GemArts Masala Festival
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This year, we're celebrating the 10th anniversary of GemArts Masala Festival – marking a decade of South Asian arts, culture and creativity, right here in the North East!
Over the last ten years, Masala Festival has become a firm fixture in the North East's cultural calendar, bringing the finest South Asian arts and culture to venues across the region every summer. This milestone year brings an extraordinary programme of bold new commissions, unforgettable performances, and an exciting mix of music, dance, visual arts, literature, film, food and family events in venues across Newcastle and Gateshead from 13th-19th July.
From trailblazing international artists to rising local voices, this year's festival presents South Asian creativity in full colour, celebrating the people and stories that continue to shape this award-winning festival.
To see what's coming up, visit our What's On page, or download the Masala Festival 2026 brochure HERE.
About the programme
Masala Festival 2026 will begin on 13th July at Dance City, with a stunning new production from internationally acclaimed Kathak artist, Gaurav Bhatti. After that, there's a whole week of events to look forward to across Newcastle and Gateshead, culminating in a lively Mini Mela with fun for all the family on 19th July at Bensham Grove Community Centre.
A platform for world-class dance
Dance has always played a key role at Masala Festival, and this year, it's right at the heart of the action. The festival will begin on Monday 13th July with Bulleh Shah: Seeker of Light - a compelling new solo show created by Gaurav Bhatti, whose work sits at the intersection between North Indian classical Kathak and contemporary dance.
Later in the week, Sonia Sabri Company brings Newcastle city centre to life with Mughal Miniatures: The Awakening – a striking outdoor dance performance inspired by Indian and Persian miniature art. Enjoy free 15-minute performances at Newcastle's Monument at 12pm, 1pm and 2pm on Saturday 18th July. In partnership with Masala Festival's headline sponsors, Tyne and Wear Metro, this vibrant pop-up performance delivers a bold burst of movement, colour and cultural celebration to the Toon!
A week filled with music
It wouldn't be Masala Festival without music, and this year's line-up is not to be missed. First up, head to The Cluny on Tuesday 14th July for Free Flow Classikal – a moving exploration of South Asian classical music through the medium of free improvisation. Then, it's over to The Glasshouse International Centre for Music on Friday 17th July, as The Mohan Brothers, Sanju Sahai and Jasdeep Singh bring the finest Indian classical music right here to Gateshead.
Alongside live music, this year's festival will also feature a club night for the first time. Head to Zerox on Saturday 18th July for Bijlee / बिजली / Electric – where Bollywood, Ghazal and Qawwali classics will be reimagined through contemporary club edits of Oldskool Hardcore, 90s Jungle, Footwork, Garage, Bassline, Dubstep, Baile Funk and more.
Something for the film buffs
This year's festival will include a carefully curated programme of South Asian cinema, including Tribeny Rai's debut feature film, Shape of Momo, at Tyneside Cinema on Thursday 16th July, and Jude Ratnam's 2017 documentary film, Demons in Paradise, at Newcastle University Fine Art Lecture Theatre on Saturday 18th July. Both films have powerful stories to tell, which are sure to stay with you long after the closing credits have rolled.
Literature & spoken word
On Wednesday 15th July, head to Live Theatre for the return of Freespill – a powerful night of spoken word, spotlighting South Asian voices and stories of heritage, resistance and joy. Hosted by Newcastle's own Tahmina Ali, the evening brings together an exciting blend of local and national talent, including award-winning poet Jaspreet Kaur, Australian Poetry Slam Champion Zohab Zee Khan, and poet and human right activist, Chandni Chopra.
Then on 18th July, it's time for An Evening with Nikesh Shukla, who'll be celebrating the 10th anniversary of his groundbreaking anthology, The Good Immigrant, alongside the festival's own ten-year celebrations.
Learn something new
If you like to get stuck in, there are workshops for everyone at this year's Masala festival. Gateshead Central Library will be hosting a puppet making workshop for young people aged 10-14 on 18th July, as well as a printmaking workshop for retired participants on 14th July, so there are creative opportunities no matter what your age. There's also a creative writing workshop on 14th July at DiverCity Hub, and a movement and meditation session on 16th July at Yoga X Life Studios. Each workshop is just £5 plus booking fees.
Free exhibitions
This year's Masala Festival features not one, but three free exhibitions. Over at Gateshead Central Library, you can catch Playback / Rewind:South Asian Sound & Memory – a specially commissioned exhibition by renowned graphic artist and videographer, Jimmy Turrell. This new body of work draws on research into Bollywood vinyl, printed ephemera and South Asian histories in Gateshead, exploring how much carries memory, identity and connection across generations. Also at Gateshead Central Library, Through the Lens: Photographs by Anna Miller is a chance to celebrate Masala Festival's 10-year history, with some of the best images captured over the last decade. Both library exhibitions will run from Saturday 4th July to Saturday 10th October.
Over at Vane, just a stone's throw from the centre of Gateshead, you can see Care / Work: An Exhibition by Nayeema Ahmed. Using unconventional media, Northumbria University graduate Nayeema's paintings explore the relationship between gender, ethnicity and labour. This exhibition runs from 9th July - 1st August (open Wednesdays to Saturdays 12-5pm).
Mini Mela
On Sunday 19th July, the festival will close with the return of the spectacular Mini Mela at Bensham Grove Community Centre in Gateshead. Enjoy a colourful mix of activities inspired by the rich traditions of the Indian sub-continent, including Bollywood dance workshops, block printing, Rangoli art, kite making, pottery, face painting and beautiful henna designs. With delicious Indian food on offer too, it's the perfect way to spend a summer Sunday.
Bringing the flavour
Throughout the week, Dabbawal, Newcastle's original street food pioneers, present a specially created menu celebrating 10 years of Masala Festival. Inspired by the spice bazaars of Sri Lanka, the coastal kitchens of Kerala and the street-side grills of Lahore, expect a flavour-packed selection of dishes served with Dabbawal's signature flair and warmth.
About GemArts Masala Festival
GemArts' award-winning Masala Festival is a week-long event celebrating a mix and blend of the finest South Asian Arts and Culture, packed full of performances, exhibitions, events, workshops, pop-ups and demonstrations, presented in venues, places and spaces across the North East. The festival is enjoyed by thousands of people every July.
Since its launch in 2016, Masala Festival has become a yearly celebration and a highlight in the North East cultural calendar, bringing audiences the best music, dance, visual arts, film, literature, performance, workshops, family fun days, food events and much more. The programme presents a diverse mix of contemporary and traditional South Asian art forms with regional, national and international artists, produced and curated by GemArts, working alongside key partners from across the region and beyond.
GemArts Masala Festival won the coveted Arts Council Award at The Journal Culture Awards in 2017 and was runner up for Best Event Tyneside in 2018.
Find out about previous programmes by clicking on the year:
2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016
2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016
GemArts Masala Festival film
By North East videographer, Jodie Canwell.
If you can help support our work, please consider making a donation today. Your gift will help us bring even more opportunities like Masala Festival to people across the North East. Find out more about supporting GemArts HERE.
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