Newcastle is a notoriously lively, buzzing city full of friendly people and is always rated one of the top student cities in the UK. But what is there for students to do outside of their studies? Absolutely loads.
Music venues
The ‘Toon’ guarantees to give you endless activities to partake in with new friends, as long as you are ready to explore! If music is your groove, Newcastle has outstanding venues such as the spacious Utilita Arena with a capacity of 11,000, contrasting with the City Hall, The Clooney, Riverside or the O2 Academy which all offer a more up close and personal venue for an array of up-and-coming indie bands and DJs. Newcastle University even has its very own venue inside the Students Union, with the likes of Mabel, Coldplay and The 1975 gracing the stage! I’ve seen Little Mix, Craig David and The Weeknd loving life at their Newcastle gigs, to name just a few. There is also the unusual Sage Gateshead, a stone’s throw from Newcastle (across the bridge) which welcomes all genres of music, from classical to jazz, choirs, and a multitude of performers. I am an ex-dancer, so have felt so lucky to see spectacular world-class dance shows, all on Newcastle’s doorstep.
Events
There’s nothing like the atmosphere at a festival, and if you’re a regular, Newcastle won’t disappoint you. This is Tomorrow, held in the summer at Exhibition Park, features the likes of Noel Gallagher, Stereophonics and Lewis Capaldi rocking the stage. For something a little more unusual, take a trip down to the coast, surprisingly only 25 minutes away from the City Centre, where July every year the Mouth of the Tyne Festival will be waiting for you. Set in castle ruins overlooking King Edward’s Bay you can dance the night away and sing along till your heart’s content; past performances have seen Paloma Faith and James Arthur amaze crowds as the sun sets on the North Sea and I loved it! Below is Sam Fender playing the festival in 2019.
Another amazing event is the parade for Chinese New Year, filled with lion dancers and paper dragons, which line the streets of Newcastle. It all commences in Chinatown which is within walking distance from the Business School. Newcastle is rich in culture, and Chinatown offers brilliant, authentic Chinese restaurants and beautiful décor in the heart of the city.
A special weekend for your calendar is also the Newcastle Mela, seen below, an annual festival in Exhibition Park, which hosts a vibrant mix of music, dancers, stalls, arts, and crafts and celebrates Southern Asian cultures.
Theatre
Prepare to take centre stage at the historic Theatre Royal, which rivals any theatre across the globe. Every December, the Pantomime is bound to get you shouting, ‘he’s behind you!’, as well as top-class shows straight from the West End stage such as Dirty Dancing and Kinky Boots. Here is a picture of a society trip to see Kinky Boots!
There’s a performance for everyone, from classic operas like Carmen, murder mysteries like the Da Vinci Code, to Shakespeare’s Hamlet treading the boards. The Panto is the icing on top of the Christmas cake in Newcastle – Christmas is truly magical in the ‘Toon’! Christmas markets line Northumberland Street and Monument, with festive lights glittering around you as you walk to lectures and seminars.
Activities
Looking for a funky activity to really upgrade your social life? Head to Mr Mulligan’s or Ghetto Golf, crazy golf but not as you know it. Ghetto Golf blends DJs, street food, music, and art, and is always filled with laughter and students galore- below you can see some of the funky décor to enjoy while you play!
After getting a hole in one at crazy golf, head to one of the many spots for nightlife such as Jesmond, Ouseburn, or the City Centre. My top recommendation as a Geordie would be to take a stroll down to the iconic Quayside, home to world-class architecture and a true symbol of Newcastle. Watch in awe as the Millennium Bridge lights up while enjoying delicious food and refreshing drinks, indoor or out, no matter the season and take in those breath-taking views, no filter needed! Overall, Newcastle is a true gem of a city filled with exciting activities, shows, music and parades. All that is missing is you, so take your place as a Newcastle University student in the ‘Toon’!