More than 40,000 spectators fell under the enchanting spell of the mystical Baba Yaga, as she led her entourage of puppets, street bands and local community groups along Northumberland Street to Newcastle Civic Centre for a spectacular early-evening firework display on New Years’ Eve. Ghoulish creatures from land, sea and the depths of the underworld inhabited the dark streets around Monument for the family-friendly celebrations in Newcastle.
Carol Bell, Culture & Major Events Director at NewcastleGateshead Initiative at the time of the event (now Exec Director for Great Exhibition of the North), said “Our New Year’s Eve celebrations are some of the biggest in the country, with the family-friendly New Year’s Eve Winter Carnival and early evening fireworks display in Newcastle City Centre a truly dazzling event for spectators and participants alike. This year more than 40,000 people attended and it wouldn’t be possible to deliver such a fantastic carnival parade without all the amazing community groups and local performers that take part every year.”
The fireworks display at Newcastle Civic Centre began with a special red and gold opening sequence as Newcastle celebrated the 800th anniversary of the Mayoralty and Freemen.
Night owls looking to celebrate the stroke of midnight in the city, flocked to NewcastleGateshead Quayside, with more than 10,000 people celebrating the arrival of 2017 with a spectacular midnight firework display across the iconic River Tyne and its bridges.
Cllr Kim McGuinness, cabinet member for culture and communities at Newcastle City Council, said: “There are few better ways to welcome the New Year than to celebrate in the heart of the city. In Newcastle we have two chances for families and friends to get together, first our Winter Carnival and parade puts community involvement at the fore in the early evening to delight the audience, and then midnight fireworks for those who want to see in the New Year chimes. Both of these combine to make our city a magical place worthy of the national spotlight.”
NewcastleGateshead Initiative and Newcastle City Council Arts Development Team once again worked with outdoor arts experts Walk the Plank to bring a touch of myth and magic to the New Year’s Eve celebrations in Newcastle.