Evry Religious and Cultural Events

Evry prioritises Religious and Cultural events that enable every young person in Newcastle to celebrate what is meaningful and important in their lives.

We are proud that Newcastle is home to lots of different cultures and communities. The Evry project and local businesses support people to celebrate special events like Christmas, Eid and Diwali. Our events help people to come together, have fun and feel proud of their culture.

Eid al‑Fitr: Helping Communities to Come Together (2025–2026)

Eid-al-Fitr is a celebration to mark the Festival of Breaking the Fast. This marks the end of Ramadan which is the holy month of fasting for Muslims. They pray together, spend time with friends and family and give gifts. 

Evry has continued to support children and young people across Newcastle to celebrate Eid al‑Fitr, helping communities to together through inclusive, festive events in both 2025 and 2026.

2025 Celebrations

In April 2025, Evry supported over 200 children and young people across the city to mark Eid al‑Fitr. Highlights included:

  • Eid Celebration Party at Bilal Mosque, Elswick

    90 children enjoyed a joyful celebration which included crafts, activities and festive fun.

  • Eid Mubarak Gift Boxes 

    45 children and young people in care received Eid celebration boxes which were made

  • Care Leaver Eid Gifts 

    60 Care Leavers received an Eid card, sweets and/or a gift voucher to help them mark the occasion

  • 2026 Celebrations

    In March 2026, Evry kept up this work by holding another Eid-al-Fitr celebration. This was for children and young people across Newcastle. The event was held at the NUCASTLE Hub, hosted by the Newcastle United Foundation.

    Children and young people received Eid gifts, cards, sweets and gift vouchers

 

Children enjoying crafts at the Eid Celebration party
Children taking part in Divali arts and crafts session

Diwali

Celebrating creativity, stories and traditions

Diwali is a Hindu festival called the Festival of Lights. People celebrate it around the world in October or November. They put up lights in their homes, wear new clothes, give gifts, and watch fireworks.

In October 2025, Evry helped two local schools come together. This was to celebrate Diwali with fun learning and art.

With Gem Arts and Newcastle City Council, students joined arts workshops exploring:

  • Diwali stories and traditions
  • Hindu symbols and creative expression
  • Cultural narratives linked to the festival

Later, the children visited the Hindu Temple in Newcastle and showed their artwork to share what they learnt.

Evry Christmas Campaign

Spreading festive magic across Newcastle

In 2025, the Evry Christmas Campaign brought the city together. This was to create special festive moments for children and families.

Christmas Gift Collection

Gifts were donated by:

  • Newcastle City Council staff
  • Local businesses
  • Residents supporting the Amazon wish list

Over 4,000 gifts were donated for Children in Need and Care Leavers. Volunteers from across the city helped wrap all the presents. This included Council staff and Newcastle College students.

Evry Partners want every child and young person to enjoy celebrations that matter to them. This includes Christmas, Eid, Diwali, and other cultural and religious events.

We are working together to make Newcastle a place where everyone feels welcome and included.

If your group would like to work with Evry on an event, please contact us through the Meet the Evry Team page

Cath MvEvoy Carr and Helen Cowie at the Eldon Square gift donation point
Children listening to story time by Santa in the Santa Stories workshop tent

Through the festive period, over 1,500 free tickets were distributed to major events, including Evnt Inspirations Santa Stories Workshop and the Northern Lights experience in Leazes Park.

Newcastle Theatre Royal offered over 700 free tickets to the Aladdin Pantomime- a true highlight of the festive season. Children, young people and families who attended rated the experience very highly, with an average of 4.84 / 5!

Families shared some brilliant comments on their experience,

“It was absolutely brilliant, this is one of the kid’s highlights, they always love going to this event”

“I want to say that the performance was amazing, and the actors were absolutely incredible I would like to give them a big, massive thank yous for all the hard work you have done thanks very much for letting me be able to be a part of that THANK YOU VERY MUCH”

“We had a great time, always do! Our young people always have a fabulous time”

“We go every year to the pantomime and no matter which children are staying with us, they always have a great time”

Easter Celebration at North Benwell Youth Project

In April 2026, North Benwell Youth Project held a fun Easter event at Venerable Bede Church. The event was run by the Young People Committee and was open to everyone in the community

The day was filled with fun and laughter, with around 120 young people joining their families. A live band played music and made the event fun and welcoming.

Evry attended the celebration to support the community and helped where needed.

Activities included:

  • Easter arts and crafts
  • Raffle
  • Inflatable darts
  • Ball pool
  • Face painting

The event brought people together to celebrate and enjoy time as a community.

Colouring in by a young person
“We’re delighted to be part of the Evry programme. It is so important to give opportunities to children and young people in this city, particularly from our perspective, creative opportunities and opportunities to come to the theatre. It makes such a difference to young people’s health and wellbeing, their self-esteem & confidence to come and have fun in a creative environment. We will continue that commitment every year, giving a performance of the pantomime to children and young people and their families via the Evry programme.”
- Marianne Locatori- Chief Executive, Theatre Royal

If you are a young person and would like to get involved, or a professional who would like to support the plan, please get in touch at Voice@newcastle.gov.uk 

Information from https://childrenandfamiliesnewcastle.org.uk/
Printed on June 29th 2026
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