Festival of Thrift returns

THE Festival of Thrift is set to return this autumn. The celebration of culture, sustainability and style is back in Billingham on Saturday, September 20 and Sunday, September 21.

- By KIRSTIE MCCRUM

Visitors can enjoy a packed weekend of free events with over 17 outdoor performances and installations, including 10 North East premieres. There are also dozens of hands-on workshops, and more than 90 stalls from independent traders and makers.

“Billingham Town Centre and John Whitehead Park will be transformed into a joyful creative hub for thrifty and resourceful living, exploring imaginative ways to live well while treading lightly on the planet,” said the organisers.

“Festival of Thrift is an event where creativity meets sustainability by exploring topics around nature, climate and the environment through playful and surprising encounters.”

The festival takes place across different zones with Billingham Town Centre becoming Slow Fashion Alley, and John Whitehead Park turned into a celebration of the natural world, with performance, dance, adventure and tales from around the world.

Highlights for 2025 include:

Slow Fashion Alley, Billingham Town Centre

This is a gateway to sustainable style, self-expression and conscious fashion choices. For the first-time this year it also includes secondhand record stalls in Billingham Library.