- Play Hard
- 30th May 2025
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Newcastle Pride, free festivals and fabulous vibes – Your ultimate guide to North East Pride events this summer
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It’s officially Pride Month – but the North East is keeping the party going all summer long.
Whether you’re into drag shows, family fun or free festivals with pop icons, the North East’s rainbow calendar is bursting with unmissable Pride events from now right through to August.
And the best part? You can bus your way to every event with unlimited day tickets – no designated driver dramas, no parking stress and fees, taking you straight to the action.
Did you know that you can now get a cheaper all-day bus ticket to use across the North East? For just £7.50 you can travel all day across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and County Durham on any bus, the Metro, Shields Ferry, and the Northern Rail services between Blaydon and Sunderland.
So, grab your glitter, hop on board and here’s everything that’s happening this Pride season…
NEWCASTLE PRIDE FRINGE
All of June 2025
Tickets: vary
Getting there: many bus routes
Kicking off summer with sparkle, the Newcastle Pride Fringe is spreading joy across the city throughout June. Expect comedy, theatre, drag, immersive cinema and even Pride speed-friending at NQ64.
From Ophelia Balls’ heartfelt solo show at Northern Stage on June 20th to a drag-tastic Wizard of Oz screening at Tyneside Cinema, the fringe is levelling up this year’s Pride.
And don’t forget your unlimited day ticket – making it so easy to travel across Newcastle and avoiding hefty parking fees.
PRIDE SOCIAL – A DAYTIME PRIDE PARTY AT SALT MARKET SOCIAL, NORTH SHIELDS
Saturday 14th June 2025 from 2pm – 7pm
Tickets: from £3
Getting there: 306 (Haymarket – Albion Road – Upper Camden Street)
Have a toast on the coast this Pride season. The Pride Social at Salt Market Social is turning two floors of their North Shields venue into a rainbow party paradise.
Upstairs? Think drag, DJs, cocktails and runway sass. Downstairs? Chill acoustic sets, Pride crafts, sensory fun and a mini Pride market. Plus, community support from legends like YMCA, Pride Action North and True Colours Theatre.
No need to worry about parking – just jump on the bus for a stress-free journey.
HEXHAM PRIDE WEEKEND
Saturday 14th – Sunday 15th June 2025 from 11am
Entry: free
Getting there: 685 (Eldon Square – Priestpopple) 10 bus (Eldon Square – Hexham Bus Station) and X84 f(Eldon Square – Hexham Bus Station)
Love a scenic ride? Hexham Pride is worth the journey for the views and the vibes. Rolling hills, historic streets and a Pride parade that starts on Fore Street and finishes in the picturesque Sele Park.
Drag king story hour? Live music? Trans community support from Be: Trans? Absolutely. If you’re wanting go on the more scenic route to Hexham Pride – opt for the 10 bus through the Tyne Valley for a more scenic route. Hop on the bus, sit back, relax (even charge your phone with the onboard phone chargers) and take in the scenic countryside views.
HEATON PRIDE AT HEATON ROAD
Thursday 17th – Sunday 20th July 2025 from 5pm
Entry: free
Getting there: 1 (John Dobson Street – Second Avenue-King John Street)
Heaton’s getting its first-ever Pride this year – and it’s set to be a celebration for the whole community. Expect a full street weekend takeover along Heaton Road with local businesses, live acts and plenty of reasons to celebrate.
Catch the bus straight to the heart of Heaton Pride, without the hassle of finding somewhere to park in the surrounding permitted streets.
NEWCASTLE PRIDE TAKING OVER THE TOON IN JULY
Saturday 19th – Sunday 20th July 2025 from 12pm
Getting there: many bus routes
Newcastle Pride is back and bigger than ever, taking over the city on Saturday 19th July with a free festival. Enjoy the Family & Youth Zone at Theatre Royal, the Trans+ Zone at Alphabetti and a buzzing Health & Wellbeing Zone at Civic Centre. Catch drag, cabaret, live music, a Market Village at Grey’s Monument and the epic Platform Stage on Grainger Street. The Pride March returns too – no tickets needed, just turn up and be proud.
Then, head to Times Square for the Newcastle Pride Arena, running Saturday and Sunday from 12pm. Expect headline performances from Pixie Lott, Gok Wan, Livin’ Joy, and Michael Marouli, plus a full-on dance and cabaret stage.
PRIDE IN SOUTH TYNESIDE – SHANE WARD AT BENTS PARK, SOUTH SHIELDS
Sunday 20th July 2025 from 12pm
Entry: free
Getting there: Yellow Metro Line (Monument Metro Station – South Shields) then E1 bus (Interchange – Bents Park)
Shayne Ward hits Bents Park for a huge free Pride in South Tyneside alongside The Future is Queer and more. Support from The Future is Queer, Shelley Stevens, plus more TBA.
Take the Metro to South Shields, then hop on the bus and you’re right at the park gates – avoiding the stress of finding a parking space.
HEBBURN PRIDE AT FOUNTAINS PARK
Saturday 26th July 2025 from 11am
Entry: free
Getting there: Crusader 27 (Newcastle Market Street – Fountains Park)
Hop on the 27 bus and head to Fountains Park for Hebburn Pride without the hassle of finding where to park. Expect a full day of local acts, food and Pride joy.
PRIDE IN GATESHEAD – PRIDE ON TYNE AT BALTIC SQUARE
Saturday 30th August 2025 from 12pm – 7pm
Entry: free
Getting there: 53/54 (Newcastle Grey Street Theatre Royal – Baltic Square)
Closing the season with a bang, Pride on Tyne at Balitc Square brings Danny Beard, Betty Boo, Union J’s Jaymi Hensley and more to the stage. Hosted by Ophelia Balls and the Pride Radio crew, it’s free but ticketed, so register now.
Rachael Ellis
Creative Solutions Manager
After gaining a first in her BA Media and Journalism degree at Northumbria University, Rachael worked at Newcastle’s leading regional newspaper with her stories being picked up in national and global newspapers. She spent two very successful years giving a voice to those communities across the North East who otherwise…
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