Top things to do this August Bank Holiday weekend in NewcastleGateshead

The summer holidays are drawing to a close, but don't worry there is still plenty to enjoy in NewcastleGateshead! With any luck, the sun will be shining for the three day weekend, which will welcome back festival favourites and (hopefully) be the perfect time to explore the great outdoors.

Come rain or shine, we have picked some top things to do this August Bank Holiday weekend.

Summer of Fun at Beamish

Step back in time this bank holiday weekend and explore Beamish's, Summer of Fun and enjoy good old-fashioned family fun as this summer. Travel through The 1820s Landscape as a drover and explore the natural world, help Miss Smith’s maid find her missing ingredients in The 1900s Town, look for games, challenges and fun in The 1900s Pit Village, learn about the life of an evacuee at The 1940s Farm and explore post-war Britain through the eyes of a teenager in The 1950s Town. If the sun is shining during your visit, be sure to pop by 1950s Front Street terrace and try tasty traditional ice cream from John’s Café, which is a must for all ice cream lovers.

Toon Tour

Hop on a Toon Tour Bus this bank holiday weekend and be whisked around NewcastleGateshead in style. The bus service runs every 30 minutes, starting from Central Station in Newcastle and stops at sights including, Discovery Museum, St James' Park, Great North Museum, Ouseburn, Quayside, Millennium Bridge, Tyne Bridge, Baltic, The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, Grey’s Monument, Grey Street, Newcastle Castle and Newcastle Cathedral. Hop on and hop off the bus and see more of the sights listed. When you are finished, simply hop on the next running bus and continue the tour! The tickets also allow unlimited travel on all Go North East buses the same day, and they will be available to buy on the Go North East app, or you can buy directly from the driver on the bus.

The bank holiday weekend will welcome back some toon festival favourites, both old and new alongside fun events to groove to!

Noughty 90's Festival at Leazes Park

The return of Noughty 90's Festival Festival to Leazes Park is set to be massive. Taking place on Saturday 29th August, the day will be the ultimate throwback party. Expect multiple stages of music, immersive entertainment, and festival vibes that will transport you straight back to the golden era of pop, R&B, dance, and cheesy classics. Join Basshunter, Ultrabeat, N-Trance, Vengaboys and many more artists and sing your heart out to.

Northern and Modern Soul All Dayer at The Glasshouse

Spanning two spaces of non-stop music, this 12-hour All-dayer at The Glasshouse will showcase the very best in Northern Soul, Motown and Modern Soul, delivered by some of the UK’s most respected DJs, including Colin Curtis, Simon Hunt and John Kane, alongside a selection of the finest local DJs. On Sunday 30th August you can expect a rich musical journey across the decades, featuring Northern and Modern Soul, Jazz Funk, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, Y2K soul and soulful house.

The Park Series - McFly & The Human League at Leazes Park

Head over to Leazes Park on Friday 28th August to see McFly. With seven UK number-one singles, five top-ten albums, six sell-out tours and ten million records sold worldwide, McFly are without question one of the most significant British pop acts of the twenty-first century. For even more music at Leazes Park over the bank holiday weekend, come back on Sunday 30th to see The Human League perform. The band gave us the greatest ever Christmas Number 1 single with 1981/2's 'Dont You Want Me', who have had four Top 10 albums and eight Top 10 singles in the UK as well as two US Number 1 singles and sold 20 million records worldwide. Both shows are not to be missed!

Martin Kemp at Wylam Brewery

On Sunday 30th August, catch Martin Kemp's Ultimate 80's Party at Wylam Brewery. After his many amazing shows at Wylam, 80’s icon & borderline national treasure Martin Kemp, returns by popular demand for a Summer Bank Holiday party night out, to Dj all his favourite 80s hits, live and up close.

Newcastle Mela

The ever popular Newcastle Mela is returning to Exhibition Park this August bank holiday weekend on Sunday 30th and Monday 31st August. The festival is free, family friendly and everyone is welcome. The event is based around Pakistani, Bengali, Indian and other South Asian cultures and this is your chance to experience the music, food and entertainment associated with these cultures. Over two days you will be entertained by singers and musicians; enjoy a delicious range of hot and cold foods from our many stall holders; buy clothes, gifts and jewellery; try out art, crafts and activities; and see some incredible performances by circus acts, dance artists and local groups.

Bank holiday activities are hungry (and thirsty!) work. Explore NewcastleGateshead and discover some culinary delights over the three day weekend. Take a look here at our top pubs with beer gardens and terraces to enjoy a drink or two over the bank holiday weekend.

Battle Royale at Wylam Brewery

Wander along to Wylam Brewery and you will find the August Food Battle, Battle Royale running from Friday 28th to Saturday 29th August. Wylam Brewery knows how to pit the best local foodie producers against each other in a cracking event that always has beer flowing and tunes spinning. This bank holiday weekend, not only is it the ‘best dish’ title on the line but also ‘best genre’! Tacos against burgers, pizza against curry, and we’re here for it all. Vendors will battle it out to be crowned culinary champions.

Blackfriars Cloister Garden BBQ

Head over the Blackfriars Cloister Garden and indulge in a BBQ fit for a king! You’ll enjoy a sharing plank of seasonal starters, followed by a main course straight from the BBQ and rounded off with a seasonal dessert. Don't worry if the sun isn't shining, the outdoor area is fitted with large umbrellas and heaters. Book your place today.

Bank holiday activities are hungry (and thirsty!) work. Explore NewcastleGateshead and discover some culinary delights over the three day weekend. Take a look here at our top pubs with beer gardens and terraces to enjoy a drink or two over the bank holiday weekend. Or if you're looking to book a Bottomless Brunch to say cheers to the long weekend, then look no further as we've rounded up some of the best places in town! Grab your mates and have an incredible time sipping on cocktails with some tasty food in the glorious sunshine. Find out more.

Summer Street Party in Ouseburn

Head over to Ouseburn Valley to enjoy their Summer Street Party on Saturday 29th August. Ouseburn will be transformed into a summer party from 10am-6pm and the best part is that you can explore it all for free. On the day, you can expect plenty of lush treats, creative pop ups, hair tinsel, fantastic giveaways, lucky dips, a BBQ, live music and so much more! The Summer Street Party will feature many fantastic local businesses in Ouseburn, including Flaura Rose, The Find, The Cluny, Deep North and many more! Get yourself down to explore all of the fun activities, it's going to be an unmissable event. Market entry is £2.

Quayside Market

A bank holiday Sunday visit to the Quayside Market is a must. At the Quayside Market, you’ll find a lively mix of artisan crafts, handmade jewellery, unique gifts, and independent local stalls, offering everything from organic produce and homemade baked goods to quirky artwork and eco-friendly products. Feeling hungry? The street food scene is a highlight, with vendors serving a variety of global flavours, from loaded burgers and wood-fired pizza to sweet treats like crepes and artisan doughnuts.

It wouldn't be a British summer if there wasn't a spot of rain. If the weather takes a turn for the worse, don't worry, there is still plenty happening in NewcastleGateshead to enjoy over the three day weekend.

Tyneside Cinema has a range of films to suit all tastes over the August Bank Holiday. From cult classics to new releases, take a look at the schedule here.

As always, museums in NewcastleGateshead have an array of exciting exhibitions for you to enjoy. Take your pick of great free museums and attractions which will be hosting activities and events as well as giving you the chance to explore their collection of permanent and temporary exhibitions. From Great North Museum to Shipley Art Gallery and the Discovery Museum.

Planning on staying over the bank holiday weekend? Take a look at our top hotel picks in the city. The perfect way to enjoy all that's going on in NewcastleGateshead over the bank holiday weekend. Click here to read more.