The Late Shows 2024: All the events across Newcastle & Gateshead for the after hours culture crawl

The Late Shows are returning to Newcastle and Gateshead this weekend (17th and 18th May) offering up two nights of after hours fun across the city.

If you’re not familiar with the event, its a free culture crawl which sees venues across Newcastle, Gateshead and the Ouseburn open their doors after hours for talks, exhibitions, events, workshops and fun activities.

With the action kicking off Friday evening in the Ouseburn, here’s a rundown of some of the events happening across the weekend.

Friday

On Friday, the fun is localised to the Ouseburn. At the farm you can experience an evening of Mexican-themed music, food and drinks to get you in the party spirit.

There’s also 20-minute taster tours of the Victoria Tunnel on offer, while The Cumberland Arms takes over the Toffee Factory for an evening of music and merriment from Ladies of the Midnight Blue.

Meanwhile, Cobalt Studios is putting on evening of improvised music and life drawing, and you can make your own linocut or drypoint print to take home at Biscuit Tin Studios.

Saturday

In Gateshead, people have the incredible opportunity to walk Dunston Staiths at sunset. It’s a rare opportunity to view the Tyne from the historic structure.

You can create art at Shipley Art Gallery whilst listening to live music or dance the night away at St Mary’s Heritage Centre with a live Ceilidh band. BALTIC will be keeping its doors open until 10pm, too, giving crawlers the chance to look at the Open Submission 2024 and hear from two of the artists.

Across the river, the Grainger Market will be open after hours to display the interactive work of artist Deborah Snell who will animate the historic market to imagine what happens when everyone goes home. There will also be music, dancing, classes and tasters on offer.

Newcastle Castle will become a medieval tavern. For one night only, the castle will become the site of fine ale, music and storytelling.

The Great North Museum: Hancock is offering a Night at the Museum to remember with inflatable activities for both adults and children. Think: bouncy castles, ball pits and slides.

A DJ will be taking over Newcastle City Library and laser tag is on offer at the Discovery Museum.

This just scratches the surface of what’s on offer this weekend. You can find the full list of activities here.

All activities are free to do and most don’t require booking.

The weekend promises to be another cracker with the North East at its best.