Festivals of Newcastle

With the world-famous Edinburgh Fringe drawing to a close, festival-lovers will soon be looking for art, music and comedy to be enjoyed elsewhere in the UK. Newcastle is one of the most splendid venues for communities to gather and enjoy something special, with a large number of extravaganzas taking place throughout the year.

Festivals are also a great opportunity to make friends and enjoy a shared appreciation for things. The famous northern hospitality means that it's easy to meet new people here.

Euro Hostel has brought you the cream of the crop below, so take a look and decide which gatherings appeal to you. Each one has its own distinct character and focus, with the one thing they all have in common being the enjoyment factor.

Newcastle Gateshead Comedy Festival
It'll be a while before we see the next Newcastle Gateshead Comedy Festival because it comes round at the end of every July, but to leave it off the list just because of that would be a crying shame. The line-up has been known to attract comedy heavy-weight champions along the lines of Daniel Sloss, Sarah Millican and Jo Caulfield, so you're guaranteed some side-splitting hilarity.

But the festival is also a great opportunity to see the newcomers just cutting their teeth on their first live performances. Make sure you check out the smaller venues because you never know – you may get the chance to see the future Michael McIntyre or Jo Brand entertaining in the cellar of a pub, which is frankly what the festival is all about.

Fancy becoming a stand-up comedian yourself, but don't want to get up in front of a large crowd quite yet? No problem – the event also features dozens of seminars and workshops aimed at helping you to fulfil your dream of someday appearing on Mock the Week. http://www.jesterval.co.uk/index.html

Newcastle Mela
The Newcastle Mela is held every August bank holiday and blends a spectacularly diverse range of cultures together. Expect to see drama, music, comedy and food from Punjabi, Pakistani, Hindu and Bengali regions at this extraordinary multi-art and multicultural event.

The challenge is for cultures to show off their pride to one another without the use of their flags, which leads to a stunning display of national pride. Watch as performers take part in a number of concerts and exhibitions, including the ever-popular 'Newcastle HAS Got Talent' and the 'Spice FM Roadshow'. The entire event is free and attendees are sure to have a good time, whether they're going to support their own culture or to sample a new one. http://www.newcastlemela.co.uk/index.asp

Design Event
October sees Newcastle play host to the Design Event festival, a city-wide celebration of contemporary art and design. Take a wander into the various exhibitions on display at venues such as Newcastle Arts Centre, Tyneside Cinema and the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art.

The displays won't just be featured inside conventional galleries, however – a number of pop-up venues across the streets will play host to all sorts of weird and wonderful works. No matter what you're interested in, there will be thousands of individual pieces to observe and read about during this fantastic celebration of artistic talent. http://www.design-event.co.uk/FestivalEvents.php

The Newcastle Beer Festival
A truly splendid occasion for those who enjoy a cheeky drink down at their local, the Newcastle Beer Festival brings the best beers, ales, ciders and perries to be enjoyed by hundreds of alcohol-enthusiasts everywhere.

The fun features plenty of opportunities to taste strange and exotic new varieties, and you'll be helping a good cause too, with the majority of the proceeds going straight to charity.

And what kind of a beer festival would it be without a little friendly competition? Pubs throughout the city will be competing for your vote in a bid to win the coveted Pub of the Year award. You'll return home tipsy and tired, having enjoyed a spiffing day out. http://www.cannybevvy.co.uk/Whistle_Stops/whistle_stops.html

Evolution
For one weekend in June, Newcastle's trendy quayside area is invaded by music lovers. Fans of indie, rock and dance beats flock to the city to hear the rhythms floating across the River Tyne.

The 2012 line-up attracted the likes of Rizzle Kicks, Dizzee Rascal, Band of Skulls and Maximo Park, and if you're disappointed to have missed it this year, then make sure you've booked a place at one of our hostels in Newcastle for next year. http://www.evolutionfestival.co.uk/

Newcastle Community Green Festival
Those who value Mother Earth and wish to spend a weekend celebrating the gentle planet that we live on can find like-minded people at the Newcastle Community Green Festival. Head over to Leazes Park where two music stages are set up every year, along with a family area and a circus top.

Environmentalism is the name of the game, and you'll be happy to support it alongside the quality entertainment on offer at this celebration of the planet. http://www.newcastlegreenfestival.org.uk/about-us/history

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