Howaymanay – A very Newcastle New Year’s Eve Celebration

It will be the start of a new tradition in Newcastle this New Year’s Eve, as Howaymanay comes to the Quayside – a new and unique way for the city to welcome in 2026.

Newcastle has had fireworks and laser displays before, but Howaymanay is much more than that. It will be a whole evening packed full of entertainment, live sounds and stunning displays to really get the party started in a way that only Newcastle can; and as the name suggests, pay homage to Edinburgh’s famous celebrations but with its own unique Geordie twist.

Organised by Newcastle City Council and Newcastle NE1, the new celebration will be the perfect way to end the festive season, following what promises to be a fantastic Christmas in Newcastle and the ever-popular Christmas markets.

New Year’s Eve will start as it often has, with a free, family-friendly event on the Quayside, with a fabulous firework display at 6pm. This will offer a chance to celebrate and a perfect way to look forward to 2026 for those who want to participate earlier in the evening.

And then it’s time to welcome Howaymanay to the Quayside – the new ticket-only celebration which will come alive from 8.30pm for those who fancy more of a party. All the entertainment will be handpicked and distinctive to Newcastle, with roving performances, live bands, DJs and a delicious and eclectic mix of food and drink, all culminating with a magnificent firework finale, lighting up the city in unforgettable style at midnight.

Howaymanay will be both accessible and affordable, with tickets costing only £6 per person for the whole evening’s celebrations, with the backdrop of Newcastle’s beautiful Quayside and its stunning bridges adding to the perfect evening. It will also offer one of the only locations outside of Edinburgh where New Year’s Eve celebrations are in the heart of the city.

Cllr Abdul Samad, Cabinet member for Culture, Music and Arts at Newcastle City Council said:

Everyone has heard of Edinburgh’s famous Hogmanay celebrations, but in Newcastle we want to provide local people with something to rival that on their doorstep, and an event that will attract visitors to our amazing city. So, this year, we are introducing Howaymanay, celebrating the New Year in our inimitable way.

Our aim is to create an event that will offer a variety of experiences for everyone throughout the evening and not just for midnight, and something we can grow year on year to become sustainable and a real highlight of our events calendar. For that reason, we will be introducing a small charge this year, but at £6 we believe it still remains accessible and good value.

And I am delighted we are continuing with the free event at 6pm too. The perfect place for families and those who want to get together early to celebrate in the traditional way.

So, it will be a double celebration this year in Newcastle and the start of what we hope to be a new Geordie tradition.

Stephen Patterson, Chief Executive of NE1 Ltd, who has worked with the council to bring these celebrations to the city, added:

What a fantastic way to ring in the New Year in style on Newcastle’s Quayside.

Newcastle is known around the world as one of the greatest party cities, and there’s no better place to celebrate the biggest party night of the year than right here on Newcastle’s famous and iconic Quayside. The stage is set to welcome visitors regionally, nationally and internationally to enjoy all that Newcastle has to offer. The city has a well-earned reputation for its amazing hospitality scene.

We are already looking forward to an unforgettable night of festivities and seeing the Tyne and all its bridges illuminated by fireworks at the stroke of midnight.

Tickets for Howaymanay are now on sale at www.newcastleschristmas.com/new-years-eve. Capacity to the event will be limited, so advance tickets are essential. No tickets will be required for the 6pm event.