By Ben Whitfield, Director of Communications, NE1 Ltd
As we move into June, anticipation is building for the months ahead. Newcastle is gearing up for a spectacular summer packed with a calendar of unmissable events that will bring extra vibrancy to the city and money into the economy.
The record-breaking return of Magic Weekend in May set the bar high. Tens of thousands of fans flocked to Newcastle from all over the country. It was the eighth time we had hosted the event, and the first over a bank holiday.
Sunday saw a record-breaking attendance of 32,862, contributing to the highest overall gate since 2018. Over two action-packed days, 64,000 fans enjoyed six hotly contested rugby league games at St. James’ Park.
Magic always brings a carnival atmosphere to the city, putting on a great show and providing a multi-million-pound boost to Newcastle’s economy.
This year, it also acted as a starter’s pistol for the summer’s events, with 14 weeks of entertainment lined up and ready to go.
First up are three nights of Sam Fender’s homecoming concerts at St. James’ Park, followed by Fontaines D.C. and their much anticipated concert in Exhibition Park in July.
Another summer favourite, NE1’s much-loved Screen on the Green makes its welcome return at the end of June. The free, open-air cinema, named among the top ten things to do in the UK in the summer by the Sunday Times, starts with two weeks of sporting action from Wimbledon, followed by over 100 films screened free throughout the summer.
NE1’s Newcastle Restaurant Week lands for a week in August, a culinary highlight in the summer calendar. With over 100 restaurants taking part, the event delivers a significant boost to participating businesses with over 55,000 diners over the week. The event creates a real buzz across the whole city with celebrations extending into pubs, bars, and cultural venues too.
As well as NE1’s curated programme of events, we are also proud supporters of other city-wide events, including Northern Pride, which we have sponsored for more than 10 years, and Mela in the City, which celebrates South Asian cultures over the August Bank Holiday weekend.
That same month, we will also welcome back the adrenalinefuelled Red Bull Tyne Ride for the second year in the city, an event which has to be seen to be believed, with a motorcycle dirt track built along the river, putting spectators strikingly close to the action. The Quayside is the perfect backdrop for this amazing spectacle, nestled between its famous bridges.
In July, the city hosts the Great North 10k which crosses the Tyne Bridge, and the world’s most popular half marathon, the Great North Run, returns at the end of the Summer, showcasing Newcastle to the world, live on the BBC.
Together, all these events will attract more than 550,000 attendees, enlivening the city, and boosting business throughout the summer months.
It is not by chance that these events have chosen and continue to choose Newcastle.
NE1 works closely with Newcastle City Council and with other partners all year round to attract and support events of regional, national, and international significance. Successful events are like magnets, which attract others in their wake, and it is a hugely exciting time for the city as our reputation for hosting top-class, fan-friendly events continues to grow.
Newcastle has all the key ingredients for staging world-class events, from Magic to music. A walkable city, a host of venues and facilities, with new venues in the pipeline, and iconic, instantly recognisable backdrops. Add to this the city itself, the world-famous Geordie charm, the city’s bars, restaurants, leisure and cultural venues, and retail scene, all add to its allure and create the perfect place to host.
The spectacular Carabao Cup celebrations showcased the city in a tremendous light, wowing potential visitors and event organisers. The city’s unrivalled energy, passion, enthusiasm, and vibrancy combine with its open and welcoming spirit to create a heady mix which must be experienced to be believed.
The good news continues with Newcastle City Council’s recent announcement that the city will be staging the prestigious Mercury Music Prize in October, lured from London for the first time in its history. This comes hot on the heels of the MOBO Awards, which Newcastle successfully hosted in February.
In challenging times for many, the impact of an ambitious, diverse, and well-curated events calendar cannot be underestimated. Events play a vital role in boosting the city’s economy, attracting visitors, and increasing footfall and spend, while raising Newcastle’s visibility on both a national and international stage.
As we prepare for a stellar summer ahead, we look forward to welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors for what we know will be an incredible time in our wonderful city.
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