August 2023: 12 Unmissable Events in Newcastle

NOVUM, Newcastle Civic Centre

A newcomer to Newcastle, NOVUM is a multi-artform festival taking place for the first time this August at the Civic Centre. A whole host of local, national and international talent will descend on the city with the aim of transforming the Toon into a “cultural playground” via a series of free family workshops and three nights of music, art and performance events followed by late-night afterparties. The pièce de resistance of the festival is Monumental Construction, a giant installation by French artist Olivier Grossetête made entirely from cardboard that NOVUM attendees can help create… and later joyously destroy!

11^th-13^th August. Festival passes are priced at £36; family workshops are free

NE1’s Newcastle Restaurant Week, Various City Centre Restaurants

Any self-respecting local foodie will already know NE1’s Newcastle Restaurant Week but in case you haven’t heard us shouting all about it, here’s the drill: organised by us at NE1 HQ, it’s a week-long celebration of the city’s amazing dining scene that sees us team up with local restaurants to bring you some amazing meals and deals all for just £10, £15 or £20 per person. Whatever gets your taste buds tingling, there’s something to suit – from Restaurant Week veterans like 21 and Blackfriars to newcomers like Gaucho and Trap Food House. We’re not exaggerating when we say it’s the tastiest seven days you’ll ever experience in Newcastle, so check out our Restaurant Week page, find an offer and a restaurant you like and get those tables booked!

7^th-13^th August. £10/£15/£20

The Bodyguard, Theatre Royal 

Award-winning, smash hit musical The Bodyguard makes a welcome return to the Theatre Royal with a five-night run this summer. Pop Idol star Zoe Birkett tops the bill as soulstress Rachel Marron and is joined by Emmerdale actor Ayden Callaghan as her guardian and paramour Frank Farmer. Expect a dazzling and breathtaking night of musical theatre plus tonnes of Whitney Houston songs – from Bodyguard numbers like Queen of the Night and I Will Always Love You to 80s classics like I Wanna Dance With Somebody and So Emotional.

15^th-19^th August. Tickets are priced from £33

Discovery Days: Summer Family Crafts, Discovery Museum

Looking for the perfect way to keep the kids entertained during the summer holidays? Look no further, because the Discovery Museum is here to save the day with their family-friendly craft sessions Discovery Days. Taking place every Tuesday throughout August, the workshops encourage creativity and fun as kids help craft everything from hot air balloons and kaleidoscopes to toy trains and paper boats. Better yet, Discovery Days won’t break the bank either with the “priciest” craft options costing just £2. Bonus!

1^st, 8^th, 15^th, 22^nd & 29^th August. Free/£1/£2

Battle Royale: Summer Slam, Wylam Brewery

Put simply, Wylam Brewery’s summer street food battles are legendary and Battle Royale – the final fest of the season – is the epic cherry on top. Taking place over the August Bank Holiday weekend, Battle Royale: Summer Slam will see past, present and future Food Battle heavyweights gather at the brewery to cook up a storm and lay claim to the title of “Best Dish” and/or “Best Genre”. Get set to chow down on everything from tacos and burgers to pizza and curry while bars and bands keep you libated and entertained.

25^th-26^th August. Entry is free; Tokens cost £4 and will get you one dish, small plate or side

LooseFest, Town Moor

A must-do for fans of dance music, LooseFest has established itself as a musical highlight of the region’s event calendar since it first took place back in 2021. It’s returning to the Town Moor again this summer with two whole days of amazing music acts performing everything from house and techno to drum ‘n’ bass. Spread across five stages, the 2023 edition of LooseFest boasts a brilliant line-up packed with headline artists like Sean Paul, Chase & Status, Craig David and Tinie Tempah plus some of the biggest and best DJs around – Franky Wah, Hot Since 82 and Sigala included.

5th-6th August. Ticket prices vary

Bruce Fummey: Stories of Scotland, The Stand

We don’t know about you, but as Geordies we feel a certain affinity with Scotland. Maybe it’s the cold Northern climes, our mutual love of a good drink or the undeniable fact that we’re all hilarious – there’s just a natural rapport between Geordies and our Scottish brethren. If you feel the same way, you won’t want to miss Scotch comedian Bruce Fummey when he stops by The Stand this August with his show Stories of Scotland. A collection of history-themed anecdotes from his homeland’s past filled with his irreverent brand of humour, it’s the ideal night out for lovers of both comedy and our Scottish neighbours.

31^st August. Tickets cost £15

Early Doors Club: Summer Party, World HQ

Another new edition to Newcastle’s cultural scene, Early Doors Club is the brainchild of DJ and promoter Danny Jarvis and it’s not your typical night out. Knowing that some of us are of a certain vintage and don’t want to feel like a zombie after a night on the tiles, the club event takes place from 5pm ‘til 10:30pm at legendary local nightclub World HQ meaning you can have a mint Saturday without sacrificing your Sunday. Infectious energy and banging beats are guaranteed and you can be tucked up in your pyjamas before midnight too!

5^th August. Tickets cost from £7

Alphabetti Soup: 10 Years of Alphabetti, Alphabetti Theatre

Alphabetti Theatre is such an essential part of Newcastle’s cultural scene that it’s hard to believe it’s only been here for a decade, but it’s true: Alphabetti is turning the big one-oh! To mark the occasion, they’re hosting Alphabetti Soup – an extra-special series of events that’s set to welcome back 46 different artists who’ve all performed at the theatre in the past. With Alphabetti promising “a dash of theatre, a smattering of poetry, a sprinkle of comedy and a glug of music”, we can’t think of a better way to celebrate their birthday milestone.

15^th August-2^nd September. £7/Pay What You Feel

Elvis Night at Arthur’s, Fenwick

It turns out that Elvis hasn’t left the building at all… he’s just been hiding out at Arthur’s in Fenwick! Well… not really, but top-class Elvis tribute act Niall Southall is taking to the stage to treat all you rock ‘n’ rollers to a night of amazing music this August. Your taste buds will be “All Shook Up” too as Arthur’s chefs will be cooking up a delicious three-course meal fit for a King of Rock ‘n’ Roll for you to enjoy while Niall sings all those Elvis hits we know and love. Thank us (thank us very much) later.

4^th August. Tickets cost £55

The Greatest Showman Sing-Along: Popcorn & Prosecco, Tyneside Cinema

Feel-good musical movie The Greatest Showman gets a fizzy twist at Tyneside Cinema this summer with one of their legendary Popcorn & Prosecco Sing-Along events. Grab your best musical-loving pals, take a seat in Tyneside Cinema’s Electra theatre and get those toes a-tapping as you munch on popcorn while enjoying a glass of fizz. Best of all, you’ll get to blast out all the movie’s musical hits too. All together now… “This is the greatest show!”

12^th August. Tickets cost £22

Newcastle Mela, Grey’s Monument/Exhibition Park

The multicultural extravaganza that is Newcastle Mela has been a fixture on the North East’s event calendar for over 25 years, and we’re happy to report it’s returning to Exhibition Park this August Bank Holiday weekend. Organised by Newcastle Asian Arts and Music, it’s a free and family-friendly festival that celebrates Pakistani, Bengali, Indian and other South Asian cultures and attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year – and it’s not hard to see why it’s so popular. The festival of culture kicks off with Mela in the City – a series of performances and activities centred around Grey’s Monument – before moving to Exhibition Park where you’ll find stalls selling everything from delicious food to clothes and jewellery and performances from musicians, circus acts and dancers.

26^th-28^th August. Free