Spring is firmly in the air in Northumberland and there are a huge number of events and things to do throughout the month which includes the Easter Holidays. The County's main attractions (including Alnwick Castle which reopens for the year on 31st March) will have plenty to entertain the kids while they are off school.

You'll find our highlights of what's happening during the month below and a full list of events towards the bottom of the page. There's an in depth listing of what's on in the week ahead on our Events This Week page. It's crammed full with even more ideas for things to do and is updated weekly. If you would like to receive our monthly newsletter which includes an overview of what's on and a few interesting local stories just let us have your email address here.

Morpeth Northumbrian Gathering (5th - 7th April 2013)
In September 1966 a modest concert of Northumbrian music and song was held to raise funds for Morpeth Antiquarian Society. It was the inspiration for a one-day Northumbrian festival in March 1968 which evolved into the Morpeth Gathering. Today the festival includes a vast array of competitions including crafts, performance and writing. Events include a programme of concerts, singarounds, barn dance, storytelling, theatre and street performance which includes a young people's pageant as part of the Border Cavalcade.

The emphasis of the Gathering is firmly upon the native traditions of Northumberland and whilst there is plenty of scope for traditional music from all over the British Isles within the festival, the wealth of local culture is well to the fore. It's an exciting and very popular mix that draws a large number of visitors each year, visit their website for more information about the Gathering.

Haltwhistle Walking Festival (27th April - 6th May 2013)
The Festival is a charity that organises walks during their annual Festival between April 27th and May 6th 2013. There are a number of walks for all levels of fitness and experience and places can be booked online, but they do tend to fill up quickly! Walk leaders are all volunteers who love sharing their experience of the area and it goes without saying that the countryside views will be outstanding! Visit the Festival Website for more information.

Hexham Book Festival (27th March - 2nd May 2013)
This will be the eighth Hexham Book Festival and this year it will run right throughout April. It's always one of the most vibrant festivals around; they’re celebrating the brightest and best of new fiction; a rich mix of gardening, food, and travel writers; trenchant views on art, politics and philosophy with a variety of authors attending. 

There are a whole host of events happening aruond Hexham during the festival including venues: The Queens Hall, The Beaumont Hotel, The Sele Park, Hexham Abbey, The Robinson-Gay Gallery, Hexham Library, The Forum Cinema and further around the County including The Alnwick Garden. A full list of events and dates can be found here.

Easter Highlights (2nd - 15th April 2012)
All of Northumberland's main attractions will have events planned for the kids during the Easter break. Here's our pick of the holiday's top events:

On Easter Monday the 1st April in the Pavilion at Bamburgh have an Indoor Market/Craft Day.  There will be a number of stalls including local handmade preserves, beautiful turned wood, feltcrafts, children's toys and games, ladies accessories, cosmetics and bath products and local foodie gifts and much more.  Open from 11.00am to 3.00pm in the Pavilion, parking and entry are free of charge and teas and coffees will be available courtesy of the local WI ladies.

Get hands on and investigate the wonder of water for yourself. Just like Lord Armstrong you can experiment with the power of water. Take a walk around Tumbleton Lake and join our volunteers at each water station for interactive fun. Some small charges may be made for activities.

Woodhorn Musuem have an exciting variety of events through the Easter holidays including an Alien Egg Hunt (as part of their ALIEN INVASION Exhibition), Felt Decoration crafts, the Easter Bunny, the Blyth Valley Easter MAG Run and a Birds of Prey display! There really is something for everyone there and this is on top of their usual exhibitions and things to do at the museum like the Pump House demonstrations and the Narrow Gauge Railway that runs through the park (Saturdays and Sundays 10am - 3pm, subject to weather conditions).

During the holiday fortnight Adventure Northumberland will be returning to Bamburgh Castle with their amazing Adventure Zip-wire! It's a stunning location and great fun, so make sure you give it a go if you dare! The Alnwick Garden have a range of activities this Easter from fun and madness with the Hatter and the much-anticipated egg-roll, to silhouette-cutting and a trail of eggs belonging to a fearsome animatronic Tyrannosaurus Rex!