The Newcastle Mela is set to return to Exhibition Park this August Bank Holiday weekend, offering two days of South Asian music, dance, food, and cultural activities. Now in its 32nd year, the annual free event is expected to draw up to 40,000 visitors from across the North East and beyond on Sunday, August 30, and Monday, August 31.
Organised by Newcastle Asian Art and Music, the festival celebrates the diverse cultures of Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, and other South Asian communities through a wide-ranging programme that includes live performances, workshops, street food, and family-friendly entertainment. The event is once again sponsored by Newcastle Building Society, with additional support from Newcastle City Council, Unison Northern, Arts Council England, The Army, and the Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne.
The festivities will kick off on Saturday, August 29, with a free preview event called Mela in the City at Grey’s Monument from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Presented in partnership with NE1, this event will feature live performances and cultural activities as a prelude to the main weekend celebrations.
One of the highlights this year is “Rising from the East,” a special commission by Newcastle Asian Arts and Music that will showcase some of the North East’s top Indian performers. The programme features Breeze George, Madhura Godbole, Mi Marathi Dhol & Tasha, Kalakshetra, and Spice of South, who will each perform individually before joining for a collective finale. This finale promises a dynamic blend of classical dance, Bollywood, Marathi, and South Indian traditions, punctuated by the distinct rhythms of the Punjabi dhol.
Beyond the main stage, visitors can explore a variety of South Asian street food vendors, browse stalls selling henna, jewellery, and traditional clothing, and enjoy attractions such as a funfair. The festival also provides a platform for community groups and cultural organisations to showcase their work, alongside offering workshops and activities suitable for all ages.
Andrew Haigh, chief executive of Newcastle Building Society, described the Mela as “one of the highlights of the Newcastle summer,” emphasising its role in bringing diverse communities together. “We’re delighted to be supporting Mela again as headline sponsor and we’re looking forward to a fun, vibrant weekend of events,” he said.
Taj Mohammed, Chairperson of Newcastle Asian Art and Music, highlighted the event’s growing significance within the city’s cultural calendar. “Newcastle Mela has become such an important part of the city’s cultural calendar and it’s amazing to see how it continues to grow,” Mohammed remarked. “It’s all about community and everyone is welcome.”