NE1's Summer Calendar: Must-Do Events in the City
Our selection of some of the summer's most essential events in Newcastle
It seems like every summer in Newcastle there’s even more going on than usual, a dizzying array of excitement and entertainment catering to all sorts of interests.
You might be a parent desperate for things for kids to do in the school holidays, a keen film fan looking for something to watch al fresco or a music-minded fan of beats or riffs hoping for some festy fun in the sun.
Whatever you’re looking for, our city will come up with the goods, and we’ve assembled this handy guide to some of the most essential events happening in Newcastle this summer that you won’t want to miss.
Dog on the Tyne @ Newcastle Quayside
We’re welcoming canine companions (and well-behaved humans!) down to Newcastle’s Quayside this August with the return of Dog on the Tyne. Expect plenty of tail-wagging fun to be had, including dog yoga, market stalls and paw-some walks. Don’t wind up barking up the wrong tree – make sure you’ve got this date in your diary!
Saturday 1st August 2026, Free
NE1's Quayside Carnival @ Newcastle Quayside
Following the huge success of its debut last year, NE1’s Quayside Carnival makes its grand return to Newcastle’s Quayside this August! We’re on a mission to make this even more action-packed than before, with new zones to explore and plenty of activities to amaze, so while we’re still getting our Carnival crowd together, make sure you’ve got this date in the diary.
Saturday 22nd August 2026
NE1’s Screen on the Green @ Old Eldon Square
The arrival of the big NE1 screen in Old Eldon Square is one of the signs that summer is finally here and this year it'll be making its grand return once again. From July to August, you’ll be able to watch blockbusters, musicals, comedies, family favourites and a whole programme of live sport for free in the heart of the city. This year, we'll be showing over 100 free films alongside live sporting action from Wimbledon. There's even more kid-friendly fun to be had at Old Eldon Square with the return of the award-winning Tiny Toon, and a super fun stay and play addition.
July to August 2026, Free
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. Oliver Heldens is set to headline the main stage, but you’ll find Holy Priest, Ferry Corsten and Angerfist 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 11th July 2026
Newcastle Pride @ Newcastle City Centre
Pride really is one of the most fabulous and important events in the city’s calendar, a brilliant celebration of the LGBTQ+ community that everyone is invited to. Across its two days, the festival – presented in conjunction with NE1 - will entertain, educate, campaign, celebrate and commemorate. Once again taking part in the heart of the city, Times Square will be transformed into the Pride Arena with performances from names including Nadine Coyle, Katy B, DJ Bimini and RuPaul’s Drag Race favourite Danny Beard, while there will also be events across the city, with the Market Village, Trans+ Zone, and Family and Youth Zone. The traditional focus is the march, which occurs on the Saturday, and ends with a candlelit vigil in Times Square to honour those we’ve lost.
Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th July 2026
In the Park Festival, Multiple dates
Offering great music and great vibes, In The Park Festival has solidified itself as an unmissable event in Newcastle’s summer calendar! With performances from Lewis Capaldi, Paul Weller, and Wolf Alice – as well as some stellar supporting acts – the stage is set for a brilliant evening out in Exhibition Park.
Multiple Dates in July 2026, From £90
NE1’s Newcastle Restaurant Week @ Newcastle City Centre
The biannual NE1 Newcastle Restaurant Week is now a firm fixture in the city, a seven-day celebration of this city’s fast-changing and highly regarded food scene. Restaurant Week seems to get bigger every time, with more restaurants participating and more people passing through their doors to take advantage of amazing dining deals and delicious cuisine. This August is set to be the biggest Restaurant Week to date, so make sure you don't miss out!
Monday 3rd - Sunday 9th August 2026
Newcastle Mela @ Grey’s Monument & Exhibition Park
Newcastle Mela has been brightening up the city for a quarter of a century, making August Bank Holiday a riot of colour, sound and flavour in NE1. It's a multi-cultural explosion celebrating Pakistani, Bengali, Indian and South Asian culture with music, food, entertainment, workshops, stalls and more. The festival kicks off with Mela in the City around Grey's Monument on the Saturday with exciting performances before the action moves to Exhibition Park on the Sunday and Monday where around 40,000 people are expected to head for singers, musicians, delicious food, crafts, activities and stalls selling all kinds of goods.
Saturday 29th – Monday 31st August 2026
Noughty 90s Festival @ Leazes Park
Another one-day festival that’s bound to appeal to retro-minded music fans is Noughty 90s, which summons up the spirit of those two decades on three stages in Leazes Park. If your idea of a fantastic night is watching Vengaboys, Basshunter, Andy Whitby and the rest tearing it up like it’s 1995 or 2003, with added attractions to ramp up the fun, this is a must-visit.
Saturday 29th August 2026, From £35
Newcastle’s Dragon Boat Race @ Newcastle Quayside
Closing out a packed summer is the annual Dragon Boat Race, hosted by NE1 to raise money for an important local charity which this year is the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation. Intrepid teams of racers will paddle their dragon boats down the Tyne as friends, family and onlookers cheer them on. There’s always a lot going down on the Quayside too in a day packed with family fun and fundraising.
Saturday 26th September 2026, Free for spectators
It’s looking like there’s another action-packed summer ahead of us in Newcastle with a fantastic variety of things happening to help us make the most of the holidays. The only question left is what to enjoy first!
Main image: NE1's Quayside Carnival / Photo by Tynesight Photography
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