Free after-hours culture will return in May 2026 as The Late Shows confirms dates
NewcastleGateshead’s award-winning after-hours culture crawl, The Late Shows, will return on Friday 8 and Saturday 9 May 2026.
The Late Shows is a cornerstone of the North East’s cultural calendar, offering free evening access to museums, galleries, heritage sites and creative spaces. Visitors can expect one-off events, behind-the-scenes tours, performances, and pop-up installations across more than 50 venues in Newcastle and Gateshead.
Creative Central NCL will once again sponsor the event and fund a series of exclusive music commissions, bringing fresh sounds and immersive experiences to the festival. This five-year project, led by Newcastle City Council and funded by the North East Combined Authority, supports independent artists and creative businesses in central Newcastle with investment, grants, skills development, and opportunities for growth.
Cllr Abdul Samad, Cabinet member for Culture, Music and Arts at Newcastle City Council said:
“The popularity of The Late Shows has grown significantly over the years, and it is something people really look forward to. It's become a mainstay in our cultural calendar, offering everyone a chance to explore and enjoy Newcastle and Gateshead’s varied arts and culture offer. It is so vital that this remains accessible for all, and The Late Shows is an essential part of this with over 50 locations free to enter during the weekend.
“I’m pleased to see Creative Central NCL partnering with The Late Shows for the third year running. Collaborations like this help strengthen the cultural life of our city centre, supporting the artists and makers who call our city home, opening up more creative activity for everyone to experience, and encouraging more people to explore our cultural spaces. I’m looking forward to seeing what Creative Central NCL and The Late Shows have in store for 2026.”
Stagecoach will also return as a sponsor and will be providing the popular free bus service, making it easy for visitors to hop between venues. Building on their sustainability pledge, Stagecoach plans to include more of their electric bus fleet, offering an eco-friendly way to explore the event.
Steve Walker, Managing Director at Stagecoach North East said:
“We’re proud to continue our longstanding support for The Late Shows; a fantastic celebration of culture that brings the city to life after dark.
“This year, we’re taking our involvement even further by adding more routes and introducing additional zero-emission electric buses, giving visitors cleaner, quieter and more comfortable journeys as they explore everything the event has to offer.”
Bill Griffiths, Head of Programmes & Collections at North East Museums, and Project lead for The Late Shows added:
"The Late Shows has always been about introducing audiences to Newcastle and Gateshead’s brilliant cultural scene and 2026 will be no exception. With Creative Central NCL’s inspiring music commissions and Stagecoach’s sustainable travel support, we’re making the event bolder and greener and can’t wait to share the full programme in spring.”
The event, organised by North East Museums, will take place on Friday 8 May in the Ouseburn only and on Saturday 9 May it will be in venues across central Newcastle and Gateshead. The line-up of venues taking part will be announced in spring 2026.
The Late Shows is more than an event – it’s an invitation to experience the region’s cultural heartbeat after dark.
