January 2026: 10 Unmissable Events in Newcastle

Weird @ Theatre Royal

The Theatre Royal are well and truly starting the new year as they mean to go on, as this historic venue hosts the world premiere of Weird towards the end of this month. This reimagining of Shakespeare’s Macbeth shows the story in a new light through the lens of the three witches (or as they’re known here, The Weird Sisters!) with pop anthems aplenty. It comes from the imaginative mind of West End and Broadway director Tim Jackson (Two Strangers Carry a Cake (Across New York)), and boasts a whole host of creatives behind it, many of whom have worked on Olivier Award nominated projects too. By the pricking of my thumbs, something weird this way comes!

Friday 30^th & Saturday 31^st January 2026, Prices vary

A Wee Burns Night @ Wylam Brewery

Meanwhile, Wylam Brewery are welcoming Burns Night in style, with an evening of poetry, passion and tradition. They’ll be raising a dram to Scotland’s bard with a six-course tasting menu, whisky from Northumberland Distillery Ad Gefrin, and rousing music to boot. Even better, you’ll be helping to raise vital funds for St Oswald’s Hospice… and who wouldn’t want to party the night away for a good cause?

Saturday 24^th January 2026, Prices vary

Jazz Jam Sandwich @ The Black Swan, Newcastle Arts Centre

Freedom, expression and all-round good vibes is the name of the game when it comes to the Jazz Jam Sandwich at The Black Swan, Newcastle Arts Centre’s brilliant bar and venue. The talented performers will be covering everything from afro-beat and funk, to soul and world music, so if you’re looking for something new to jam out to (see what we did there?) this New Year, then you can’t get much better than this.

Tuesday 13^th January 2026, Free admission

Strictly Come Dancing – The Live Tour 2026 @ Utilita Arena

If your weekends revolve around the absolute institution that is Strictly Come Dancing, then you’re in luck, as their legendary live show comes to Newcastle’s Utilita Arena this month! Hosted by Janette Manrara alongside judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood, guests can expect a jam-packed night of glitz and glamour. Grab your dancing shoes and your best sequinned outfit - you’ll need ‘em!

Tuesday 27^th & Wednesday 28^th January 2026, Prices vary

Antarctic Monkeys @ O2 City Hall

The O2 City Hall has a stellar line-up of tribute acts performing this January, but we’re pretty excited about the return of the Antarctic Monkeys. Their legendary live shows include plenty of fan favourite hits and deep cut tracks. The OG band themselves haven’t toured for a good few years now, so this is essentially the next best thing, whether you’re a newcomer, or you’ve been here before AM was popular.

Saturday 10^th January 2026, Prices vary

Cinderella – Adults Only Performance @ Tyne Theatre & Opera House

If you thought the average pantomime was full of innuendos and risqué jokes, think again! Following the huge popularity of last year’s performance, Tyne Theatre & Opera House’s adults only pantomime returns this January, bringing plenty of explicit extravaganza with it. Literally nothing is off limits here (emphasis on the “nothing!”), so if you’re craving even more outrageous laughs and general cheekiness, then get those tickets booked.

Friday 2^nd – Sunday 4^th January 2026, Prices vary

Yeehaw 4^th Birthday Party @ Digital 

If you’re less of an indie rocker, and more of a wannabe cowboy, then you’ll definitely want to say howdy to Yeehaw’s 4^th Birthday Party at Digital. This homegrown country party is throwing an unforgettable hoedown to celebrate four years of bringing country fans together, transporting party-goers to the wild west with live performers, unique acts, and a DJ set by Rattlesnake Johnny. Anyone here know how to line dance…?

Saturday 31^st January 2026, From £16.90

National Theatre Live: Hamlet @ Tyneside Cinema

Another one for the thespians this January, as Tyneside Cinema is set to screen the National Theatre’s latest adaptation of Hamlet. Starring Olivier award-winner Hiran Abeysekera (Life of Pi), and directed by National Theatre Deputy Artistic Director Robert Hastie (Operation Mincemeat), this darkly comic reimagining will be way better than the scraps you might remember from those GCSE days.

Thursday 22^nd January 2026, Prices vary

Mike Wozniak: The Bench @ The Stand

Taskmaster star and co-host of the Three Bean Salad podcast Mike Wozniak is bringing his comedic wizardry to The Stand Newcastle as part of a brand-new tour. According to him, a story about a bench will be particularly prevalent in his show, The Bench. Fret not, you don’t need to have previous experience or strong opinions on benches to enjoy it though. Wondering what all that means? Us too. Maybe we’ll sit on a bench and ponder the question until Mike gets to town…

Monday 19^th January 2026, Prices vary

History Tour by Night: Plague, Panic and Survival @ Blackfriars

Blackfriars is embracing all things creepy and uncanny, with a hair-raising history tour by night! You’ll enjoy a zombie-themed cocktail on arrival, followed by a three-course set dinner and coffee in their historic restaurant. Then, join their expert guide for a tour through the 13^th-century former Dominican friary, hearing tales of plague, panic and survival. Are you brave enough to make it through the night?

Tuesday 20^th January 2026, From £49

Whether you’re recovering from the madness that was 2025 (the Coldplay kiss cam! Katy Perry in space! And labubus! Whatever they are…), or you’re already smashing your New Years resolutions, there’s no shortage of happenings to help get 2026 started on a brilliant note. Let us know what you get up to, yeah?

Featured image: People Performing on Stage by Lucus Allman via Pexels / Free to use under the Pexels License

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