For generations of families June has meant The Hoppings. On lots of occasions it has meant rain and mud too but our unreliable summer weather has never spoiled the fun of a visit to Europe's largest travelling funfair.
We don't take kindly to cancellations so when The Hoppings, under new managers in Crow Events, made its return following the pandemic, crowds turned out to welcome it with open arms They also noticed a few changes too.
Last summer's run on the Town Moor saw the company out to make the traditional treat better than ever. It announced new rides, including a newly-designed one called Super Trooper and introduced a bar for the first time plus a big food court. This time around, Crow Events has said it is bringing some of the “biggest, fastest and wildest rides” around - so check those out below - and it will be back for a day longer than usual.
Read more: How to save up to £25 at The Hoppings
Last year's event, with 400 attractions, was a nine-day epic drawing crowds of around 500,000 visitors to the city. And this year's run is to be 10 days, from June 16-25. And a major new addition to the fair will be nightly live music.
We're covering all the preparations for this Friday's opening day. In the meantime, here is a guide to what to expect.
Bar and Feast Street
The Hoppings introduced a licensed bar last year and this will be back. The new Feast Street food court (in addition to the usual stalls and outlets) will be even bigger for 2023, with gourmet food stalls and a large dining area.
Among the options will be Acropolis Greek street food; the Big Fat Indian Kitchen, Readheads Mac 'n' Cheese; Shoot the Bull gourmet burgers; Twisted Chick; Zenobia Arabian Cuisine; Chinese Noodles; Wings and Things and Pisa Pizza plus churros and loaded fries.
Parking
Last year, new parking charges were introduced and there was also a new parking system, with fair-goers planning to take their car being encouraged, for the first time, to pre-book their parking. Once again, the online facility makes it cheaper to do this as parking on the day will be £5, compard to £4 for booking a slot online.
This year there's the 20% discount on online bookings plus a chance to win one of 12 VIP family tickets. Book here.
Site map and countdown clock
The countdown clock is back - always enough to generate excitement ahead of launch day - on the event's website and the new site map no doubt will be a popular too: read more about that here.
Rides
The Hoppings has so far confirmed 350 attractions including 42 rides with some of its previous top rides among them. A new addition is to be a thrilling Rocket Ride which propels people 60 metres into the sky and corkscrews back down. Read about it here.
Returning biggies include white-knuckle experiences such as Tagada, Extreme and Star Flyer - taking daredevils almost 200ft into the air - as well as Reverse Bungee, which catapults people almost as high, at 150ft up, with a 4.8 G-force; The Mach Bomber (think 80mph and G4) and giant observation wheel.
The Ice Jet, which is a turbo-charged version of a Waltzer, will be back too, alongside all the family favourites such as the helter skelter; dodgems and ghost train plus the popular Fun House and Magic Mouse Rollercoaster. Here's the list:
Crazy Frog; Dodgem; Extreme; Runaway Train; Magic Mouse; Super Trooper; Star Flyer; Twist; Superbob; Booster Mix; Exciter; Super Bowl; Race O Rama; Rockrage; Flying Planes; Ice Maze; Simulator; Ice Jet; Reverse Bungee; Pony Express; Ghost Train; Energy Storm Waltzer; Outer Limits; Inflatable Minion; Wipe Out; Big Apple; Helter Skelter; Rocket Ride; Meteorite; Matterhorn; Sea Storm; Top Spin; Miami Trip; Freak Out; Giant Wheel; Air; Tagada; Fun House; Top Star; Flying Dumbos; Oxegen; Atmosfear
Live music
A stage will be set up at Feast Street for different music acts each night and these will include local talents X Factor contestant Abi Gerrado; Newcastle singer and guitarist David Stoker and Gateshead singer-songwriter Jamie Lee Harrison who a few years ago also enjoyed the TV spotlight, impressing the judges on Britain's Got Talent. Here's who to look out for and when.
Friday, June 16
5-7pm - David Stoker
7-9pm - Connor Pattison Duo
Saturday, June 17
5-7pm - Jamie Lee Harrison
7-9pm - Two For The Road Trio
Sunday, June 18
2-4pm- Lottie Appleton
4-6pm - Trey Jackson
Monday, June 19
5-7pm - Kieran Hooper
7-9pm- Kieran Taylor
Tuesday, June 20
5-7pm- Sam Rea
7-9pm - Kimberley Heron
Wednesday, June 21
5-7pm - Connor Pattison
7-9pm - David Stoker
Thursday, June 22
5-7pm - Abi Garrido
7-9pm - Joe Treacy
Friday, June 23
5-7pm - Charlie Whyte
7-9pm - Nelson Park Duo
Saturday, June 24
5-7pm - Jessie Dale
7-9pm - Jamie Lee Harrison Trio
Sunday, June 25
4-6pm - Michael Rolfe
Costs
Rides will be priced individually and will range from £2.50 to £5. Read more about prices here.
Cash machines
ATMS were introduced to the Town Moor site last year and will be back again this June. Their locations - as with toilet facilities - will be shown on the site map. Most rides will have the ability to take card/contactless payment too.
Disabled access
There were ramps and handrails around the rides and attractions; toilets for people with disabilities and also parking for the disabled nearer to the site. Certain rides, however, will not be suitable for certain disabilities.
Kids Club
Over the fair's two weekends, a special club for young ones will run from 1pm until 5pm at Feast Street with an assortment of popular children's characters adding to the fun. The first weekend will feature Sleeping Beauty and Superman on the Saturday and Frozen's Elsa and Anna on the Sunday.
Then it will be the turn of Belle and the Beast on June 25 and Cinderella - plus Superman again - on June 25. As an extra treat, there will be guest appearances throughout the Kids Club dates by Mickey Mouse and Paw Patrol characters. Read more about it here.
Dogs
Those planning to visit The Hoppings over its run might like to know that dogs on leads are allowed and families can take in their own snacks and drinks too if they like, although there will be lots of outlets selling hot and cold food and drinks to pick from.
Read Next
