The Late Shows is back in May 2022

One of the biggest events in Newcastle and Gateshead's cultural calendars The Late Shows, will return in May 2022 after two years of cancellations due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Late Shows is sponsored by The Biscuit Factory, the UK’s biggest independent art, craft and design gallery in Newcastle’s cultural quarter.

The award-winning late-night free culture crawl - featuring open art studios, music, performance, galleries, museums and a host of the most bizarre and intriguing interactive events - is facilitated by Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums (TWAM) and usually features over 50 cultural venues staged across Newcastle and Gateshead.

Attracting over 35,000 visits each year for the two-day event – now in its 14th year – The Late Shows is a well-established part of the cultural calendar in the North East, and allows participants to curate their own experience from the vast choice on offer.

Rachel Brown, General Manager of The Biscuit Gallery, said:
"We are delighted to be headline sponsors of The Late Shows and incredibly proud to be flying the flag for independent creative businesses in the North East. The Late Shows is a real celebratory showcase of our collective cultural offer and has become both an annual institution for so many as well as an amazing introduction to the arts for many more besides.

“As a local cultural business we are motivated to engage and encourage interaction with the arts within our region and beyond which is why supporting The Late Shows for us is so important.

“I hope that visitors use this monumental event as a catalyst for future trips to the venues involved and by doing so, continue supporting our great cultural community here in the North East."

Bill Griffiths, Head of Programmes at Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, and Project leads for The Late Shows said:
“We are excited to bring the Late Shows back after two years when we couldn't host it due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It is must-see fixture in our region’s cultural calendar and we’re looking forward to welcoming people back to enjoy a range of activities and experiences hosted by Newcastle and Gateshead’s wonderful cultural venues.”

The event will take place on Friday 13 May in the Ouseburn only and on Saturday 14 May it will be in venues across central Newcastle, the quayside and Gateshead. The line-up of venues taking part will be announced in spring 2022.