Newcastle Pride 2026: Theatre Royal opens doors for Family & Youth Zone celebration

Newcastle Theatre Royal has teamed up with Newcastle Pride to welcome families, children and young people as this year’s celebrations return to the heart of the city this summer.

For the second year running, Newcastle Theatre Royal will host the festival’s Family & Youth Zone, creating a vibrant, safe and inclusive space where LGBTQIA+ families, young people and allies can come together to connect and celebrate. The free drop-in programme will take place on Sunday 26 July from 10:30am to 4:30pm throughout the iconic Grey Street venue.

City of Hope. Streets of Joy is the theme for Newcastle Pride 2026, which also sees the festival delivered for the first time by LGBTQIA+ arts, youth and heritage charity, Curious Arts.

Families and young people visiting Newcastle Theatre Royal can expect a colourful day packed with creative activities, performances and interactive experiences designed to inspire joy, imagination and togetherness.

In the Theatre’s Studio space, audiences can join singing sweetheart of the North Gloria Love for a fun-filled family karaoke sing-along featuring favourite songs for all ages, while acclaimed choreographer Darren Pritchard brings two performances of the dazzling Family Catwalk Extravaganza by Ghetto Fabulous. A Mini Disco, delivered in collaboration with Dance City, invites families to dance along to party anthems in an energetic shared celebration.

Throughout the building, visitors can enjoy colourful crafts led by Curious Arts artists, featuring badge-making, flower crowns and paper crafts celebrating LGBTQIA+ culture and creativity. There will also be face painting, a dress-up and photo station for families to capture memories together, and a Mini Pride Market showcasing local LGBTQIA+ organisations, artists, community groups and cultural businesses.

The Family & Youth Zone will also include a dedicated sensory and quiet space led by multi-sensory theatre company TimbaDash, offering a calm and welcoming environment for young people with disabilities, their families and anyone needing time away from the busy festival atmosphere.

Teen audiences aged 11–15 can also take part in Curious: Out & Loud!, an exhibition and creative workshop led by Newcastle’s Curious Young Creatives, celebrating LGBTQIA+ youth voices and creativity.

Marianne Locatori, Chief Executive of Newcastle Theatre Royal, said:

“We’re delighted to host the Family & Youth Zone for a second year. This partnership reflects Newcastle Theatre Royal’s ongoing commitment to inclusion, access and welcome for LGBTQIA+ families, young people and allies, and our belief that theatre and creativity should be for everyone. The programme adds to the existing colour, creativity and energy in our building, and we’re proud to support a festival that champions visibility, community and belonging across the North East.”

Ellie Puckering, Creative Producer at Curious Arts, said:

“We’re thrilled to be bringing Newcastle Pride’s Family & Youth Zone back to Newcastle Theatre Royal this year. Shaped by our community through surveys, consultations and the success of last year’s event, the day is jam packed with fun, free activities across the iconic theatre. Inviting families, LGBTQIA+ young people and allies to be creative and celebrate Pride together. We hope to welcome lots of visitors under our rainbow banners and through the doors to celebrate with us and highlight Newcastle Pride and Newcastle Theatre Royal as spaces where LGBTQIA+ families and young people are welcome and championed.”

Throughout June, Newcastle Theatre Royal will once again fly the Pride flag above the building in support of the LGBTQIA+ community for Pride Month, with the flag returning in July for Newcastle Pride celebrations.

Newcastle Pride and Newcastle Theatre Royal are seeking sponsorship for the Family & Youth Zone at Newcastle Pride 2026 to support the continued development of free, accessible activities for LGBTQIA+ families and young people. Businesses interested in supporting the programme are encouraged to contact info@curiousfutures.co.uk for more information.

The Family & Youth Zone has been made possible with funding from Newcastle Cultural Investment Fund via Community Foundation North East, with wider activities across the weekend supported by Newcastle NE1, Newcastle City Council and Arts Council England.

For full details of the Family & Youth Zone programme and the Newcastle Pride line-up, visit www.newcastlepride.co.uk.