The WOW Festival (that’s Women of the World Festival) is coming to the north-east for the very first time this October – Durham to be precise.

Taking place in partnership with S&DR200, everyone is welcome to celebrate the incredible women, girls and non-binary people of the north-east. Your free festival day pass will give you access to explore a packed line-up of events across Gala Durham and the nearby Clayport Library covering everything from politics to pop culture, sex to sport, activism to art. The festival will feature plenty of amazing speakers including Lioness Jill Scott, workshops from The Consent Collective and Urban Kaos, and a closing performance by the region’s very own magnetic singer-songwriter Amelia Coburn (pictured). As well as panel discussions you can join mindfulness painting or discover poetry that grabs you by the heart. Laugh and celebrate with Gritty and Glorious local theatre performances and dance with confidence with Urban Kaos. Get creative with floral painting, move your body in Bollywood and dance classes, hula hoop to your heart’s content, or belt out a tune in a mass sing-along. With theatre, big ideas, a game show and space for honest conversations, there’s something here for everyone.

WOW North East Festival, Friday 17-Saturday 18 October, Durham. Full line-up and other details from thewowfoundation.com