New Gate Arts & Culture Centre

What families can see and do

The heart of the building is an intimate black box theatre that hosts touring drama, concerts, dance and community shows through the year. Up on the roof there's a dance studio with panoramic views, and the creative hub rooms run classes and workshops that draw in young people and families. Visual arts and community exhibitions also feature in the programme. Because seasons change, the best plan is to look at their listings, pick a family-friendly show or class, and book your tickets online before you go.

Black box theatre Live music & dance Cafe-bar on site Creative classes City-centre location Book ahead

Good to know before you go:

Venues like this run year-round seasons of theatre, music, dance, exhibitions and creative workshops, with extra family-friendly programming over the holidays. Dates and prices change, so check their own listings before you book.

What to bring

🎟️Your bookingShows and big exhibitions sell out — book ahead where you can.

💷A bit of pocket moneyFor the café, the shop or a show programme.

🧒An eye on the age guidanceSome shows and galleries suit certain ages best — check first.

📱The what’s-on pageThe programme changes all the time — see what is on the day you go.

Everything before you go

Admission

Arts centre, not a walk-in gallery - come for booked events

Tickets

Shows are ticketed and booked online in advance; prices vary by event - see their listings

Family programming

Theatre, music, dance and creative classes and workshops across the year; check listings for family-friendly dates

Best for ages

Suits all ages depending on the show; pick a family-friendly performance or class

Opening

Varies with the programme and events - check their website

Cafe

Yes - the Talk of the Town cafe-bar on site

Toilets

Yes, on site

Parking

Bishop Street, Carlisle Road and Foyleside car parks nearby (2,500+ spaces); free on-street after 6:30pm

Accessibility

Wheelchair accessible with a lift to all floors; BSL and voiceover info available

How long to allow

An evening or afternoon around a show or class

Address

New Gate Arts & Culture Centre, 2-4 Kennedy Place, Londonderry, BT48 6RF

Questions

Before you go

Is it free to get in?

Arts centre, not a walk-in gallery - come for booked events

How do I get tickets?

Shows are ticketed and booked online in advance; prices vary by event - see their listings

Is there anything for kids?

Theatre, music, dance and creative classes and workshops across the year; check listings for family-friendly dates

When is it open?

Varies with the programme and events - check their website

Is there a café?

Yes - the Talk of the Town cafe-bar on site

Getting there

New Gate Arts & Culture Centre is at New Gate Arts & Culture Centre, 2-4 Kennedy Place, Londonderry, BT48 6RF. Bishop Street, Carlisle Road and Foyleside car parks nearby (2,500+ spaces); free on-street after 6:30pm. Tap below for directions.

Directions on Google Maps Official website See it on our map

Nearby

Make more of the day

More days out around Derry/LondonderrySee what else is close by More theatres & galleries across NIShows, art and culture for the family

The story

About the venue

New Gate Arts & Culture Centre opened on 2 November 2023 after a major extension and refurbishment, backed by a £2.3 million investment from The Executive Office through its Urban Villages Initiative. It was created as an inclusive shared space for the Fountain area and the wider city.

The centre is run day to day by the North West Cultural Partnership, whose aim is to build confident, creative and connected people through the arts. The building holds a black box theatre, a rooftop dance studio, creative hub rooms and the Talk of the Town cafe-bar.

The project grew out of years of community planning under the Urban Villages framework, designed to support an area with a history of deprivation and division and to bring people together through culture.