If you’re looking for things to do in the North East this summer, look no further than NOVUM – a multi-arts festival in the heart of Newcastle! 

After a successful debut in 2023 at the Civic Centre, the event returns with an even bigger, more diverse programme with the festival site expanding to include events at Great North Museum.

The four day event will take place 8th – 11th August 2024 and will feature spectacular visual arts installations, dazzling circus performances, spoken word and live theatre, alongside free family friendly activities.

NOVUM has been created through a partnership between Newcastle City Council, North of Tyne Combined Authority, UK Government, Levelling Up, Newcastle University, Northumbria University, Arts Council England, The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, Generator, Nexus, Tyne & Wear Archives and Museums and The Great North Museum: Hancock.

The festival is moving towards being Newcastle’s most significant cultural event and will showcase the best of local, national and international talent.

The programme includes music performances from the likes of DJ Yoda, Flamingods, Amelia Coburn, Hector Gannet and The Lake Poets across the weekend. One of the installation highlights of the event is set to be ‘SHRINK 01995’, Lawrence Malstaf’s striking installation which will be at the Great North Museum, Hancock, and free to visit. The installation will use local people from the area and showcase them as living portraits in the incredible exhibition which will see them suspended in the air between two transparent plastic sheets!

Jim Mawdsley (Events and Culture Newcastle City Council) said: “Over the coming years we want to build on all of these commissions and make NOVUM one of the UKs most forward thinking, groundbreaking multi arts, cultural events and by placing this programme in the council chambers and banqueting hall of the Civic Centre we can offer a unique setting and feel for the variety of people who will attend these gigs.”

I’m so excited to be heading along to check out some NOVUM this year.

You can read all about the festival, check out the line up and buy tickets at novumnewcastle.com