- Play Hard
- 23rd Apr 2025
- 0
- 0 minute
The ultimate North East festival guide: 2025
As the days grow longer and temperatures rise, the North East becomes a vibrant hub of festivals, offering experiences to suit all tastes.
From electrifying music performances to delectable food feasts, the region is set to host an array of events that promise unforgettable memories.
Here’s your ultimate 2025 guide to the must-attend festivals in the North East…
The Newcastle Food Festival
When: 31st May – 1st June 2025
Where: Leazes Park, Newcastle upon Tyne
Tickets: From £6.95
As the food festival season kicks into high gear, the Newcastle Food Festival returns for its second year, promising a gastronomic extravaganza. Taking over Leazes Park for a whole weekend, expect to indulge in an expanded street food and artisan market, witness live cookery demonstrations by top regional chefs, and enjoy live music performances. New additions for 2025 include the ‘Foodie Olympics’ and headline tribute acts each evening. With activities for all ages, it’s the perfect weekend outing for families and food enthusiasts alike.
Come Together Festival
When: 4th – 8th June 2025
Where: Newcastle Town Moor
Tickets: From £72.80
Newcastle’s biggest music festival returns in 2025, promising an epic five-day lineup that caters to all tastes. No one other than Robbie Williams will kick things off in style, bringing his legendary showmanship and singalong anthems. The festival continues with indie favourites the Kaiser Chiefs and South Shields’ very own Perrie Edwards performing a special homecoming set. Kings of Leon will close the festival, ensuring an unforgettable finale. With a massive selection of food vendors, immersive art installations, and even a VIP Greggs Lounge (yes, unlimited sausage rolls), this is shaping up to be the North east’s biggest and best music event of the year!
Coast Fest
When: 27th – 29th June 2025
Where: Percy Park RFC, Preston Avenue, North Shields
Tickets: From £25.00
Coast Fest is set to make a triumphant return to North Shields this year, promising an exhilarating weekend of live music and family-friendly entertainment. Now in its third year, the festival has quickly become a staple in the North East’s cultural calendar, having been crowned Best new Festival at the UK Festival Awards in 2023. The lineup boasts an impressive array of talent, with Laidback Luke and Window Kid igniting the stage on Friday night, setting the tone for an unforgettable weekend. Beyond the music, you can explore multiple stages, including the Rave Cave, Tyneidols Bus Stage, and Youth Stage, ensuring entertainment for all ages.
Mouth of The Tyne Festival
When: 10th – 13th July 2025
Where: Tynemouth Priory and Castle
Tickets: From £33.00
Few festival settings can rival Tynemouth Priory, and every summer, this stunning coastal location plays host to one of the region’s most beloved festivals. This year’s lineup includes Elbow, bringing their alt-rock classics, as well as ‘80s legends UB40, who are sure to get the crowd dancing. North Tyneside rising star Katie Grace will also take the stage, showcasing her wistful folk storytelling. With its unbeatable views, buzzing street performers, and an unbeatable seaside atmosphere, this is one festival you won’t want to miss.
Lost Minds Festival
When: 12th July 2025
Where: Exhibition Park, Newcastle upon Tyne
Tickets: From £66
Be ready to lose yourself in the music at Lost Minds Festival 2025 – Newcastle’s transcendent rave paradise. If you live for pounding basslines, euphoric drops, and a crowd that feels like family, then this is where you need to be. Set in the heart of the city, Lost Minds brings together world-class DJs, mind-blowing visuals, and an electric atmosphere that will have you dancing from day to night. Expect insane stage designs, pyrotechnics that light up the sky, and a lineup packed with the biggest names in electronic dance music. So, grab your mates, throw on your wildest festival gear, and prepare for a day of non-stop energy, unity, and absolute euphoria. This isn’t just a festival – it’s a state of mind.
Kubix Festival
When: 12th July 2025
Where: Herrington Country Park, Sunderland
Tickets: From £35
Pop nostalgia takes centre stage at Sunderland’s Kubix Festival. Back for its seventh year, get ready to throw it back to the early 2000s as Busted bring their pop-punk energy to the main stage. And if that’s not enough, the Vengaboys will be on hand to keep the party going with their infectious Eurodance hits. With three stages of music, a funfair, and an impressive food and drink selection, it’s the perfect excuse for a summer’s day out.
Newcastle Pride (Northern Pride)
When: 19th – 20th July 2025
Where: Central Park at Times Square, Newcastle upon Tyne
Tickets: From £25
Step into a world of colour, love, and celebration at Newcastle Pride 2025. This year’s festival promises to be an explosion of joy, with the iconic parade filling the streets with rainbow hues and boundless energy. Prepare for incredible performances from drag legends, live music that’ll have you dancing all day, and an atmosphere that radiates inclusivity and pride. The festival will feature everything from vibrant food stalls to unique market vendors, all creating a space where everyone is welcome. Special highlights include a stellar performance by Pixie Lott, who’ll bring her infectious melodies to the stage, and a variety of workshops that inspire connection and empowerment. Whether you’re part of the LGBTQ+ community or a passionate ally, Newcastle Pride is the ultimate celebration of who we are, together.
Durham Fringe Festival
When: 23rd – 27th July 2025
Where: Durham City Centre
Tickets: From £10
Durham Fringe Festival 2025 is back, bringing five days of theatre, comedy, music, and spoken word to the heart of the city. This vibrant festival transforms Durham into a hub of creativity, with pop-up performances in unexpected venues and a packed programme showcasing both emerging and established talent. Whether you’re looking for side-splitting stand-up, thought-provoking drama, or something completely unique, there’s something for everyone. With its lively atmosphere and endless variety, Durham Fringe is the perfect way to experience the city in a whole new light.
Hardwick Festival
When: 16th – 18th August 2025
Where: Hardwick Hall, County Durham
Tickets: From £79
One of the North East’s most anticipated festivals, Hardwick Festival never fails to deliver a star-studded lineup. This year, the festival welcomes Scissor Sisters, Pet Shop Boys, and Olly Murs as headliners, promising an incredible weekend of music and entertainment. One of the festival’s highlights is its support for emerging local talent, giving up-and-coming artists a platform to shine and share their sound with a passionate crowd. Set in the stunning grounds of Hardwick Hall, this festival combines world-class acts with a boutique feel, offering a mix of music, comedy, street performers, and even a wellness area for those needing a little time to recharge.
Naughty 90’s Festival
When: 23rd August 2025
Where: Leazes Park, Newcastle upon Tyne
Tickets: From £35
Get ready to relive the glory days at the Newcastle Naughty 90’s Festival 2025! This throwback celebration is the ultimate blast from the past, bringing all your favourite 90s vibes to life. From iconic tunes that’ll have you singing along, to throwback fashion and retro arcade games, it’s a full-on nostalgia trip you won’t want to miss. Expect a dazzling line-up of live performances, including headliner Darren Styles, who’ll be spinning hits that’ll make you feel like you’re back in your heyday. Plus, the food stalls will have you munching on classic 90s snacks – everything to satisfy your inner child. With neon lights, inflatable fun, and a killer atmosphere, there’s no shortage of good vibes.
Newcastle Mela
When: 24th – 25th August 2025
Where: Exhibition Park, Newcastle upon Tyne
Tickets: Free
Newcastle Mela is back this August Bank Holiday, bringing a spice-infused spectacular to Exhibition Park. This vibrant festival is a feast for the senses, packed with incredible South Asian music, dance, and of course, mouth-watering street food that’ll have you coming back for seconds (and thirds). Expect Bhangra beats, Bollywood bangers, and dazzling performances that will get everyone moving. Whether you’re hungry for culture or just some seriously good samosas, Mela is the place to be for a weekend of colour, community, and celebration.
Lindisfarne Festival
When: 28th – 31st August 2025
Where: Beal Farm, Northumberland
Tickets: Weekend tickets from £109.99
If you’re looking for something truly special; Lindisfarne Festival is the one. What’s more, it’s the festival’s whopping 10-year anniversary. Set on the breathtaking Northumberland coast, this weekend celebration offers a unique mix of music, comedy, and wellness, all with the backdrop of Holy Island. Await an eclectic lineup, spanning everything from indie and folk to dance and reggae, alongside yoga sessions, art installations, and late-night DJ sets in the festival’s secret hideaways. And of course, you can expect an epic performance from the band Lindisfarne themselves. It’s a boutique festival with a big heart, and it’s the perfect way to see out the summer.
With such an incredible lineup of events, 2025 is set to be an unforgettable year for North East festivals. Whether you’re a die-hard music fan, a foodie looking for your next indulgence, or just someone who loves a great atmosphere, there’s something happening near you. So, which festivals are you heading to this year?
Comments