FULL LINE-UP ANNOUNCED OF FREE EVENTS AT NEWCASTLE PRIDE FESTIVAL
- Alex (they/them)
- Jul 16, 2025
- 3 min read
WITH just over a week to go until Newcastle Pride, the organisers have announced the line up for the free Pride festival zones. In addition to the ticketed Pride Arena with headline performances, there will be a programme of free events, performances and activities for everyone to attend and enjoy.
Newcastle Pride 2025, presented in partnership with Newcastle NE1, Newcastle City Council and North East Combined Authority, will commence from 12pm on Saturday 19 July across Newcastle, with entertainment starting over on the Lumo Platform located at Grey’s Monument. Here local artists and new acts will take to the stage across the day, bringing the city’s queer community and allies together. This includes Newcastle Mela who will be joining the celebrations again for 2025, bringing a vibrant mix of culture, music and community in both the LGBTQIA+ and South Asian communities.
The Newcastle Pride Market Village will also return alongside the Lumo Platform at Grey’s Monument and Old Eldon Square and will feature stalls from LGBTQIA+ businesses, community groups and independent creators.
Queer art and culture will be celebrated over on the Curious Arts stage, located at Northern Stage at Barras Bridge. Brand new for 2025 will be a free drag kings’ performance, which will see talent showcases from North East drag artists, Veggie Stripper, Boob Ross, Jack Boxx and Stan Doubt from 2pm.
For the first year ever, Newcastle Pride will host a new free zone for the Trans+ community at Alphabetti Theatre. This will include the opportunity for everyone under the Trans+ umbrella to meet, take part in workshops and make new friends in a safe space.
One of Northern Pride’s commissioned creative artists for this year, sculptor and drag king, Lady Kitt, will be creating a free multi-sensory installation for the festival which will answer the question “What do we need to remain Unapologetically Visible in troubled times?”, bringing to life the lived experiences of local LGBTQIA+ people.
The Family & Youth Zone will be in partnership with Newcastle Theatre Royal this year, which will be open to all ages, including LGBTQIA+ families or queer young people who would like to meet like minded individuals within the community in a safe space. The zone will include activities such as face painting, storytelling and live performances across the day, followed by a teen disco hosted by North East cabaret artist, Gloria Love.
Stephen Patterson, Chief Executive at Newcastle NE1 said: “We are thrilled to be supporting Pride in the heart of Newcastle for the 11th consecutive year.
“It is a vibrant, inclusive celebration for everyone to enjoy, bringing people together and showcasing the best of our city.
“Last year’s move into the city centre was a game changer, creating exciting new opportunities for local businesses to support the festival and delivering a multi-million pound boost to the local economy. This is great news for businesses and for the event. The impact exceeded all expectations and we’re incredibly proud to play our part."
Cllr Karen Kilgour, Leader of Newcastle City Council said: “It is with great pleasure that we welcome back Newcastle Pride this weekend along with everyone who comes to celebrate.
“It promises to be a very colourful, vibrant and fun weekend, offering a whole array of activities and events. Many of these are free to attend, something which is vital to ensure the festival is accessible and can be enjoyed by all.
“Newcastle is a city united, famed for our warm Geordie welcome. I hope everyone who comes into the city centre this weekend has a fantastic time.”
Kim McGuiness, North East Mayor said: “Pride is a demonstration of love and solidarity and a reminder of how important it is we have the freedom to be ourselves and to be proud of who we are. It’s a privilege to support to Newcastle Pride 2025 to help make the festival bigger, better and more inclusive, right in the heart of Newcastle.
“It’s a massive event for the city and for the region as a whole; providing a warm North East welcome, unrivalled free entertainment, community, activities and safe spaces.
“Happy Pride everyone.”
To see the full programme for the free Newcastle Pride festival, visit www.northern-pride.com.
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