What's On in NewcastleGateshead 2023

Each January, we take a look ahead to the upcoming event highlights for the following year and provide you with plenty of reasons to visit NewcastleGateshead. This year is going to be massive for NewcastleGateshead and we can not wait to enjoy it with you. Here's to 2023!

As we wave goodbye to 2022, we are eagerly looking forward to the coming year. Plan your visit to Newcastle, Gateshead and the North East this year and enjoy art, culture, new experiences, sing-along gigs, mouth watering food and much more.

We will run down the top events, concerts and festivals, all you have to do is be there!

To keep up to date, follow us on social media and subscribe to read our monthly What’s On emails.

• Friday 19 and Saturday 20 May 2023

One of the biggest events in Newcastle and Gateshead's cultural calendars, The Late Shows will take place across two nights in May 2023.

The award-winning free late-night culture crawl - featuring open art studios, music, performance, galleries, museums and a host of the most bizarre and intriguing interactive events - is facilitated by Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums (TWAM) and usually features over 40 cultural venues staged across Newcastle and Gateshead.  The two-day event – now in its 15th year is a well-established part of the cultural calendar in the North East, and allows participants to curate their own experience from the vast choice on offer.

The event will take place on Friday 19 May in the Ouseburn only and on Saturday 20 May it will be in venues across central Newcastle, the Quayside and Gateshead. The line-up of venues taking part will be announced in Spring 2023.

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• Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 June 2023

The 16th Magic Weekend will take place once again at St Jame's Park in June 2023.

2023 will be the seventh year that the unmissable sporting event has been hosted in Newcastle. The weekend will get under way with a repeat of the 2019 Magic fixture between Hull KR and Salford Red Devils.

Be a part of the electric atmosphere by securing your tickets here. 

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• Spring 2023

The world’s biggest children’s play park is due to open in 2023 at Alnwick Garden and it is bound to be epic! The brand new fantasy village play area called Lilidorei will be located at The Alnwick Garden in Northumberland. The structure depicts a one-of-a-kind magical village where it’s Christmas all year round and where fantastical creatures such as goblins, elves, dwarves and pixies are plentiful.

Visitors will be transported into the everyday lives of the troublesome clan members through the unique use of immersive sound and zip wires, slides and climbing walls will connect each area.

It is certainly one of the wackier highlights of 2023. Keep an eye on our socials for specific opening dates and times.

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• Sunday 10 September 2023

The world's biggest half marathon returns in September of 2023. The toon will welcome around 60,000 runners who will follow the famous city to coast route, being cheered on by crowds of supporters for the entire 13 mile run. The Great North Run ballot opens in early January (9th) so if you're keen - throw your name into the hat - we'll be rooting for you!

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• Spring 2023

Opening in Spring 2023, the eagerly awaited Northumberland Anglo-Saxon Museum and English whisky distillery Ad Gefrin will welcome visitors. Ad Gefrin will be celebrating and showcasing the unique heritage, ancient hospitality, and contemporary crafts, arts and produce of Northumberland and re-awakening the Northumbrian tradition for Whisky distilling that has slept for over 200 years. You can learn more about Ad Gefrin here. Be sure to keep an eye on our socials for the opening dates.

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• 16-22 January 2023 and August 2023 (dates TBC)

Twice a year, eateries in Newcastle and Gateshead take part in NE1's Restaurant Week. For a whole week, you can enjoy mouth watering meals for a fraction of the price. Each restaurant crafts a bespoke Restaurant Week menu for either £10pp, £15 or £20pp. It's the perfect way to discover a new restaurant in Newcastle or enjoy an old favourite at an even better price. Keep an eye out for the dates here. 

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• 16- 24 June 2023

The Hoppings is a firm favourite in the annual Geordie event calendar. The Hoppings is billed as Europe's biggest and best travelling funfair with 300 rides and attractions and has become a regular feature on the North East's summer entertainment calendar since it first began in 1882.

A regular favourite with families and visitors across the North East and with nearly 140 years history in Newcastle, The Hoppings is a brilliant day out filled with thrills and spills on Newcastle's Town Moor.

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• Saturdays from 29 July- 9 September

Kynren - An Epic Tale of England, brings history to life with blockbuster open-air performances. Rebellions, wars, magic, majesty, celebration and heartache are vividly brought to ground-shaking life in a dazzling outdoor-theatre spectacular. It is one to book now for a dazzling night out in 2023. For booking information click here. 

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• 22- 23 July 2023

One of the biggest celebrations in Newcastle of the year will take place once again in the summer. Northern Pride celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community and allows a space to recognise and vocalise the challenges that many people in the community face on a daily basis as well as making it an occasion to educate, promote understanding and give out valuable advice and support.

The festival will be FREE to attend and will be packed full of music, activism and focus on the theme of Remember Resist Rise Up.

Keep an eye out on our socials and website for updates on the festival. 

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• Saturday 5 - Sunday 6 August, 2023

2022 at Loosefest saw The Black Eyed Peas, Example and local hero Patrick Topping headline the event on Newcastle’s Town Moor. If that is anything to go by, we can predict the 2023 line up to be just as amazing. The festival unites the city with music, drinks and lots of dancing. Keep an eye out for the line up which is set to be announced soon. You can get your tickets here.

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• 30 June- 2 July 2023

Yes, you read that right! Coastella is a new music festival that will land in North Shields in summer 2023. Championing new original music, Coastella will showcase the best live acts the region has to offer, alongside national touring artists in a never been seen before outdoor festival experience in the very heart of our beautiful coast, North Shields. Some of the lineup has already been announced and includes Futureheads, Bear Park, Chintzy Stetson, Jango Flash and many more. Keep an eye on our website for more updates and grab your tickets here.

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• 6- 9 July 2023

Starting back in 2005, the Mouth of the Tyne Festival takes place every July for a weekend of live music and international street theatre in Tynemouth. Past acts include Sam Fender, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Rick Astley and the Proclaimers. The festival is a sell out so make sure you keep an eye out for announcements!

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• 9- 10 June 2023

Coined the 'Geordie Bank Holiday', local lad Sam Fender will take to the stage for two sell-out shows at St James' Park in June. Taking place over the Blaydon Races weekend, the event is one of the biggest for 2023. With tickets being snatched up in minutes, the city will most definitely be buzzing for the weekend. 

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• 30 January 2023
• 9- 10 March 2023
• 5-6 September 2025

Peter Kay announced his return to comedy back in 2022 with a UK and Ireland tour. He will be performing in Newcastle in 2023 on a range of dates and there are tickets available for the September 2025 dates*! For more information and booking click here. 

* tickets available at time of writing

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• 21 February 2023

Internationally acclaimed, multiple- award winning British musician YUNGBLUD has announced ‘YUNGBLUD, the world tour’, with headline dates across the UK for February 2023. This tour will see YUNGBLUD take to the stage at seven arenas around the UK, including Utilita Arena Newcastle on February 21 2023!

Supporting YUNGBLUD, British pop-punk band Neck Deep will be special guests.

Get your tickets here. 

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• 11 March

Following the release of forthcoming new album ‘NUT’ by BRIT Award winning and Grammy®-nominated artist KT Tunstall announced a 16 date UK tour including a date at Sage Gateshead. ‘NUT’ is the seventh studio album by multi-million selling artist KT Tunstall and the last in a trilogy of albums she began recording and releasing in 2016. Click here to buy tickets. 

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There is so much going on in Newcastle, Gateshead and the North East. Keep up to date on all things toon via our social media channels. Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and Facebook.