Assembly Rooms Newcastle Unveils Major Vision for its 250th Anniversary
One of Newcastle’s most historic and celebrated venues is preparing to enter a remarkable new chapter.
As the Assembly Rooms Newcastle approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026, a major new programme of events, festivals and theatrical productions has been unveiled that will celebrate the venue’s extraordinary heritage while positioning it firmly at the centre of the city’s future cultural and social life.
This new chapter is being delivered through a partnership between the existing Assembly Rooms team, General Manager Claire Renton, and the Niltoni Group led by Executive Producer and Artistic Director Craig Wilde, bringing together the venue’s long-established reputation as one of the North East’s premier destinations for weddings, corporate events and celebrations with a new programme of creative and cultural activity.
A Historic Venue for Celebrations and Events
Since first opening its doors in 1776, the Assembly Rooms has hosted generations of Newcastle’s social life — from grand balls and civic gatherings to weddings, gala dinners and major cultural events.
Today the venue continues to play a central role in the region’s events calendar, welcoming:
• Weddings and private celebrations
• Corporate events and conferences
• Charity galas and fundraising dinners
• Festivals and city-wide celebrations
Major events already scheduled include Manifest Festival, the Newcastle Whisky Festival, corporate receptions, gala dinners and a growing programme of weddings and private celebrations.
Celebrating 250 Years
Summer 2026
The Assembly Rooms’ 250th anniversary celebrations will begin with a spectacular programme of events throughout Summer 2026.
The 250th Anniversary Ball – June 2026
A landmark gala evening marking 250 years since the Assembly Rooms first opened its doors in 1776, bringing together civic leaders, cultural figures and the wider community.
Twelfth Night – Summer 2026
Theatre Space presents a dazzling Bridgerton-inspired production of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, staged within the opulence of the Great Ballroom.
AfriBall – Summer 2026
A vibrant celebration of music, culture and community bringing new audiences into the historic venue.
Pride Events (In Discussion)
The Assembly Rooms team is currently in discussion with Curious Arts regarding the possibility of hosting events during Newcastle Pride Week, reflecting the venue’s ambition to support inclusive cultural programming.
The Dickens Suite
Launching Autumn 2026
Autumn 2026 will also see the launch of the Dickens Suite, a new cultural venue within the Assembly Rooms designed to host theatre, film, talks and immersive experiences. The Dickens Suite will also host a regular programme of weekly comedy nights and film screenings, providing a consistent pulse of cultural activity within the city.
Alongside are planned new dedicated rehearsal rooms, creating a dedicated creative hub within the building.
The inaugural theatre programme will include:
The Curious Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
October 2026
From the creator of Frankenstein and Dickens by Candlelight, Craig Wilde will premier his brand new theatrical adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale.
Dark, atmospheric and immersive, the production promises to be one of the most distinctive theatrical events of the season.
Dickens Festival North
November 2026
The Assembly Rooms with the newly founded Assembly Productions... with will also launch Dickens Festival North, a major new cross-arts festival celebrating the life and work of Charles Dickens. ,
Festival highlights will include:
- Dickens Unbound! – a large-scale immersive dining and theatre experience
- The Signalman – a new stage adaptation of Dickens’ famous ghost story
- Mr Dickens is Coming! – performed by Gerald Dickens, great-great-grandson of Charles Dickens
- The PuppetFolk Experience – a special tribute to The Muppet Christmas Carol
- Dickens’ Women - a new theatre piece exploring Dickens complicated life.
- Dickens in Newcastle - Walking Tour of the City
- Dickens by Candlelight - A Christmas Carol ( Hosted at Alderman Fenwick House)
The festival will also feature a programme of:
• film screenings
• talks and lectures
• guided walks
• workshops and special events
A Shared Vision for the Future
Newcastle Assembly Rooms 1776 CIC operates under a unique model where commercial events help support cultural programming and community access.
By combining the strengths of the existing Assembly Rooms team, Claire Renton’s operational leadership, and Niltoni’s creative production expertise led by Craig Wilde, the partnership aims to position the venue as both a leading events destinationand a dynamic cultural hub for the North East.
Claire Renton said:
“We are thrilled to be entering into this new partnership. For many years, we have aspired to return the Assembly Rooms to the spirit of its origins—when it stood at the heart of the city’s cultural life—while continuing to host a diverse programme of events, from corporate and private occasions to major cultural productions. With a history that includes performances from Strauss and Dickens, it is a privilege to see the venue once again becoming a dynamic hub for both Newcastle and the wider region.”
Craig Wilde said:
"The Assembly Rooms has always been one of Newcastle’s great civic spaces. Our ambition is to celebrate its extraordinary heritage while ensuring it remains a vibrant venue for corporate functions, weddings, celebrations, but also theatre, festivals and creative events for generations to come.”
Looking Ahead
Planning is already underway for major future events including the Newcastle Fashion Festival in Summer 2027, bringing together fashion, design and creativity within the building’s historic architecture.
Discover More
Tickets, programme updates and venue hire enquiries can be found at:
