Amble Puffin Festival events 2023
EVERYDAY
To see the puffins, and thousands of other seabirds (weather permitting):
- Puffin Cruises from the Harbour. Booking essential. Ring 07752 861914.
- Amble Boat Trips aboard the Natalie Kristen II. To book, ring Kevin on 07873 752643.
FRINGE ACTIVITIES
Amble First Schools' puffin painting display in shops along Queen Street
Children’s amusements in the Town Square
The Dovecote Street Show. Amble’s first-ever large-scale exhibition of contemporary painting, printmaking, photography and sculpture from across the North East. Comprising work from 50 participants, the exhibition offers visitors a broad overview of the area’s creative talent. Runs from May 8 - 28. 10am-4pm at the NTC Dovecote Centre NE65 0DX. See their social media for more info. Instagram: dovecotestreetshow; Facebook: Dovecote Street Show; Twitter: DovecoteStShow. Free entry
Create puffin bunting at cafes on Queen Street, Radcliffes Bar and Spurreli’s
Puffin themed cupcakes/treats from The Galley and Gracy’s on Queen Street
‘Puffin Poo’ milkshakes and fudge from Mocha Mondo pod in the Harbour Village
THURSDAY 25 MAY
Evening talk*: An introduction to the ecology of Harvest Mice and their reintroduction to the Northumberland Coast. With Sophie Webster, Northumberland Wildlife Trust’s Catch My Drift project officer. At the Dovecote Centre NE65 0DX. 7pm-9pm (with interval). Doors open 6.30pm. Adults £5, children £3 Cash only on the door; sorry we have no card facilities.
FRIDAY 26 May
Evening event*: Live music from local modern folk group Wild Cloudberries. 7.30pm at the Dovecote Centre NE65 0DX. 7.30pm-10pm (with interval). Doors open 7pm. Tickets £10. Cash only on the door; sorry we have no card facilities.
Tickets for events marked * are available from
N & F Young (8 Queen St), Seafood Centre in the Harbour Village, and Fourways2, Dilston Terr. Tickets for talks are also available on the door. Cash only on the door; sorry we have no card facilities.
Preview event: for SheView exhibition at DryWater Arts. A chance to meet artist Susan Waters at the ahead of her two day exhibition. Everyone welcome - refreshments available. Dry Water Arts Centre, Wellwood Street Amble NE65 0FG www.drywaterarts.uk Tel: 07542 141411 6pm - 8pm. Free
MAIN FESTIVAL (SATURDAY 27 and SUNDAY 28 MAY)
Description | Time | Venue |
Fair in the Square |
10am - 4pm | Town Square |
Pop up bird watching |
10am - 12pm | Estuary |
All about Puffins. |
10am - 4pm | Town Sq |
Puffins ahoy! |
10am - 4pm | Town Square |
Exhibition: SheView |
10:30am - 4pm | Dry Water Arts Centre |
Bord Waalk info tent |
10am - 4pm | Town Sq |
Talks and Screenings |
10am -4pm | NTC Dovecote Centre |
Puffin storytime and crafts |
10:30am - 11:30am | Amble Library |
Beach Safari |
10:30am - 3:30pm | Little Shore |
Beach Art |
4pm- 5:30pm | Little Shore |
Live Performances |
Throughout the date (check puffin boards for times) | Town Sq |
Live music from |
Throughout the date (check puffin boards for times) | Town Sq |
Meet Tommy Noddy the giant puffin. |
Various | Town Square |
Dog show |
12:30 reg | Braid |
Wildlife talk |
1-1:30pm | Town Sq |
Make a puffin mascot |
2pm - 3:30pm | Amble Pin Cushion - 20 Queen Street |
Afternoon nature walk |
2pm | Meet in Town Sq |
Stand up Paddleboard taster sessions |
Various | Various Locations |
Evening talk* |
6.30pm | Masonic Hall |
SUNDAY 28 MAY
Description | Time | Venue |
Fair in the Square |
10am - 4pm | Town Square |
All about Puffins. |
10am - 4pm | Town Sq. |
Puffins ahoy! |
10am - 4pm | Town Square |
Exhibition: SheView |
10:30am - 4pm | Dry Water Arts |
Live Performances |
Throughout the day | In the Town Sq/centre |
Bord Waalk info tent |
TBC | Town Sq. |
Beach Safari |
Any time | Little Shore |
Afternoon talk |
1-2pm | Town Sq. |
Afternoon nature walk |
2pm | Meet in Town Sq |
Meet Tommy Noddy the giant puffin |
Various Times | Town Square |
ARTISTS/ENTERTAINERS
The Bare Toed Dance Co – Aerial artists based in Newcastle. They combine playful creativity, aerial dance suspended from a wire, and physical theatre. A big hit last year, this year the group are also offering have a go aerial workshops for the general public. Together with live music, the performances have been designed especially for the Puffin Festival. See them on Saturday in the Town Sq
Katrina Porteous - Katrina is a freelance poet, historian and broadcaster, specialising in work on the theme of ‘nature’ in its widest sense, and ‘place’ in its deepest. Known for her extensive knowledge of Northumbrian history and dialect, Katrina composed several poems for the new Amble Bord Waalk sculpture trail. We are delighted to be the venue for Katrina’s first reading of The Bird Roads, together with a Q+A about her experience of writing and collaborating during the Covid lockdown. See Katrina on Sunday 1-2pm in the Cock+Bull in the Town Sq
Wild Cloudberries - Wild Cloudberries is a contemporary folk band that blends elements of storytelling folk, blues and ballads to create an easy listening mix of original songs and interesting arrangements of much loved songs by world class artists. See them on Friday evening at the NTC Dovecote Centre
Salida - Chilled out acoustic Latin, samba, reggae - an eclectic mixture really. The band have been together for over 10 years performing covers ranging from Manu Chau to Bob Marley, sung in English, Spanish & Portugese. Classic tunes with a Salida twist. Band - vocals Davy Allan, guitar Tom Ross, percussion Matthew Ross. Currently writing their own songs, a unique latin style vibe. See them on Saturday in the Town Sq
The Baghdaddies’ exuberant and rampant brand of world music is an exhilarating cocktail of Balkan melodies, ska and latin grooves and sizzling brass played with furious energy and theatrical humour, making them as unforgettable on stage as they are when performing as wandering brass troubadours. They take themselves incredibly seriously so you don’t have to… See them on Sunday in the Town Sq
Caribbean Crew – Steel band based in Cramlington. Playing upbeat, contemporary music, this community project promotes the art of the steelpan and Caribbean culture. A firm Puffin Festival favourite. See them on Sunday in the Town Sq
Auckland Shanty Singers - A sea shanty singing group based in Bishop Auckland. They perform all over the region, bringing the songs of the sea, both traditional and new. Join in the choruses and bring your best pirate impersonations! See them on Saturday in the Town Sq
The Boffs – Originated in Amble during the late 1960s. They have reformed and are still playing the psychedelic rock they did all those years ago. They just love being out and about again, and hope you enjoy the music they love to play. See them on Sat and sun in the Town Sq
Pop up Poet Ian Williams is a stand-up poet and performer. He has performed at events, festivals and theatres around the north east and Scotland over the past 15 year. He is the resident ‘pop-up’ poet for the Amble Puffin Festival. Catch him as he makes impromptu performances in local cafes and restaurants throughout the festival period. He hopes to make people smile and think in equal measure.