What can I do on Good Friday in Newcastle Gateshead?

Easter weekend will signal the first in a string of bank holiday weekends and we don't know about you, but we are ready for it! 

Sunshine and lighter evenings have returned with the spring and NewcastleGateshead is ready to relax with a well-earned four-day weekend this Easter. Good Friday falls on Friday 7 April this year so we may be in for a little sunshine. Fingers crossed!

For many people, Good Friday is a day for fish suppers and family time, perhaps a trip to the coast or a bracing stroll. It is also a great time to catch up with friends in a beer garden as you get ready for a long weekend of lie ins. 

It's sometimes hard to know what is open on Good Friday in Newcastle so let us give you our rundown of what you can do to kick start your bank holiday weekend this Easter with Good Friday activities in Newcastle and Gateshead.

For some people, it is a tradition to eat fish on Good Friday - and we can get onboard with that. Whatever the weather, a greasy wrapper of fish and chips at the coast is a classic British pastime and what better way to spend you Good Friday than along the stunning North East coastline. Take a walk from Tynemouth along the seafront to Whitley Bay and breathe in the fresh air. You have plenty of choice for the best fish and chips too from Longsands Fish Kitchen on Main Street in Tynemouth to the more pricey but highly-acclaimed Riley's Fish Shack on the beach at King Edwards Bay, to sit-in restaurant The View with (unsurprisingly) all the views of the North Sea and Longsands beach. Keep walking towards Whitley Bay for a tasty chippy tea at Fishermans Bay or the cream of the crop at award-winning chip shop Trenchers at Spanish City.

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Sticking with a fishy theme, Salt Market Social invite you to drop in on Good Friday 7 April from midday until 11pm and eat, catch up with friends and have a jolly good time! Nestled on the North Shields Fish Quay, Salt Market Social is well placed to provide the best in fish dishes from The Cullercoats Fish Lash, or sample some Mediterranean dining from Med Heads. If this isn't your thing, Posh Street Food will be serving up their famous kebabs. There will be DJs and live music to keep you entertained all evening too. 

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Fancy a Good Friday with a difference? Experience Newcastle Castle like never before with their film screening in the Great Hall in the Castle Keep. This Good Friday, Shrek will be showing to transport you back to 2001. The evening will start at 6pm with the film starting at 6:30pm. Remember to wrap up warm as it is still April after all!

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A firm favourite in the Newcastle event calendar, Wylam Brewery at Palace of Arts in Exhibition Park reinstate their Battle of the Burger extravaganza to herald the start of the bank holiday weekend. Head to Newcastle's Exhibition Park on Good Friday 7 April from 12noon with an empty stomach ready to sample the best in burgers from local traders who are competing to be crowned the best in the business. A perfect spot for catching some sunshine and sipping a top selection of craft beer too. 

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There is a whopping £1million prize pot available at this year's Good Friday race day at Newcastle Racecourse. If that feels like the way to start your bank holiday weekend then head down to track to cheer on your favourite filly at the All Weather Championships Final and Family Funday. There will be thrilling horse races, a mini golf course to have a go on, a funfair and even a visit from Paw Patrol favourites!

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There are lots of Easter family activities to do on Good Friday. Attractions that are open on Good Friday include Northumberland's Alnwick Garden where you can take part in Alnwick Ahoy! You're shipwrecked and need to find your precious cargo which is now scattered around The Garden. Gather your swashbucklers and scallywags and complete the treacherous trail!

April is a great time to make a visit to Alnwick Garden as the blossom starts to bloom across its spectacular Cherry Blossom Garden.

Alnwick Castle is set to reopen for their spring and summer season on the 31st of March. Join the Wizard Earl at the Alnwick School of Magic. Join him for a thrilling family show as good battle evil.

Beamish Museum have a range of Easter activities while Life Science Centre (open 10am - 2pm) have their usual excellent exhibitions. Great North Museum will also all be open on Good Friday (10am - 5pm) with plenty going on for families to enjoy in their free museum.

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Before you overindulge in Easter eggs (treat yourself to luxury, handcrafted eggs from Studio 28 Patisserie) - why not start the weekend with a freshly baked hot cross bun? Newcastle is well-catered for when it comes to excellent artisan bakeries so you will not have to look far for a fresh hot cross bun on Good Friday. Whether you plan ahead or try your luck on Good Friday, make sure you get up early to grab an Easter treat. Northern Rye on the edge of Ouseburn River on the way to Newcastle Quayside, Pink Lane Bakery in Newcastle city centre and Gosforth, and FAB Bakery in Fenham have all teased their social media followers with the promise of spicy hot cross buns. 

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