Visitors should save the date for Saturday, September 30 and plot their route around the town to include all the entertainment and activities that are on offer.
Orange Pip Market makes a welcome return to Baker and Bedford Street for the September edition of the popular foodie haven.
The market will feature all the usual Orange Pip favourites including a host of artisan food and drink stalls and a selection of local makes and bakes.
The stage is taken over by Middlesbrough Pride from 3pm and includes live performances and movement workshops, a tribute to Paloma Faith, a takeover from local club Sapphires and more to be announced in the coming days.
Businesses in the Pip streets and wider town centre also look forward to welcoming visitors with a range of special offers and tempting treats.
Middlesbrough Pride will take over Middlesbrough Town Hall with a packed programme of activity that celebrates the Tees Valley’s LGBTQIA+ community.
Starting at 9.30am in the morning with a special Pride workshop from MTH Performing Arts, the day will also see a spectacular Pop-Up Parade at 5pm that will march from Middlesbrough Town Hall into the Orange Pip site for visitors to enjoy the remainder of the on-stage shows until 6.30pm. Post-Pride festivities continue at two after parties in Sapphires on Newport Road and Club XS on Albert Road.
Centre Square will play host to the Taste of Africa spectacular that will include live entertainment, food and craft stalls and a stunning carnival.
Live music will take to the Taste of Africa stage on Library Green, outside Middlesbrough Central Library from 11am. Food, clothing, jewellery and craft stalls will also be available in this location.
The Taste of Africa carnival will begin at 1pm in Centre Square and will feature the Queens of Umzansi who will display a vivid showcase of traditional Zulu culture in the celebration of Africa-Caribbean culture.
Rounding up the day is the welcome return of Middlesbrough Art Week to the town, with a new and extended offer including their popular ‘Summat for the Bairns’ family programme.
The largest annual contemporary arts festival in the North East sees a host of artists who champion Middlesbrough’s heritage and industrial past, transforming the town with a range of exhibitions, talks, workshops, performances, events and public interventions.
The works selected for this year ask visitors to notice the centrality of time and how we perceive, mark, measure and value it.
Joining the list of local artists this year, the festival also includes international ‘big hitters’ such as Mike Nelson, David Shrigley, Ken Friedman and Tehching Hsieh.
Councillor Philippa Storey, Middlesbrough Deputy Mayor and Executive member for Culture, said: “This Saturday is going to be a fantastic day for Middlesbrough!
“We love to see the town so full of activity and with such a wide range of choice too.
"If you’re thinking ahead to the weekend, we would encourage everyone to make some time for our Big Boro Day Out. There’s something for all ages and the best news is that it’s all free which is just brilliant!”
- The Big Boro Day Out is in Middlesbrough town centre on Saturday, September 30.
The day includes Orange Pip Market, Middlesbrough Pride, Taste of Africa spectacular and Middlesbrough Art Week.
All events are free.
Orange Pip Market runs from 12-7pm in Baker and Bedford Street.
Middlesbrough Pride is presented by Curious Arts in association with Middlesbrough Council, Middlesbrough Town Hall and Orange Pip Market.
It will run from 9.30am to 6.30pm in Middlesbrough Town Hall with some activity in the Orange Pip streets. View the full programme. Taste of Africa runs from 11am to 3pm in Centre Square. Middlesbrough Art Week runs from Thursday, September 28 to Saturday, October 7 at various venues throughout the town centre. View the full programme.