Great Gigs, New Attractions and Steel’s Comeback: What to expect in 2024 

2024 will be a major year of progress across Tees Valley, with a raft of developments moving forward and great events to enjoy. 

Here’s some of the big things to expect in the coming year:

 James Arthur and Take That to rock the Riverside 

 Tees Valley has become an entertainment hotspot in recent years, playing host to major stars including Arctic Monkeys and The Killers. 

Music lovers can look forward to two massive outdoor concerts this summer as Take That return to Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium on May 24. 

That’s followed by a homecoming concert for Middlesbrough singer-songwriter James Arthur, as the global hitmaker plays the stadium on June 8. 

 New flight at Teesside Airport 

Teesside Airport enjoyed its busiest summer for more than a decade in 2023 as a growing number of holiday destinations saw thousands of families jet off to the sun. 

The airport, named the UK and Ireland Airport of the Year and the UK’s Best Airport, is adding to is destinations in 2024 with the launch of a new service to Dalaman in Turkey with TUI from May. 

The new route will open up popular resorts along the Turquoise Coast including Marmaris and Olu Deniz. 

 Progress at Teesworks 

 Did you know that the world’s biggest offshore wind monopile factory is being built right here on Teesside? The giant SeAH Wind facility is under construction at South Bank and due to be complete in late 2024. 

Other major developments across Teesworks are also expected to move forward in the next 12 months, including the start of construction of the Net Zero Teesside Power facility. 

The newly built South Bank Quay will also begin operation alongside the recently completed South Bank link road while progress will be made on other key projects such Circular Fuels plant, Willis’ Sustainable Aviation Fuels plant and EDF’s Tees Green Hydrogen facility. 

 Town Centre regenerations moving forward 

 Significant work is expected to take place in efforts to improve and regenerate town centres across Tees Valley in 2024. 

Work is continuing on the transformation of Stockton town centre, including the creation of a fantastic new waterside urban park after spades went into the ground in December 2023. The transformational public space will include a large-scale play area for all ages, with a series of impressive, unique play areas and a host of flexible spaces across the urban park.  

 Further progress will also be made on the development of a Care and Health Zone at Teesdale after plans were announced in 2023. 

Development Corporations were established in Hartlepool and Middlesbrough in 2023. Work in both areas has already begun, including the appointment of a developer to oversee the transformation of Gresham while plans will be developed in 2024 for Hartlepool town centre following the agreement to take control of the town’s Middleton Grange Shopping Centre. 

 Premiere of Teesside-shot thriller Jackdaw 

Teesside, Hartlepool and Darlington are developing as an increasingly popular destination for TV and film crews looking to shoot at some of the area’s stunning locations and landscapes. 

Jackdaw – a major feature film shot in our area, starring big names including Jenna Coleman and directed by Teessider Jamie Childs, will have its premiere on Teesside early in 20024. 

The growth in the industry has been supported by the establishment of North East Screen and the construction of new studios in Hartlepool, which will see further filming take place in the next year. 

 Railway stations transformed 

If you’ve visited any of our main railway stations recently then you’ve probably seen there are some big changes happening. 

Work is in progress at Darlington, Middlesbrough and Hartlepool stations which are all set to hit completion milestones in 2024. 

Hartlepool will be fully completed while the new eastern entrance of Darlington will also be finished in the next 12 months alongside the new undercroft at Middlesbrough. 

Plans have also now been submitted for work to improve Eaglescliffe railway station to install lifts to improve access for people with mobility issues, with work expected to start in 2024.

 Steel furnace construction gets under way 

 British Steel has announced plans to bring steelmaking back to Teesside with the construction of a new electric arc furnace at Lackenby. 

Plans for the giant facility, which will create hundreds of direct jobs and thousands in the wider economy, will go before Redcar and Cleveland early in the new year. 

If approved, work will start on site in 2024 ahead of operations starting in 2025. 

Coatham Coastal Activity Hub opens 

Visitors to Redcar will have spotted construction works ongoing on the new Coastal Activity Hub which will be completed in 2024. 

The hub will be located in a unique shipping container village that can be used as a meeting place and an informal base for clubs, school groups, activity leaders, families, or groups of friends. 

Facilities for the Coastal Activity Hub will include a range of indoor and outdoor multi-use spaces, public toilet facilities, showers, lockers, an equipment store, changing facilities and parking alongside food and drink facilities. 

Hopetown Darlington to open 

A new rail heritage visitor attraction is on track to open in Darlington next summer, ahead of the bicentenary of the Stockton & Darlington Railway (S&DR) in 2025. 

Hopetown Darlington will encompass both purpose-built and heritage buildings – including the former Head of Steam Museum – into a major family attraction. 

The site will feature a £600,000 train-themed adventure playpark. Also relocated as part of Hopetown Darlington is Darlington Railway Preservation Society and North Eastern Locomotive Preservation Group, who have moved into the newly restored 1861 shed. 

Events galore! 

From Middlesbrough Mela to Darlington Pride, there’s a wealth of great events to look forward to in 2024. 

Among the highlights in the next 12 months are Saltburn Food Festival, the launch of a new half-marathon in Middlesbrough, Festival of Thrift in Billingham and the Wintertide in Hartlepool. 

Hopefully we’ll see you there!