Free Pride Workshops Announced For Families At Newcastle's Eldon Square

Families across Newcastle are being invited to take part in a series of free creative workshops this summer as Eldon Square partners with local charity Curious Arts to support Newcastle Pride 2026.

The city centre shopping destination has unveiled a packed programme of family-friendly activities designed to celebrate creativity, diversity and inclusion. Taking place across selected weekends in June and July, the workshops aim to provide fun, accessible experiences for people of all ages while helping to build excitement ahead of this year's Newcastle Pride celebrations.

Hosted in Eldon Square's Community Quarter between 11am and 4pm, the sessions will offer visitors the chance to explore arts and crafts inspired by LGBTQIA+ history, culture and self-expression. Organisers say the initiative is intended to create a welcoming environment where families can learn, create and celebrate together.

Bringing Pride Celebrations Into The Heart Of Newcastle.

As one of the North East's most recognisable retail and leisure destinations, Eldon Square's involvement highlights the growing support for Pride events across Newcastle. The shopping centre joins a number of local organisations and businesses working alongside Curious Arts to help deliver one of the region's largest celebrations of LGBTQ+ culture and community.

According to Newcastle Pride organisers, family-focused activities continue to play an important role in making Pride accessible to everyone. By introducing creative workshops ahead of the main Pride weekend, organisers hope to encourage wider participation and strengthen community connections across the city.

The workshops arrive at a time when public engagement with Pride events continues to grow. Recent figures from UK Pride organisers show attendance at Pride celebrations nationwide has increased significantly over the past decade, with millions of people participating in events across the country each year. This growing support reflects increasing public interest in equality, diversity and inclusive community events.

Creative Workshops Inspired By Pride Icons.

The first workshop weekend took place on June 13 and June 14, offering visitors the chance to create colourful rainbow floral headdresses inspired by LGBTQ+ activist Marsha P. Johnson. Families also enjoyed paper wig making sessions designed to encourage creativity and self-expression through bold colours and imaginative designs.

The celebrations continue later this month with another opportunity to create rainbow headdresses alongside personalised Pride banners. Participants will be able to design messages promoting inclusion, kindness and acceptance while creating unique keepsakes to take home.

Organisers say the activities have been carefully designed to appeal to both children and adults, ensuring entire families can get involved regardless of age or artistic experience.

Storytelling And Self-Expression Take Centre Stage.

The final workshop weekend in July will focus on storytelling and identity. Visitors will be invited to create colourful paper characters that celebrate individuality before taking part in zine-making sessions inspired by personal experiences, creativity and community.

Zines have long played an important role in LGBTQ+ culture, providing a platform for self-expression and sharing personal stories. Workshop organisers hope participants will enjoy discovering this creative tradition while developing their own unique projects.

The sessions are expected to attract families from across Newcastle and surrounding areas, adding to a busy summer events calendar in the city centre.

Building Momentum For Newcastle Pride 2026.

The workshops are also designed to help build excitement ahead of Newcastle Pride, which returns to the city on July 25 and July 26.

Each year, Newcastle Pride transforms the city into a vibrant celebration of LGBTQ+ culture, featuring live performances, community activities, educational events and opportunities for activism. Thousands of visitors are expected to attend this year's festivities, providing a significant boost for local businesses, hospitality venues and the wider visitor economy.

Newcastle has become one of the UK's leading destinations for Pride celebrations outside London, attracting visitors from across the North East and beyond. The event continues to grow in both scale and popularity, reflecting the city's reputation as an inclusive and welcoming place to live, work and visit.

Community Support Remains Key.

Helen Cowie, Centre Director at Eldon Square, said the shopping centre was proud to stand alongside Newcastle Pride and the wider LGBTQ+ community.

She said Eldon Square was looking forward to celebrating Pride with visitors, retailers and local residents while providing a welcoming space where people could come together, express themselves creatively and show their support.

Phil Douglas, Chief Executive of Curious Arts, welcomed the partnership and praised Eldon Square's commitment to inclusion.

He said the free workshops demonstrate the welcoming atmosphere visitors experience at the shopping centre throughout the year and help ensure Pride celebrations remain accessible to families and communities across Newcastle.

A Summer Of Inclusion In Newcastle.

With free admission, hands-on creative activities and a strong focus on community participation, Eldon Square's Pride workshops are set to become a popular feature of Newcastle's summer events programme.

For families looking for things to do in Newcastle during June and July, the workshops offer an opportunity to get creative, learn about Pride and become part of a wider celebration that continues to bring people together across the city.

As Newcastle Pride approaches, the initiative highlights the growing role businesses and community organisations play in creating inclusive spaces where everyone feels welcome.

Share your thoughts.

What do you think about Eldon Square's free Pride workshops in Newcastle?