We've had a week of the kind of weather that has plunged us back into winter just as we had been teased with signs of spring.
The cold might be doing its best to spoil the weekend but the good news is that there is plenty happening in and around Newcastle to cheer us all up, with something on offer to suit all tastes. And that has to be warming news.
Following the cultural desert of much of the past two years due to the pandemic, the North East's entertainment scene is wasting no time in being primed for new-season action which is already under way.
Read more: North East guide to music festivals throughout 2022
For those looking for something to do this very weekend, we've picked out a handful of ideas for where to go and what to see. We've included places where you can cosy up and keep warm but a couple of outdoor suggestions too where you'll have to wrap up but it will be worth braving the chill.
The Friday Show - The Stand
Preparing to ease audiences into the weekend with his unique brand of humour, Tom Wrigglesworth will be headlining the weekly stand-up slot at Newcastle this Friday night.
For extra good measure there's a mixed bill of comedians to keep the laughs coming over the show's 90-minute run. Also on the bill will be Stephen Buchanan, Jack Fox and host Billy Kirkwood. The club asks people to remember to take lateral flow test before going and promises refunds to anyone who has symptoms.
Doors open on April 1 at 7.30pm and the show starts at 8.30pm. For tickets see here.
James Morrison - 02 City Hall
Touring for the first time in two-and-a-half years, Morrison stops off at the City Hall in Newcastle on Saturday night with his Greatest Hits tour. With Top 10 hits such as You Give Me Something, Wonderful World and You Make It Real under his belt, it promises quite a celebration of 15 years. For tickets see here.
Spring Social - The Biscuit Factory
If you're in the mood to celebrate the new season with some art, live music and complimentary refreshments then a visit to this Newcastle gallery could brighten up your weekend.
Running from 11am to 1pm on Saturday, the informal social event will feature coastal landscapes - including some of Northumberland - by Newcastle-born artist Barbara Peirson. Besides work for sale there will be pop-up crafts and the latest titles from Forum Books.
To register interest in going along email art@biscuitfactory.com and for more information see here.
Tribute Festival - Riverside Newcastle
Boasting the "UK's finest tribute bands", this indoor day festival will recapture the music of The Beatles, Oasis, Queen and Abba so that will be sure to have people on their feet.
It will play out on Saturday from 3pm until 10pm. For ticket information see here.
Morph's Epic Art Adventure - North Tyneside
This weekend is the last chance to track down the 20 life-size Morph sculptures which make up an outdoor trail - a world first - around Whitley Bay, Tynemouth, Cullercoats and North Shields, plus Wallsend, Killingworth and Forest Hall, and all that exercise will certainly warm you up.
The trail of cheery, individually-designed Morphs - based on the clay character you may remember from kids' TV show Take Hart (you have to be of a certain age) before it became a popular Aardman Animation - was picked to have its premiere here, with plasticine inventor William Harbutt having been born in North Tyneside.
It launched on January 29 but wraps up on April 3. A trail map can be downloaded here.
Microbus pub crawl - Gateshead
If you fancy a new pub crawl then check out a growing beer scene at the end of the High Level Bridge.
A new campervan-theme micro pub has opened, joining bigger neighbours The Central Bar and Station East. Microbus is currently serving up new brews in its home in a Wellington Street arch so look out for themed ales - and also owner Gary Moore's pet dog Harriet who's a regular feature.
Next to follow suit, and completing the pub crawl circuit, will be new micropub Axis, occupying another of the arches. Read about the beer scene here.
