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Let our city entertain you
From daytime fun to big nights out, you’ll never be stuck for things to do in Newcastle, whatever your vibe.
Here’s just a few suggestions.
Theatre
You’re spoilt for theatrical choices in Newcastle, with no fewer than six theatres.
Theatre Royal
- for London West End touring productions, panto, dance, drama, comedy, ballet and opera
Northern Stage
- our campus-based theatre
Live Theatre
- for original and bold productions by new talent
Alphabetti Theatre
- not-for-profit theatre and hub for the annual Newcastle Fringe Festival performing arts showcase
Tyne Theatre and Opera House
- for live music, comedy, shows, workshops, talks and tours
People’s Theatre
- a non-professional theatre company
Cinema
There’s plenty of big screen entertainment on offer at:
Cineworld in The Gate
– 16 screens and a powerful digital sound system make for an amazing movie night. The Gate’s entertainment facilities also include an axe throwing experience, casino, escape rooms, bowling and VR gaming centre
Everyman
– enjoy mainstream, independent, and classic films from the comfort of cosy sofas
Tyneside Cinema
– a specialised independent cinema and digital arts venue with hidden ties to Hollywood. The cinema was founded by Dixon Scott, the great uncle of legendary film directors Sir Ridley Scott and his brother, the late Tony Scott
ODEON at Gateshead’s Metrocentre
– immerse yourself in the latest blockbuster films with IMAX technology. The Metrocentre is easily reached by public transport from Newcastle
Art and Culture
Soak up some art and history, join an open studio event, or discover culture on campus.
Museums:
Discovery Museum
– showcasing the city’s maritime history and the world-changing science and technology of North East pioneers
Life
– a science centre with planetarium exploring human life, the natural world, outer space and our climate
Great North Museum: Hancock
– our on-campus museum tracing 350 million years of evolution
Galleries:
BALTIC
– with no permanent collection this centre for contemporary art constantly surprises with shows by local and international artists across four exhibition spaces
Laing
– featuring an internationally important collection of British paintings, watercolours, ceramics, silver and glassware
Biscuit Factory
– for contemporary works by over 200 artists every season
Hatton
– our on-campus gallery of over 3,000 works from the 14th-20th centuries. It also stages degree shows by our Fine Art students
The Late Shows
– an annual, late-night free culture crawl across Newcastle. Art, music and performance venues, galleries, museums, studio collectives and landmark historical buildings open their doors to the public
Culture on campus
– daytime, lunchtime or night time, there’s lots to discover on our campus, from concerts and lectures to a self-guided art tour
Live music
From grassroots gigs to arena tours, Newcastle’s music scene is electric. Where you go depends on what you want to hear.
Venues to check out include:
Big concerts; major artists:
St James’ Park
– Newcastle United’s home ground is a regular fixture for stadium tours. It’s hosted rock stars from the Rolling Stones to Brit award winner and local hero Sam Fender
Utilita Arena
– one of the largest concert and exhibition venues in the North East offering a line-up of big names
The Glasshouse
– an International Centre for Music and home to the Royal Northern Sinfonia
Mid-sized touring acts and alternative events:
NX Newcastle
– mixing more intimate concerts with club nights
O2 City Hall
– host to rock and pop greats since the 1960s and still welcoming top music stars and new talent
Gigs and local bands:
The Cluny
– hosting emerging bands and small-touring artists
World Headquarters
– the city’s longest-running independent, multiracial underground club, staging live gigs and DJ sets
Boiler Shop
– once the world’s first purpose-built locomotive factory, now an independent arts, culture and entertainment venue
Casual nights and new vibes:
Bars and smaller pubs in the city centre and Ouseburn
– serving up an eclectic mix of gigs by emerging bands
The Venue
– our Students’ Union gig space could be where you catch the next big thing
Big nights out
Enjoy a night out with a difference, including:
silent discos
crazy golf
bowling and ball pits
rage rooms, axe throwing and simulation shooting range
retro arcades
escape rooms and outdoor escape games
Activities change, so keep up to date at NewcastleGateshead initiative
Seasonal events
Whatever the season there’s lots to see and do in Newcastle, including:
festivals
– usually held during the spring and summer. Events include Newcastle’s Pride Festival celebrating LGBTQIA+ culture, and Newcastle Mela, a two-day showcase of South Asian music, food and heritage
Screen on the green
– a summer feast of film and live sports screened outdoors at Old Eldon Square
city ghost walks and guided tours
– available year-round, but best enjoyed in the run-up to Halloween
Northern Lights
– a mile-long light trail around Leazes Park
Fenwick’s Christmas window
– a Christmas tradition since 1971. Each November crowds line up to see the department store’s festive window display featuring mechanical puppets and elaborate scenery
Skating at Life
– Newcastle’s Times Square is turned into an open air ice rink in the run-up to Christmas
Cycle trails
Newcastle’s a compact, easy to navigate city – especially on two wheels.
Free Dr Bike sessions on campus
will keep your bike in great riding order. There’s also two cycle repair stands near our Daysh Building and at the bike store near the Frederick Douglass Centre.
Bike lanes make cycling in the city safe. Scenic routes follow the River Tyne east and west.
For more challenging rides head into Northumberland and the North Pennines, with routes including:
Hadrian’s Cycleway (distance 274kms)
- National Cycle Route 72 is a coast-to-coast challenge ride following the path of Hadrian’s Wall
Coast and Castles (distance 307kms)
– stretching from Newcastle to Edinburgh, 85 miles of the route follow the magnificent Northumberland coastline
Pennine Cycleway (distance 563kms)
– the most epic ride on the National Cycle Network. Complete the full ride or tackle more local sections
Reivers Route (distance 273kms
) – a coast-to-coast cycle route from Tynemouth to Whitehaven
Sea to Sea (C2C) (distance 220kms)
– the UK’s most popular challenge cycle route from Cumbria to Tyneside
Walks in Newcastle
From city strolls to heritage trails, Newcastle is the perfect base for setting out on some wonderful walks. Routes include:
Quayside loop (distance: 6kms approx)
– a circular walk from the Millennium Bridge. It follows the Newcastle Quayside, across the Swing Bridge (or Redheugh Bridge for a longer walk), circling back on the Gateshead side of the Tyne
Jesmond Dene trails (distances vary)
– a network of paths connects Jesmond Dene with Armstrong Park, Paddy Freeman Park and Heaton Park
City Highlights and Heritage Walks (distances vary)
– join Newcastle City Guides for these fascinating tours through central Newcastle, Gateshead, and surrounding areas
Hadrian’s Wall Path (total distance 135kms)
– complete the full coast-to-coast National Trail from Wallsend to Bowness-on-Solway in Cumbria, or follow sections of the route as it passes through the city
NewcastleGateshead Initiative
Want to know what’s going on in the city? Check out NewcastleGateshead Initiative for a full programme of activities and entertainment.
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