NEW Year celebrations with a Viking theme are due to be held in Newcastle this evening.
The New Year’s Eve Winter Carnival draws audiences of more than 40,000 to the streets of the city with a wintry twist on traditional carnival celebrations.
Combining Norse myths and legends, Viking folklore and North-East traditions, the free, family-friendly festivities begin at 5pm at Grey’s Monument.
Crowds can expect to be greeted by a prowling pack of Odin’s wolves, mighty god of thunder Thor and a band of mischievous Dark Elves.
An enormous World Serpent is set to encircle the crowds as it slithers through the city streets accompanied by a shoal of fearsome flying fish. Meanwhile Thor’s Hammers beat out rhythms that lead a spectacular flaming Longship through the crowds towards and up Northumberland Street.
As well as incredible creations, costumes and performances, crowds can listen out for the sounds of Winter Carnival in the shape of local talent including Drumdin’s Samba beats, funky instrumentalists King Bee and the ever popular illuminated spectacle of the Spark! drummers.
A firework finale is set to get underway from 6pm.
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