Hello January! As we welcome in the new year, we also welcome some fantastic events and upcoming highlights for NewcastleGateshead. There's so many exciting things to look forward to in 2027, so you better be sure to mark your calendars, tell your mates, and start planning your trip (or multiple trips!) to NewcastleGateshead. This year is going to be massive, and we can’t wait to enjoy it with you.
We’ve done the hard work and rounded up the must-visit events, concerts, festivals and so much more, and all you have to do is be there! Sound good? We’ll see you soon.
To keep up to date, follow us on social media and subscribe to read our monthly What’s On emails.
NE1 Restaurant Week is a hugely popular event in the Geordie calendar. Taking place twice a year, the week long event gives people the chance to eat out at some of the city's top restaurants and food spots with menus starting from as little as £15, £20 and £25 per person. Whether you are a fine-dining fanatic, a burger connoisseur or simply an all round foodie, you're basically spoilt for choice when it comes to NE1's Restaurant Week.
The ever popular Wylam Brewery Food Battles will return in 2027, where popular local food vendors battle it out to be crowned champion, and we can't wait to tuck in! The exact dates and battles are yet to be announced, but in the meantime, take a look back at all the fantastic food battles from 2026 ahead of next year's showdowns.
A look back at the food battles from 2026:
In February, the first food battle Flower Power celebrates all things meat-free, with over ten vegan food traders. The brand new Kung Fu'd battle in March will serve up Thai, Chinese and Japanese food. Battle of the Burger commences in April with vendors fighting to be crowned the best burger in the toon. Moving into May, we will be blessed with not one, but two food battles. Slice Wars and Mexican Stand Off take place on both bank holiday weekends in May. Expect exceptional pizza and mouth watering Mexican cuisine, with hopefully some sunshine to accompany the battles. Lord of the Wings will see vendors battling to be crowned the best chicken wing in Newcastle in October. Finishing off the year, Argie Bhaji will warm us up in late November. Let the battle commence!
BBC Radio 6 Music Festival is coming to Newcastle! From 15th - 19th March 2027, get ready for five jam-packed days of music. Expect plenty of gigs, DJ sets and a celebration of Newcastle’s music scene, with our much-loved grassroots venues taking centre stage. The line-up and venues will be announced next year, so keep your eyes peeled for more details.
Created by The Big River Bakery, National Stottie Cake Week will consist of a series of events and activities focused on celebrating the iconic Geordie classic. What could be better than that? Although the final itinerary for the week is yet to be finalised, the main goal is to enhance the accessibility of affordable and complimentary baked goods, as well as stottie kits, within various neighbourhoods in Newcastle.
The Newcastle-Gateshead marathon will take runners around closed roads in Newcastle and Gateshead. The course takes in famous landmarks including the Millennium Bridge, The Glasshouse, Baltic, Tyne Bridge, Swing Bridge and finishes in the Gateshead International Stadium. The race will be in support of Children North East and also has a 10k and half-marathon event on the same day too.
The Late Shows is an award-winning late-night free culture crawl. During The Late Shows, open art studios, music and performance venues, galleries, museums, studio collectives and landmark historical buildings come together to host intriguing interactive events for visitors. It’s all about encouraging people to do something cultural with their evening. The Late Shows take place between 6-10.30pm and the Friday night is for Ouseburn Valley venues and Saturday night's event takes place at venues across central Newcastle and Gateshead.
Scream if you want to go faster! Europe’s largest funfair is back for 2027, as The Hoppings returns to Newcastle’s Town Moor towards the end of June for ten action-packed days of fun. With over 400 rides and attractions to enjoy from traditional fairground favourites to pulse-raising thrill rides, The Hoppings makes for a fantastic day out. Taking place in Newcastle since 1882, it’s no surprise the event is hugely popular and remains a firm fixture in the Toon’s summer events calendar.
Want a challenge in 2027? The AJ Bell Great North 10k is back in July this year. The route takes runners past some of the most iconic sights of the North East. From river views to stunning architecture, the Great North 10k is a love letter to Newcastle and Gateshead and there’s a whole lot of love for it among runners. Expect a party atmosphere, incredible support and an unbeatable sense of achievement at the finish line.
Following the success of last year's festival, In The Park returns to Newcastle in 2027! The first headliners at Exhibition Park have been revealed, with The Courteeners taking to the stage on 8th July 2027. Special guests The Coral and Seb Lowe will also be performing. Keep an eye on this page for news of the remaining headliners, coming soon.
Newcastle Pride will return to the city centre for 2027 with city-wide celebrations designed with the LGBTQIA+ community at its heart. The exciting Newcastle Pride Arena is back and bigger than ever at Times Square for a day of dancing and celebrations. The line-up of performances is yet to be announced, so keep your eyes on this page for more information. As well as the incredible ticketed arena, there will also still be plenty of free events to enjoy across the celebrations, such as the Pride March, community village, community zones, market stalls and plenty more to be announced. Bring on July!
The ultimate throwback dance party is returning to Leazes Park over the August bank holiday weekend in 2026. Noughty 90's Festival will be a full day of 90s and 00s nostalgia with all the tunes you grew up loving. The headliners are yet to be announced, so keep an eye out. At the festival, you can also expect some street food stalls, themed bars, glitter stations, and retro photo ops to really get into the nostalgic mood.
The AJ Bell Great North Run is the world’s biggest half marathon, with 60,000 runners taking on the 13.1 mile route from Newcastle to South Shields each year. It’s famous for its inclusive atmosphere, unbeatable on-route entertainment, and warm Geordie welcome, not to mention the millions raised each year for worthy causes. The atmosphere over the Great North Run weekend can be hard to understand until you’ve experienced it for yourself!
It wouldn't be Christmas in Newcastle without the return of the popular Newcastle Christmas Markets. The market supports local businesses, with stalls primarily run by traders from the region, including some of your favourite Grainger Market vendors. Whether you're shopping for Christmas gifts or simply soaking in the festive atmosphere of, Newcastle’s Christmas Market is the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit.
Visit the Christmas Village at Old Eldon Square, featuring Marshmallow Land, Festive Flix, The Ferris wheel and so much more. The little ones can enjoy Santa Stories, live shows on the Rockin’ Reindeer stage, and plenty of festive fun for the whole family. Cosy up in igloos at the North Pole Terrace and don’t miss the return of the ever-popular Moosenwirt alpine bar, adding a warming touch to Newcastle’s food and drink scene. Also, make sure to visit the Grainger Market, with extended openings and events to make your visit extra special.
Loading entries...


