Key Points
- Dates and Location: The inaugural three-day lifestyle festival, titled ‘Show Up North’, runs from Friday, October 9, until Sunday, October 11, across Newcastle city centre and Event Northumbria.
- Programme Scale: The event features more than 55 sessions, experiences, and workshops encompassing fitness, wellbeing, confidence, health, style, careers, money, food, and entertainment.
- Founder Vision: The festival was created by North East businesswoman and Show Up Club founder Claire Goodliff, designed to offer a pick-and-mix schedule that is unprecedented for a single weekend in the region.
- Key Partners and Sponsors: Main sponsors and supporters include regional law firm Square One Law, Fenwick Newcastle, Scott Sports, Smart Works North East, PilatEASE, and various independent regional businesses.
- Diverse Activities: Highlights range from coffee raves, sound baths, pop Pilates, and a city-wide QR code treasure hunt to evening social events at venues like Revolución de Cuba.
Newcastle (Newcastle Times) October 7, 2026 — Newcastle is finalising preparations to host a brand-new three-day women’s lifestyle festival that brings a massive line-up of over 55 distinct sessions, workshops, and immersive experiences to the city and Event Northumbria. As reported by Georgia Cuthbertson of ChronicleLive, the landmark event—dubbed ‘Show Up North’—runs from Friday, October 9, until Sunday, October 11, and is believed to be the first multi-faceted convention of its kind to land in the North East region.
The ambitious programme was conceptualised by local businesswoman and founder of the Show Up Club, Claire Goodliff. Initially sprouting from the idea of running a pop-up shop for her clothing brand, the concept evolved into a large-scale celebration of joy, community, and personal growth.
As reported by Claire Goodliff to ChronicleLive, the motivation behind the festival was to offer something genuinely unique to the area:
“What started from an idea of a pop up shop for the Show Up Club clothing brand has turned into a fantastic celebration of joy in a three-day convention.”
Elaborating further on the vision for the weekend, Claire Goodliff stated to ChronicleLive:
“I wanted this to feel like something you genuinely couldn’t do in a normal weekend. You can try things you’ve never done before, learn something that could change the way you think about your health, your career or your money, discover brilliant local businesses and meet women you might never otherwise cross paths with.”
Furthermore, in previous interviews with Rachael Ellis of High Life North, Claire Goodliff explained the core driving force behind the scheduling, noting:
“There’s no big wellness event in the North, let alone in Newcastle. It’s about putting something in the North East that doesn’t exist.”
She added regarding the inclusive ethos of the festival:
“It’s about giving women an opportunity to have fun, to give them permission, remind them how to have fun, and give them the opportunity to do lots of different things.”
How is the festival structured across the weekend?
The festival is structured as a flexible pick-and-mix programme designed to integrate various aspects of modern lifestyle, encompassing health, career mentoring, financial independence, style, and entertainment. Activities span multiple venues to ensure the city itself remains deeply connected to the visitor experience.
As detailed by Rachael Ellis of High Life North, the opening Friday features city-centre activations, including beauty sessions and barre hosted at Fenwick Newcastle, alongside workouts from Ouseburn’s The -B- Workout, culminating in an evening after-party at Revolución de Cuba.
The core weekend programming shifts primarily to Event Northumbria on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday packs a high-energy punch with Tribal Cycle spin classes, HIIT sessions, hula hoop workshops, and an interactive 3k QR code treasure hunt disguised as a run around the city. Sunday transitions toward slower, restorative practices, incorporating sound baths, mindful movement, and holistic wellness workshops. Additionally, an ongoing marketplace features brand activations from organizations like Clarins and Oddballs, alongside independent skincare lines and local small business stalls.
Which organisations and partners are backing the event?
The festival has garnered substantial backing from prominent regional institutions and corporate entities eager to champion local talent and community empowerment. Newcastle-headquartered Square One Law has stepped forward as a main sponsor for the inaugural event.
As reported by Bdaily Business News, Deb Ions, marketing director at Square One Law, commented on their sponsorship:
“Show Up North reflects so much of what we believe in at Square One Law: creating inclusive opportunities, championing our region and helping people feel confident to show up as themselves.”
Deb Ions further stated to Bdaily Business News:
“The weekend will give people the space to try something new, make meaningful connections and prioritise their wellbeing in a welcoming, judgement-free environment. As a values-driven business, we’re delighted to support an event that brings people together while celebrating the talent, energy and independence within our region.”
Alongside Square One Law, the festival has secured official support and partnerships from high-profile names such as Fenwick Newcastle, Scott Sports, Smart Works North East, PilatEASE, and a rapidly expanding network of independent North East enterprises. Ticket options, ranging from full weekend passes to single-day admissions, remain available via the official Show Up North and Show Up Club digital platforms.
Background of the Development
The launch of ‘Show Up North’ arrives at a time when consumer demand for experiential, community-driven wellness and lifestyle events is experiencing significant momentum across the United Kingdom. Historically, large-scale consumer conventions focused on health, personal development, and lifestyle empowerment have disproportionately concentrated in southern urban hubs like London, leaving regional markets in the North of England underserved.
The creation of the Show Up Club by Claire Goodliff initially established a localized community framework centered around movement, connection, and empowerment. Over recent years, this grassroots community expanded its digital and physical footprint, identifying a clear gap in the North East market for a unified festival format. By combining corporate partnerships—such as collaborations with regional legal powerhouses like Square One Law and heritage retailers like Fenwick—with independent local brands, the festival bridges the gap between grassroots enterprise and corporate community engagement. This milestone reflects a broader economic and cultural shift towards decentralized regional events that stimulate local retail, hospitality, and tourism economies outside traditional metropolitan capitals.
Prediction
The successful execution and reception of the ‘Show Up North’ festival could serve as a vital catalyst for the North East’s visitor economy and regional tourism sector. For the local community, specifically women, entrepreneurs, and independent business owners in Newcastle and surrounding areas, this development establishes a high-profile platform to foster professional networking, cross-industry collaboration, and enhanced visibility.
If the inaugural event achieves its anticipated turnout, it is expected to set a commercial precedent, encouraging future investment from national brands into northern lifestyle conventions. Consequently, local business owners, independent wellness practitioners, and regional hospitality venues can anticipate increased footfall and long-term consumer engagement, cementing Newcastle’s reputation as a growing destination for major experiential lifestyle events.
