The Hoppings will return to its “full size and stature” in 2027 after being confined to a smaller section of Newcastle’s Town Moor this year due to drainage works. The annual fun fair concluded last weekend and has since been dismantled.
Smaller Site in 2026
This year’s event featured the world’s tallest travelling fairground ride, the 85-metre Elevate 85, but the carnival occupied a site 30% smaller than usual. A northern part of the moor was fenced off after major repairs to collapsed drains.
Recovery and Future Plans
The Freemen of Newcastle, custodians of the Town Moor alongside Newcastle City Council, confirmed the area is recovering well. Nick Atkinson, vice chair of the Freemen, said: “The north area that was not used this year due to the significant amount of drainage infrastructure being renewed is regenerating really quickly and will be available as a full site for the Hoppings and other events to benefit from in the future.”
He added: “We kept everything off that drainage site this year and the Hoppings didn’t use it, in order to protect it and ensure that the event can return to its full size and stature next year. It would have been futile to have had anything on it this year when it needed to recover. It will deliver the best event space in the city, if not in the entire region, into the future.”
Dismantling and Weather Impact
After closing on Sunday, workers have been dismantling rides, attractions, and stalls. The hot, dry weather this year should help the moor recover faster from the fair’s impact compared to heavy rain. Mr Atkinson noted: “The Freemen work really closely with the operator, Crow Events. After the event closing there is a significant amount of litter clearance. Any reparative works required are attended to immediately. Fortunately this year has been a really dry year and the dry weather requires far less reparative work, which is a bonus.”
He continued: “Anything that needs attending to is done immediately to ensure that the Hoppings/festival site is open, clean, and available for public benefit. There will be no reseeding needed because it is dry and the grass regenerates really quickly. We experience this every year – there are millions and millions of tonnes worth of kit on the Moor during the Hoppings, but it is amazing how quickly it regenerates.”
