New festival aims to put North Shields’ creative life centre stage
North Shields will host its first-ever Open Quay weekend on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September, when more than 20 venues across the town will throw open doors to the public. The free event, supported by North Shields Cultural Quarter and funded by the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, invites residents to explore working studios, galleries and community creative spaces from the Fish Quay to Howard Street, Northumberland Street to Nile Street.
The programme promises visits to over 40 artists’ studios, live demonstrations, exhibitions and a wide range of workshops. Families are being encouraged to attend: organisers say the weekend will include activities such as pottery, LEGO, printmaking, animation and traditional heritage crafts including basket weaving, alongside children’s play sessions and other hands-on opportunities.
Creativity linked to place and wellbeing
Open Quay has been framed by organisers as both a celebration of craft and a community development exercise. The event traces a throughline from North Shields’ industrial and maritime past — shipbuilding and fishing — to the contemporary creative economy where artists, designers and cultural organisations are refurbishing historic buildings, occupying vacant spaces and creating new public life.
Organisers say Open Quay will also highlight the role of creativity in wellbeing and social support by showcasing organisations that use art to aid mental health, recovery, parenting, inclusion and community connection. Visitors will be able to meet groups working in those fields during the weekend.
- When: Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September
- Where: More than 20 venues across North Shields (Fish Quay, Howard Street, Northumberland Street, Nile Street and other sites)
- Who: More than 40 artists, makers and community organisations
- Cost: Free entry to venues and most activities
- Supported by: North Shields Cultural Quarter; funded by the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority
"Open Quay is a celebration of the creativity that runs right through North Shield
The scale and nature of the offering are modest but significant for a single town weekend: visitors can expect to encounter stained glass, sculpture, painting, ceramics, photography, textiles, illustration, vinyl record pressing and public art, according to event materials. The presence of independent shops, galleries, cafes and restaurants — particularly on the Fish Quay — is being promoted as part of the trail, encouraging attendees to combine cultural visits with local trade.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | 26–27 September |
| Venues | More than 20 across North Shields |
| Artists | Over 40 artists and makers |
| Support | North Shields Cultural Quarter; North East Mayoral Strategic Authority funding |
For North Shields, the event arrives at a moment when local cultural activity has been increasingly visible in regeneration conversations. The weekend is aimed at giving residents and visitors direct access to creative spaces that are normally closed to the public, and at demonstrating how cultural practice can be an engine for both neighbourhood pride and economic activity.
Organisers are encouraging people to plan walking trails between sites and to pause at the town’s hospitality venues during the trail. With the mix of practical workshops and behind-the-scenes viewing, Open Quay seeks to be accessible to a wide range of ages and interests while making a case for the arts as part of everyday civic life in North Shields.
