- Play Hard
- 2nd Oct 2026
- 0
- 0 minute
From new art exhibitions to the Mercury Prize: your autumn game plan
- Advertisement Feature
Autumn is here, and we might be biased, but to us it’s one of the best seasons in the North East.
From seasonal menus to cosy walks and some impressive events, we’ve teamed up with NewcastleGateshead to help you make the most of it.
Before the clocks change, autumn in the North East is at its best outdoors. Head to Jesmond Dene for a walk through the autumn leaves – start with a wander through Pet’s Corner, then walk through the dene and end your walk with a well-earner hot chocolate at Jesmond Dene House.
Or, take a stroll along the Quayside as the light turns gold in the late afternoon. There are so many picture perfect moments as the sun goes down – make time to people watch and maybe grab a pizza slice at I Scream for Pizza.
Eat and drink your way through the season
North East chefs thrive with our local autumnal produce. Think slow-cooked Sunday roasts, game on the menu, and seasonal small plates filling the tables of our local independent restaurants. Lubber Kitchen, Cook House and Blackfriars are all top hitters for delicious dining.
For beer lovers, with the city’s Oktoberfest bringing steins, oompah bands and pretzels to the city centre for a couple of very lively weeks, with a 2,000-capacity Bavarian beer hall landing right in the heart of Newcastle.
For something calmer, cosy evenings spent in the Sandhill Arms on the Quayside is one of our favourite activities as the dark nights come in – think red wine and cosy fires. House of Tides has a new Sunday evening dining concept ‘After Hours’ which is worth checking out for steak frites, negronis and good vibes.
Culture for bad weather days
This season, the North East’s galleries, museums and stages come alive with some fantastic exhibitions and events. Baltic Open Submission 2026 has just opened, showcasing painting, sculpture, photography, video and more by artists, makers, self-taught creatives and hobbyists based in the North East, while Newcastle’s Laing Art Gallery opens a major Pre-Raphaelites exhibition in October.
Plus, music fans have the Mercury Prize to look forward to, back in Newcastle for a second year running.
The run-up to the festive season
From November, we start tipping gently into the festive season, with the region’s Christmas trails, markets, light trails and of course, the Fenwick Window reveal, giving you every excuse to keep the coat on and the plans coming right through to the new year.
Autumn dates for your diary
Baltic Open Submission 2026
Dates: Saturday 19th September 2026 to Sunday 4th April 2027
Location: Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art
A true community showcase, earlier in 2026 people in the North East were invited to submit artwork for a major open-call project. The resulting exhibition, Baltic Open Submission 2026, showcases painting, sculpture, photography, video and more by artists, makers, self-taught creatives and hobbyists based in the North East of England.
Newcastle Oktoberfest
Dates: Saturday 10th to Saturday 24th October 2026
Location: Newcastle city centre
Steins, oompah bands and a 2,000-capacity Bavarian beer hall land in the city centre for just over a fortnight. Expect pretzels, frankfurters and a lot of singing.
Lord of the Wings 2026
Dates: Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th October 2026
Location: Wylam Brewery, Exhibition Park
A food battle dedicated entirely to chicken wings – need we say more. Last year’s event saw over 20,000 wings served, so expect all your favourite flavours alongside some fiery surprises across the two-day battle. Entry is free, with food tokens costing £4.00 each, giving you one street food plate per token. Buy as many as you like and sample your way round the vendors before voting for your favourite, with live music and DJs keeping things moving throughout.
Pre-Raphaelites: Art and Poetry
Dates: Saturday 17th October 2026 to Saturday 13th February 2027
Location: Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle
A major exhibition of Pre-Raphaelite art and poetry, running well into the new year. A good one to pair with a long lunch in town.
Mercury Prize 2026
Date: Thursday 22nd October 2026
Location: Utilita Arena, Newcastle
The Mercury Prize returns to Newcastle for a second year running, with live performances from the twelve shortlisted ‘Albums of the Year’ artists featuring Olivia Dean, RAYE and JADE before the winner is announced on the night. Last year’s ceremony saw Newcastle’s own Sam Fender take the prize for ‘People Watching’. BBC Music broadcasts the show, and a week-long Mercury Fringe programme runs alongside it across the city.
Jimmy Nail at The Glasshouse
Dates: Sunday 11th October to Tuesday 3rd November 2026
Location: The Glasshouse, Gateshead
North East icon Jimmy Nail returns to the North East this autumn, with a show that brings audiences something a little more personal. Stories and Songs is a warm, witty and revealing evening that blends music, memories and rarely seen images. Audiences can expect candid anecdotes, moments of reflection, and a hand-picked selection of songs drawn from across his career.
Needle Felting Workshop – Miniature Pumpkin
Dates: Friday 16th October 2026
Location: Shipley Art Gallery, Gateshead
Cosy, wholesome, and creative. Head to Shipley Art Gallery where a friendly tutor will guide you through the process of creating your own miniature freestanding pumpkin, perfect for celebrating the season. Perfect for beginners, and open to teens and adults.
Show Up North Festival – Joy Weekender
Dates: Friday 9th October to Sunday 11th October 2026
Location: City-wide venues, Newcastle
The festival opens with a Friday night city takeover across six venues, including pop princess Pilates outside Hollister, a line dance session outside Fenwick and John Lewis, and an underground silent disco at Revolución de Cuba. Saturday brings around 55 high-energy sessions, from an 8am coffee rave to shuffle workshops and a Thunderstruck-choreography dance class, while Sunday slows the pace with sound baths, yoga and self-guided facials.
Northern Lights Newcastle: A Christmas Time Machine
Dates: Friday 20th November to Thursday 31st December 2026
Location: Leazes Park, Newcastle
The kilometre-long after-dark light trail returns with a brand-new nostalgic Christmas theme, plus a Christmas village, vintage fairground rides and mulled wine. The natural finish line for autumn, and the start of everyone’s Christmas plans.
Subscribe
Subscribe now to receive our twice-weekly emails and exclusive offers for High Life North readers.