A pop-up park, deckchairs and plants are bringing a blast of colour as well as a holiday vibe to Newcastle, in readiness for six weeks of fun.
The annual NE1 Summer in the City programme gets properly under way this weekend and among its free highlights is a 'linear park' on the Quayside and attractions including outdoor seating, art installations and games dotted around the city.
The programme is all designed to encourage everyone to spend more leisure time in Newcastle where join-in activities will range from Monday morning 'mindfulness' sessions on the Quayside - starting this week, July 25, at 8.30am - to sports, music and dance, while there also will be plenty of tempting opportunities to just pause, take a seat and relax.
Read more: Tyneside Cinema's £5 ticket deal to run all summer
The sight of people chilling out in an area they might normally rush through on their way to work or to shop brings a different atmosphere to the city and, keen to embrace all ages, NE1 is also laying on enough entertainment to occupy families throughout the school holidays.
The business improvement district company's Screen on the Green in Old Eldon Square is now following up its sporting programme with a six-week schedule of free films - two a day from Monday, July 25 - plus a games area and soft-play installation.
On the Quayside, which already has swing seats and deckchairs near the Urban Garden, passers-by will find plenty inviting areas to enjoy some downtime. Here are some of the summer highlights to look out for around Newcastle. Among them is a zip-wire opportunity - the only activity in the programme that is not free.
NE1 Summer in the City highlights
The programme launches this weekend and will run for six weeks until September 4.
Pop-up park on the Quayside
A 1km park stretching from the Guildhall to beyond the Pitcher and Piano and then on towards the Ouseburn. The route will be lined by colourful seats and 69 planters of greenery and florals.
Also on the Quayside there are porch swings, kaleidoscope seating area and light-up seating at points to make the most of the riverside views. Last year's 3D artwork will be back too.
Zip-wire
On two weekends - August 19 and 29 - there will be an opportunity for people to enjoy a ride on a zip-wire stretching from the Tyne Bridge onto the Quayside. Only limited tickets for this are available and they cost £35: see here.
Free classes - from yoga to dance
Throughout the six-week school holidays there will 110 free classes - available to book online - ranging from meditation, yoga, salsa and fitness classes to children’s storytelling sessions, dance and arts and crafts.
For grown-ups there also will be lunchtime, evening and weekend fitness and yoga sessions timed to fit in with people’s busy schedules. They include Monday morning mindfulness; sundowner yoga; evening meditation; weekend yoga; HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) workouts and Age Well fitness. There also will be a family fitness session with the Newcastle United Foundation.
Children's workshops - from climbing to music tuition
Hands-on sessions on offer include climbing walls, sports taster sessions, make-and-take crafts and musical instrument tuition, such as learning to play a ukulele at JG Windows. For budding artists, architectural sketching sessions will be hosted at The Biscuit Factory and Newcastle Arts Centre will run an introduction to watercolour painting.
The climbing wall will be on the Quayside on two Saturdays over the summer. A series of storytelling sessions - to be launched with a special performance by BBC Newcastle's Alfie Joey - will run at Seven Stories.
Street performers and games from circus acts to chess
Appearing around the city, these will include aerial acts; choir performances; buskers; stand-up comedians and bands including the North East's Rock Choir. Look out too for giant chess and Jenga games outside Urban Garden.
Tours - from the Guildhall to Grey's Monument
The programme includes tours of some of the city’s most historic buildings including the Guildhall - on July 18 and August 23 - and All Saints Church on August 11 and 25. The also will be two tours of Grey’s Monument, with dates yet to be announced.
Ben Whitfield, director of communications at NE1 Ltd, called the programme ideal for everyone "whether you work in the city and want an interesting way to start your day or spend your lunch break; if you’re looking for something fun to do with your free time or if you’re visiting on holiday". He added: "NE1’s Summer in the City is a great way to see Newcastle from a new perspective and get a flavour of some of the amazing businesses that call the city home."
For the full list of what's happening, dates and how to book see here.
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