What's On in Newcastle
Sunday 09 August 2026 · This weekend · City guide
Newcastle has a beautiful kind of Sunday energy — unhurried but never dull — and this 9th of August is a perfect example of the city doing what it does best: offering something genuinely brilliant for absolutely everyone. From arcade-lit family mornings to boots-stomping country afternoons, the Toon is in fine form today.
Highlights
Shorty Sundays — NQ64 is already one of Newcastle's most beloved venues for grown-ups who never quite grew up, so it is a genuine delight that they throw open the doors for families on Sunday mornings. Starting at 11:00am, Shorty Sundays lets little ones loose on the retro arcade machines and consoles that usually keep the big kids entertained well into the night — a brilliant, screen-lit adventure for the whole family. Check the website for the latest pricing and booking details before you head down.
Rupert Hughes and The Old News - Live @ Billy's — Billy Bootleggers is exactly the kind of intimate, no-nonsense Newcastle boozer that makes live music feel like a proper occasion, and Rupert Hughes and The Old News rolling in at 2:00pm for just £0–£2 is the kind of Sunday afternoon bargain that demands you drop whatever else you had planned. There is something deeply satisfying about catching a live band in a small room where you can feel the bass in your chest and grab a pint without missing a note — this is that gig.
Hoedown Sundays — Cowgirls And Country is bringing full-fat, dust-kicking country energy to Newcastle at 2:00pm, and Hoedown Sundays is exactly what it sounds like: a whole afternoon of line dancing, big country tunes, and the kind of joyful silliness that makes a Sunday feel like a genuine event. At £40 this is the day's big-ticket splash, but if you are looking for something immersive and genuinely different — a proper themed experience rather than just a night out — this is the one to book.