June 2024: 10 Unmissable Events in Newcastle

 Paul Smith: Pablo @ Utilita Arena

There are only a select few stand ups who’ve reached the arena-filling stage, but Liverpudlian comic Paul Smith is now firmly one of them, and he’s done it his own way, with little of the mechanics most comedians use to gain success. His new show Pablo is another 75 minutes of his winning mix of anecdotes, banter and big laughs.

26^th-27^th July, from £34.95

Bite Back For Cancer Research UK @ Wylam Brewery 

Organised by Sian and Cal Byerley from Restaurant Pine, the acclaimed restaurant in East Wallhouses, Bite Back For Cancer aims to raise much-needed funds for Cancer Research UK and fill your bellies with delicious food. Taking place in the lovely environs of Wylam Brewery, the event is free to attend, with attendees buying tokens at £6 to enjoy freshly cooked dishes from 15 leading Michelin -starred chefs (including Kenny Atkinson, Tommy Banks, Pam  Brunton and Ian Waller). Delicious AND charitable!

9^th June, free to attend, £6 per food token

Here You Come Again @ Theatre Royal 

Jukebox musicals – where an artist’s hits are worked into a new musical – have been all the rage since Mama Mia! and Here You Come Again has proved to be a huge hit both here and in the US! This UK adaptation from Jonathan Harvey tells the lovely story of an obsessed Dolly Parton fan who uses her music to get through tough times. With all her hits – 9 To 5, Jolene, Here You Come Again – and an appearance from Tricia Paoluccio as Dolly, this promises to be bighearted, rhinestone spangled fun!

18th-22nd June, from £15

The Gin to My Tonic: Gin, Rum & Vodka Festival @ Boiler Shop 

Aiming to bring the very best craft spirits to all corners of the nation, The Gin To My Tonic travelling festival hits the Boiler Shop in June and is going to be tasty, spirited fun. A ticket gets you admission to one of the day’s two sessions and gives you an opportunity to sample hundreds of different makes of gin, rum and vodka from a host of different producers, but there will also be cocktails, tequila, prosecco and beer, and a full programme of live music and goings on.

22^nd July, from £17.50

Lucozade Euro 2024 Fan Zone @ Times Square

If you love football and want to experience all the excitement of Euro 2024 with your mates and thousands of other fans, you’ll probably be heading to Time Square where Central Park are teaming up with Lucozade to host the region’s biggest fan zone, showing all the games from Scotland vs Germany on 14th June to the final on 14th July. There’ll be bars and street food stalls to keep you refreshed and well-fed throughout too. Families are welcome to all non-England games (which are free to attend), but England games are 18+ only with various tickets available. 

14^th June – 14^th July, free / ticket prices vary

Great North Nights: Mind & The Muse @ Great North Museum: Hancock

This June, it's time for another one of the Hancock’s occasional, wonderful Great North Nights, where the museum opens its doors 'til late for an evening of activities, talks, demonstrations, music and more. Themed around the "hidden architecture of cities past and present", you can enjoy everything from a set by DJ Awkward Black Girl to a badge making workshop, from a talk about the James Webb space telescope to an investigation of urban nature. All this plus cocktails, beers and pizza from the student brewery Stu Brew.

14^th June, from £8

The Dark Side of the Moon: June Planetarium Shows @ Life Science Centre

One for the real heads: once you’ve successfully coordinated Pink Floyd’s Dark Side Of The Moon with the film of Wizard Of Oz, the next step is to take in a planetarium show at Life Science Centre to really get lost in the cosmos. There are two chances in June, offering astonishing views of the solar system and beyond as the classic album is played out in full.

7^th and 21^st June, £20

The Donkey, The Whippet & The Giant Leek @ Live Theatre

This new play from Tom Kelly and Graeme Thompson tells the story of local composer Eric Boswell, who was responsible for such North East comedy songs and ballads as The Summer Of Last Yearm The Whippet and The Great Longbenton Leek, alongside the Christmas class Little Donkey. Boswell died 15 years ago and this charming show celebrates his life and work.

21^st June, £18

The Stand Pub Quiz @ The Stand

Newcastle’s premier comedy venue The Stand is putting on a comedy-themed pub quiz night this June so if you think you know your Andrew Dice Clay from your Daniel Kitson, you should probably head down and show the other teams how it’s done. Hosted by comic Matt Reed, entry is a mere two quid but bragging rights last forever (or until next time when you lose!)

4^th June, £2

Pride Extravaganza Bottomless Brunch @ Manahatta

Already one of the city’s most popular bars, Manahatta is celebrating this year’s Pride festivities with a dragged up Bottomless Brunch event. There’ll be fabulous games, prizes, dances and of course bottomless drinks at this boisterous event!

30^th June, £41.95

Craft gin? Dolly Parton classics? Mind-blowing sounds and visuals? It must be another month in Newcastle, packed with exciting goings-on of every type to suit every taste. So what’s stopping you getting involved?