May Day Bank Holiday: 12 Fun Things to Do in Newcastle

Newcastle Food Festival @ Exhibition Park

Newcastle Food Festival returns to the Toon for its third edition this May Day Bank Holiday, bringing three whole days of foodie fun to Exhibition Park. Expect stalls selling all kinds of delicious street food, an artisan market, live cookery demonstrations, a packed programme of music acts and plenty of family-friendly fun.

Saturday 2^nd May – Monday 4^th May 2026, From £11.95 (adults) / From £6.95 (under 16s) / Free (under 5s)

Judi Love: All About the Love @ Tyne Theatre & Opera House

You’ve seen her on the likes of The Big Fat Quiz of the Year and Last One Laughing, now catch the Judi Love in the flesh when she brings her brand-new show All About the Love to Tyne Theatre & Opera House. Packed with hilarious home truths about juggling parenthood, work and everyday life, Judi will have you jiggling with laughter in no time.

Saturday 2^nd May 2026, £34.35

K-Pop vs Pop Queens @ Newcastle University Students’ Union

Looking for some family-friendly fun this bank holiday weekend? Book the whole clan up for K-Pop vs Pop Queens at Newcastle University Students’ Union. Suitable for kids of all ages, it’s a pop fest like no other featuring performers paying tribute to top pop and K-pop acts like Miley Cyrus, Sabrina Carpenter, BTS and Blackpink with interactive singing and dancing that little ones (and grown-ups!) will love.

Sunday 3^rd May 2026, £23 (adults) / £17.25 (kids)

Slice Wars @ Wylam Brewery               

It wouldn’t be a bank holiday in Newcastle without a Wylam Brewery food battle and pizza fans will be happy to learn that Slice Wars is back once again. Taking place over two days, it’s the ultimate chance to taste some of the best pizza from the North East region, washed down with a few Wylam brews naturally!

Friday 1^st May – Saturday 2^nd May 2026, Free entry / Tokens £4 each

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy @ Tyneside Cinema

Stock up on popcorn and settle in for Tyneside Cinema’s annual screening of Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy – extended edition, no less. Running from 10:45am to just after 11:15pm, it’s a movie marathon almost as epic as Frodo Baggins’ journeys through Middle Earth but fear not – there are two 35-minute intervals between films for much-needed bathrooms breaks and popcorn re-stocks!

Sunday 3^rd May 2026 & Monday 4^th May 2026, From £29.99

Taylormania @ O2 City Hall

A must-do for Swifties, award-winning Taylor Swift tribute act Katy Ellis is taking to the O2 City Hall stage this May Day Bank Holiday weekend with her show Taylormania. Joined by an amazing live band and dancers, Katy will be blasting out all of Taylor’s best and biggest hits – from Love Story and Blank Space to Shake It Off and I Knew You Were Trouble. Prepare to be Enchanted, Swifties!

Saturday 2^nd May 2026, £32.15

The Red Shoes @ Newcastle Theatre Royal

Calling all culture vultures! Matthew Bourne’s beautiful ballet The Red Shoes is taking up residence at Theatre Royal this spring with a two-weel run that includes three shows taking place over the bank holiday weekend. Following dancer Victoria Page who dreams of becoming the greatest ballerina in the world, it’s a powerful tale of obsession and possession that’s dazzling and heartbreaking in equal measure.

Friday 1^st May 2026, Saturday 2^nd May 2026 & Monday 4^th May 2026, From £22

Hoedown Sundays @ Cowgirls & Country

Dust off those cowboy boots and get ready to yee-haw your way through the bank holiday weekend with Hoedown Sundays, Cowgirls & Country’s epic bottomless country party. Feast on a hearty all-American dish while sipping on free-flowing drinks as the bar’s resident cowgirls and DJs keep the good vibes going with non-stop country bangers, line dancing and singalongs – giddy-up!

Sunday 3^rd May 2026, £39.95

Daliso Chaponda: Topical Storm @ The Stand

Malawian comedian Daliso Chaponda is stopping by The Stand this bank holiday weekend with his new show Topical Storm – a show not about THE news, but about news itself. Exploring the chaotic current state of news consumption, it’s hilarious and sharp-witted stand-up that’ll get you thinking about – and laughing about – news in a totally new way.

Sunday 3^rd May 2026, From £16

Cloister Garden Hog Roast @ Blackfriars

With the weather getting warmer, what better way to spend a lazy bank holiday weekend than tucking into a tasty hog roast in Blackfriars’ gorgeous cloister garden? The al fresco feast begins with sharing platters of seasonal starters followed by spit-roast hog served with fire-roasted veg and gravy and a delicious seasonal dessert. There are two sittings – at 12pm and 3pm – and all guests get a glass of fizz, beer or soft drink on arrival too.

Sunday 3^rd May 2026, £37.50 (adults) / £19 (children)

Heart & Soul: Northern Soul Special @ Pilgrim

DJs, dancing and drinks await this bank holiday Sunday at Pilgrim with its epic Northern Soul-themed all-dayer Heart & Soul. Recreating the vibes of legendary Northern Soul hotspots like Manchester’s Twisted Wheel, Wigan Casino and Blackpool Mecca, there’ll be four DJs playing all those classic Northern Soul tracks all night long – perfect for a chilled-out Sunday.

Sunday 3^rd May 2026, Free entry

Chocolate Making with Davenport’s for Adults @ Great North Museum: Hancock

Chocoholics won’t want to miss out on this sweet treat of a workshop at Great North Museum: Hancock! With the help of expert Jane Williams – founder of and head chocolatier at local artisan chocolate company Davenport’s – you’ll make two unique pieces of chocolate of very your own to share with family and friends… or just keep to yourself!

Friday 1^st May 2026, £55 (plus booking fee)

Phew! It's safe to say that Newcastle’s pretty busy this May Day Bank Holiday weekend with so much going on that we're spoilt for choice - have fun wherever you end up!

Main image: Newcastle Food Festival / Photo by Jack Biggin Photography

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