6 Things to Do in Newcastle When You Visit Beyond Van Gogh
Our top six things to do in Newcastle when you visit the Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience
Newcastle’s very own Utilita Arena is being transformed into an awe-inspiring world of colour, light and sound this summer with Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience.
Bringing more than 300 of Van Gogh’s iconic works to life with cutting-edge projection technology and a specially curated soundtrack, it’s set to be an unmissable event.
In the spirit of all things Van Gogh, we’ve rounded up some of the artiest fun you can have in Newcastle when you come into the city to see the show.
Visit a local art gallery
You’ve seen Vincent Van Gogh’s most famous works come to life at Utilita Arena, so why not venture out and see even more art at one of Newcastle’s galleries?
Laing Art Gallery is home to an extensive collection of works with a focus on British oil paintings, watercolours, ceramics, silver and glassware from the 18th to 20th centuries. Standout works include Lawrence Alma-Tadema’s Love in Idleness and Willliam Holman Hunt’s The Pot of Basil and the gallery regularly hosts temporary and visiting exhibitions too.
Located on the Newcastle University campus, Hatton Gallery is the guardian of a collection of some 4,000 objects dating from the 14th century to the present day. Its exhibition programme centres around modern and contemporary art, often showcasing works by students attending the university. Stop by to see The Merz Barn Wall, the last surviving ‘merz’ structure by German artist Kurt Schwitters.
And across the River Tyne in Gateshead, you’ll find the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art – an award-winning gallery renowned for its exhibitions of contemporary works by local, national and international artists. While Beyond Van Gogh is in town, the Baltic has two excellent exhibitions in place: Milly Thompson’s My Body Temperature is Feeling Good and Starting Lines, an interactive installation by North East-based artists and designers Foundation Press.
See the city’s street art
You don’t have to head inside to see some fantastic art in Newcastle as the city streets are full of outdoor artworks too – ideal for a wander if the weather is nice while you’re in town visiting Beyond Van Gogh!
Head to the Bigg Market area where you’ll find a wall on a Groat Market building transformed by a vivid and large-scale abstract mural by local artist Bobzilla and take a stroll over to The Old George Inn – one of Newcastle’s oldest pubs – to see the Old George Alleyway, home to pair of murals by illustrators Lines Behind and Yvette Earl that pay homage to the Bigg Market’s history and heritage. We wouldn’t judge you if you dipped into the pub for a quick pint either…
Just off Westgate Road, there’s another alleyway full of street art: the Forth Lane Urban Gallery, featuring works by six different artists – including a large-scale mural of flora and fauna by graffiti artist Glen Malpass and a 3D mural by sculptor Jed Buttress, both inspired by the area’s history. Nearby on Pink Lane, you’ll find several more outdoor artworks adorning the street’s shops and walls, including The Cabinet of Curiosities by artists Cack Handed Kid and the befittingly named Van Goth and ALECLDN’s Swansong.
Take a walk up to the northern reaches of the city centre and to Ridley Place where – if you look skywards – you can see a gorgeous mural on the upper wall of much-loved local Mexican eatery Zapatista by artist Peter Manning depicting a woman in elaborate Native American headdress. That’s just a small taste of the arty sights to be seen around Newcastle too. Check out the 10 Best Places to See Street Art in Newcastle for even more places to visit.
Book up for an art workshop
Maybe seeing Beyond Van Gogh has inspired you to unleash your own inner artist? Then we’ve got just the solution!
Newcastle Arts Centre regularly hosts art courses and during Beyond Van Gogh’s run, they’ve got classes covering everything from an ‘Introduction to Painting in Gouache’ to ‘Exploring Colour with Oil Pastels’ – perfect for trying to recreate your own Starry Night or Sunflowers!
Or, for something a little less formal, book up for a Paint & Sip Party. Held throughout the summer at several city centre venues, all materials are provided to help you create your very own masterpiece from scratch with the option to throw in a drink to get those creative juices flowing.
Indulge in some fine French food
Not strictly an arty pursuit, but we’d argue that food is an art form (well, some food at least) and you’ll no doubt have worked up an appetite after visiting Beyond Van Gogh and exploring Newcastle’s art scene. And we all know that France was where Vincent Van Gogh created some of his most famous paintings, so what better way to pay homage than with some French food?
Nestled in a former railway arch, The French Quarter is a great independent spot for indulging in Gallic gastronomy. Pick a few dishes from its small plates menu – a cheese and charcuterie board, the escargot and moules marinières, perhaps – and wash down with a glass or two from its extensive wine list.
Up on Grainger Street, there’s a branch of the reliably great French brasserie chain Côte where guests can order classic dishes like beef bourguignon and steak frites, and even Gallic-inspired breakfast and brunch menus offering the likes of croque monsieur sandwiches and stacks of French toast.
Last but by no means least in Newcastle’s small but perfectly formed community of French restaurants is Bistro du Vin in Hotel du Vin. As you’d expect from the hotel’s name, the bistro has an amazing wine list that pairs perfectly with classic French fare like beef tartare, Basque chicken and crème brûlée.
Shop for your own work of art
While most of us might not be able to afford a Van Gogh original (they regularly sell for upwards of $50 million, after all), you can pick up something a little more modestly priced at one of Newcastle’s art retailers.
Castle Fine Art, on Newcastle’s grand Grey Street, specialises in contemporary art and boasts an ever-growing collection of limited-edition prints, original artworks and sculpture, along with a knowledgeable team of consultants ready to help you build your art collection.
A short walk away on Blackett Street, there’s Clarendon Fine Art – an art lover’s paradise that exhibits and sells a range of works from the world’s most dynamic contemporary artists, alongside offering bespoke commissions. Private viewings (with a glass of fizz on arrival) are also available.
Visit NOVUM Festival
And lastly, if you’re catching Beyond Van Gogh towards the end of its run, then NOVUM Festival is a must-do. Running from Friday 7th to Sunday 9th August, the multi-artform festival turns the Toon into cultural playground with a free and family-friendly programme of events and activities.
Details are still being finalised for this year’s festival, but NOVUM visitors can expect everything from live music and walkabout acts to playful installations and a Creative Family Zone outside Newcastle Civic Centre – plus Dominoes Newcastle, a spectacular large-scale artwork that will sweep through the city centre in an awe-inspiring and epic domino run.
Regardless of whether you’re most looking forward to meandering through The Starry Night or Sunflowers, there’s plenty of activities in Newcastle to keep the arty fun going and make a full day of your visit to Beyond Van Gogh.
Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience will be at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena from Sunday 12th July to Sunday 9th August 2026. To book tickets, visit AXS.
Main Image: Bill Elms at Beyond Van Gogh, Photo by Andy Teebay
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