‘Staycationing’ has never been more popular amongst Brits concerned about the falling pound and political upheaval internationally. 2016 was a record breaking year for inbound tourism to the UK with 37.3 million visits, forecasts predict this will grow to 38.8 million this year with spending by overseas visitors rising to £23.9 billion.*
(*Figures from VisitBritain)
Newcastle and the North East are high on the list of popular destinations for UK residents holidaying at home and for visitors from overseas, attracted by the city’s history, architecture and cultural offer. This summer, Newcastle is an even more attractive proposition thanks to a summertime events programme drawn up by the city centre’s award winning Business Improvement District company, NE1 Ltd.
Designed to give people more reasons to visit and to stay a little longer, the events and activities will put Newcastle on the map for UK holidaymakers and inbound tourists.
Thomas Cook Airlines Quayside Seaside
Until October
To launch NE1’s Summer in the City programme, NE1 teamed up with Thomas Cook Airlines to bring the newly sponsored, Thomas Cook Airlines Quayside Seaside, earlier than ever. One of the UK’s most popular urban beaches and an official sign that summer is on its way in Newcastle.
The beach, equipped with 350 tones of white sand, palm trees, deckchairs, and buckets and spades has made its annual return and will remain in place until October providing a free, family friendly vantage point to enjoy the spectacular views of the Quayside and a great spot to watch the events and activities on and around the River.
½ million people were thought to have visited the Quayside Seaside in 2016. This summer, the pop up beach is expected to attract even more visitors and will have its own programme of free events and activities throughout the summer.
In addition, the beach has the added attraction of Barrio Comida, a restaurant housed within two former shipping containers alongside the sand. Serving a menu of authentic Mexican food, the restaurant is already winning plaudits from diners and critics alike.
Dacia Magic Weekend
May 20th and 21st
Rugby League’s Magic Weekend rolls in to town for the 3rd year running thanks to NE1 Ltd and Newcastle City Council who have worked with the RFL to bring the event back to the city and its newly adopted home of St James’ Park Football Ground.
12 teams will compete in six games during the two-day tournament, which enjoys as much action off the pitch as on with Fanzones, events and activities around the ground for fans and families to enjoy during the rugby extravaganza.
Rugby League fans are a loyal bunch and Dacia Magic Weekend is the pinnacle of the league’s seasonal celebrations with supporters from all over the UK congregating in Newcastle to enjoy the fast paced rugby action and the carnival style atmosphere it brings with it.
Buy your tickets from the official website
NE1’s Screen on the Green
July 3rd – September 3rd (TBC)
NE1’s deckchairs will be out in force at Old Eldon Square, a public square and green space in the heart of the city, for the return of the ever popular, Screen on the Green.
A large open air movie screen is positioned in the square for the public to enjoy free, open air film screenings of family favourites, new movies and old classics throughout the school summer holidays. The movies are always popular with many people coming prepared for the show with blankets, picnics and brollies (occasionally!).
Check out www.getintonewcastle.co.uk for all the details.
NE1 Newcastle Motor Show
July 8th and 9th
The UK’s biggest, free, open-air Motor Show returns to Newcastle to take over the city centre for a spectacular weekend of motoring themed fun, the largest show of the year in the North. The event provides unrivalled access to some of the world’s rarest classic and vintage cars as well as exhibiting some modern day masterpieces, many have never been shown outside VIP-only international motoring exhibitions.
During the two-day event, the cars are exhibited on the streets with the public able to get up close to the cars, talk to the experts and owners, as well as enjoying the spectacle. This year Lloyd Newcastle BMW have come on board as Dealer Partner, and are expected to showcase some of BMW’s extensive collection, together with unique showstoppers from BMW’s National headquarters.
To accommodate all the new elements of this year’s event, more areas of the city will be involved with themed zones mapped out for different types of vehicles and activities from supercars, rally and racing cars to showstoppers from some of the UK’s leading car dealerships. Over 100 private exhibitors are on board to line Newcastle’s majestic Grey Street offering the public rare access to some of the world’s most exclusive classic cars.
The event is designed to entertain the whole family with Fanzones and motoring themed events, fun games and give-aways. Open air film screenings will return at ‘Screen on the Green’ with other fun activities for children across the weekend.
Over 105k people attended last year’s event and the numbers are expected to rise this year as the event becomes more established.
Northern Pride
July 21st – 23rd
Newcastle Pride returns for its 10th year with an extended event over 3 days, 21st, 22nd & 23rd July at Newcastle’s Town Moor celebrating the city’s LGBT community.
NE1 Ltd is festival sponsor of Newcastle Pride for the 3rd year running. Alongside the main stage with big name music acts, there will be different activity zones to visit and a Fun Fair.
As well as celebrating diversity in Newcastle, the event also brings tens of thousands of visitors to the city.
NE1 Newcastle Restaurant Week
7th – 13th August
One of Newcastle’s most popular and well supported events happens twice a year – once in January and again in the summer. This August, NE1 Newcastle Restaurant Week runs from 7 -13 August giving diners the chance to eat out in style for only £10 or £15 per person at some of Newcastle’s finest restaurants.
Modelled on a similar scheme in New York, NE1 Newcastle Restaurant Week is extremely popular and continues to grow each time it is held. January’s event welcomed over 100 restaurants to take part and attracted over 45,000 diners, August’s event is expected to surpass this.
NE1 has a whole host of other exciting projects up its sleeve so to make sure you don’t miss out on these festivities, or anything else happening in Newcastle, register for updates at www.getintonewcastle.co.uk
Other reasons to visit Newcastle
- Newcastle’s Quayside was listed among the top 10 best places to live in Britain by the Sunday Times’ ‘Best Places to Live Guide’.
- Newcastle is the happiest city in the UK and one of Europe’s top 20 according to a European Commission study. Newcastle officially has the happiest people of anywhere in the UK.
- Newcastle was hailed as the top city in the UK for independent restaurant openings, outpacing London, Manchester & Birmingham with some award winning venues and a Michelin starred restaurant in the mix
- Newcastle named top city in the UK to raise a family in UK Family Living Index report. The city beat 34 others as it has 28 outstanding schools, more green spaces for kids to play than any other city and the average house costs £161,255.
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