July 2025: 10 Unmissable Events in Newcastle
The essential events for your calendar this July in Newcastle
This July, we’re heading to Far Far Away as Donkey, Princess Fiona and Shrek roll into Newcastle’s Theatre Royal, digging into some good grub for an even better cause with Second Bite Festival for Cancer Research at Wylam Brewery, and celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community and as Newcastle Pride returns to the city.
Come rain or shine, there’s shedloads to keep you busy in Newcastle this July. Pack the sunnies… and maybe an umbrella too!
Shrek the Musical @ Theatre Royal
Based on the smash-hit film about everyone’s favourite ogre, the hilarious Shrek the Musical arrives at the Theatre Royal this month. Performed by the talented Newcastle Musical Theatre Company, it promises plenty of fun for the whole family as you follow fairytale misfits, wisecracking Donkey, feisty Princess Fiona, and of course the hilarious hero of the hour, Shrek, on their fantastical adventures.
Tuesday 1st – Saturday 5th July 2025, From £18
Home by 9: Daytime Disco Experience @ O2 City Hall
One for the early birds now, as Home by 9 brings the daytime disco experience to the O2 City Hall. DJ Vanilla Slice will be spinning floor-filling retro favourites, while outrageous characters, immersive entertainment and surprises throughout ensure a party atmosphere unlike any other, all while the sun’s still up!
Saturday 19th July 2025, From £15.50
Second Bite Festival for Cancer Research @ Wylam Brewery
After raising over £80,000 last year, Second Bite Festival returns to Wylam Brewery this July in aid of Cancer Research. This time around, twenty Michelin rated chefs from around the UK will be bringing their a-game (and some extremely tasty street food!) to the Toon, helping to raise money for the life-saving work that the charity does. Tokens are a tenner each, so grab yours to sample food from the likes of Gareth Ward, Pam Brunton, and Chet Sharma.
Saturday 6th July 2025, From £10
Little Inventor’s Library Takeover @ The Lit & Phil
The Lit & Phil continue their bicentenary celebrations with the Little Inventor’s Library Takeover! Families are invited to join the venue from 11am to 3pm, and take part in engaging and educational activities. Whether the little ones would rather help come up with some ideas to make life better in the city for animals, create their own invention ideas, or study some curious objects, this free event is perfect for getting the kids away from the screens, and boosting their imaginations.
Saturday 12th July 2025, Free
Diana: The Untold & Untrue Story @ Live Theatre
Following their hilarious show Gwyneth Goes Skiing last year, Awkward Productions are back in the Toon with Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story at Live Theatre. This multi-award winning production combines drag, multimedia, audience interaction, puppetry, and plenty of queer joy, to tell a story of Diana that you almost certainly haven’t heard before… and almost certainly isn’t true!
Wednesday 9th – Saturday 12th July 2025, From £26
Newcastle Pride @ Newcastle City Centre
A jam-packed weekend of celebration, music and pride, Newcastle Pride is bigger and better than ever this July! Times Square boasts a star-studded lineup, with the likes of Pixie Lott, Gok Wan, and Michael Marouli taking to the stage across – while Saturday’s free festival takes over the city with the Pride March, Curious Arts stage, family and youth zone, health and wellbeing zone, trans+ zone, market village and platform stage. And of course, NE1’s very own Screen on the Green will be showing some of the best queer stories from the world of cinema too.
Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th July 2025, From £7.50
Lost Minds Festival @ Exhibition Park
Another returning event for July’s calendar is the Lost Minds Festival, which’ll be taking over Exhibition Park for an incredible day of live music. Scooter is set to headline the main stage, but you’ll find Alex Farell, Aly & Fila and David Rust completing the line-up elsewhere across the site. Plus, there’ll be fully stocked bars and loads of delicious food stalls so you’re fueled up to boogie the night away!
Saturday 12th July 2025, From £66.67
Brit Funk Association @ Pilgrim
Meanwhile over at Pilgrim, Brit Funk Association will be bringing good vibes to the city centre. This ten-piece funk-soul supergroup will be celebrating the music played by its original and founding members – as well as paying homage to some of the great Brit Funk anthems – so expect to hear everything from Somebody Help Me Out to I Shot the Sheriff.
Friday 11th July 2025, From £21.20
Viva Las Peacock @ Purple Peacock
Bring your best glitz and glam – the Vegas vibes are in town as Viva Las Peacock arrives on the Purple Peacock stage this month! This all-new, high-energy show celebrates Sin City’s icons with incredible live vocals and talented dancers. Think sequins, cabaret, and pure showbiz energy that’ll leave you feeling electrified. Dress to impress!
Fridays in July 2025, From £14.95
An Evening with Alice Slater @ Waterstones
Rounding out our unmissable events for July, we’re heading to Waterstones for An Evening with Alice Slater, author of the Sunday Times bestseller Death of a Bookseller. She’ll be celebrating the release of her new novel Let the Bad Times Roll with a conversation, Q&A, and book signing, so if you’re in the market for a gripping novel to keep you hooked on your summer holiday, then don’t miss it.
Monday 14th July 2025, From £3
So if you haven’t already guessed, July’s set to be busier than ever! Of course, there’s loads we haven’t mentioned here, so if you’re looking for more inspiration, then why not check out our round up of the best music events and must-see theatre shows happening in Newcastle this summer too? Send ‘em to the group chat, and get those plans in the diary!
Main image: Northern Pride 2024, Photo by Tynesight Photography
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