What's On in Newcastle

Newcastle Beyond Van Gogh — Immerse yourself — quite literally — in the blazing sunflowers, starry nights, and turbulent skies of Vincent van Gogh at Utilita Arena Newcastle, with sessions running from 9:00am right through to 5:00pm so you can pick a slot that suits. This is not paintings on a wall; it is thousands of projected brushstrokes swirling around you in a fully enveloping sensory experience that tends to leave people genuinely speechless. Check the website for ticket prices and to grab your preferred time slot before they sell out.

Monster Truck Motorfest Newcastle — Newcastle Racecourse becomes a thunder-drenched playground from 10:00am as monstrous machines with tyres taller than most adults crush, jump, and spin their way to glory at Monster Truck Motorfest. It is the kind of event that turns usually-reserved adults into wide-eyed kids, and for the actual children it is practically life-changing. Tickets are priced from £15 to £75, making it a flexible choice for families who want a seriously spectacular day out.

The Andy Raynor Band - Live @ Billy's — For an afternoon that costs next to nothing, head to Billy Bootleggers from 3:00pm where The Andy Raynor Band bring their live set to one of Newcastle's best-loved intimate venues. Entry is just £0 to £2, which means you can walk in off the street, grab a drink, and stumble into something brilliant with absolutely no risk. It is the kind of spontaneous Saturday afternoon moment that ends up being the story you tell for years.

Elo Experience (Tribute) — The grand O2 City Hall Newcastle gets the full Electric Light Orchestra treatment from 6:30pm as the ELO Experience bring their spectacular tribute to one of rock's most joyously orchestrated catalogues. Think soaring strings, blistering guitars, and hit after hit from Mr. Blue Sky to Don't Bring Me Down filling one of the finest concert halls in the north. Check the website for tickets — an evening like this in a venue this good is hard to beat.

Duran Duran Experience — The Cluny hosts a night of pure 80s electricity from 7:30pm as the Duran Duran Experience recreate the glamour, the synths, and the irresistible grooves of one of the decade's defining bands. The Cluny is a venue that knows how to make a live show feel warm and alive, so expect a room full of people who know every single word to Rio. Check the website for ticket details and get there early to soak up the atmosphere.

Shindig: Sasha — If you are chasing the perfect end to a perfect Saturday, World HQ from 9:00pm is the only address that matters — Shindig brings the legendary DJ Sasha to one of Newcastle's most respected clubs for a night of deep, hypnotic, and euphoric electronic music. Sasha's ability to read a room and build a journey over hours is simply unmatched, and World HQ provides exactly the right intimate, committed dancefloor for it to hit hardest. Tickets are £20 to £26 — honestly, worth every penny.