What’s On in Newcastle
From the Upper Hunter to Newcastle and up and down the coast: here is what’s happening in September, October and November.
Sculpture in the Vineyards
14 – 29 September | What better reason to visit the Wollombi Valley than to check out the 21st Sculpture in the Vineyards, the state’s longest running sculpture festival.
Organisers say entries have exceeded all expectations this year. They will not only be welcoming back many previous year’s finalists, but also welcoming emerging sculptors and an internationally distinguished guest sculptor, Isabel Langtry.
Roaring 40s concert
15 September | Feel the glitz and glam of the 1940s swing beat at the Newcastle Conservatorium of Music. The nostalgic afternoon of live music will transport you back in time to one of the biggest eras of live big band music. The concert will feature Jeremy Borthwick and the Conservatorium Jazz Orchestra, Sue Carson, Lisa Kinna and talented students of the Newcastle Conservatorium and University of Newcastle Bachelor of Music Degree including Edwina Richards, Lois Ferguson, Liam Budge and Lucy Higgins-Black. The sensational Supertonics vocal ensemble will top off an afternoon of stirring ballads and hot jazz. All ages are welcome.
Romeo & Juliet: A Reimagining
19 – 28 September | In this reimagined work, audiences are invited to witness the fusion of past and present, as the hauntingly poetic words of Shakespeare take on new life through the language of movement.
Through this creative alchemy, this Upstage production seeks to connect with young people, drawing them into a world where the passion and intensity of “Romeo and Juliet” feels as relevant as ever. The adaptation promises to ignite a renewed sense of wonder and engagement with classic theatre, proving that the timeless can still captivate and inspire the modern soul.
Living Smart Festival
21 September | Alone Australia season one winner Gina Chick, ‘Frugal Foodie’ Steph de Sousa and River Cottage Australia host Paul West will headline this year’s Living Smart Festival in Lake Macquarie.
The festival is one of Australia’s largest sustainability events, with a mission to encourage people to learn about and embrace everyday sustainability practices. The free one day event will be packed with workshops, demonstrations, market stalls and presentations by some of Australia’s most prominent and innovative personalities in the field of sustainability.
Emma Memma Boop & Twirl
22 September | Children’s musical spectacular, Emma Memma is heading back out on her big, bright, orange Butterfly Bus to tour around the country bringing the Boop and Twirl Tour to Aussie families. Children across Australia will get to sing, dance and sign with Emma Memma and her friends. Families will be treated to a sprinkling of Emma Memma’s classic songs on the Boop and Twirl Tour as well as new favourites like ‘Pasta Necklace’, ‘Twirl Twirl with Emma’ and ‘Boop on the Nose’. Running time is 45 minutes and all ages are welcome.
Learn to make textured artworks
27 September | Immerse yourself in a hands-on textured art workshop at Allettare Dezigns Studio in Cardiff. The workshop will equip you with techniques to create two of your own textured artworks to take home. Explore different mediums and tools used to create minimalist abstract patterns and shapes such as arches and waves.
You will be guided through the entire process and given full instructions on how to create gorgeous ready to hang artworks at home. The process is incredibly relaxing and hands-on. You will have full creative freedom to explore this wonderful technique.
New Annual Festival
27 September – 6 October | Dive in for 10 days of art, culture and creativity in the heart of Newcastle during the New Annual Festival. There will be immersive and interactive experiences of visual art, contemporary dance, First Nations music and workshops, as well as theatre and comedy.
The festival opens with the First Night Party taking over King Street. The party will be headlined by proud Gamilaraay man Mitch Tambo, whose didgeridoo, dance and song blends traditional Aboriginal sounds and language with contemporary beats and production. The night features mesmerising performances by Tower Divas, along with DJ sets, local bands, roving performances, gourmet food trucks and much more.
From the family-friendly to the far out, New Annual will have an inclusive mix of free, ticketed and community events offering incredible experiences for everyone.
Scavenger Hunt
28 September – 13 October | Assemble your team and embark on a captivating scavenger hunt across all 10 display gardens at Hunter Valley Gardens. By participating in this interactive adventure, kids can win a fabulous Spring Prize Pack. The winning team or individual will be announced on October 14, 2024. Join the fun daily during the Spring School Holidays, from 9am to 5pm.
Spring Rocks Workshop
28 September – 13 October | Spring rock painting is a vibrant and creative activity that merges the beauty of nature with artistic expression. Participants can decorate rocks with colourful, spring-themed designs such as flowers, butterflies, ladybugs, and other symbols of the season. This activity encourages creativity and is perfect for people of all ages. It’s a great way to spend time outdoors, appreciating nature while engaging in a relaxing and fulfilling craft. The painted rocks can be used to decorate gardens, and walkways, or given as unique handmade gifts.
Available every day during the Spring School Holidays, from 10am to 2pm, in the Dome Marquee at Hunter Valley Gardens.
Grassy Head Workshop
28 September – 13 October | Googly eyes, seeds and craft materials combined with your imagination are the tools to participate in this delightful hands-on workshop at Hunter Valley Gardens. Participants will learn about plant growth and responsibility in caring for living things. It’s a fun and interactive way to introduce children to basic gardening concepts and the wonders of nature.
Available every day during the Spring School Holidays from 10am to 2pm.
Karma Kafé
3 – 12 October | Upstage presents Karma Kafé, Newcastle’s oldest café, which remains fiercely independent amidst the other café giants. The owner, Rewa Golder, is a Māori woman and practising Buddhist who, along with her hard-working staff, provides a sanctuary for the city’s movers and shakers, as well as its eccentrics, including Bongo Joe, a homeless man who plays his bongo outside the café every morning in exchange for food.
A local developer plans to demolish the much-loved café to build a flashy multiplex as part of his vision for a “New Newy.” With the help of “The Fixer,” he gets the site rezoned. How will the café avoid the wrecking ball?
Dining Under the Stars
4 October | Enjoy an unforgettable evening under the stars in the heart of wine country with an open air dining experience at the gorgeous Margan Winery in Broke. Margan’s beautiful courtyard will be transformed into a magical setting, draped in twinkling fairy lights with serene live music provided by the talented Anna Weatherup.
Guests will be served a seasonally inspired tasting menu, featuring regional cuisine and beautiful fresh produce from the Margan Kitchen Garden and Orchard. An eclectic selection of incredible wines will be enjoyed including some special drops from Margan’s own award-winning sustainably farmed vineyards.
D’Vine Wine & Food Festival
5-8 October | Now in its second year, D’Vine Festival has been reimagined to bring a great range of hands-on culinary experiences, more entertainment, more activities and a whole host of child and dog friendly events.
More than 28 events will take place across wineries, restaurants, and beyond. Sample hand-crafted gins, enjoy freshly shucked oysters and live jazz, or explore the art of winemaking during a viticulture tour – plus so much more to discover.
On both Saturday and Sunday those visiting with their pooch can enjoy the Glandore Paws Festival with a great range of doggy events, including a pet market and dog behaviour Q&A sessions.
Mary Poppins
5 – 17 October | Adapted from the beloved stories by PL Travers and the original film, the magical tale of the world’s favourite nanny is returning to the Newcastle’s Civic Theatre stage in a spectacular new production of Mary Poppins. The high energy performance will be filled with songs, dance numbers and stagecraft.
Stroud Brick & Rolling Pin Throwing
6 October | Come on down to Stroud Showground to throw a brick, hurl a rolling pin or fling a rubber chook in the town’s annual test of strength and skill. The showground will be filled with markets, local food stalls, activities, and entertainment for the entire family. Little ones can enjoy face painting, and games. The day will also see the return of the ever-popular tug-o-war, the fast and furious post splitting and wood chop and a display of the vintage vehicles.
Maitland Riverlights
12 October | The Levee, Central Maitland will transform into a global village where you can see, taste, feel and experience over 30 different cultures from around the world. Collect your Riverlights Cultural Passport on the day and explore your way through The Levee’s global village. Stop by the World Stage, Language Lounge, the Groove Fusion stage and the Global Kitchen.
The evening will culminate in the Riverlights Finale on the riverbank with lantern parade from The Levee Shared Zone, a lantern river flotilla, music, dance and a light show.
The Hunter Valley Beer & BBQ Festival
12 October | Hope Estate’s amphitheatre will transform into a beer and BBQ lover’s paradise. Now in its fourth year, the festival has transitioned to a new one-day format, packed with plenty of classic favourites to enjoy.
Hope Estate will show off 40 of their beers and ciders from easy drinking ales and lagers, German styles, thirst-quenching sours through to the crafty styles of porters, stouts and more. The BBQs and smokers will be fired up to serve plenty of finger-licking, BBQ dishes and meats. Meat enthusiasts can even opt for the Ultimate Angus Lunch featuring Hope Estate’s own Nioka Black Angus beef.
Fernleigh 15
20 October | The much-loved Fernleigh 15 invites runners, walkers and wheelchair participants to take to the Fernleigh Track from Adamstown to Belmont.
Run the lot yourself, or get a team together to take on two to four kilometre sections. The event is a celebration of healthy lifestyle and community. This year’s event will also feature the Fernleigh 1500, a 1500 metre run targeted at encouraging children to run. The kids’ run will be at the end of the main event, so the spectators can cheer them home, creating a memorable experience for young runners. Organisers are expecting as many as 2000 runners in the main 15 kilometre event.
Jodi Picoult
24 October | Hear from bestselling US author Jodi Picoult in conversation with Jessie Stephens about her brilliant new book, By Any Other Name, a captivating novel about two women, centuries apart, fighting to be heard – one of whom may be the real author of Shakespeare’s plays.
This event starts at 7.30pm at the University of Newcastle Conservatorium of Music, copies of Jodi’s books will be for sale at the event thanks to MacLean’s Booksellers and there will be a book signing after the conversation.
Mayfield Day
26 October | Come celebrate the eclectic Mayfield community this Mayfield Day. The family-friendly day out will be filled with a delicious selection of food and beverage vendors, local business pop-ups, loads of kids entertainment and market stalls.
Hunter Events Group will be running the day on behalf of the Mayfield Business Improvement Association. Bring the whole family along for a taste of what this fabulous suburb of Newcastle has to offer.
Cold Chisel
6 November | Cold Chisel is bringing The Big 5-0 tour to Newcastle this November, celebrating five decades of their extraordinary presence on the Australian music scene.
Sparke Helmore Triathlon
10 November | The iconic Sparke Helmore Newcastle City Triathlon will bring an electric atmosphere to Newcastle Harbour Foreshore. The picturesque course starting at Camp Shortland near Nobby’s Beach makes for a beautiful backdrop. Novices through to serious athletes and young competitors are welcome to enter. Complete the swim, cycle and run on your own or get together a relay team to complete a leg each. If triathlons aren’t your thing, come along and cheer on the athletes competing in the 31st year of the race.
The Nutcracker
14 November | Unwrap the magic of The Nutcracker this Christmas as the ballet stars take to the stage at Civic Theatre. Be enchanted by the incredible talent of the dancers as they take you on a journey through a winter wonderland. From the breathtaking snowflakes to the iconic Sugar Plum Fairy, every moment will captivate the audience’s imagination.
Crafted Beer Festival
16 November | Brews, tunes and good times will be a-plenty when the Crafted Beer Festival comes to Newcastle Foreshore. There will be over 300 beers to try, 40 crafty beverage makers, bands, gourmet eats and activities. Crafted will be bringing their signature list of activities to the festival including Beer Yoga and a ping pong competition, plus a whole lot more.
SummerSalt
16 November | SummerSalt is the ultimate Australian music experience, featuring feel-good tunes in scenic destinations, with a family-friendly atmosphere perfect for making lasting memories. Returning to Roche Estate in November 2024, SummerSalt will be headlined by global superstar Hozier, performing his first show in Australia since 2019.
Joining SummerSalt as part of his headline dates for the ‘Unreal Unearth’ 2024 Australian Tour, the Grammy-nominated, award-winning, multi-platinum singer and songwriter will deliver his full set, joined by his incredible band and a lineup of special guests.
Expect a sun-drenched day and good times as you relax into the afternoon and dance the night away.
The Magic Hour
21 – 30 November | Original fairy tales were about bravado, fortune, destiny and courage. But always, watching from the edges, were the quiet ones – the bit characters. The weary mothers, the ugly sisters, the irrelevant queens, the grandmothers.
In The Magic Hour, they get their chance to shine.
From beach shacks and caravan parks, in Housing Commission towers and old school discos, in backyard gardens, and to the familiar tune of one dirty big earthquake, this Upstage production is not to be missed.
Lago di Mac
23 – 24 November | Lago di Mac will celebrate their fourth Lap of Lake Macquarie this November with Italian flair, flavour and automotive heritage.
Spanning two massive days at Thomas H. Halton Park in Croudace Bay, the festival will showcase an impressive display of classic Italian cars, bikes, and scooters from enthusiasts across the country. It will also feature a smorgasbord of culinary delights from a range of Italian food vendors.
Saturday’s activities will begin with an Italian car and bike swap meet, followed by a loop of the lake and a pizza party night. Sunday will feature a large automotive and restaurant display with live entertainment, artisan stalls, delicious gelato, an antipasto zone, games, and more.
Shakespeare Under the Stars
27 November – 8 December | Pacific Park Newcastle will be transformed into a theatre in the round as it hosts a third season of summer Shakespeare Under the Stars. This year, locally grown professional theatre company Whale Chorus will be showing Twelfth Night. The production will delight audiences by bringing to life one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies with a modern twist, live music, and timeless entertainment for the whole family to enjoy.
Lake Mac Carols
1 December | It’s time to get into the Christmas spirit with Lake Macquarie City Council presenting their spectacular evening of carols at Speers Point Park. The free event will feature kids activities along with food trucks, roving entertainment and a jam-packed main stage program including a special visit from Santa. This is one annual Christmas event not to be missed.
Find more in our Spring Edition of Hunter & Coastal Lifestyle Magazine or subscribe here.
