Culture gets an after-hours glow-up this May as The Late Shows returns for two unmissable nights across Newcastle and Gateshead.
Calling all culture vultures! The Late Shows is back.
Facilitated by North East Museums and supported by Creative Central NCL, this award-winning event has been running since 2007.
And I’m a big fan.
From a glow stick yielding volunteer to a glittery-faced event organiser to a culture crawler – I’ve been lucky enough to experience it from all angles. I can still remember bopping about in a silent disco one year, surrounded by neon artworks and the shimmer of a disco ball!
Armed with my insider knowledge, I’ve rounded up what you need to know to make the most of this cool cultural gem in our city’s calendar.
What is The Late Shows?
The Late Shows is a free late-night culture crawl that gives you the chance to discover a variety of artists’ studios, galleries, museums, historical buildings and other creative spaces.
Alongside opening their doors after hours, participating venues also host special one-off exhibitions, tours, performances, parties, food and drink pop ups, DJs and fun activities, making the evening fully immersive.
Think of it as a late night playground for all things creative.
You can experience familiar venues in a whole new way or discover ‘hidden’ places you’ve probably walked past a thousand times.
And, is it just me, or do these kind of spaces exude a curious, magical quality after dark? They definitely give me Night at the Museum vibes!
Even though it’s a late night event, it’s open to all ages and you’ll find a mix of family-friendly and adult-only activities.
When and where is it taking place in 2026?
The Late Shows returns on Friday 8th and Saturday 9th May, 2026.
On the Friday night, you can explore venues across the Ouseburn valley, dubbed Newcastle’s hip cultural quarter, between 6pm – 10.30pm, with last entry at 10pm.
It’s then central Newcastle and Gateshead’s turn on the Saturday evening.
What's on this year?
Over 60 venues will be taking part this year, undoubtedly the most eclectic programme I’ve seen yet. Here are some of the activities that have piqued my interest so far.
Ouseburn
In the Ouseburn, you can enjoy an evening of art, music and storytelling at The Biscuit Factory, join a global music party at Cobalt Studios, and have a go at being a live DJ at Radio Ouseburn.
Newcastle
In the heart of Newcastle, explore the Grainger Market after hours, or take part in a silent disco and 35mm film splicing at Tyneside Cinema.
Gateshead
Across the river in Gateshead, there’s an urban beach party at Atlas North East, and you can watch the sunset from the iconic Dunston Staiths.
Check out the full listings on The Late Shows website, where you can filter the programme by location and event type.
Planning your night
There’s no set trail to follow – simply pick and choose which venues you want to visit most.
I suggest looking at The Late Shows website beforehand and identifying which ones you’d definitely like to visit. Some events also require pre-booking.
Use your top picks to guide your route, but don’t shy away from being spontaneous on the night and exploring other spaces that catch your eye.
From my experience, you can expect to cram in around five to six venues across the four-hour period, obviously dependent on how long you spend at each one and whether you stop for food and drinks.
And another thing: carry a tote bag in case you buy any artworks or want to take your crafty creations home!
Getting around
Most of the venues are within short walking distance of each other – so wear comfy shoes! This is also one of my favourite things about the event; seeing the streets abuzz with visitors and mingling in the crowds. It’s such a vibe.
It’s worth noting there’s also a free Stagecoach bus service on both nights to help you get around more easily.
Grab your neon badge
Don’t forget to collect a neon button badge as you make your way round.
In case you didn’t know, a few years ago these metal badges replaced the glow sticks that used to be synonymous with The Late Shows, to help reduce the event’s environmental impact.
Now, you can collect a different colour badge from each zone across the city, making them the perfect souvenirs!
For more information about The Late Shows and to view a map of all the venues, visit thelateshows.org.uk. And don’t forget to sign up to my mailing list for more cultural highlights all year round.
