Top April Events

April is just around the corner! If you’re staying in Newcastle over the Easter break, there’s plenty of things to do when you’re not in the library. 

See a Film at Newcastle Castle 

Everyone loves a trip to the cinema, but why not see a film somewhere more exciting? Newcastle Castle provides a cinema experience like no other, surrounded by centuries-old stone walls of the Great Hall. Tickets are £12 each and attendees are encouraged to wrap up warm before enjoying the films on show. To see what showings are available this month and book your tickets, go to the Castle website. 

St George’s Day Twilight Tour, Newcastle Castle 

On Sunday 23 April, Newcastle Castle is welcoming visitors after doors have closed for the night. For £15, attendees will be given a guided tour that reveals both the real history and famous legends of the castle, enjoy refreshments in the Great Hall and end the evening by stargazing on the roof of the Keep. Tickets can be purchased now. 

Battle of the Burger, Wylam Brewery

The famous Battle of the Burger returns across Friday 7 and Saturday 8 April at Wylam Brewery. A huge range of local vendors will battle it out to be crowned Newcastle’s Best Burger, with those who join the free event helping to decide the winner. With plenty of options across all dietary requirements (don’t worry, vegans and vegetarians will be spoiled for choice too!), attendees are told to leave room for dessert and dancing. Find more information on their Facebook page. 

Newcastle Vegan Market, Grainger Street

If Battle of the Burger isn’t enough to fill you up, Newcastle Vegan Market is taking over Grainger Street on Saturday 15 April. Whether you regularly follow a plant-based diet or just want to try something new, a huge number of vendors will be selling anything you could wish for, sweet or savoury. If food doesn’t take your fancy, make sure to pop by and see other local sellers who focus on selling zero-waste products.  

Ouseburn Vintage Crawl 

On Sunday 2 April between 12pm – 5pm, venues across Ouseburn will open their doors for the first ever Ouseburn Vintage Crawl. Across eight venues, local traders will be selling all sorts of vintage gems, including clothes and homeware, alongside local artists selling their crafts through the venues. To top it off, a portion of profits will be donated towards funding a new community space in Ouseburn! The event is relaxed, allowing visitors to stroll around as they see fit, making it a perfect opportunity to explore Ouseburn and pick up some new trinkets to make your student accommodation your own. 

Grey’s Monument Tours  

Grey’s Monument is a staple of Newcastle, but did you know that you can experience a tour of it? Starting in April, tours of the Monument return for only £5 a ticket. If you can brave the 164 step climb to the top, you’ll not only learn more about the 2nd Earl Grey himself, you’ll also be rewarded with unrivalled views over Grainger Town. For more information and to book tickets, go to the Newcastle Gateshead website. 

Hexham Book Festival  

Calling all book lovers – the Hexham Book Festival is returning between Friday 21 and Sunday 30 April. The non-profit event works with local organisations and authors to showcase creatives of the North East, and events include book readings, discussions, film showings, and even musical performances. If you’re interested in attending, make sure to look through the Festival Programme – additionally, there’s an opportunity to volunteer with the Festival, boosting your CV and getting you to the heart of the action.

Beamish Museum

For any history lovers in Newcastle, Beamish Museum is a must-visit location. Beamish is the living museum of the North, in which visitors can explore life in North East England from the 1800s to the 1950s – you can take a tram, talk to a costume actors about what life was like, and even explore what a home in the 1800s looked like. On Saturday 1 April, Beamish Museum is hosting the annual Steam Gala, an event showing real steam-powered vehicles in action. For more information about Beamish, including how to reach it from Newcastle, make sure to look at their website. 

Tynemouth Market 

As we enter April, we call all cross our fingers and hope we’ve seen the last of snowy weather for a long time – and what better way to celebrate warmer weather than with Tynemouth Market? Only a short metro journey away, Tynemouth Market takes place every weekend from 9am – 3:30pm, with a huge variety of stalls and local food vendors. If you visit, make sure to make the most of your day and take a walk along the beautiful coastline as well. 

Art Trail: Light at the End of the Tunnel, Newcastle Cathedral

Between Tuesday 11 – Thursday 13 April, explore Newcastle Cathedral’s newest art exhibit, a contemplative audio-visual art trail that celebrate humanity. Six artists have worked together to combine light art and audio effects to decorate the Cathedral, resulting in a gorgeous display that illuminates (pun intended) the history of the area. Tickets are £6 for adults and can be purchased now. 

Written by Jay, third-year English Language student and Student Content Creator.