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What to do this Easter bank holiday 2023

Can’t decide where to go out this bank holiday weekend? We’ve rounded up 11 of the coolest events in Newcastle.

Written by Becky Hardy
Published 04.04.2023

WYLAM BREWERY

Palace of Arts, Exhibition Park, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4PZ

It’s become a bit of a bank holiday tradition in Newcastle to hit up Wylam Brewery no matter what else you’ve got planned.

And there’s good reason for it. Whether you fancy an epic Battle of the Burger or dancing your socks off to Ibiza classics until the early hours, this day-to-night venue has got you covered.

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RE: BOURN

Bottle Works, 8 Riverside Walk, Ouseburn Valley, NE6 1LX

Lovers of all things vintage, this one’s for you.

Pre-loved designer fashion pop-up Re: Bourn are taking over Bottle Works in Ouseburn this Easter bank holiday 2023 weekend, with everything from retro Prada, Carhartt, Burberry and Gucci on the rails just waiting to be snapped up.

Doors open at 10am every day from Thursday 6th to Tuesday 11th April. See you there?

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NERD FEST

Boiler Shop, 20 South Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3PE

Nerds, geeks and cosplayers: assemble.

NERD Fest 2023 has arrived and has brought with it a kaleidoscope of retro arcade machines, life-sized Star Wars characters, geeky traders, state-of-the-art VR gaming, film props and cosplay contests.

And, to keep you going through that little lot, Meat:Stack will be on hand with some of the best burgers in Newcastle.

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REVOLUCIÓN DE CUBA

1–3 Cloth Market, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1EE

We don’t know about you, but all these bank holiday in the sunshine vibes is getting us feeling a little… exotic.

Indulge your inner beach babe in Newcastle’s answer to Havana’s heyday: Revolución de Cuba. This Easter Sunday, the terrace and main room of this popular bar is being taken over by Platform 47: a collective of some of the North East’s finest DJs, saxophonists and percussionists delivering non-stop house music from 3pm – 10pm – and conjuring a banging summer atmosphere while they’re at it.

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SMOOVE & TURRELL

Tyne Bank Brewery, 375 Walker Road, Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 2AB

Newcastle’s favourite funk and mischief band are back with a special live performance at the newly refurbished Tyne Bank Brewery this Easter Sunday.

The local lads will be playing their trademark fusion of funk, soul, northern soul, hip-hop and electronica that never disappoints.

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VANITY MILAN

Blonde Barrel, Times Square, 5 Central Parkway, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4EP

Star of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK and Drag Race Canada V The World, Vanity Milan, will be meeting fans and performing live at once of the most exciting events in Newcastle this Saturday.

The dancing diva and lip-sync assassin of Series 3 will be SRVing her sickening looks and dancing on the brand new stage at Blonde Barrel, supported by Plastiq and Drag Idol 2022 winner, Bonnie Love.

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SALT MARKET SOCIAL

Blue Warehouse, 1 Liddell Street, Fish Quay, North Shields NE30 1HE

We’ve another jam-packed weekend of bank holiday plans lined up at the coast’s favourite monthly warehouse event.

Fishy Friday returns on Good Friday and Easter Saturday, which will see some of the most innovative fish dishes gracing the street food quarter alongside the usual combo of craft beer and cocktails.

And, come Easter Sunday, you can dance your heart out to live DJs spinning Ibiza classics until 11pm.

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POTTERY PAINTING & BOOZY AFTERNOON TEA

Revolution, Collingwood Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1JF

Thanks to the runaway success of their last event in February, The Pottery Experience has, once again, teamed up with Revolution to host a creative Easter Monday afternoon out.

Sip on a cocktail as you design and paint your own piece of pottery (which you can take home with you), before tucking into a Revolution special Afternoon Tea.

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ULTRABEAT

Digital, Times Square, Scotswood Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4EP

This one’s for the old-school ravers who haven’t lost it.

One of the stalwarts of the British dance scene in the early noughties, Ultrabeat became famous for their megahits Elysium, Discolights and, of course, Pretty Green Eyes.

They return to Digital this bank holiday Sunday for a rewind rave like no other.

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GIGGLE WATER COMEDY CLUB

Prohibition, 25–27 Pink Lane, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 5DW

Giggle Water’s monthly comedy night is nothing new – they’re regular sell-outs at Edinburgh Fringe and are renowned for spotlighting the best rising stars in comedy here in the North East.

But even by their high standards, their bank holiday offering looks tasty. All taking place in 1920s cabaret bar, Prohibition, this Easter bank holiday 2023 instalment of Giggle Water Comedy Club is a must for any and every lover of stand up.

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BLOCK PARTY X SORLEY

Streetbox, Grey’s Club, Grey Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 6ES

Internationally touring DJ and producer and Ibiza regular, Sorley, comes home to where it all began: his underground roots in the North East.

On Good Friday night, as part of a tour that takes him back to the intimate venues with big atmospheres in which he first made his name, Sorley will be joined at Streetbox by local and rapidly rising DJs spinning in the naughty “doom tunnel” in Grey’s Club.

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