Where the City Comes to Play
OUR VISION
After two pilot years delivered by Curated Place, NOVUM returns in August 2026 as a bold, joyful summer festival for Newcastle, now delivered by Newcastle City Council’s Cultural Events Team.
As part of the Council’s 10-year cultural events programme, NOVUM will grow year by year into a must-visit annual festival that celebrates the city’s creativity and welcomes audiences from across the UK.
NOVUM Festival 2026
7 – 9 august 2026
NOVUM Festival 2026
A City of Creativity
NOVUM brings all kinds of art into the city centre, from street performances, live music and large-scale spectacles to workshops, digital experiences and surprises to stumble across as you go.
With daytime and evening events throughout the festival, it’s easy to pop in for a quick look or spend hours exploring. Expect free, drop-in and stumble-upon moments alongside bookable events and a scheduled programme.
Built With Newcastle
OUR PARTNERS
NOVUM Festival is made possible through the support of partners, funders and organisations who share our vision for creativity in Newcastle.
NOVUM Festival 2026
7 – 9 august 2026
Newcastle City Centre
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
NOVUM is an annual three-day, multi-artform summer festival taking over Newcastle city centre. Expect free, family-friendly events including outdoor performances, artist workshops and live music, with plenty more to explore and enjoy.
NOVUM takes place from Friday 7th – Sunday 9th August 2026. Most events take place during the day, with a selection of evening performances.
The majority of the programme is on the Saturday and Sunday.
Events take place right across Newcastle city centre, with performances, installations and activities popping up in streets, open spaces and inside and outside cultural venues. Download the festival programme to explore the#NOVUM26 map and plan your perfect festival adventure.
Need a hand during your visit? Look out for NOVUM Festival Information Points, festival signage, and our friendly staff and volunteers in bright NOVUM T-shirts; they’ll be happy to help.
Key festival locations include:
- Newcastle Civic Centre
- Northern Stage
- Great North Museum: Hancock
- Northumberland Street
- Newcastle City Library
- Grey Street (outside END Clothing)
- Newcastle Contemporary Art Gallery / High Bridge Works
Dominoes Newcastle follows a dedicated route across the city centre on Sunday 9 August. Download the Dominoes Newcastle route map HERE to find the best viewing spots and follow the spectacular chain reaction from start to finish.
Head to our What’s On part of the website and browse the programme and/or download our #NOVUM26 festival programme.
Yes! Around 99% of #NOVUM26 is completely free to enjoy.
Most events are free, with no booking required; simply turn up, join in and enjoy the festival. A small number of events are ticketed, and these are clearly marked in the programme and on our website.
Most events are drop-in and turn up.
A handful require booking some require advance booking, some are free but ticketed and others are chargeable – these include:
Absolutely. The programme includes a wide range of free events, performances and creative activities suitable for families and different age groups.
For families and young people highlights include:
Many NOVUM events take place outdoors, so dress for whatever the British summer brings. If it rains, please bring a raincoat rather than an umbrella so everyone can enjoy the performances.
Most events will still go ahead if the weather changes. If needed, we may adjust timings, move events indoors or reschedule. Any updates will be shared on social media and with ticket holders, where relevant.
Yes, please do! Community groups are a big part of NOVUM, both in creating and attending the festival.
If you’d like to plan ahead, get in touch with the team at novum@newcastle.gov.uk.
We’re committed to making #NOVUM26 as welcoming and accessible as possible. Every event listing on our website includes detailed accessibility information to help you plan your visit.
AccessAble is also a great resource for planning an accessible visit to Newcastle city centre.
Accessibility features across the festival include:
- A downloadable festival programme and map on our website, plus printed copies available from #NOVUM26 Information Points throughout the festival.
- Detailed access information on every event listing, including venue facilities, accessibility features and what to expect.
- Selected performances with BSL interpretation and audio description, clearly marked in the programme and online.
- Step-free access at festival locations wherever possible.
- Accessible toilets and Changing Places facilities across the city centre.
- The NOVUM Nook – a dedicated low-sensory, quiet space near Newcastle Civic Centre for anyone who needs a break from the festival.
- Friendly staff and volunteers in bright NOVUM T-shirts, ready to answer questions and offer assistance.
- A range of visual performances that can be enjoyed by d/Deaf audiences.
- Any event-specific access information will be clearly highlighted on individual web event listings.
- No performances include strobe lighting.
If you have any questions before your visit, please get in touch at novum@newcastle.gov.uk.
Getting to #NOVUM26 is easy, whether you’re travelling by car, public transport or on foot. We recommend checking journey planners before you travel for the latest routes and timetables.
By car
Newcastle city centre is easily reached via major roads including the A167, B1318, A1058, A193 and A186. There are plenty of city centre car parks within walking distance of festival locations. Visit NE1’s Car Parking page to view multi-storey and on-street parking options.
By Metro
The Tyne and Wear Metro has five stations in Newcastle city centre, making it one of the quickest ways to reach the festival. Check Travel North East for the latest timetables, route information and station maps.
By bus
Newcastle is well served by local and regional bus services. For the latest routes and timetables, visit Travel North East.
By train
Newcastle Central Station is just a short walk from many #NOVUM26 venues and festival locations. Visit the National Rail website for journey planning, live travel updates and timetables.
Out of region
Travelling to #NOVUM26 from outside the North East – head to NewcastleGateshead website for advice.
There are plenty of city centre car parks. We recommend checking Parkopedia or Newcastle City Council website for information about city centre car parks including information about disabled parking.
You’ll never be far from somewhere delicious. Newcastle city centre is packed with brilliant independent cafés, bars, restaurants and street food, and we’re pretty proud of our legendary Geordie hospitality.
Even better, Newcastle Restaurant Week is running throughout #NOVUM26, giving you the chance to enjoy fantastic offers at some of the city’s best restaurants, with meals available for £15, £20 and £25 per person.
Need a coffee or a quick bite between events? You’ll also find cafés open at several #NOVUM26 venues, including:
- The Arches by Whale Coffee Company at Newcastle Civic Centre
- Northern Stage
- Great North Museum: Hancock
Public toilets are available at a number of #NOVUM26 locations across the festival, including:
- Eldon Square
- Grainger Market
- Northern Stage
- Newcastle Civic Centre
- Great North Museum: Hancock
Gender-neutral toilets are available at Northern Stage.
If you’re unsure where the nearest facilities are, just ask one of our friendly staff or volunteers in bright NOVUM T-shirts—they’ll be happy to point you in the right direction.
Need a hand? Look out for our bright #NOVUM26 branding and colourful festival flags.
Our friendly staff and volunteers will be on hand to welcome you, help you find your way around the festival, recommend what’s on, answer your questions, and hand out festival programmes and maps.
You’ll find #NOVUM26 Information Points at:
- Newcastle Civic Centre
- Northumberland Street (near Haymarket)
- Monument
If you can’t spot an Information Point, just ask a member of the team in a bright NOVUM T-shirt, they’ll be happy to help.
Staying hydrated is easy at #NOVUM26. Bring your reusable water bottle and top it up at water refill points across the city centre.
Not sure where your nearest refill point is? Download the free Refill Return app to find thousands of free water refill stations, including cafés, cultural venues, public buildings and businesses across Newcastle. The app helps make it easy to refill on the go while cutting down on single-use plastic.
Many #NOVUM26 venues will also be happy to refill your bottle; just ask a member of staff if you’re unsure.
Newcastle has plenty of places to stay, whether you’re after something central, budget-friendly or a bit more special. The city centre and Quayside are both great bases for festival weekend.
If you lose an item during the festival, email novum@newcastle.gov.uk with a description and we’ll do our best to help.
For any questions, email our team via: novum@newcastle.gov.uk
NOVUM is delivered by Newcastle City Council’s Cultural Events Team in partnership with artists, communities and organisations across the city. It is funded by Newcastle City Council, Arts Council England and North East Mayoral Strategic Authority.
NOVUM is planned months in advance and includes work by local, national and international artists. We regularly release open calls and opportunities. To get in touch about future festivals, email novum@newcastle.gov.uk.
