Ouseburn Festival | Saturday programme

The Ouseburn Festival is a much-loved annual event that celebrates the vibrant culture, creativity, and community spirit of Newcastle’s Ouseburn Valley. On Saturday, the festival truly comes to life with a jam-packed programme of activities, performances, workshops, and entertainment for all ages. This day is the heart of the festival, drawing locals and visitors alike to enjoy the best that Ouseburn has to offer.

Ouseburn Festival: Saturday Programme Overview

Saturday’s programme typically kicks off late morning, with the valley’s streets, parks, and venues coming alive with colour and energy. Whether you’re a family with young children, a lover of live music, a foodie, an artist, or just someone who enjoys a buzzing atmosphere, the Ouseburn Festival’s Saturday schedule has something to offer you.

Live Music & Performance

One of the main draws of the Saturday programme is the live music. Multiple stages are set up around the Ouseburn Valley, often including The Cluny, Tyne Bar, and outdoor performance areas like Village Green or the Cumberland Arms beer garden. Acts range from local indie bands and acoustic performers to funk, jazz, and even brass bands. Street performers, stilt walkers, and dancers often roam the valley, adding a carnival feel to the day.

Throughout the day, community choirs, folk groups, and dance troupes also take to the stage, offering a diverse soundscape. The programming typically highlights local talent and celebrates the musical identity of the North East.

Workshops & Creative Activities

Creativity is at the heart of the Ouseburn Festival, and Saturday is packed with hands-on workshops and art activities. The venues across the valley—such as Ouseburn Farm, Seven Stories, The Biscuit Factory, and The Ouseburn Trust—host free or low-cost activities for children and adults alike. Expect everything from craft-making, face painting, and storytelling sessions, to print-making, pottery, and community murals.

For families, the farm offers animal encounters, nature walks, and a chance to learn more about sustainability and local food production. Children can enjoy everything from bug hunts to puppet shows, while adults might enjoy taking part in heritage tours or creative writing workshops.

Food & Drink

Saturday is a food lover’s paradise. Pop-up stalls and local eateries serve up a wide range of delicious options—everything from stone-baked pizzas, gourmet burgers, and vegan street food to sweet treats, cakes, and locally roasted coffee. The Ouseburn’s pubs and breweries also come into their own, with many offering special festival brews, outdoor bars, and live DJs.

There’s often a farmers’ market or local producers’ stalls, where you can buy artisan goods, crafts, preserves, and handmade gifts. The festive vibe encourages people to sit on the grass or gather at communal tables, enjoying the sunshine, music, and sense of community.

Art, Heritage & Exploration

Saturday also provides a great opportunity to explore the industrial and artistic heritage of Ouseburn. The Ouseburn Trust usually runs guided walks or self-led heritage trails, exploring the valley’s evolution from a Victorian industrial heartland to a modern-day creative hub. Toffee Factory often opens its doors with interactive exhibits and open studios, showcasing the work of resident designers, artists, and tech creatives.

Public art installations, gallery exhibitions, and even graffiti and mural tours are part of the mix, making the day not only entertaining but also enriching.

Community Spirit

Perhaps the most important aspect of the Ouseburn Festival Saturday is the strong community feel. The entire event is run with the help of volunteers, local organisations, and small businesses. It is a showcase of what can happen when a community comes together to celebrate its identity. The festival is inclusive, accessible, and welcoming to all, whether you’re a long-time local or a first-time visitor.

In the evening, the energy continues with late-night gigs, open mic sessions, and beer gardens filled with laughter and song. The Saturday programme represents everything that makes Ouseburn special—creativity, collaboration, and culture.

Whether you’re wandering through stalls, dancing by the riverside, painting with the kids, or simply soaking up the atmosphere with a pint in hand, the Ouseburn Festival’s Saturday programme is a highlight of Newcastle’s cultural calendar.

https://ouseburntrust.org.uk/events/ouseburn-festival/ouseburn-festival-saturday/