A third of students studying in Newcastle stay there after graduating, making Newcastle one of the top 10 university cities in the UK for student happiness. This is not surprising; the city has a great atmosphere, as well as fantastic places to live, eat, and work, with lots of fun events happening all the time.
For those lucky enough to be spending their summer here, we have put together a brief guide to some of the best things happening in and around the city from July to September.
Until Sunday 9 September
For 80 days this summer, the North of England is celebrating everything that makes it great. This free festival started at the beginning of June and will feature exhibitions, live performances, and literary talks. Some of the highlights include the Water Sculpture, which is a fountain display on the River Tyne and will happen every day set to specially-written music. We also recommend going to the screening of ‘Bridges’, an animation about Newcastle’s famous structures that will play twice a day from the 4th of August until the 6th of September at the Sage Gateshead.
Monday 16 July 2018 – Sunday 29 July
This is the North East’s largest comedy festival, with several brilliant acts coming from around the country and beyond to perform. There’s no better way to understand British comedy – and at the same time, to improve your English skills – than by watching stand-up comedy. Tickets for each show are £10 or under, making this the perfect student night out.
Friday 20 – Sunday 22 July
If you love all things American, you can find a little bit of the USA right here in Newcastle this July. This is a free event that has been going for 12 years and is known for its lively atmosphere and brilliant music. Acts this year include the legendary Steve Earle and younger bands like Blue Highway and Portraits. The festival is held at the Sage Gateshead.
Sunday 26 – Monday 27 August
Newcastle is a diverse city, full of many different cultures. This festival is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and is all about Pakistani, Bengali, Indian, and other South Asian cultures. It is open to the public and invites people to learn, enjoy new foods, watch entertainment, and meet new people. There is also a lot of singing and dancing for any music-lovers.
Thursday 30 August – Saturday 1 September
You may recognise this Scottish comedian if you have watched English television. He is famous for his quick wit and you may learn a little Scottish slang from his stand-up routine. Kevin Bridges will be on at the Theatre Royal and City Hall at the end of August, but if you want to see him perform, book tickets early as they are likely to get sold out.
The pathway programmes detailed on this website are run in partnership with QA Higher Education - a UK higher education provider. All of our pathway programmes are validated by the University and taught by QA Higher Education and University staff.
