Celebrating New Year’s Eve here in the North East - from Whitley Bay to the Quayside!

Celebrating New Year’s Eve here in the North East - from Whitley Bay to the Quayside!

Posted by Joanne Wishart on

 

Happy New Year to you all! 

 

When it comes to ringing in the New Year, Newcastle upon Tyne is the place to be! Every year, this city is a hive of activity, from the busy restaurants near Monument and the Quayside, to the hustle and bustle of crowds awaiting the countdown to the next year, down by the Tyne Bridge. 

 

In this blog, I’ll be exploring how the North East celebrates the New Year and how I’ve chosen to mark this annual celebration. 


Raising a glass to the New Year, Geordie - style


Here in the North East, we know how to have a good time. On December the 31st each year, Newcastle city centre is filled with people coming together to see in the New Year. Whether you are celebrating with friends over a meal and a glass of bubbly or you are there to enjoy the family friendly entertainment, there’s always something for everyone. Over the years, we have enjoyed the music and carnival performances in the streets around Monument and stood with our children, marvelling at the innovative and unusual costumes in the parade. 


In the evening, the Quayside fills with visitors eagerly awaiting the annual fireworks display over the Tyne Bridge. Since Covid, light displays took the place of fireworks but 2025 was due to be the return of fireworks. Unfortunately, weather warnings for strong winds saw the event cancelled, but in true Geordie style this didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits!


As a celebration of this enduring enthusiasm and optimism here in the North East, I decided to mark the beginning of 2025 in an explosion of colour and joy, with two original paintings of iconic landmarks which are dear to so many people. I first experimented with the theme of fireworks in my latest Christmas cards, so felt like expanding this idea on a larger scale. 

 

Dazzling Displays: From Tyneside to Whitley Bay


Anyone who is familiar with my work knows that it has always been a celebration of the beautiful coastline of the North East. Over the years, I have painted landscapes and landmarks from as far North as Scotland down through Northumberland and Tyneside to Yorkshire. I have explored a variety of colour palettes, from dramatic pink winter skies to the blues of cloudless days in summer. 

 

This year I chose to step out of my comfort zone, with a dramatic celebration of Whitley Bay’s beloved Spanish City and Newcastle’s historic Tyne Bridge, under a sky of glittering fireworks. Whether you’re standing watching the display of colour over the Dome or you’re witnessing the impressive explosion of light and sound above the River Tyne, both will leave you with a sense of wonder and a happy heart. I wanted to capture this feeling on canvas. 


Down by the Tyne: The Quayside in Colour

 

What a symbol of Tyneside the Tyne Bridge is! Of the seven bridges that span the River Tyne, The Tyne Bridge is by far the most recognisable and iconic, which is why so many artists and photographers feature it in their work. 

I’ve always enjoyed painting this famous bridge in various lights but I have to say, I’ve had so much fun using a dramatic contrast of colour and introducing neon pink to my painting palette! This expressive style of painting is so liberating and it really brought out the Jackson Pollock in me! 


Blazing Skies above the Spanish City Dome

 

Renovated in 2018, this historic, listed building is a beautiful landmark along the coastline at Whitley Bay. This location holds so many memories for locals who grew up in the region. The renovation project of this area tried to pay homage to the seaside funfair from its past and brought this building back to life with restaurants, shops and cafes. If you can’t make it into the centre of Newcastle, this local fireworks display is impressive and it can be an easier option for families with young children. There is a real feeling of community spirit when people from the coastal towns all come together for this event. 

I’ve painted the dome in different seasons but what better way to celebrate this architectural beauty than painting it under a dramatic sky of sparkles, colour and light? This painting was equally as expressive and if you look closely you'll notice some mixed media which adds dimension to the overall look. The addition of gold leaf also gives it a luxurious touch of something special! 

 

I'm delighted that these two joyful paintings will light up someone's home, as they were aptly bought on New Year's Day! But fear not, our canvas prints are almost indistinguishable from the originals and can be printed in a variety of sizes. Our paper prints can be left mounted or framed in a colour and style of your choosing. Why not come by our Cullercoats gallery at 6 St. George's Road and we will help you to pick out the right painting or print for you! We're open from Wed - Sat from 10am - 5pm.

I'd love to know how you celebrate New Year's Eve, so head to my instagram and leave a comment! 

Let's raise a glass to the year ahead - here's to sparkle and colour in everyone's lives! 

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