Things to do in Newcastle

Theatre

You’re spoilt for theatrical choices in Newcastle, with no fewer than six theatres. 

• Theatre Royal - for London West End touring productions, panto, dance, drama, comedy, ballet and opera
• Northern Stage - our campus-based theatre  
• Live Theatre - for original and bold productions by new talent  
• Alphabetti Theatre - not-for-profit theatre and hub for the annual Newcastle Fringe Festival performing arts showcase 
• Tyne Theatre and Opera House - for live music, comedy, shows, workshops, talks and tours  
• People’s Theatre - a non-professional theatre company

Cinema

There’s plenty of big screen entertainment on offer at: 

• Cineworld in The Gate – 16 screens and a powerful digital sound system make for an amazing movie night. The Gate’s entertainment facilities also include an axe throwing experience, casino, escape rooms, bowling and VR gaming centre 
• Everyman – enjoy mainstream, independent, and classic films from the comfort of cosy sofas 
• Tyneside Cinema – a specialised independent cinema and digital arts venue with hidden ties to Hollywood. The cinema was founded by Dixon Scott, the great uncle of legendary film directors Sir Ridley Scott and his brother, the late Tony Scott 
• ODEON at Gateshead’s Metrocentre – immerse yourself in the latest blockbuster films with IMAX technology. The Metrocentre is easily reached by public transport from Newcastle

Art and Culture

Soak up some art and history, join an open studio event, or discover culture on campus.  

Museums: 

• Discovery Museum – showcasing the city’s maritime history and the world-changing science and technology of North East pioneers  
• Life – a science centre with planetarium exploring human life, the natural world, outer space and our climate 
• Great North Museum: Hancock – our on-campus museum tracing 350 million years of evolution  

Galleries: 

• BALTIC – with no permanent collection this centre for contemporary art constantly surprises with shows by local and international artists across four exhibition spaces  
• Laing – featuring an internationally important collection of British paintings, watercolours, ceramics, silver and glassware 
• Biscuit Factory – for contemporary works by over 200 artists every season 
• Hatton – our on-campus gallery of over 3,000 works from the 14th-20th centuries. It also stages degree shows by our Fine Art students  
• The Late Shows – an annual, late-night free culture crawl across Newcastle. Art, music and performance venues, galleries, museums, studio collectives and landmark historical buildings open their doors to the public 
• Culture on campus – daytime, lunchtime or night time, there’s lots to discover on our campus, from concerts and lectures to a self-guided art tour

Live music

From grassroots gigs to arena tours, Newcastle’s music scene is electric. Where you go depends on what you want to hear.

Venues to check out include: 

Big concerts; major artists:  

• St James’ Park – Newcastle United’s home ground is a regular fixture for stadium tours. It’s hosted rock stars from the Rolling Stones to Brit award winner and local hero Sam Fender  
• Utilita Arena – one of the largest concert and exhibition venues in the North East offering a line-up of big names 
• The Glasshouse – an International Centre for Music and home to the Royal Northern Sinfonia 

Mid-sized touring acts and alternative events: 

• NX Newcastle – mixing more intimate concerts with club nights  
• O2 City Hall – host to rock and pop greats since the 1960s and still welcoming top music stars and new talent 

Gigs and local bands: 

• The Cluny – hosting emerging bands and small-touring artists 
• World Headquarters – the city’s longest-running independent, multiracial underground club, staging live gigs and DJ sets 
• Boiler Shop – once the world’s first purpose-built locomotive factory, now an independent arts, culture and entertainment venue

Casual nights and new vibes: 

• Bars and smaller pubs in the city centre and Ouseburn – serving up an eclectic mix of gigs by emerging bands 
• The Venue – our Students’ Union gig space could be where you catch the next big thing

Big nights out

Enjoy a night out with a difference, including: 

• silent discos 
• crazy golf  
• bowling and ball pits 
• rage rooms, axe throwing and simulation shooting range 
• retro arcades 
• escape rooms and outdoor escape games 

Activities change, so keep up to date at NewcastleGateshead initiative

Seasonal events

Whatever the season there’s lots to see and do in Newcastle, including: 

• festivals – usually held during the spring and summer. Events include Newcastle’s Pride Festival celebrating LGBTQIA+ culture, and Newcastle Mela, a two-day showcase of South Asian music, food and heritage 
• Screen on the green – a summer feast of film and live sports screened outdoors at Old Eldon Square  
• city ghost walks and guided tours – available year-round, but best enjoyed in the run-up to Halloween 
• Northern Lights – a mile-long light trail around Leazes Park  
• Fenwick’s Christmas window – a Christmas tradition since 1971. Each November crowds line up to see the department store’s festive window display featuring mechanical puppets and elaborate scenery 
• Skating at Life – Newcastle’s Times Square is turned into an open air ice rink in the run-up to Christmas

Cycle trails

Newcastle’s a compact, easy to navigate city – especially on two wheels. 

Free Dr Bike sessions on campus will keep your bike in great riding order. There’s also two cycle repair stands near our Daysh Building and at the bike store near the Frederick Douglass Centre. 

Bike lanes make cycling in the city safe. Scenic routes follow the River Tyne east and west. 

For more challenging rides head into Northumberland and the North Pennines, with routes including: 

• Hadrian’s Cycleway (distance 274kms) - National Cycle Route 72 is a coast-to-coast challenge ride following the path of Hadrian’s Wall 
• Coast and Castles (distance 307kms) – stretching from Newcastle to Edinburgh, 85 miles of the route follow the magnificent Northumberland coastline 
• Pennine Cycleway (distance 563kms) – the most epic ride on the National Cycle Network. Complete the full ride or tackle more local sections 
• Reivers Route (distance 273kms) – a coast-to-coast cycle route from Tynemouth to Whitehaven   
• Sea to Sea (C2C) (distance 220kms) – the UK’s most popular challenge cycle route from Cumbria to Tyneside

Walks in Newcastle

From city strolls to heritage trails, Newcastle is the perfect base for setting out on some wonderful walks. Routes include: 

• Quayside loop (distance: 6kms approx) – a circular walk from the Millennium Bridge. It follows the Newcastle Quayside, across the Swing Bridge (or Redheugh Bridge for a longer walk), circling back on the Gateshead side of the Tyne
• Jesmond Dene trails (distances vary) – a network of paths connects Jesmond Dene with Armstrong Park, Paddy Freeman Park and Heaton Park
• City Highlights and Heritage Walks (distances vary) – join Newcastle City Guides for these fascinating tours through central Newcastle, Gateshead, and surrounding areas
• Hadrian’s Wall Path (total distance 135kms) – complete the full coast-to-coast National Trail from Wallsend to Bowness-on-Solway in Cumbria, or follow sections of the route as it passes through the city