About Us

About The Late Shows

The Late Shows is an award-winning late-night free culture crawl.

During The Late Shows, open art studios, music and performance venues, galleries, museums, studio collectives and landmark historical buildings come together to host intriguing interactive events for visitors. It’s all about encouraging people to do something cultural with their evening.

The Late Shows take place between 6-10.30pm, with last entry at 10pm. Friday night is for Ouseburn Valley venues. Saturday night's event takes place at venues across central Newcastle and Gateshead with Gateshead venues open from 6-10pm, with last entry at 9.30pm.


History

The Late Shows began in 2007 and has grown considerably in size. In the first year, 14 venues took part, rising to more than 50 pre-Covid and when it returned post-Covid in 2022, 40 venues took part. It attracts 20-30,000 visits from people of all ages and backgrounds. The main objective of The Late Shows is to encourage people to visit a cultural venue that they may not have visited before and in particular, to attract a younger audience whilst sharing audiences between venues.


Getting around

Many venues are within walking distance from each other but we also offer some free buses to help you go further afield.


Get involved

  • Artist Commissions
Our sponsor, Creative Central NCL invites artists and creatives to apply for one of four brand-new commissions, to be situated in one of four venues within the Creative Central NCL geography..

The four opportunities each have a budget of £3,000 and cover a variety of art forms and disciplines..

The deadline to apply for these commissions is Thursday 22 February 2024, and you can find the brief and application process at Creative Central NCL

  • Interested in volunteering?
Applications are now open!

We are looking for culture enthusiasts and friendly faces this May for the 16th edition of The Late Shows, If you’re aged 18 or over and this sounds like your kind of adventure find out more at: https://bit.ly/VolunteerIn2024

If you have any questions, please email info@thelateshows.org.uk.

  • Venues

The application period for venues wanting to take part in 2024 closed on Friday 16 February 2024. If you are interested in taking part in future years please email info@thelateshows.org.uk.


Our sponsor - Creative Central NCL

Creative Central NCL is a project funded by the North of Tyne Combined Authority and Newcastle City Council. It is one of three Cultural and Creative Zones in the region funded by North of Tyne Combined Authority.

Creative Central NCL is located within the city centre's conservation area, with Clayton Street acting as a central spine and spreading outwards as far as The Common Room to the east, the Discovery Museum to the west, Grainger Market to the north, and the Centre for Life to the south.

With £1.7m of funding from 2022 – 2027 the project aims to make the city centre a place where creative people and careers thrive. The programmes and opportunities provided by the Creative Central NCL will be tailored:

  • to meet the needs of existing cultural operators,
  • to attract and retain creative talent,
  • to facilitate the development of a diverse and highly skilled creative workforce for the future,
  • to champion the development of sustainable, low-carbon, cultural production, and to catalyse the growth of the cultural economy and the wider economy of the city,
  • create a distinctive new cultural destination for participants, residents and visitors.

www.creativecentralncl.co.uk


Our supporters

The Late Shows is co-ordinated by Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums in association with Gateshead Council, Newcastle City Council and Arts Council England.


FAQ

  • When is it?

The Late Shows is back on Friday 17 May in the Ouseburn Valley, then on Saturday 18 May it will take over venues across Gateshead and central Newcastle.

  • The Late Shows button badges

We will be handing out neon metal button badges for participants to pick up as a souvenir of the event. Each zone will have a different coloured neon badge, can you collect them all? Or, if you still have your badge from a previous year why not wear it again to start off your 2024 collection.

  • How does The Late Shows work? Is there a set route?
The Late Shows is a culture crawl with scores of venues taking part across the weekend. Participating venues host special events with a 15-20 minute dwell time. There is no official route but line-up information will be released in early spring so you can think about what you want to see and do.

During The Late Shows, volunteer stewards will give out free event programmes and you can also use this website on your phone to see what's on near to where you are.
  • How much does it cost and do I need to book?

All venues taking part in The Late Shows are free to enter during the weekend event and the vast majority of events are drop in. Some attractions have limited capacities and many need to be booked in advance. Some venues may charge an admission fee for special exhibitions or participatory activities with an artistic element. Venues do not receive any funding to cover the costs of taking part in the event, they may be selling their products as well as food and drink and your support either by making a purchase or a donation is hugely appreciated.

  • How can I get around between venues?

Many venues are within walking distance of each other but we also offer some free buses to help you go further afield.

On Friday, a 15 minute shuttle bus service will operate between selected venues in the Ouseburn Valley.

During Saturday's main event, buses will be running a free timetabled service dropping off at key points in Newcastle and Gateshead. A further half-hourly shuttle bus will run on Saturday from the Shipley Art Gallery in Gateshead so that you can easily get to more remote venues.

All busses are accessible.


Get in touch

For all enquiries please email info@thelateshows.org.uk.

Maintained by Harry Bailey