How to Celebrate International Women’s Day 2025 in Newcastle
Our round-up of some of the ways to celebrate this year's International Women's Day
On 8th March it’s time for this year’s International Women’s Day, a global event celebrating everything women have achieved, be it economic, social, political or cultural, and shining a light on the need for full equality for women everywhere.
The very first International Women’s Day (IWD) was held back in 1911, and since then has championed women’s achievements, raised awareness, mobilized action, fundraised for women-focused charities, and fostered solidarity between people of all genders.
For its 114th year, the theme is Accelerate Action – following data from the World Economic Forum that it’ll take up until 2158 to achieve full gender parity at the current rate of progress.
So if you’re wondering how you can help embody this year’s theme, or just looking for ways to commemorate the day, then you’ve come to the right place! Here’s our top picks of how to celebrate International Women’s Day 2025 in Newcastle.
Celebration of Radical Women of Romanticism @ The Lit & Phil
Marking the 200th anniversary of the death of English poet and author Anna Laetitia Barbauld, The Lit & Phil is hosting a Celebration of Radical Women in Romanticism this March. You’ll hear about the groundbreaking work that writers like Barbauld and Mary Wollstonecraft achieved in their time, as well as those often overlooked by history, despite their monumental contributions to conversations about female agency and human rights.
Tuesday 6th March 2025, Free with donations welcome
365 Days of the Girls, Theys & Slays @ Alphabetti Theatre
Community choir The Girls, Theys & Slays celebrate their first birthday at Alphabetti Theatre, and we’re all invited to join the party! The group – comprised of North East women and non-binary folk – will be belting tunes from the likes of ABBA, Billie Eilish, The Beatles and Ariana Grande, so they’ll definitely be something for everyone here.
Saturday 8th March 2025, £10 (general admission) / £5 (concession) / £3 (no questions asked)
Rupture @ Live Theatre
Created alongside women from HMP Low Newton, Rupture is a powerful play exploring the experience of mothers in prison. Based on true-life experiences, and brought to the Live Theatre stage by award-winning company Open Clasp Theatre, it promises to be an insightful, engaging and activating performance. The performance on Friday 7th March will also be followed by a panel discussion chaired by Rupture writer and Artistic Director of Open Clasp Catrina McHugh MBE, and featuring industry experts working with women in the Criminal Justice System.
Wednesday 5th – Saturday 8th March 2025, £15 (general admission) / £12 (concession)
INSIGHTS Public Lecture: The long march to women and children’s rights @ Newcastle University
CEO of Coram – the first and longest-serving children’s charity in the UK – Dr Carol Homden arrives at Newcastle University this March for an INSIGHTS public lecture. She’ll be exploring the struggle for a just and equitable society by utilizing the new Coram Digital Archive, and setting out the steps still needed to honour the rights of both women and children.
Thursday 6th March 2025, Free although pre-booking is required
Marjolein Robertson: O @ The Stand
Following an almost fatal health condition, Marjolein Robertson created a trilogy of stand-up shows, with the second installment, O, arriving at The Stand this March. Talking through menstrual health with humour and a Shetland folktale, Robertson enjoyed a sold-out Fringe run and was named one of British Comedy Guide’s Top 50 Comedy Shows in 2024, so this new show is definitely one to watch.
Sunday 9th March 2025, From £12
Deeds, Not Words, Walking Tour @ Newcastle City Centre
Investigating how women won the vote, and the role that Newcastle played in it, Adventours brings their Deeds, Not Words, Walking Tour to the city centre for IWD. You’ll hear the stories behind the incredible local women who contributed to the movement, travelling back in time as you walk through the Toon.
Saturdays from 8th March 2025, £15 (adults) / £5 (children)
Lou Sanders: No Kissing in the Bingo Hall @ Tyne Theatre & Opera House
Taskmaster champion and QI regular Lou Sanders brings her new show No Kissing in the Bingo Hall to Tyne Theatre & Opera House, if you fancy supporting some female stand-up comedy for IWD. And just like Tom Cruise does his own stunts, she’ll be doing her own jokes!
Thursday 6th March 2025, From £26
Side By Side // All Female Takeover – International Women’s Day @ The Social Club
If it’s live music you’re after for IWD, then head to The Social Club for their Side by Side event. Expect to hear house and tech house tunes on the decks throughout the night from their all female takeover event.
Saturday 8th March 2025, From £7
Young Women’s Film Academy Presents: Bend It Like Beckham @ Tyneside Cinema
Tyneside Cinema welcomes the Young Women’s Film Academy for a special screening of Gurinder Chadha's 2002 comedy Bend It Like Beckham. The screening will also be complemented by two short films made by the Academy, Zara and Who We Are.
Saturday 8th March 2025, Prices vary
‘A Story of Hope’ Women’s Art Display by Her Circle and Harriet Mee @ Newcastle Cathedral
Her Circle brings a collection of written, visual and digital artwork to Newcastle Cathedral this March, in celebration of IWD. Remaining on display throughout the month, each piece of artwork produced by Her Circle and Harriet Mee explores themes of trauma, resilience and hope. There’ll also be a talk on Thursday 6th March entitled Women and Child Removal: A Story of Hope, exploring the recent findings that indicate that child removal is a predictor of premature death in women.
Thursday 6th – Monday 31st March 2025, Free
Girl Power Drunch @ Purple Peacock
Want to dance the night away with your pals? Then Purple Peacock’s hosting an extra special Drunch on IWD that you’ll want to book ASAP! Their high-energy, all-singing and all-dancing extravaganza includes bottomless drinks and a delicious Drunch menu. Let’s go girls!
Saturday 8th March 2025, From £45
Carmen Silk: Classics With Carmen @ Prohibition Cabaret Bar
Alternatively, Carmen Silk will be bringing some mellow melodies to Prohibition Cabaret Bar. Expect a mix of jazz, swing, blues and showtunes from Classics with Carmen – inspired by the likes of Billie Holiday and Peggy Lee.
Friday 7th March 2025, Free although cash donations are welcome
International Women’s Day Data Science Event 2025 @ National Innovation Centre for Data
The National Innovation Centre for Data will again be hosting their annual Data Science event for IWD 2025. This free to attend event will see attendees gain hands-on, practical skills and knowledge around data science, with help from experts Dr Antonia Kontaratou, Louise Braithwaite MSc and Dr Georgia Atkinson. There’ll also be a networking session with other attendees afterwards, so make sure you’ve reserved a spot!
Friday 7th March 2025, Free
Gendered Violence and Abuse Conference 2025 @ Northumbria University
Meanwhile, Northumbria University will be continuing their invaluable work with the interdisciplinary Gendered Violent and Abuse Conference 2025. Focusing on the complex relationship between research, policy, and practice – and how better outcomes can be delivered for victim survivors – it promises to be a powerful event with an impressive roster of keynote speakers and Q&A opportunities.
Thursday 6th March 2025, Check website for availability
Women Writing Up North @ Newcastle City Library
To celebrate IWD, Newcastle City Library will be playing host to six local writers, providing the opportunity for them to share their journeys – and budding readers/authors to ask their burning questions! Helen Aitchison, Elaine Gardner, Brigid Griffin, Mirabel Lavelle, Ellie White and Dawn Wilkinson will be present to help women get into writing, short readings and host the Q&A session.
Saturday 8th March 2025, Free
That’s just a small selection of events taking place across in Newcastle for International Women's Day 2025 that explore or celebrate womanhood in various exciting ways – through music and art, through conversation and fellowship. Why not get involved this year and remember to #AccelerateAction?
Want to be in the know about everything that’s happening in Newcastle city centre? Sign up to our newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok.
