Quayside Carnival

A recent addition to NE1’s roster of summer events, Quayside Carnival made its successful debut in 2025. Taking place in the area between Newcastle City Marina and The Swirle Pavilion, the inaugural Quayside Carnival featured a range of events and activities including creative crafts, circus performances and workshops, character meet-and-greets, face painting, roaming performers and a Challenge Zone designed with older children in mind, which were delivered in partnership with local venues including Life Science Centre and Great North Museum: Hancock.

In 2026 it returned, even bigger and better than before with a full road closure allowing the event to expand across Newcastle’s Quayside. The event programme grew too, with nine dedicated zones and activities that included mocktail-making sessions from Gino D’Acampo Restaurant, a silent disco sponsored by Freight Island, A ‘Days out by Bus Zone’ sponsored by North East Strategic Mayoral Authority and a card collectors’ corner from Newcastle Card Show.

Over 15,000 people attended the 2026 event with both Quayside businesses and venues from across the wider city centre to provide an even bigger economic boost to Newcastle.