Under the Stars: Neighbourhoods

North of the Tyne, Under the Stars is a FREE night time arts event series taking place across the North East in February and March 2022. Get ready for a unique series of spellbinding outdoor events, blending spectacular light projection, fire and music with a sprinkling of magic. North of Tyne, Under the Stars is inspired by local stories and landscapes from across Newcastle, Northumberland and North Tyneside.

• Three weekends of events in neighbourhoods across Newcastle, Northumberland and North Tyneside
• Culminating in the North of the Tyne, Under the Stars - Festival Finale in Newcastle city centre from Thursday 10 – Sunday 13 March.

North of the Tyne, Under the Stars is a family-friendly outdoor event series that will weave a new fable for the region. Experience this unique, large scale arts series in six locations across Newcastle, Northumberland and North Tyneside before joining together in Newcastle city centre for the spectacular weekend festival finale celebration.

The large scale projections, atmospheric sound scapes and immersive experiences will explore a sense of place and storytelling. The event will use imaginative, magical and locally-resonant stories to capture the character, beauty and diversity of the North East and ignite your imagination.

Meet the Story-Weaver, a mysterious and magical visitor called down from the stars to travel to the North East in search of stories, fables, histories and characters to help them spin a new mythology for the North of Tyne area. The Story-Weaver will be the central thread that runs through each event and will be visiting North Shields, Wallsend, Hexham, Blyth, Byker and Fenham to meet local people and invite audiences to join her in her bid to craft a beautiful story for the region.

The culmination of her search for stories will be revealed in her breathtaking finale in Newcastle city centre in March.

Produced by Pinwheel and DAT Events. Commissioned by the North of Tyne Combined Authority and the Festival Finale in Newcastle City Centre is supported by Newcastle City Council.

What events are taking place and where?

North of the Tyne, Under the Stars - Neighbourhood Events

• Friday 18 – Saturday 19 February, 6pm – 9pm: Ridley Park, Blyth & Northumberland Park, North Shields
• Friday 25 – Saturday 26 February, 6pm – 9pm: Richardson Dees Park, Wallsend (North Road, Wallsend NE28 8RH)
• Friday 25 – Saturday 26 February, 6pm – 9pm: Ballast Hills, Byker (Ford Street, Byker, Newcastle NE6 1LU)
• Friday 4 – Saturday 5 March, 6pm – 9pm: Abbey Grounds, Hexham (Northumberland, NE46 3LS)
• Friday 4 – Saturday 5 March, 6pm – 9pm: Nuns Moor Park, Fenham (Brighton Grove, Newcastle NE4 5PA)

North of the Tyne, Under the Stars - Festival Finale

• Thursday 10 – Sunday 13 March, 6.30pm – 10pm: Newcastle City Centre

The core story has been developed by a collaborative team of artists including Newcastle-based projection artists, NOVAK, and composer Roma Yagnik, as well as Director Simon Sharkey and Designer Robin Peoples. Fire and pyrotechnic effects at all the events will be delivered by LightFires.

55-56° North is supported by the North of Tyne Combined Authority