The first ever WOW North East Festival will take place in October 2025 in partnership with S&DR200 (Stockton and Darlington Railway 200 year celebrations) and we are hosting a series of WOW Think Ins to meet local communities across the region and hear their thoughts on what should be part of the first WOW Festival in the region.

Around the world, WOW programmes are planned through a series of WOW Think Ins, led by the WOW Team including our Founder Jude Kelly. These friendly events are a chance to have your say on what your WOW Festival should be about. What ideas can be developed into the programme and what in your opinion are the most relevant topics for women, girls and non-binary people today? And for the men and boys we share the world with?

Everyone is welcome to have their say. You don’t need to prepare anything, and there’s no pressure to talk if you’d rather listen.

WOW North East Think Ins will take place in the following locations:

3 Feb 2025, 2 & 6pm, Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle

4 Feb 2025, 10am, Screen 2, Gala Durham

4 Feb 2025, 1.30 & 5.30pm, The Studio @ ARC Stockton

5 Feb 2025, 12pm, Shildon Railway Institute

5 Feb 2025, 5pm, Darlington Library

WOW Think In sessions are open to all ages and all genders. All of the venues are wheelchair accessible and WOW Think Ins are free to attend.

You can book your free place here.

Know individuals or groups who should be there? Let us know and help us spread the word using our social media toolkit.

WOW is partnering with S&DR200 as part of a nationwide festival celebrating 200 years of train travel in the area, to present WOW North East - the first WOW festival in the region.