Queen's Hall Arts Centre

About Queen's Hall Arts Centre

Queen's Hall Arts Centre is the principal arts venue for Hexham and West Northumberland, occupying a landmark Victorian building on Beaumont Street. The Grade II listed structure was built in 1866 in the Italianate style to a design by architect John Johnstone, originally serving as Hexham Town Hall before its later conversion to a cultural centre. Run today as a registered charity, Queen's Hall Arts describes itself as the creative heart of the community, bringing high-quality performance and visual art to the Tyne Valley. The building houses a 350-seat main theatre, a 50-seat studio, art galleries and hireable rooms.

The centre presents a year-round programme spanning theatre, comedy, live music, dance, family shows, talks and literature events, alongside a changing schedule of exhibitions in its galleries. It runs youth theatre groups for children and young people, summer workshops for young writers and makers, and hosts community initiatives such as the Tynedale Community Choir. The box office serves both the theatre and the wider building, which also accommodates Hexham Library and a café, making the venue a busy hub for cultural and civic life in the town.

Featured in These Guides

Blog posts and guides that feature Queen's Hall Arts Centre.

Christmas Lights Switch-On in Hexham 2026

Hexham's Christmas lights go on on Friday 20 November 2026, organised by Hexham Town Council. What has been confirmed so far, where to stand, how to get there and what else is on that weekend.

Best Places to Work Remotely in Hexham

A free library with Wi-Fi and printing, an early-opening pub on the Market Place and a handful of town-centre cafes: here's where to take your laptop when working from home wears thin in Hexham.

Hexham and District Music Society Marks 75 Years with a New Concert Season

Hexham's classical music society celebrates its 75th anniversary with six concerts at Queen's Hall and Hexham Abbey, opening with clarinettist Emma Johnson on 20 October.

Christmas Markets in Hexham

Hexham Abbey Christmas Fair is on Saturday 12 December 2026, 9am to 3pm, with hundreds of stalls indoors and out, and the Farmers' Market falls on the same morning. A guide to the town's festive market weekends.

Bonfire Night in Hexham

Hexham's free fireworks display is on The Sele on Saturday 7 November, with a samba band beforehand. One thing to know first: there is no longer a bonfire.

The Lost Buildings of Hexham

From the Gem Picture House that burned down to the vanished tanneries of Gilesgate, the demolished House of Correction and the old tenements cleared for Beaumont Street, here are the Hexham landmarks that time and the demolition men took away.

Hexham Abbey Festival to Crown the Abbey's 1,350th Anniversary Year

The Hexham Abbey Festival of Music and Arts returns from 26 to 29 September, the centrepiece of a year marking 1,350 years since the Abbey's foundation in 674 AD, with around 200 schoolchildren and Haydn's The Creation.

Free Summer Bingo Trail Invites Families to Explore Hexham

A free 25-challenge bingo trail is sending Hexham families around the town this summer, with cards from Queen's Hall and Mr Wolf toy shop and donations going to the Chrysalis dementia club.

Hexham Pride 2026: Punk, Parades and Queer Celebration

The North East's first queer punk Pride took over Hexham on Saturday 13 June, with a samba-led parade, five UK punk bands at Sele Park, a cult film at the Forum Cinema, and a Taylor Swift tribute at Queen's Hall.

Things to Do in Hexham: The Complete Guide

Hexham Abbey, the Old Gaol, Queen's Hall, Hadrian's Wall day trips, country walks, and a thriving market, everything worth doing in this historic Northumberland market town.

Meditation in Hexham

A Plum Village community group, Queen's Hall workshops, and retreat centres nearby.

Open Mic & Live Music Nights in Hexham

Bluegrass sessions, pub busker nights, Italian restaurant live music, and Queen's Hall concerts, where to find live music in Hexham.

Find a Tutor in Hexham

Music lessons, swimming coaching, tennis, martial arts, dance, art classes, and academic tutoring in Hexham.

A Rainy Day in Hexham

The Abbey, the Old Gaol, Queen's Hall cinema, soft play, bowling, and the best cafes, what to do when it rains.

Weekend in Hexham, 48-Hour Itinerary

Hexham Abbey, Allen Banks, Hadrian's Wall, and dinner at a Top 50 gastropub, how to make the most of 48 hours.

Free Things to Do in Hexham

Hexham Abbey, Sele Park, Tyne Green, the heritage trail, and Allen Banks, a full day out in Hexham without spending a penny on entry fees.

Best Breakfast in Hexham

Full English fry-ups, eggs benedict, shakshuka, and leisurely brunch, where to start your day in Hexham.

Best Cafes in Hexham

Independent coffee shops, social enterprise kitchens, and a riverside brunch spot, where to find the best cafes in Hexham.

Moving to Hexham: The Complete Guide

House prices, schools, transport links, healthcare, and community life, everything you need to know about moving to this award-winning Northumberland market town.

Upcoming Events

Events that feature or are connected to Queen's Hall Arts Centre.

Past Events

Recent events connected to Queen's Hall Arts Centre.