NOVUM: Playing Out: Newcastle Civic Centre

The ultimate family takeover lands at #NOVUM26.

Giant bubbles. Giant swings. Mud kitchens. Face painting. Theatre. Aerial performers. Brilliantly bonkers inventions. Games. Colouring. Glitter. And loads more. You’re invited to play out with us!

For one weekend only, Newcastle Civic Centre transforms into a giant outdoor playground packed with free performances, hands-on activities and creative adventures for all ages.

Just turn up and dive in.

In the Quadrangle at Newcastle Civic Centre

🎪 Right to Play – Pif Paf

Saturday 11am–5pm | Sunday 11am–4pm (Drop in throughout)

A playful adventure playground packed with mud kitchens, den building, climbing, balancing and hands-on creative play. Build, explore, imagine and play together.

🎨 FREE Festival Face Painting – Not Just A Pretty Facepaint

Saturday 11am–5pm | Sunday 11am–4pm (Drop in throughout)

Festival faces at the ready! Add a splash of colour, sparkle and glitter before heading off to explore #NOVUM26.

🎲 String & Strong's Big Gameathon – Fully Booked Theatre

Performance times: TBC

Big games. Silly challenges. Endless fun. Join String and Strong for a playful walkabout adventure full of laughter, movement and mayhem.

💫 The Swings – All or Nothing

Performances daily

11am (BSL interpreted) | 12.30pm (BSL interpreted) | 2pm (BSL interpreted) | 3.30pm (Audio Described)

A giant swing set meets breathtaking aerial performance. Watch incredible performers soar high above you before taking your own turn on the swings.

🦃 The Turkey & The Caterpillar – Curious Arts

Performances daily

11.30am (BSL interpreted) | 1pm | 3pm (BSL interpreted)

A joyful, funny family show celebrating friendship, transformation and having the courage to be yourself.

🥚 Once Upon a Wall – Fully Booked Theatre

Performances daily

12noon (BSL interpreted) | 2.30pm (BSL interpreted)

Humpty Dumpty as you've never seen him before. Expect street dance, audience participation and one egg with very big dreams.

🫧 Gigantic Bubble Fun – The Bubble Whisperer Jamie & Bubbles & Squeak Dee

Performance times: TBC

Prepare for a riot of giant bubbles, colourful performances and plenty of chances to make your own.

Outside the front of Newcastle Civic Centre

🎨 Colour Outside the Lines – Josie Brookes & Tom Madge

Saturday 11am–5pm | Sunday 11am–4pm (Drop in throughout)

Go big, get colourful and help create a giant collaborative artwork by colouring huge outdoor blocks throughout the weekend.

💛 Happy Space – Stellar Creates

Saturday 11am–5pm | Sunday 11am–4pm (Drop in throughout)

Need a breather? Happy Space is a welcoming sensory-friendly retreat where you can pause, recharge and reset before jumping back into the festival.

💡 Little Inventors

Saturday 11am–5pm | Sunday 11am–4pm (Drop in throughout)

Become an inventor for the day! Dream up brilliantly bonkers inventions that make everyday life more fun, solve tiny annoyances or simply make people smile.

Whether you stay for twenty minutes or spend the whole day with us, there's something happening around every corner.

Play. Swing. Bubble. Make. Dance. Colour. Invent. Repeat.