8 Ways to Celebrate New Year's Eve in Newcastle

For many people, the week after Christmas is pretty sedate – days with the family in front of the TV, eating leftover Christmas dinner and working through boxes of chocolates. Maybe a long walk to shake off the sherry. So by December 31st, most people are ready for a proper celebration: you might be happy to see the back of the year gone by, or excited about the one to come. Either way, making sure you’re at the right party at midnight is essential, and we’ve got a few excellent suggestions for spending NYE in the city,

The Blackfriars New Year’s Medieval Banquet – Friar’s Street

We might be welcoming in 2023 but the friars and wenches at Blackfriars are inviting us back to 1239. For this New Year’s Eve, they’ll be hosting an authentic medieval banquet in their authentic banquet hall! For £75pp, you can be entertained by wandering minstrels and feast on pies, pottage, roasts, cheese and desserts, with flagons of ale and fine wines available to buy (your ticket includes one drink). There’s even some medieval mulled wine to steel you before you emerge into the 21st century night. The banquet runs from 7 to 10pm.

New Year’s Eve At The Hudson – The County Hotel, Neville Street

The Hudson Restaurant, situated inside the Victorian listed building of The County Hotel, is pulling out all the stops for a night of fine food and great entertainment on New Year’s Eve. For £69.95pp, you can enjoy a five-course meal including dishes like champagne sorbet, canapes and mains like slow cooked featherblade of beef and mushroom and chestnut pithivier. There’s live music too, so you can dance your way into the new year.

Laser Light City – Newcastle

Running across three nights (December 30th – January 1st), Laser Light City is fast becoming one of the most spectacular events in the city’s calendar. This Newcastle City Council/NE1 event is an audio-visual display involving more than 80 lasers installed around the Quayside that uses the iconic surroundings as part of the show. 30,000 people got involved in last year’s event and this year looks set to be even bigger as the public are invited to control the lasers themselves by logging onto the official website. The eight-minute show, designed by BAFTA winner Seb Lee-Delisle, will take place on the hour from 5pm to 11pm (and until 1am on New Year’s Eve). Head to the Quayside opposite HMS Calliope for the best views, where there’ll be performers and food and drinks stalls to make things especially fun!

The Stand New Year Special – High Bridge

The Stand is a comedy institution, its Newcastle venue is the beating heart of the city’s comedy scene and their New Year’s Eve show is bound to be a delight. So why not spend New Year’s Eve having a proper belly laugh? The two-hour show (plus intervals) will be hosted by Sammy Dobson with appearances rom Anja Atkinson, Lee Kyle and headliner Carl Hutchinson. It starts at 7pm and runs till 10pm, so you’ll still have time to join in the New Year’s fun elsewhere. Tickets start at £15.

Wild NYE – The Lofts, Newgate Street

If your ideal New Year’s Eve is spent getting on the good foot, heading to one of the city’s leading dance clubs is a smart move. How about seeing in the new year with Wild NYE at The Lofts? Headlining is Scots DJ Ewan McVicar (the man behind Tell Me Something Good) who is guaranteed to bring an eclectic but banging good time. He’s joined by NYC’s Anna Collecta, known for her soulful house and disco sets. Tickets are £20 and the night runs from 9pm till 4am (18 plus only).

NYE At Boulevard – Churchill Street

The good folk at Boulevard don’t need much prompting to put on a glitter-tastic celebration and their New Year’s Eve show looks set to dazzle as hostess Danni Dee and The Broadway Dancers throw the most swelegant, elegant party for you. Tickets for the show, which runs from 9pm till 1am, are £10 for standing (all the seated tickets have sold out). Expect everything from dance routines to comedy and a whole lot of glamour!

Happy New Quee-Year – The Alphabetti Theatre, St James Boulevard

The Alphabetti always does things in style and this new year is no exception. Hosts Mama Rhi and Melody Sproates promise a night of silliness, queerness, nostalgia and cabaret. A host of acts – burlesque, spoken word, lip sync and more – will be on hand to entertain and LGBTQIA+ allies are welcome to join their queer friends for a fabulous night. The show starts at 8.30pm and runs till the small hours, with general tickets from £15 (although there are concessions and no-questions-asked reductions to be had).

Dine On The Tyne – Quayside

If you’ve been wondering what those cute pods are down on the Quayside, they’re the home of The Dining Society’s Dine On The Tyne Christmas event. Surrounded by the stunning views and landmarks of the Quayside, you can dine with friends in your own heated pod while feasting on a great selection of fusion food and enjoying champagne and cocktails. Each NYE dining session costs £50pp and lasts ninety minutes, with the final session at 20.30. But on New Year’s Eve you’re welcome to stay until after midnight and enjoy the Laser Light City display! Full details and booking form can be found here.

New Year’s Eve can be the most magical night of the year if you’re in the right place with the right people. Hopefully these suggestions will help you choose where you want to be at midnight, armed with your party popper or bottle of fizz! Wherever you end up, we hope you have a fantastic New Year’s Eve!