Over 20 community events across Gateshead have been made possible with funding from North East Mayor Kim McGuinness and the North East Combined Authority.
The funding received has helped to create a new Community Events Fund, which will be managed by the council and is driven by local people and organisations. Each of the events will bring neighbours together to celebrate Gateshead’s culture and heritage, while creating lasting memories for residents of all ages.
The new events are the first step towards realising the council’s forthcoming Creative Spaces Strategy, which aims to embed culture in the heart of communities and foster a stronger sense of pride in place across the borough.
Gateshead councillors have supported the development of these events by encouraging organisations in their wards to apply for the Community Events Fund. A total of 21 applications were reviewed and awarded funding by the council’s Culture and Events team.
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said:
“Where we live matters, and it is our people who make the North East special. We have a rich and diverse local culture and heritage, and the events we are funding will help bring people in Gateshead together to celebrate that.
"Gateshead Council’s Community Events Fund is a brilliant example of giving local people the extra little help they need to do something special, and to create the events they know will embed culture and togetherness at the heart of their community. That’s why I’m supporting this Fund alongside major regional events like the Women’s Rugby World Cup and the Mercury Prize, because this matters just as much”
Councillor Angela Douglas, Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Tourism at Gateshead Council, said:
“These events are about more than just celebration, they are about bringing people together, strengthening community ties and creating spaces where everyone feels welcome and proud of where they live. We’re incredibly proud to support such a diverse and meaningful range of projects across Gateshead.”
Below is a summary of the events receiving funding:
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Funded Events
High Spen Community Festival – A free village celebration featuring music, inflatables, a petting zoo, refreshments and emergency service demos.
Making Music with C-Saw – A hands-on music workshop and performance with local band C-Saw at Barley Mow Village Hall.
Light Up Birtley & Barley Mow – Festive light displays with Christmas trees, carol services, refreshments and a visit from Santa.
Belgian Cemetery Project – A heritage project commemorating the “Birtley Belgians” with a memorial stone and historical storytelling.
Birtley Afro-Caribbean Celebration – A one-day cultural event featuring music, food, dance and storytelling celebrating Afro-Caribbean heritage.
Blackhall Mill Summer Fair – A family-friendly summer fair with circus skills, music, food and community stalls.
Chop Fest – A lively community festival at Strathmore Road Methodist Church with BBQ, live music, and children’s activities.
Little Moscow Remembered – A film and discussion series exploring Chopwell’s radical history and community legacy.
Redheughers Ceilidh Band Events – Monthly community ceilidhs promoting traditional music, inclusive dance and intergenerational fun.
Santa Visits Ferndene Park – A magical Christmas experience with Santa’s arrival, songs, storytelling and festive cheer in Ryton.
Youth & Community Sports Pop-Ups – Free football sessions with healthy picnics for children and families in Stoneygate and Felling.
Gateshead Community Culture Connect – A multicultural festival of food, music, art and storytelling to celebrate local diversity.
The Salvation Army Projects – A series of creative and supportive initiatives, including murals, a school uniform event and a multicultural harvest festival.
Christmas Cheer, Love Dunston – A youth-led Christmas fair for families and older residents, bridging generations through crafts, food and fun.
Lanchester Court Summer Party – A joyful end-of-summer party to bring together care home residents and create meaningful memories.
Picnic in the Park at Pelaw Bowls Club – A relaxed musical picnic featuring Felling Brass Band, ukuleles and community connections.
Edberts Illuminations – A cherished Christmas celebration with market stalls, live music, Santa’s grotto and a festive light switch-on.
Harvest Community Lunch at Leam Methodist Church – A free lunch with information stalls, wellbeing support, and community networking.
All Age Winter Craft Session at St Andrew’s Leam Lane – Inclusive arts and crafts for all ages with refreshments and festive themes.
Whitehills Community Fair, Warriors Project – A family fun day with rides, demos and community stalls in Whitehills.
More information about these events will be added to www.gateshead.gov.uk/events.