Middlesbrough has two large parks: Albert Park and Stewart Park.
concerts, live music and culture
Middlesbrough hosts a number of musical and cultural events during the year, including receiving national fame as a host city for the BBC Proms in the Park "Last Night of the Proms" in September 2007.
Middlesbrough Music Live has been running since June 2000. Website: (http://www.middlesbroughm...)
Middlesbrough's top multi-cultural event, Middlesbrough Mela, attracts more than 25,000 and is held annually in Albert Park. Website: (http://www.tvcm.co.uk/ind...)
Middlesbrough Town Hall hosts a number of concerts and other performances of all kinds. Box Office: "+44" 1642 729729. You can download the brochure of their international classical concert series on their website top right in the pink box (http://www.middlesbrough....)
Local musical groups such as the Cleveland Philharmonic Choir, Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra, Teesside Symphony Orchestra, Apollo Male Voice Choir, and the nationally acclaimed Tees Valley Youth Choir (http://www.teesvalleyyout...) give regular concerts in the area. Many details are available through Tees Music on their website: (http://www.acln56.ukgatew...)
cinemas
There are multiplex cinemas in both Middlesbrough and Teesside Park. In Middlesbrough, there is a Cineworld cinema Middlesbrough Leisure Park, Marton Road, and at Teesside Leisure Park between Middlesbrough and Stockton there is a Showcase Cinema (http://www.showcasecinema...).
The Cineworld cinema is cheaper and newer, though there are not as many shows.
Also, there is a single screen cinema in Redcar, the Regent Cinema, though it is very old. The Esplanade, Redcar. +44 1642 482094. Website: (http://www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/redcarvisitor.nsf/WebFullList/AEA0C2F158740E4780256DA5004C66D6?OpenDocument)
The University of Teesside has a cinema showing contemporary films and world cinema in the evenings. 5-10 minutes walk from the Town Centre. Website: (http://www.tees.ac.uk/sec...)
sports
Middlesbrough has a Championship football club. The Championship is the UK's second level football league. Middlesbrough FC were UEFA Cup runners up in 2005-2006, and they won the League Cup in 2003-2004. The football team play in the 35,000 seat Riverside Stadium â 0870 421 1986. The stadium is a 10 minute walk from the town centre past the cinema and is easy to find. If you are in doubt, ask a local or simply follow the crowd. Middlesbrough play in red. Tickets generally cost around £25 for adults and £15 for concessions. They can be bought from the ticket office at the stadium, or from the MFC Retail in Captain Cook Square, opposite the entrance to the bus station, and 150 yards from Linthorpe Road.
theatres
There are theatres in Middlesbrough The Avenue, Linthorpe. +44 1642 815181. Website: (http://www.thestage.co.uk/listings/venue.php/888/middlesbrough-theatre-middlesbrough), Darlington Civic Theatre Parkgate, Darlington. +44 1325 486555. Website: (http://www.darlingtonarts.co.uk/Main+Menu/Main%20Menu.htm.) and The Forum Theatre Queensway, Billingham. +44 1642 551389. Website: (http://www.forumtheatrebillingham.co.uk/).
stewart park
Stewart Park is more rural, created on what was once the edge of the town at the intersection of Marton Road and Ladgate Lane. It resembles more a botanical garden than an urban park, with long pathways meandering through woods, over wooden bridges etc. It is now best known as the site of the Captain Cook Birthplace Museum. The northern half of the park features an open air zoo of sorts with mostly small animals and birds, sometimes including kiwis. An open grassy area may be used for picnics.
albert park
Albert Park is a classic Victorian landscaped park about 1 mile south of the town centre off Linthorpe Road, the main shopping street. The main entrance is at the Cenotaph, which is located in a square bounded by the park, the Dorman Museum, Linthorpe Road, and Park Road North. The other boundaries of the park are Park Road South and Park Vale Road.
The park is divided into four quadrants by wide paved pathways running north-south and east-west. The east-west path runs past well-kept flower beds. The northeast quadrant of the park has bowling greens and tennis courts. The southwest quadrant has childrens' play areas and a boating lake, which is undergoing renovation in 2009. The southeast quadrant has a large open area suitable for ball games. The northeast quadrant also has open areas, as well as an old roller rink.
In the centre of the park, at the intersection of the main paths, is a bronze statue of Middlesbrough's most famous resident, star football player and controversial football team manager Brian Clough.