Best Ever - Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme

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Welcome everyone, we’re glad you’re here!

Newcastle’s Best Holiday Ever is a programme funded by the Department for Education for children who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals or in need. It is designed for families in Newcastle during the Easter, Summer and Christmas school holiday's to help children, young people and their parents have fulfilling, active, fun-filled and healthy experiences. Part of the Holiday Activities and Food Programmes, Newcastle’s Best Holiday Ever has been running since 2019. We are really excited to continue to bring it to you and your family!

This summer was jam-packed with fun things to do. We are now working hard on the Christmas programme. Check back in November to see what's happening near you.

We believe school holidays are better when there’s a great choice of things to do to keep children and young people active. This includes having fun, being entertained and learning new things. That kind of break can help recharge the batteries, give parents a bit less to worry about and get kids ready to go back to school again.

We’ve got indoor and outdoor games, cookery skills, arts and crafts, sports, fitness and dance, health and wellbeing, quizzes, park activities, nature trails and more. We will update the activity programme before each applicable holiday period (Easter, Summer, Winter).

We love Newcastle and want to help our communities make the most of what’s on their doorstep by exploring our fantastic city during the holidays. We love to see how you spent your holidays, so follow us on Facebook: Newcastle City Council, Instagram: @NewcastleCouncil, Twitter: @NewcastleCC share your #HAF2024 #NewcastlesBestHolidayEver holidays with us!

There are also a wide range of activities available to all young people all year round. Why not check out our Activities page to see what regular club and groups are on near you, or for one off event check out our new page. You can also check out what else our HAF provider have on offer by clicking on the 'Related Services' links.

Please see below the HAF annual report for 2023.

What is the HAF Programme?

HAF Providers

Are you a Newcastle Best Holiday Ever holiday club provider? We’ve put together a handy Marketing Toolkit to help you promote your holiday programme. Download Toolkit.

Are you a school or venue looking to host your own HAF project in 2024, there are a number of different options available to you.

Host your own: Applications will be opening in January, if you have the staff and resource available - we’re always looking for new providers. Get in touch today!
Open your doors: We have a number of providers often searching for the right venue in the right community – think you could help? Let us know!
Signpost to local: Checkout the Newcastle Support Directory to find the providers closest to you and let your young person know where to go!

Contact: Steve steve.beaty@streetgames.org or Johnny johnny.tulip@streetgames.org