Vibrant South Asian culture

Based around Pakistani, Bengali, Indian and other South Asian cultures, Newcastle Mela is the perfect mix of music, art, culture and food.

Delicious, mouth-watering traditional hot and cold food

One of the main attractions of Newcastle Mela are our food stalls – they are loved by everyone. Visitors come back each year especially to experience the wonderful tastes and smells from the huge range of freshly cooked food, including vegetarian and meat curries (halal), biryanis, samosas and grills, as well as sweet desserts including Kulfi ice cream and Panipuri, a type of snack that originated in South Asia and is one of the most common street foods in India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh. Come and try it for yourself!

Clothing and jewellery

You will rarely find such an amazing range of bright and colourful clothing, jewellery and gifts in one place! From dream catchers and incense sticks, t-shirts, summer dresses and trousers, to more traditional scarves and sarees, we are sure you will find a gift for loved ones or just treat yourself.

Traditional singing, dancing and music – with a modern twist

Our programming includes contemporary Asian music acts, as well as traditional displays of singing, music and dance. Previous performances have included Punjabi, Bhangra, Pop and Folk music genres from the UK and internationally.

Contemporary art performances

In previous years, we programmed a series of stunning art performances, including powerful fusions of dance and circus, trapeze and drumming. Check out these superb and spell-binding performances on our < Past Events page / Newcastle Mela 2019 >

NAAM (Newcastle Asian Arts and Music)

Newcastle Mela is organised by NAAM (Newcastle Asian Arts and Music), a voluntary organisation formed in April 1993 which aims to promote art, music, cultural diversity and inclusion for all our communities within Newcastle upon Tyne and across the region.

If you would like to join the NAAM committee and help support Newcastle Mela, please email info@newcastlemela.co.uk for further information.

Mela Partnership

Newcastle Mela is one of a number of Mela events that take place across the UK at the same time each year and is part of the Mela Partnership.

Mela Partnership is a national membership organisation that supports the Mela events, which attract a combined half a million visitors across the country each year www.nutkhut.co.uk