Everything You Need To Know About: NE1's Screen On The Green
Here's everything you need to know about the 2026 edition of NE1's iconic open-air cinema Screen on the Green
Our award-winning Screen On The Green is returning to Newcastle's Old Eldon Square this summer for weeks and weeks of family-friendly film fun.
Taking place in the heart of the city, NE1's Screen on the Green - sponsored by Fentimans - is family-friendly, fun and best of all free - bringing a with a packed programme of films and sporting action to the heart of the city.
It's a sure sign that summer has officially started in the Toon, so grab a deckchair and settle in for that blockbuster movie, family favourite or a nail-biting sports event!
What is NE1's Screen on the Green?
It's a summer-long programme of fun film screenings and sporting action taking place on our open-air big screen - and best of all it's all completely free!
It's become a much-loved part of Newcastle's summer calendar and was even awarded Best Event at the annual Town and City Management Industry Awards last year!
Where is it located?
Screen On The Green is right in the heart of Newcastle at Old Eldon Square, next to Eldon Square shopping centre and just a minute’s walk from Monument.
How long will Screen on the Green be there for?
The screen fires into life on Monday 29th June and will be showing the Wimbledon fortnight, before our pre-summer series begins from Monday 13th July with retro re-run movies and pre-school shows. Then, from Monday 20th July, our full schedule kicks into gear, with screenings of two or three films a day right through to Monday 31st August.
What sports will be shown?
For the first fortnight, you can catch all the Grand Slam action from Wimbledon between Monday 29th June and Sunday 12th July from 11am to 6pm.
When will the movies be shown?
Most days there will be two films showing at 12pm and 3pm, but on Wednesdays and Thursdays there'll be additional screenings at 6pm. Our popular Toddler Takeover mornings will also return on Tuesdays at 10:30am too.
On the August bank holiday, we’re upping the ante with a day-long The Muppets marathon on Sunday 22nd August, and then an epic Kung Fu Panda marathon on Monday 31st August.
What types of movies will be shown?
Our packed programme features something for everyone - from Disney and Pixar classics and family favourites to musicals and recent movie hits!
For the younger kids, our Toddler Takeovers at 10:30am on Tuesdays are perfect with screenings of BBC adaptations of writer Julia Donaldson's most popular books - Stick Man and The Highway Rat included.
Our 6pm screenings are ideal if you're wanting to catch a movie later in the day. On Wednesday evenings, its the Tyneside Cinema Takeover with cult classics and top picks from their film experts, while on Thursday evenings we're screening top recent blockbusters hand-picked by the NE1 team.
Check out the full film schedule for all movies and timings!
Are all the films suitable for children?
Every film we've scheduled is classified as 12A or lower, so everybody is allowed to watch - although parents should make their own decisions about whether a particular film is appropriate for younger children. There’s certainly nothing that’s not suitable for a family-friendly environment, but that said there are films aimed more squarely at older kids and adults so there’s plenty of opportunities to book a babysitter and settle in for a blockbuster you might have missed at the cinema.
Remember to check out the Screen on the Green film schedule ahead of stopping by for all film classifications and swing by the Children's British Board of Film Classification for more information.
How much does it cost and can I reserve a seat?
All the screenings are free and no tickets are needed - just rock up and take your place. Seats unfortunately can't be reserved, so if you’re concerned about getting the best view in the house, we’d just recommend getting down there a bit early to bag the seat you want!
What if it rains?
Living in the North East means the weather is a tad unpredictable even in the height of summer - even if we've had a lovely few days of sunshine recently! We recommend checking the weather forecast, dressing appropriately and not forgetting the brolly and a warm layer or two, just in case!
Can I eat and drink during the screenings?
Of course! And there’s any number of great places to grab snacks and treats right by the square - from Sainsbury's Local, Tesco and Greggs to Costa and Starbucks - plus lots of independent outlets.
You could make a day out of it – there are so many places to go for a late lunch for post-movie dinner. Around the square itself you’ll find Wagamama, Nando’s and Maki & Ramen, and that part of the city is packed with excellent restaurants.
Every year, the NE1 team work hard to bring you a series of excellent events to make your summer in Newcastle a great one, and Screen On The Green is one of our most-loved additions to the city. Whether you want to catch a film with friends or have a fun day out with your kids, head on down and enjoy some movie magic this summer!
NE1's Screen on the Green is in place at Old Eldon Square from Monday 29th June to 31st August 2026. For the full schedule, visit https://www.getintonewcastle.co.uk/ne1-events/screen-on-the-green.
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