November 2023: 12 Unmissable Events in Newcastle
A round-up of exciting events happening in the city this November
Hats and gloves on, folks - it’s time for actual winter. The wind and rain may be upon us but don’t be despondent: it might be nippy but there are always lots of excellent activities to keep you busy in Newcastle.
November promises food battles, night markets, exciting stage productions, arena-filling hip hop and a whole host of other things to tempt you past your front door.
Argie Bhaji @ Wylam Brewery
Argie Bhaji is the last of this year’s food battles at Wylam Brewery, hosted as ever by the Unit 44 team. It works the same way as all the others (Slice Wars, Battle Of The Burger and the rest) - for two days, the best Indian street food vendors in the region go head-to-head to find out who’s the best. As well as some super-tasty food there’ll be drinks, DJs and general good times.
10th - 11th November, free entry/food tokens available to purchase from reception
Buffy Revamped @ Northern Stage
Buffy Revamped is an award-winning, head-spinning blend of satire, gags, pop culture and vampires as the whole, magnificent Buffy the Vampire Slayer story (144 episodes!) is presented in one seventy-minute show by comedian and Buffy super-fan Brendan Murphy. Not only that, but it’s told from Spike’s point of view, so things might be very different from how you remember it!
10th - 11th November, £30
The Night Market @ Boiler Shop
On 23rd November, the majestic Boiler Shop building is turning into a night market - a gathering of artists and artisans, sauce makers and cake bakers, designers and dressmakers. Running from 5.30pm to 10.30pm (although booking is necessary), more than 60 independent stallholders will be offering their wares for Christmas. And not only that - there’s going to be street food, bars and a DJ too, with the market spread across the whole space.
23rd November, £3.50
Northern Lights @ Leazes Park
It’s always exciting when a new attraction comes to town and Northern Lights looks set to be particularly impressive. Snaking for a mile around lovely Leazes Park, it’s a brand new light trail full of state-of-the-art visuals and mind-blowing illuminations. There’ll be choreography, music and more along the route as you immerse yourself in the experience and tmosphere in one of the city’s best-loved parks. There will be seasonal food and drinks available too alongside a Christmas village home to vintage fairground rides, so you and yours can make a real evening of it. Tickets are selling fast so don’t miss out.
23rd November - 1st January, £13.50 (kids)/£19 (adults)/£61.50 (family ticket)/Under 2s go free
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra @ O2 City Hall
If it’s Christmas, it must be time for the annual tour from Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra. The former Squeeze keyboard player, host of Later (for more than sixty seasons!) and renowned piano whiz is back on the road, bringing special guests like Pauline Black and Ruby Turner to O2 City Hall for a night of soul, R&B and no doubt some boogie-woogie piano too!
30th November, from £37.50
V for Vendetta & Castle Tour @ Newcastle Castle
The Newcastle Castle team have come up with an excellent double-whammy of insurrectionary fun to celebrate Bonfire Night. There’s a screening of V For Vendetta, the film version of Alan Moore’s revolutionary, Guy Fawkes-updating graphic novel, starring Natalie Portman, Hugo Weaving, Stephen Fry et al. But before that you can enjoy a tour of the castle by night, with plenty of gruesome details of what happened to the treasonous and traitorous in the castle keep, with a stop-off at the Castle Keep roof where you might even see a firework or two.
5th November, £20
50 Cent @ Utilita Arena
50 Cent (Fiddy to his mum) has been at the top of the rap game for two decades and is doing a victory lap tour to celebrate. There’ll be plenty of tunes from his breakthrough Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ album – twenty years old this year – alongside all the other fan favourites and chart smashes. Special guests Busta Rhymes and Jeremih provide support (and more guests are to be announced!).
18th November, from £92
Newcastle United v PSG Fanzone @ NX
Something for the fervent Magpies fans: NUFC will be playing PSG (Paris St Germain) for the away leg of their Champions League group on 28th November and the Fanzone team are throwing another away-game party at NX. Expect a huge screen showing the game plus DJs, singalongs, games, giveaways and more.
28th November, from £1
Christmas Lights Switch On @ Grey Street
You know it’s that time of year again when the Grey Street Christmas lights are finally switched on - the real start to the festive season. Once again, the Metro Radio Breakfast Show team – Steve and Karen – will be flicking the festive switch amid all sorts of other seasonal shenanigans including songs, games and live music.
14th November, free
Yevonde: Life and Colour @ Laing Art Gallery
November sees the opening of an exhibition celebrating the work of acclaimed and ground-breaking photographer Yevonde. This is the largest showcase thus far of this pioneering artist’s work, with more than 150 works (some newly discovered) being shown. Incorporating elements of surrealism and humour into her predominantly still life and portrait photos, and known for using colour when it wasn’t considered serious to do so, Yevonde’s work and life is endlessly fascinating and is well-deserving of this long overdue retrospective.
11th November - 20th April, admission charges apply
Fingers & Fringe presents A Night at the Theatre @ Tyne Theatre & Opera House
This looks like a whole load of fun! Hosted by Jarred Christmas, this one-night-only comedy showcase boasts such TV and stand-up circuit favourites as Sophie Duker, Jamali Maddix, Anja Atkinson, Darren Harriot, The Brett Domino Trio and Clinton Baptiste! It's a rare chance to see these performers in a lavish theatre environment rather than a stand-up club!
30th November, £22
Sausage and Cider Festival, Newcastle Civic Centre
If you love bangers and booze, then the Sausage and Cider Festival is the place to be this November. There'll be plenty to guzzle with over 25 different ciders and over 12 varieties of sausage to try, plus a line-up of live music, onstage competitions and entertainment - including a chilli eating contest and a world record sausage eating attempt.
11th November, from £12.50
We think you’ll agree that November in Newcastle is packed full of exciting and entertaining activities – if you want to make sure you don’t miss out on anything in future, why not sign up for our monthly mailer!
