Mania The ABBA Tribute and West End musical night among Bishop Auckland Summer Fest line up

A new North East arts festival will bring events to suit a wide range of music and film tastes to the region this summer.

Summer Fest will provide entertainment for all ages with showings of popular films and an array of music events specialising in a variety of genres including country, pop, folk, Motown and rock ‘n’ roll. The festival, in Bishop Auckland, will kick off on June 22 with Mania – The ABBA Tribute and end on July 20 with a screening of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

Additional events include an Elvis tribute night, Motown music event and night celebrating favourite musical numbers from the West End and Broadway. The Royal Northern Sinfonia will also return to Auckland Castle on June 29.

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Summer Fest is organised by The Auckland Project, a regeneration charity and visitor attraction which has been born from a belief that the culture and heritage of the historic town has the power to bring about transformative change for the people who visit, work, and live there.

The line up of events includes:

• Mania – The ABBA Tribute: on Saturday, June 22. Dig out those platforms, dust off the flares and ‘Take a Chance’ on Mania by releasing your inner ‘Dancing Queen’, with ABBA’s number one touring tribute act which has performed from London’s West End to Las Vegas

• A Country Night in Nashville: on Sunday, June 23. Nashville is coming to Bishop Auckland and celebrates the best of country music, with something for all fans of the genre

• The Unthanks: on Friday, June 28. The award-winning folk group bring beautiful vocals and a blend of traditional melodies to the audience at Auckland Castle, giving visitors a mellow but unforgettable start to summer

• Royal Northern Sinfonia: on Saturday, June 29. The Royal Northern Sinfonia are back at Auckland Castle. Expect an electric, joyful, memorable evening in the company of some of the best classical musicians in the North

• Family Night: on Sunday, June 30. Children over five can join the Unicorn Dance Party for a colourful and sparkly show, or for Save Our Sandwich join Cordlia, Profession Queen of Carrotology for all things whacky and silly

• Motown: on Friday, July 5. A new show takes you back to the 1960s and is packed with your feel-good favourites from the heyday of Motown and soul

• Beyond the Barricade: on Saturday, July 6. Bringing together much-loved songs from the West End and Broadway musicals, delighting audiences across the globe for 25 years

• Emilio as Elvis: on Friday, July 12. Put on your ‘Blue Suede Shoes’ and get ‘All Shook Up’ as Emilio and his 1950s live band perform the greatest hits by the King of Rock'n'roll

• Majesty – A Tribute to Queen: on Saturday, July 13. The UK’s premiere touring Queen tribute band will perform iconic Queen songs

• Community Concert: on Sunday, July 14. Join the band that continues to keep local mining heritage alive, playing a wide variety of music from traditional bass brand ensemble pieces to rock and pop

• The Princess Bride: on Friday, July 19. Brace yourself for swashbuckling duels, pirates and six-fingered men as Auckland Castle welcomes the charming cult classic to the first Outdoor Cinema event

• Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory: on Saturday, July 20. This timeless classic rounds off Auckland Castle’s Summer Fest, diving into a world of pure imagination

Jared Bowers, chief operating officer at The Auckland Project, said: “Our inaugural Summer Fest, is the perfect way to enjoy the long summer weekend evenings: full of relaxation, good friends, good entertainment and good food.

"The sun is shining, it's still light outside and you're spending time listening to your favourite music or having a classic film night with your favourite snacks – this is exactly the atmosphere we aspire to create during the events at Summer Fest and can’t wait to provide an unforgettable experience for our guests."

Guests are encouraged to bring their picnic blankets and chairs to ensure they are comfortable for performances and showings, whilst wearing outdoor-friendly clothing and layers for chillier weather.

Food and drink outlets are available at the event, and guests are also welcome to bring picnics. To purchase tickets to any event from the Summer Fest line up, please visit this link.