Following the success of 2025’s Pride Fringe, Newcastle Pride is BACK with an opportunity for local artists to get involved in our annual creative commission. In partnership with Creative Central NCL and Curious Futures (Curious Arts) , we’re looking for creatives to produce an event or create a legacy artwork which responds to Newcastle Pride 2026’s theme “City of Hope, Streets of Joy”. We’re offering TWO £2,500  creative commissions and TWO £750  Get Ready grants to help bring your vision to life. Whether you’re a performer, visual artist, writer, or activist - ALL art forms are welcome! The Pride Fringe Festival will take place across Newcastle from July, leading up to Newcastle Pride weekend on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th July. Last Year's Fringe Festival! Who is it for? It’s for all artists and creatives who want to showcase their work during the Pride Fringe Festival and Newcastle Pride 2026, taking place in June and July 2026. We will consider ideas for work in any art form, including, but not limited to: visual artwork performance such as dance, theatre, music and spoken word installations and exhibitions comedy podcasts or digital media. What are the non-negotiable criteria? Your idea must include a performance opportunity or event/showcase to happen during Newcastle Pride Fringe in a venue within the Creative Central NCL footprint.  Click here to see the boundary of Creative Central NCL within Newcastle City centre . The Pride team can help to facilitate access to a space if needed. Your idea must consider and respond to the theme of “City of Hope, Streets of Joy”. Read on for more details. Your idea must fulfil at least one of the following criteria: Explores Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual + (LGBTQIA+) and/or gender themes. Is of interest to LGBTQIA+ communities. Is created or presented by LGBTQIA+ Artists. Is a clear development opportunity for the Artist.   We are very interested in seeing commissions that can contribute to Newcastle Pride weekend and its legacy for future years. These could be banners or puppets which can be used in the March and reused in future years.   City of Hope, Streets of Joy All ideas submitted must consider and respond to the theme “City of Hope, Streets of Joy”. Deadline to apply: noon on Monday, 11th May 2026

The theme of “City of Hope, Streets of Joy” announced following extensive public consultation Newcastle Pride  will return to the heart of the city this summer, unveiling a powerful new theme and a refreshed vision shaped directly by the voices of the LGBTQIA+ community. At the official Newcastle Pride 2026 & Curious Futures Launch Business Breakfast  on Wednesday 11th March, Curious Futures   announced this year’s theme — “City of Hope, Streets of Joy”  — alongside the findings of a public consultation that will help shape the future of Newcastle Pride. Taking place on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th July 2026 , Newcastle Pride will once again transform the city centre into a vibrant celebration of LGBTQIA+ culture, creativity and community. The festival also marks an exciting new chapter, with Newcastle Pride now delivered by Curious Futures , the not-for-profit organisation established by Curious Arts  to deliver large-scale LGBTQIA+ cultural programmes across the North East. Newcastle Pride 2026 & Curious Futures Launch Business Breakfast Working in partnership with Newcastle NE1 , Newcastle City Council   and a wide network of local organisations and businesses, the festival will continue to build on the success of the city-wide Pride model introduced in recent years — bringing celebrations into venues, cultural spaces and public areas across Newcastle. A Theme Inspired by the Community: The theme “City of Hope, Streets of Joy”  reflects the celebration, sense of community and togetherness expressed by local LGBTQIA+ people and allies through an extensive consultation process. Curious gathered feedback from more than 150 responses online and 80 participants through in-person sessions , ensuring the voices of the community sit at the heart of Pride 2026. Across the consultation, several clear priorities emerged: Visibility and representation of LGBTQIA+ people across the city Opportunities to come together in celebration and solidarity A strong balance of joy and protest Free activities and family-friendly spaces that create a genuine sense of belonging A desire for live music, drag, performance and a Pride march or parade Increased access to wellbeing and mental health support services Stronger involvement from local businesses and organisations A celebration of Newcastle’s unique LGBTQIA+ identity Participants also spoke passionately about the power of community in the region. When asked what makes them proud to be LGBTQIA+ or an ally in the North East, respondents highlighted the strength of local connections and the ability to be authentically themselves. One participant said: “We have a fantastic community.” Another shared: “Being able to be myself, represent others, and the friendships and connections we’ve built.” The theme for 2026 captures these ideas — celebrating the city as a place of hope, while filling its streets with joy, visibility and shared Pride. Pride Launch Business Breakfast The theme and consultation results were revealed at the Newcastle Pride and Curious Futures Launch Business Breakfast , which brought together businesses, sponsors and community partners to celebrate the impact Pride has across the city. The event also explored how organisations can support LGBTQIA+ inclusion while playing an active role in the Newcastle Pride celebrations. Cllr Karen Kilgour, leader of Newcastle City Council, said:  “Newcastle Pride is a true highlight of the year and we are delighted to see it return this summer. We’ve worked with Newcastle Pride for 17 years and are really proud of the positive impact it has each year on the city and local people. Pride shows the very best of who we are as a city – one that is welcoming and one that stands up for one another – and this year’s theme really amplifies our famous Geordie spirit.  “In the current climate, allyship is more important than ever, as the responsibility for equality should not sit on the shoulders of the LGBTQIA+ community. Newcastle Pride plays a huge role in ensuring responsibility is shared by everyone who believes in fairness and dignity, not just those who face the greatest barriers, and that allies can use their voices to help challenge discrimination and stand up for people’s rights.  “I look forward to joining in the celebrations, spreading the joy and reinforcing our commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community, ensuring everyone can live openly, safely and proudly.” Stephen Patterson, Chief Executive at Newcastle NE1, said:  “We are delighted to be continuing our partnership with Newcastle Pride for our twelfth year, following another successful Pride festival in 2025. This year’s theme of ‘ City of Hope, Streets of Joy ’ perfectly captures what Pride is all about and what it means to the city. We can’t wait to see the crowds experiencing the joy and showcasing the very best of what our welcoming city has to offer. Pride creates so many opportunities for local businesses and local people to get involved, and we’re excited to welcome new and returning visitors into the city this summer.” A City-Wide Festival Alongside a range of wonderful free activities, will be the Pride Arena at Times Square, returning for two days of live music, drag and high-energy performances featuring an eclectic line-up of artists. Across the city centre, themed zones will once again provide welcoming spaces for communities, families and visitors to connect, celebrate and access support. For 2026, the Trans Zone and Curious Arts Zone will come together at Northern Stage, creating a new shared cultural space dedicated to trans voices, LGBTQIA+ creativity and community connection. The programme will feature performances, talks and opportunities to meet local organisations and artists. Other zones and experiences will return across the city centre, alongside the popular Market Village, community activity spaces and family-friendly programming designed to ensure Pride remains accessible to all. A Partnership for the City Newcastle NE1  continues its role as a key partner for Pride, supporting delivery across the city centre and helping businesses engage with the celebrations. Looking Ahead to Pride 2026 With tens of thousands of people expected to attend , Newcastle Pride 2026 promises another landmark celebration for the city — combining music, culture, activism and community. Tickets for the Pride Arena at Times Square are now on sale, with further programme announcements to follow in the coming months.

Curious Futures is also calling on the LGBTQIA+ community to shape the future of pride with a consultation that closes this week. Excitement is already building for this summer’s Newcastle Pride, with major names confirmed today for the festival weekend in Newcastle City Centre on 25th and 26th July 2026. Star-studded headliners in The Pride Arena this year include Northern Irish star of Girls Aloud, Nadine Coyle , London chart-topper, Katy B, and Scouse drag icon and Rupaul’s Drag Race UK alumni, Danny Beard and Bimini. Manchester collective Ghetto Fabulous will also bring high-energy to The Pride Arena this July, while 90s pop-dance favourites Urban Cookie Collective will deliver their classic hits. Girls Aloud star Nadine Coyle will be headlining this years pride! Local talent is firmly in the spotlight too, with North East favourites Dollhaus  and Queerdo  on the line-up, alongside a social media sensation from Darlington bringing their hit Harry Styles tribute show  to the Pride stage.   Earlybird ticket prices have been frozen for the third year running, and are on sale from 10am on Wednesday 11th February 2026  from just £8  plus booking fee per day ticket or from £13  plus booking for ‘Platinum Tickets’ at www.newcastlepride.co.uk     The countdown is on to pride season and Newcastle joins a number of prides across the country, releasing key information about their programmes. For Newcastle, the LGBTQIA+ community and allies across the North East are being urged to have their say on the future of Newcastle Pride, as public consultation is set to close on Friday, 13th February 2026. Urban Cookie Collective, who are performing at this years pride! Following the closure of Northern Pride charity, Curious Futures , the trading arm of Curious Arts , took custodianship of Newcastle Pride in December 2025. With just six months until this year’s festival, the team says community voices must shape every decision and invite everyone to turn up and take part.   The organisation is urging individuals to share their thoughts on how Newcastle Pride, and its programme, will be shaped. Consultations have also been held with leisure and hospitality venues, businesses and charities across the region, with the findings to be published in the coming months.    Organisers say transparency and collaboration are central to the next chapter, and that Pride must reflect the people it represents.   Phil Douglas, chief executive of Curious Arts, said: “Delivering a Pride of this scale in today’s financial and political climate is no small task. Community and stakeholder consultations will help shape everything we do, from programming and accessibility to long-term sustainability. We want to hear from everyone in our community, from individuals, creatives, allies and local businesses to families, young people and long-standing Pride attendees. Every voice is welcome."   “We are committed to being transparent about the journey ahead, listening openly to our communities, and working collaboratively with partners, artists and stakeholders across the region. We want to celebrate loudly, centre LGBTQIA+ voices at every stage, and focus on building a Pride that truly reflects, and belongs to Newcastle.”   With consultation closing on 13th February, organisers are encouraging everyone to get involved.   Phil continued, “This is about more than one weekend. It’s about visibility, safety and celebration for our communities all year round. We can’t write the next chapter alone.”   Community members can complete the survey on our website before the deadline on Friday, 13th February.