The city is packed with activities and things to do for children, young people and families over the summer holidays. All of our leisure centres, parks, and swimming pools have exciting programmes on offer so you can get out and about this summer!
If all this information has whetted your appetite, the mobile Youth Bus will be in town on Wednesday 27 July at the Grainger Market Exhibition site (near Greys Monument) from 11.00am until 4 30pm.
Packed full of information on what’s happening for children and young people over summer holiday period, there’s also a chance to chat with youth workers and family information staff about summer activities in and around your neighbourhood – there’s probably more going on that you realise!
For the full programme of activities, see Summer activities for families 2011
For a full listing of events, which includes JLS at the Metro Radio Arena to the Newcastle Mela at Exhibition Park, visit the NewcastleGateshead website.
Newcastle has 10 sports centres and swimming pools as well as offering hundreds of courses, classes, walking groups or clubs.
To find information about a specific facility or activity click on one of the quick links below or as all our information can be found in one place click on the Active Newcastle website for everything available across the city including competitions and events.
There are events for all ages at Newcastle Libraries this summer. Children aged 5-12 can join in the Summer Reading Challenge at their local library to receive a certificate and the chance to win a trophy for their school. Teenagers can explore their imaginations at the New Writing North group at City Library and for adults there are author events, internet taster classes and exhibitions. To find out more about our events over the summer visit the Newcastle Libraries blog.
With Newcastle’s Theatre Royal (regional home to the Royal Shakespeare Company) providing world-class theatre to suit all tastes from West End productions to esoteric drama. Live Theatre produces work as varied and diverse as its audiences and Northern Stage is a world-class venue for theatre-making.
Newcastle City Hall prides itself on showcasing the finest acts from around the world, be it Rock, Pop, Comedy or Musicals the biggest names in the business play the City Hall.
Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena and The Sage Gateshead attract big name performers and underground acts alike with their wonderfully diverse and versatile performance spaces, and the O2 Academy provides a top-class performance space for acts who haven’t made the arena... yet. Film-buffs are more than catered for with the state-of-the-art Empire cinema at The Gate as well as Newcastle’s smaller independent cinemas like the Tyneside and Side.
Visit the NewcastleGateshead website for a listing of events and venues.
If you are looking for a venue for that intimate meal for two, a pizza with your friends or to entertain a business client, Newcastle has everything to choose from. From the elegance of the Fisherman’s Lodge to the bustle of Chinatown, from lively coffee shops to mussel bars, there is a restaurant to suit all tastes and pockets. Follow Grey Street down onto the Quayside and the choice is yours.
Visit the food and drink page on NewcastleGateshead to learn more.
For address, opening times and contact details visit the tourist information centre page
If you are visiting Newcastle and want to find out more about the local area, why not book a tour? Whether it's a walking tour exploring local history led by our qualified City Guides, a river cruise taking in the beautiful scenery and bridges of the Tyne Gorge, or an open-top bus visiting all the major attractions, there is something for everyone. Visit the Newcastle City Tours page for more information.
Parks across Newcastle will host free family fun and entertainment throughout the summer at various locations.
Visit our parks page for a list of our parks and countryside sites.
Most museums in Newcastle are free of charge. Highlights include this summer’s blockbuster exhibition - Pharaoh: King of Egypt at the Great North Museum: Hancock. Hancock is kick starting a national touring exhibition from the British Museum, about the lives of the ancient kings of Egypt.
Visit the Museums and galleries page for more information
Newcastle is a shopper's paradise. With fantastic shopping malls, major high street names, fashionable arcades, bustling markets and stylish, independent boutiques, there's everything you could wish for to indulge in some serious retail therapy.
Visit our shopping page for more information.
Download a map of the city centre here.
Accommodation in Newcastle includes a wide range of price options, from budget to four star. Visit the page for more information.
Get into Newcastle has all your offers, discounts, vouchers and 2 for 1 deals in Newcastle City Centre. Visit their website for more details - http://www.get-into-newcastle.co.uk
There has been a major permanent transformation of Newcastle as the city stays open “Alive after Five”. The new permanent late night opening has shops open until 8pm weekdays and 7pm Saturdays in Newcastle City Centre with thousands of free parking spaces.
Visit their website for more details - http://www.get-into-newcastle.co.uk/alive-after-five.aspx