NE1 wrung every last bit out of summer, stretching the festivities until last month (27th September), when NE1’s Newcastle Dragon Boat Race brought the curtain down on a record-breaking Summer in the City events programme.
Newcastle NE1 has delivered its most successful events programme to date, as part of a city-wide programme that attracted a record-breaking 600,000+ visitors. Starting in June with Sam Fender’s sell-out Homecoming gigs at St. James’ Park, to NE1’s Newcastle Dragon Boat Race on Newcastle’s Quayside at the end of September, which saw over 10,000 spectators on dry land, 850 competitors on the river and raised £30,000 for charity, the city has been entertained by an impressive array of major events.
NE1’s events alone attracted over 200,000 visitors to Newcastle this summer. Designed to animate the city throughout the summer months, these high-profile and varied events also deliver major economic benefits for the city’s businesses, help raise Newcastle’s profile regionally and nationally and reinforce its reputation as a destination city, where there is always something happening.
NE1’s ever-popular Screen on the Green broke all previous records for attendance with 110,000 visitors enjoying the activities on Old Eldon Square. As well as delivering a major economic boost to local businesses, it also gained national and international recognition with two prestigious awards.
Another notable highlight in this year’s event calendar was NE1 Newcastle Restaurant Week, which delivered the biggest single week in the event’s 14-year history with more diners and a greater economic boost to business than ever before.
New for 2025 was NE1’s Quayside Carnival, a four-hour non-stop festival on the Quayside which entertained 10,000+ visitors with interactive circus performances and events and a host of unique leisure experiences, including sightseeing cruises on the Tyne.
This summer, Newcastle’s impressive calendar of events also included the Red Bull Tyne Ride on the Quayside and the Come Together Festival on the Town Moor, which showcased the city’s capacity to host major open-air events to rival any UK and international city and cemented its reputation as one that delivers memorable experiences
Stephen Patterson, Chief Executive at NE1 said: “This summer has been nothing short of incredible for Newcastle. We are immensely proud of all our events, which help make Newcastle a brilliant place to live, work and play. Events not only animate the city, but deliver a phenomenal return on investment for our businesses, generating significant economic benefits for both the city and its business community.
“This summer, NE1 events attracted record crowds, animated public spaces, raised our cultural profile and delivered a major economic boost to local businesses through increased footfall and spending.
“From the Dragon Boat Race to Screen on the Green, the scale and diversity of the programme showcased Newcastle’s ambition and creativity and proved our capacity to deliver unforgettable experiences. Our business partnerships and sponsorships also played a crucial role in strengthening the events programme.
“The summer may be over, but there are still a host of events to look forward to. Excitement is already building for Christmas and Newcastle’s Christmas Market and Christmas Village, Newcastle United’s Champions League fixtures, and many more cultural and business events still to come. Planning for 2026 is already underway, and we remain committed to curating an events calendar that entertains and elevates Newcastle’s reputation as a world-class destination, and we urge businesses to get involved.”
NE1 Summer in the City Events - Headline figures:
Total attendees: 201,183 people
NE1 Newcastle Restaurant Week: Over 59,000 diners, generating over £1.1 million for participating businesses.
Screen on the Green: Over 110,000 visitors and two major awards
Quayside Carnival: Major new event for 2025. Over 10,000 attendees enjoying live interactive performances and one-off experiences, including pleasure boat trips on the Tyne
Dragon Boat Race:
- Over 850 active participants
- Crowds of 17,000+ spectators
- Over £30,000 raised for charities including the Great North Children’s Hospital Charity fund, part of Newcastle Hospital Charity
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