The UK’s top city break destination is set to be a melting pot of sport and culture this year.
2015 kicked off in spectacular style in NewcastleGateshead with a New Year’s Eve celebration to herald the arrival of the Rugby World Cup 2015, including a Rugby themed carnival parade and midnight fireworks on the iconic NewcastleGateshead Quayside.
The celebrations set the tone for a year packed with world-class sport and cultural events – all providing innovative and compelling reasons for people to visit; it’s little wonder NewcastleGateshead was named the UK’s favourite city break at The Guardian Travel Awards in November. Must-see events include:
Sporting Highlights in 2015
The third biggest sporting event in the world, more than 400,000 international rugby fans are expected to visit the UK during Rugby World Cup 2015 with 51,000 expected to visit Newcastle for three highly anticipated fixtures at St James’ Park in October (03-10), following a summer of sport including the return of the Virgin Money Cyclone (19-21 June) and the Great North Run Weekend (12-13 September).
From Union to Super League, St James’ Park will also host, for the first time, 12 Super League teams as they play an extraordinary round of fixtures across two days, offering a package of fun-fuelled family-friendly activity at the Magic Weekend 2015, (30-31 May).
Bringing together 700 inspirational transplant athletes from across the UK, the Westfield Health British Transplant Games are also set to take place at venues across NewcastleGateshead (30 July-02 August), with competitors taking part in a range of sports from basketball to athletics.
Cultural Highlights in 2015
This year, EAT! NewcastleGateshead returns in its winter coat with a festival of indoor adventures in food and drink – a brand new bag of fabulous events celebrating North East food culture at EAT! IN (20 February – 01 March).
EAT! is just one of the ever popular annual festivals and events produced and delivered by destination management and marketing organisation, NewcastleGateshead Initiative, which also include Chinese New Year Celebrations (22 February), Juice Festival (23 October – 01 November), and NewcastleGateshead’s Winter Festival, including Enchanted Parks and New Year’s Eve Winter Carnival (December).
Signalling more than a decade of cultural excellence, 2015 will also mark Sage Gateshead’s 10th year as the North East’s landmark international music centre after celebrating its birthday in December. Its programme of celebratory events include favourites like Gateshead International Jazz Festival (10-12 April), as well as one off spectaculars including Sting’s The Last Ship (24-25 April).
While another cultural icon turning the page on a new chapter is Seven Stories, The National Centre for Children’s Books with a programme of events in celebration of its 10th birthday (August) to be announced in early 2015.
Following a re-imaging of the two sites, the Castle Keep and Black Gate will also re-open in spring as Newcastle Castle, providing visitors with a portal into the history of Old Newcastle and telling the story of those who lived there over the centuries.
Those who are familiar with NewcastleGateshead’s annual programme of festivals and cultural events won’t be disappointed as the destination also welcomes back some old favourites, including Maker Faire UK – the greatest show and tell on earth (25-26 April), The Late Shows – an inspiring, after dark programme of events and exhibitions (14-16 May) and ¡VAMOS! Festival – a celebration of Spanish and Portuguese speaking cultures (04-14 June).
Ends.
For full listings information and images, contact:
Shelley Armstrong
Media and PR Manager
T. +44 (0)191 440 5739
M. +44 (0)771 763 1109
F. +44 (0)191 440 5721
E. shelley.armstrong@ngi.org.uk
www.NewcastleGateshead.com