Oktoberfest continued with its second weekend in Newcastle on Saturday, drawing large crowds to Times Square for a day of lederhosen, steins and bench-dancing from early afternoon.
While Newcastle United hosted Aston Villa in the 5.30pm kick-off at St James' Park, big crowds gathered in the city centre long before the match, heading into the massive marquee in Times Square for the second Saturday in a row after the event's return for 2026 began seven days earlier.
Party atmosphere from noon
By the time ChronicleLive arrived just after 2pm, the party was already in full swing, with people dancing on benches, singing along in their seats and carefully carrying giant steins of beer through the crowds. Revellers seized the opportunity to dress for the occasion in lederhosen and girdles.
Saturday's Oktoberfest was split into two sessions, with a new crowd expected to arrive for the evening party around 6pm as afternoon attendees continued their evenings elsewhere.
More sessions next Saturday
Two more Oktoberfest Newcastle sessions are scheduled for next Saturday, October 24, the night after Times Square hosts Ruby Rae's XL country music festival.
Photographer Iain Buist captured 22 images of the event, showing the party in full swing by early afternoon, with attendees posing in traditional attire and dancing on benches.
