Blyth set for ‘truly extraordinary celebration’

A Northumberland coastal town is set to shine with an ambitious new festival celebrating creativity, community and clean energy.

Blyth will host its first-ever Festival of Energy from Thursday 5 to Sunday 8 March 2026, bringing large-scale art installations, live performances and immersive experiences to the town’s streets and quayside. 

Produced by outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank, the event is part of the wider Blyth Celebrates programme – a creative strand of the £95 million Energising Blyth regeneration scheme.

The free four-day festival will celebrate Blyth’s maritime heritage, industrial innovation and future as a global leader in renewable energy. 

It will be delivered in partnership with Port of Blyth, The Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, Energy Central Campus and Newcastle University, blending art and science to tell the story of a town transforming through sustainability and innovation.

Festival highlights include the world-first joint display of Luke Jerram’s monumental Museum of the Moon and Gaia (the Earth) artworks, which will be exhibited together for the first time inside ORE Catapult’s research facility. 

Other major attractions include Whale Song, a life-sized humpback whale brought to life through water, light and sound projections, as well as Tower of Light, a fiery, high-energy spectacle inspired by Blyth’s maritime past.

Steve Foxley, chief executive of ORE Catapult, said: “We’re so excited to be able to open our doors to the public and play host to one of the amazing instillations planned as part of this festival. 

“Blyth is a town right at the very heart of efforts to transform how we produce energy in the UK and aid our transition towards a more sustainable energy future. 

“So, we’re extremely proud to play our part in what will prove to be a truly extraordinary celebration.”

Bev Ayre, senior producer at Walk the Plank, added: “We are excited to bring our creative imagination to Blyth. 

“This is an invitation for everyone to step inside the story of the town, connect with the power of the North Sea, and see the future celebrated in a spectacular new light.”

Community collaboration will also be central to the event, with five new £2000 art commissions and a series of talks, films and workshops at the Energy Central Learning Hub encouraging local participation.

Councillor Wendy Pattison, cabinet member for sport and culture at Northumberland County Council, added: “This is a festival that belongs to Blyth.

“It’s a chance for everyone to come together, celebrate our town's innovation and imagination, and see Blyth’s story told in a spectacular new way.”

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →