Newcastle-based illustrator and ceramicist known for creating joyful, characterful work inspired by folklore, nature and imagination. At #NOVUM26, they are supporting The Secret Parade; a playful city-wide trail of hidden ceramic characters, clues and medieval secrets.

All or Nothing Aerial Dance Theatre creates bold, uplifting performances that blend dance, aerial arts and contemporary circus, taking audiences on a journey between the ground and the sky.

At #NOVUM26, they present The Swings, a playful aerial performance and giant interactive swing installation that invites audiences of all ages to soar, swing and rediscover the joy of flight.

Amy is a North East dancer, choreographer and teacher who believes dance is for everyone. She brings people together through joyful, inclusive dance experiences as founder of North East Dance Project.

Amy is contributing to Beats, Cycles & Song; a powerful #NOVUM26 performance where South Indian classical percussion, Afro-rhythms and North East folk traditions meet through music, movement and shared celebration.

Andy is one of the North East’s most celebrated musicians, sharing the unique sound of the Northumbrian pipes with audiences across the region and beyond.

At #NOVUM26, he joins Beats, Cycles & Song; a joyful fusion of South Indian percussion, Afro-rhythms and North East folk music, brought together through live performance and movement.

North East party legends Awesome Silent Discos are the team behind the region's sell-out silent discos in unforgettable locations, from Newcastle Cathedral to St Edward's Bay and Cullercoats Bay. For #NOVUM26, they're bringing the beats, battling DJs and big dancefloor energy to Submergence for two unforgettable silent disco experiences.

Bridge Creative is an award-winning Co.Durham social enterprise creating opportunities for autistic adults and adults with learning disabilities to build skills, find employment and thrive in the arts, events and creative industries.

Maker, crafter and Yorkshire adventurer, Bunty creates magical miniature worlds through illustration, paper cutting and storytelling. At #NOVUM26, they are creating the map for The Secret Parade; a playful city-wide trail of hidden ceramic characters, clues and medieval secrets.

Cabinet of Curiosity Studio turns paper, stories and big ideas into creative adventures. Led by designer-makers Caroline Collinge and Edmond Salter, they create playful workshops and installations that invite people to explore, imagine and make together.

For #NOVUM26 they are delivering Reshaping the Toon – Newcastle's very own paper city in the making. Inspired by Station House Opera's Dominoes, the project brings people together to create mini landmarks, share stories and imagine the future of the city through creativity, making and play.

Storytellers in every sense of the word, Candle & Bell creates award-winning films, audio experiences and digital content that uncover hidden stories, celebrate place and connect people through creativity. They work with artists and cultural organisations to bring bold ideas to life and reach new audiences.

At #NOVUM26 we’re working with Candle & Bell to help us capture Dominoes Newcastle.

Specialists in Immersive Interactive Theatre, they create fun, bold performances packed with comedy, chaos, and audience participation.

At #NOVUM26 they are presenting a hilarious walkabout theatre show Blockbuster Factory.

Chris Bishop of picturesbybish has been telling the North East's story through photography for over 20 years. From major music acts to everyday stories, his photography celebrates real people with warmth, honesty and character. During #NOVUM26, Chris will be out across the city capturing all the colour, creativity and unforgettable festival moments as they happen.

An artist and creative producer who loves turning imagination into reality. From giant sculptures to community-led adventures, their work celebrates creativity, curiosity and the joy of making things together.

At #NOVUM26, they bring The Secret Parade; a playful city-wide trail of hidden ceramic characters, clues and medieval secrets.

Curious Arts is an LGBTQIA+ arts, youth and heritage charity, committed to championing LGBTQIA+ creativity and communities across the North East and beyond.

For #NOVUM26, we’re excited to present their joyful family theatre show Turkey & The Caterpillar alongside the brilliantly playful walkabout performance Wheelie Proud.

Divya is a dancer, teacher and movement facilitator who brings the energy and rhythm of Indian classical dance to audiences of all ages.

At #NOVUM26, she joins Beats, Cycles & Song, a joyful celebration where Afro-rhythms, South Indian percussion and North East folk traditions come together through music, movement and shared experience.

Fully Booked Theatre makes fun-filled dance theatre for children and families, blending fast-paced comedy, big imagination and delightfully unexpected stories.

At #NOVUM26, they bring String and Strong's Great Big Game-a-thon and Once Upon A Wall; two playful family performances bursting with laughter, creativity and interactive fun.

Hannabiell is an award-winning percussionist, composer and bandleader renowned for her infectious energy and irresistible rhythms. Drawing on Afrobeat, jazz, Latin and funk traditions, her performances are guaranteed to get audiences moving.

At #NOVUM26, she joins Beats, Cycles & Song – a vibrant celebration where Afro-rhythms, South Indian percussion and North East folk traditions come together in music, movement and shared joy.

One of Europe’s leading inclusive theatre companies, creating bold, fun performances with learning disabled and autistic artists. At #NOVUM26, they join Ramshacklicious for TRUTH! – a joyous and wonderfully surreal outdoor performance led by a five-strong inclusive cast of playful rebels.

Illustrator, printmaker and colour enthusiast, Josie creates joyful, eye-catching artwork that invites people to see the world a little differently.

At #NOVUM26, they are designing larger-than-life blocks that families and folks will be able to colour in across the festival weekend.

Kamchàtka creates playful, immersive adventures that transform ordinary streets into extraordinary encounters. Their unique wordless performances bring people together through curiosity, connection and shared experience.

At #NOVUM26, join Kamchàtka for their immersive pop up street theatre experience following eight travellers as they navigate an unfamiliar city, blurring the line between visitor, neighbour and stranger.

Little Inventors is a creative education organisation that inspires children to dream big, solve problems and bring their imaginative ideas to life through creativity, invention and making.

Joining #NOVUM26 across the festival weekend, they'll host The Lit & Phil Invention Challenge 2026: Myths & Legends, inviting families to dream up mythical creatures, magical inventions and legendary places for modern-day Newcastle.

A choreographer, performer, and creative producer creating joyful performances for theatres, outdoor spaces, and film.

Lizzie is one half of the duo behind The Fabric of Us (hyperlink to Fabric of us listing page).

Theatre maker, producer and creative whose work celebrates play, participation and connection. Working behind the scenes to bring #NOVUM26 to life, supporting the production of the festival finale Dominoes, coordinating schedules and programme logistics. She is excited to be joining the NOVUM team permanently next year as our Creative Programme Officer.

A writer, performer, and creative producer making bold, playful work that sparks conversation both on stage and beyond.

Luca is one half of the duo behind The Fabric of Us

Newcastle musician and songwriter creating fearless alt-rock that blends fuzzy guitars, razor-sharp lyrics and raw, emotionally honest storytelling. For #NOVUM26, Melanie Baker performs a special intimate gig inside A Room in Bloom, where powerful live music meets one of the festival's most breathtaking installations.

Poet, producer, drummer and community storyteller whose work brings people together to share experiences, spark conversations and tell stories that matter. She is also company producer at Unfolding Theatre.

Olivier Award-winning live artist Francesca Baglione, aka Miss High Leg Kick, creates bold, hilarious, and joyfully unexpected performances packed with dance, spectacle, and playful audience interaction.

For #NOVUM26, Miss High Leg Kick flutters into the festival with Bird Rave; a wildly fun outdoor dance party where bird-inspired performers, old-school rave anthems, and dancefloor chaos collide.

Motionhouse are internationally celebrated pioneers of dance-circus, creating breathtaking large-scale performances that blend dance, acrobatics, and physical theatre.

For #NOVUM26, Motionhouse bring their iconic outdoor spectacular BLOCK to Newcastle city centre, packed with giant moving blocks, jaw-dropping acrobatics, and edge-of-your-seat action.

Mr Wilson’s Second Liners are an anarchic UK-based brass band mashing up traditional New Orleans street celebrations with iconic 90s club classics in a riotous “rave funeral without the body.”

For #NOVUM26, they bring their high-energy roaming street party to Newcastle city centre on Saturday, transforming the streets into a moving carnival of brass, dancing, and feel-good festival chaos inspired by the spirit of the Hacienda and legendary music icon Tony Wilson.

A creative thinker and honest grafter, Nic Miller is an events producer and designer based in the North East. For #NOVUM26, they've been quietly working their magic behind the scenes – organising our festival site dressing, creating our information points, and helping us rethink signage and audience experience to make navigating the festival as fun and seamless as possible.

Nicola Lynch is a visual artist who specialises in creating playful, people-powered projects with communities. For #NOVUM26, she's collaborating with Sally Southern and communities across all 26 Newcastle wards to create a vibrant city-wide display of banners, flags and bunting.

Look out for their colourful creations across the festival, bringing local stories, creativity and a splash of NOVUM magic to the heart of the city.

Maria Baranowska is a florist, producer and curator of beautiful experiences where culture and the natural world bloom together.

At #NOVUM26, they are producing A Room in Bloom, alongside supporting community groups as community growers.

Bringing colour, creativity and a touch of sparkle wherever they go. Known for their fun, high-quality face painting, they're experts at transforming festival-goers into anything from roaring tigers to glittering butterflies. At #NOVUM26, they'll be offering FREE face painting and glitter, helping children, families and big kids alike get into the #NOVUM26 festival spirit.

Meet the creatives behind NOVUM's fresh new look. OGRE Studio is a bold, values-led brand and design studio that believes creativity should challenge, inspire and make a difference. Their colourful new identity captures everything NOVUM is about – play, creativity, surprise and seeing the city differently.

Kuchipudi dancer, choreographer, one of the UK's 40 Under 40 South Asian Artists to Watch and Plural Roots founder, Payal is behind Beats, Cycles & Song; a powerful #NOVUM26 performance where South Indian classical percussion, Afro-rhythms and North East folk traditions meet through music, movement and shared celebration.

Prathap is an internationally acclaimed percussionist whose dazzling rhythms and infectious energy have captivated audiences around the world.

At #NOVUM26, he joins Beats, Cycles & Song; a vibrant fusion of Afro-rhythms, South Indian percussion and North East folk music, bursting with movement, music and joy.

Rachel Hamer is all about bringing people together to make brilliant things happen. A creative producer with a passion for co-creation, creativity and wellbeing, she's spent years working alongside young people and communities across the North East, helping turn bold ideas into unforgettable projects with artists.

For #NOVUM26, Rachel is supporting our incredible volunteers and event delivery team, helping keep the festival moving, welcoming and full of the energy that makes every big moment happen.

Outdoor theatre troublemakers, creating imaginative, unexpected experiences full of humour, heart and gentle chaos. At #NOVUM26, they team up with Hijinx Theatre for TRUTH! – a joyous and wonderfully surreal outdoor performance led by a five-strong inclusive cast of playful rebels.

From bold public installations to beautifully crafted exhibition spaces, this Byker-based design and fabrication studio specialises in making ambitious creative ideas happen. Working alongside artists and architects, they build playful, thoughtful and unforgettable spaces and experiences for people to explore.

For #NOVUM26, they've been working with North East Artists Josie Brookes and Tom Madge to create our giant colouring blocks.

Red Herring Productions creates joyful outdoor adventures that get people moving, laughing and seeing familiar places in new ways. At #NOVUM26, they bring their Silent Disco Walking Tour; a feel-good silent disco through Newcastle city centre, where big tunes, bold moves and glitterball energy turn the streets into a dancefloor.

Sally Southern is a community artist, textile designer and illustrator whose colourful, people-powered projects bring creativity into everyday spaces. For #NOVUM26, she's collaborating with artist Nicola Lynch and communities from all 26 Newcastle wards to create a city-wide celebration of banners, flags and bunting that will transform the city throughout the festival.

From streets and squares to performance spaces, their joyful creations will help guide audiences, celebrate local pride and fill Newcastle with colour.

Designer, maker and educator Shaun, creates ceramics and fused glass inspired by climbing, bouldering and a love of wild landscapes. At #NOVUM26, they are supporting The Secret Parade; a playful city-wide trail of hidden ceramic characters, clues and medieval secrets.

Sound de Secà creates high-energy street arts performances that fuse percussion, movement and voice into joyful experiences celebrating connection, humanity and social inclusion.

At #NOVUM26, they bring Possê, an explosive outdoor performance celebrating music, rhythm, togetherness and collective joy.

Internationally acclaimed light artists Squidsoup create breathtaking immersive worlds where light, sound and technology collide, transforming everyday spaces into unforgettable experiences. For #NOVUM26, they're bringing their spectacular installation Submergence to Newcastle, creating the glowing backdrop for both our Family Glow Silent Disco and evening Silent Disco events.

Staithe are the musical duo of Bridie Jackson and Nick Pierce, creating dreamy music weaving together voice, classical guitar, viola, piano and atmospheric electronics to create beautifully sparse songs full of hope, warmth and wonder. For #NOVUM26, Staithe open the evening with a special live set inside A Room in Bloom, supporting Melanie Baker in one of the festival's most intimate gigs on Friday.

Station House Opera is an internationally acclaimed performance company led by Julian Maynard Smith, creating ambitious large-scale works that bring together architecture, art, theatre and technology.

At #NOVUM26, they present Dominoes Newcastle, a spectacular moving sculpture built from thousands of breeze blocks and powered by hundreds of volunteers, unfolding through Newcastle's streets, spaces and communities in an unforgettable city-wide chain reaction.

Sticky Lips are an explosive brass band bringing bold beats, massive tunes, and unapologetically high-energy party vibes wherever they go.

At #NOVUM26 expect a brass-fuelled street party across Sunday packed with reimagined pop bangers, singalong favourites, dancing in the streets, and infectious energy.

Laura heads up local graphic design and illustration studio, Swaddle//Creative, where she creates bright, vibrant brands and designs for colour lovers everywhere! Ever curious, she loves getting stuck into cultural happenings and celebrating local causes all over the region.

For #NOVUM26, Laura has helped bring the festival's bold new identity to life, supporting the rollout of the NOVUM brand and creating the striking visual identity for our headline event, Dominoes Newcastle.

The Bubble Whisperer Jamie and Bubbles & Squeak Dee are bubble-making experts who have spent over 15 years creating giant bubbles, jaw-dropping bubble tricks and unforgettable family fun.

At #NOVUM26, they bring Gigantic Bubble Fun, a bubble-filled spectacular packed with giant bubbles, wow moments and plenty of chances to have a go yourself.

The Six Twenty are a theatre company creating immersive live experiences that audiences step inside. Their work blends storytelling, participation and place-making to create performances designed to be experienced together in theatres, streets, community spaces and unexpected places.

For NOVUM Summer Festival 2026, they have been commissioned to create You Are Here: NOVUM; an interactive audio experience through Newcastle city centre, guided by a live performer and experienced through silent disco headsets.

Tim is a Newcastle musician, songwriter and accordion player known for his love of folk music.

At #NOVUM26, he joins Beats, Cycles & Song – a high-energy celebration where Afro-rhythms, South Indian percussion and North East folk traditions collide.

From colourful community projects to class animations, artist, designer and animator Tom Madge is all about bringing big ideas to life.

At #NOVUM26, they are designing larger-than-life blocks that families and folks will be able to colour in across the festival weekend.

Roisin Taylon is a Newcastle flower farmer, florist and nature champion, growing beautiful blooms and helping shape a wilder future for young people as Co-Director of UK Youth for Nature.

At #NOVUM26, they are designing and building A Room in Bloom, alongside supporting community groups as community growers.

Von Fox is a North East photography and filmmaking studio led by Richard Flood and Sophie Teasdale. For #NOVUM26, they've been following the festival from the very beginning, documenting community workshops, creative moments and the people helping shape the festival. During the festival weekend, they'll be out across the city capturing all the joy, colour and "you had to be there" moments that make NOVUM what it is.

Yvette Ja is a British-South Korean artist who transforms paper into extraordinary installations, origami, and sculptures, drawing on traditional craft techniques to explore stories of heritage, identity and belonging.

At #NOVUM26, they are contributing gorgeous paper flowers to A Room In Bloom and running a drop in paper flower making workshop.