Music Festivals in Newcastle in 2022

There’s nothing like being part of a big crowd and seeing your favorite musicians perform at a music festival. The energy, music, art, entertainment, and atmosphere at a music festival are unlike anything, allowing you to lose yourself in the moment.

When the festival season kicks off in the summer in Newcastle, you’ll see festival-goers flocking to several city venues to cheer for and watch local and international artists. Despite the weather changes, the concerts and music festivals across the UK and Newcastle have always been well attended by music fans from all over the world. Even if you don’t know who’s on the lineup, you’ll feel compelled to go and discover outstanding emerging talents playing live in their purest and rawest forms.

If it’s your first time in Newcastle and Gateshead, head to Utilita Arena and Sage Gateshead. These NewcastleGateshead entertainment centers regularly host an array of events, bringing world-class musicians and artists to the North East. Some parks and open green spaces like the Exhibition Park and Town Moor have also been converted into event venues in Newcastle upon Tyne. Wondering how to get to these fabulous spaces? Read our guide on how to get around Newcastle and be at ease as you make your way.

No matter your favorite genre, you will experience the exciting buzz of live, show-stopping performances from the likes of Gregory Porter, the Pussycat Dolls, Stormzy, and more. Just make sure you don’t arrive at a music festival looking like you’re off on a camping trip. Pack light and leave your bags at a Bounce luggage locker in Newcastle upon Tyne.

The best music festivals in Newcastle in 2022

Unfortunately, This is Tomorrow, the largest music festival in North East that takes place over the bank holiday weekend, won’t be happening this year. But don't fret because you can still expect some mind-blowing music shows and festivals throughout Newcastle and its neighboring cities.

House of Barefoot Festival

Bringing a wealth of talents to the North East in 2022, the House of Barefoot Festival features some of the most sought-after DJs in the world. It’s a three-day event, from June 2nd to 4th on a Queens Jubilee Bank holiday, with an incredible lineup delivering over 36 hours worth of music over the three days/nights.

The House of Barefoot Festival is one of the first exciting summer events you don’t want to miss in the festival season. It is located at Reed Farm, Stamfordham, with DJ star and house music pioneer Sasha joining John Digweed on stage as the headliners for the first day of the music fest. Then on Friday, June 3rd, setting the stage on fire are Hernan Cattaneo, Henry Saiz, and B2B Nick Warren. On the final day, Danny Howells and James Zabiela end the three-day party with other home-grown talents and emerging stars showing off their music.

This Newcastle boutique festival boasts a safe, friendly, and intimate atmosphere where the audience can be themselves and enjoy the experience of a lifetime. It offers glamping tents with shows, great bars for added entertainment, food vendors, and merchandise stalls, so you have everything you need at the festival.

Mouth of the Tyne Festival

About half an hour from Newcastle upon Tyne, the renowned outdoor music fest will be back in 2022 on the spectacular North East coastline. Located in Tynemouth Castle, North Shields, Tyne And Wear, the Mouth of the Tyne Festival will warm up the beautiful seaside town from July 8th, Friday, to July 10th, Sunday. It’s a long summer weekend of a fun music festival filled with raging live music at the Tynemouth Castle, plus an additional show held at Playhouse Whitley Bay on October 31st, Monday.

Kicking off the event on Friday is Keane and a guest performance by Eliza Shaddad. On the final day of the celebration, you’ll see acts from Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Newton Faulkner, Faye Fantarrow, and Tom Speight. Besides live music and great performances, there are also street shows, circus, festival parades, and food and beverages throughout the venue.

But that’s not all for this music festival. A special lineup of extra events also awaits you in local venues on July 3rd and August 6th to complement the festival weekend. It will present different genres of music, including jazz, metal, alternative rock, and more.

Loosefest

Newcastle is a city centered on art, which is why there are plenty of music festivals you can attend while in town this summer. One that you will definitely want to add to your bucket list if you plan to spend your summer in Newcastle is Loosefest 2022. It’s one of the biggest music festivals in the UK, attracting tens of thousands of visitors. It runs for two days over the weekend, Saturday, July 30th, and Sunday, July 31st, from noon to 11 pm.

The lineup for this year’s music festival is a must-see, with the Black Eyed Peas being one of the main guests. Other notable guests include AJ Tracey, Clean Bandit, Roger Sanchez, Patrick Topping, Joel Corry, Jonas Blue, Sigala, and Example. You’ll also see live performances from local artists who support the main acts on multiple stages. Plus, there’s a carnival fun fair and street food village offering different street foods and local cuisines.

The festival will take place near the city center, on the picturesque Town Moor in Newcastle upon Tyne. It’s a large open grassy area with a history as pastureland that dates back to the twelfth century. So besides the legendary lineup of over 80 artists and other entertainment, you can also enjoy yourself in the scenic setting and breathe fresh air on the beautiful Town Moor.

Keep in mind that all the artists play on different days, so you’ll want to consider which day to go or if you wish to attend both days. The ticket price depends on which day you choose, and take note that only adults or those over 18 are allowed to enter.

Summertime Live Newcastle Festival

We’ll see the return of the Summertime Live to Newcastle Racecourse on Saturday, August 27th, 2022. Located on the grounds of High Gosforth Park, the Racecourse is one of the busiest racecourses in the UK, hosting more than sixty races annually. But instead of a race, it will bring the biggest party of the season from 2:30 pm to 10:30 pm on the final summer weekend in Newcastle.

There are so many things to love about this summertime celebration. First, you must get ready for Classic Ibiza. They are back with a brand new set of dance anthems performed live on stage under the summer stars in a friendly, open environment. They will return for this music fest and take festival-goers on a rollercoaster ride of dance music.

Of course, this festival-style site won’t be complete without DJs and Live Mingling Entertainers. There are also glitter makeup stalls, festival fashion, and an array of bars and street food vendors. It’s an open-air concert, but there’s limited seating to be set from the stage. However, please note that it can’t be reserved and is only available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Gateshead Summer Fest

Indeed, a lot of things are happening in NewcastleGateshead during summer. But before this warm season ends, be sure to check out the Gateshead Summer Fest on August 27th and 28th, 2022. It is organized by the team behind the Gateshead Gin Festival and the popular Gateshead Beer and Music Festival, bringing the Beach Party and celebration to Low Fell, just less than half an hour from Newcastle upon Tyne.

Understudies will headline the main stage on Saturday, August 27th, for a classic set of indie, rock, pop, and punk. Then he will be joined by The Manchester Anthems, The Reflex, The Pretty Weeds, and Jen & Liv. If you plan to go on the second day, you’ll be glad to know that The Brit Pack is the headliner to play the best of the nineties, indie, Rock n Roll, and Britpop. There are also outstanding acts by Phil Davids & the Good Times Band, The Straits UK, LOVESHOPIE, Two Metres Apart, and Bessie and the Zinc Buckets.

Besides the live music, expect lots of food, especially BBQs and summer-inspired dishes, cocktails, your favorite rum/gin-infused drinks, and more. The Prosecco bar is also set to return, as well as a huge selection of Premium Lagers and Ciders.

The ticket price is about $15 per day for adults. But young festival-goers under 18 get to enjoy a free festival as long as they are accompanied by their parents.

Newcastle Mela

Newcastle Mela, hosted by NAAM (Newcastle Asian Arts & Music), is a two-day music festival you must attend before the summer ends in Newcastle. It’s a yearly event that takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend at Exhibition Park close to the city center.

This music festival has been occurring every year for the past 25 years. It receives an average of 40,000 visitors, both local and foreign. The word “Mela” means “gathering” in Hindi, so it indeed meets its expectation and has become a popular and well-known event in the country.

The event embraces a multi-cultural atmosphere or vibe where you can enjoy the music, food, and performances of certain countries, such as India and other parts of South Asia. Along with singers, artists, and musicians, you can also enjoy other activities around the venue like clothes or gift shopping, crafting, and circus acts, to name a few.

The Newcastle Mela festival is undoubtedly a perfect place for families, especially since it’s open to anyone and free to enter. This 2022 event will happen on Sunday, August 28th, and Bank Holiday on Monday, August 29th.

Lindisfarne Festival

End your summer with a bang with Lindisfarne Festival 2022. From September 1st to 4th, Lindisfarne Festival is back for its seventh year of music and magic on the Northumberland coast in North East England, just less than an hour from Newcastle. As you attend this four-day event on Beal Farm, Northumberland, you’ll experience a weekend of sizzling entertainment.

As usual, this fest will pull together a stellar lineup, which features headliners including the crowd favorites Madness and Rudimental. Elvana, Slamboree, Roni Size, Lindisfarne, Dub Pistols, and many more are also joining the star-studded lineup to perform. Expect hundreds of local and international acts across nine different stages, including Shorefields, the Viking Brew House, Loungevity, Dingle Dell, The Temple, Dubshack, The Altar, The Crypt, and Shanti Bee.

The main stage is in the Shorefields venue, where you’ll see incredible performances from the headliners on Friday and Saturday nights. Each music marquee and venue features a unique lineup and headline acts, so make sure you attend from day one to day four. However, please note that the organizers implement a strict capacity for every marquee, so it’s best to get into the venue early, especially if there’s a specific performance you’d like to see.

There’ll be music from 7 pm until midnight on Thursday night, but if you come on Friday and Saturday, you’ll get to enjoy music from midday to 4 am. You’ll also witness comedy acts, spoken words, and fire dancing and participate in holistic therapies, meditation, yoga, and more.

Planning to stay some more days in Newcastle?

Having extra days in the city means you’ve got more time to attend more events and shop around Newcastle to discover its eclectic boutiques and stores. From selling electronics, accessories, and clothing to vintage items, unique gifts, and souvenirs, Newcastle upon Tyne has everything for every need and style. You can also browse high-end shops at Eldon Square or the historic Central Arcade.

If you get tired from shopping, take a break and try some of the best street food in Newcastle. The city has a thriving street food scene, evidenced by the abundance of markets, street food vendors, and various street food events throughout the year. Wander through Grainger Market and discover mouthwatering choices of fresh and flavorful local cuisines.

If you're planning to stay longer in Newcastle, take a look at our other Newcastle guides for other fun activities!

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