beautiful church! Then pop into the Church Hall for refreshments at Friday Cafe.

Organ Recital (Music)

A lunchtime organ recital by guest organist, Paul Ritchie, Newcastle. Free admission, with a retiring collection in aid of the Organ Restoration Fund.

Music for the Pool: Lunchtime Recitals (Music)

Max Robbins (Tenor), accompanied by David Murray (piano). Tickets £8, at the door, in support of Jesmond Pool and Gym…