There is plenty to celebrate in Newcastle CBD with Autumn Alive. City of Newcastle is delivering a jam-packed program of free events and activations that will cater to everyone, thanks to $500,000 in funding from Investment NSW.
The month-long program features an outdoor cinema experience at Museum Park, alfresco dining at Civic Theatre, pop-up drag bar at Newcastle Library, night-time walking trails to highlight the city’s restaurants, venues and boutique retailers, culminating with a final night street party on Laman Street. Explore the city centre this May to rediscover Newcastle at night in support of small business and the arts and cultural sector
Autumn Alive program highlights:
Launch night at Pacific Park
Friday 29 April
Autumn Alive will kick off at Pacific Park with electronic music, DJs, food trucks, a silent disco and a performance by Curious Legends and Catapult Dance Artists. New interactive lightbox installations will be unveiled on the night, displaying iconic artworks from Newcastle Art Gallery’s collection.
Library After Dark
Thursday and Friday nights, 5-9pm
Newcastle Libraries and Newcastle Art Gallery present Library After Dark – an eclectic series of evening pop-up events. There will be Crime Canapes & Cocktails with Barry Maitland in conversation with Jamie Lewis, The Library is Opendrag bar featuring Timberlina and Foxxe Faux, and a Bad Art Party featuring local artists Jen Denzin & Joanne Back.
Bad Art Party
Thursday 19 May 2022, 5-9pm
Bad Art Party is a social art event filled with kitschy craft-making and is a fun celebration of the underrated art forms taking the world by storm. Leave your art skills at the door and see what you can come up with in our artist-led workshop with local artists Jen Denzin and Joanne Back. Bookings are essential and for adults-only.
Night-time Walking Trails
Friday and Saturday nights throughout May
City of Newcastle has partnered with our city’s restaurants, galleries, bars and boutique retailers during Autumn Alive to bring to you curated Night-time Walking Trails. Download the City of Newcastle App to discover the hidden, and not so hidden gems of our city.
Pacific Nights
Saturday and Sunday nights throughout May
Produced by Newcastle’s best emerging programmers enjoy live music, spoken word, dance and interactive lighting in Pacific Park each Saturday and Sunday night throughout Autumn Alive. Bring a picnic rug, pick up a takeaway meal from one of our local business partners and celebrate the emerging creative scene.
Movies at Museum Park
Thursday and Friday nights, 6-9pm
Newcastle Museum will celebrate their latest exhibition, Alice’s Wonderland – A Most Curious Adventure, airing classic Disney movies under the stars in Museum Park. Bring a picnic blanket, grab some popcorn, ice-cream, or enjoy a drink from the bar whilst watching Disney favourites. Newcastle Museum will stay open late during Autumn Alive for guests to explore after dark.
| Friday 29 April | Alice in Wonderland (1951) | G | 75 min |
| Thursday 5 May | Robin Hood (1973) | G | 83 min |
| Friday 6 May | A Little Mermaid (1989) | G | 83 min |
| Thursday 12 May | 101 Dalmatians (1961) | G | 79 min |
| Friday 13 May | Beauty and the Beast (1991) (CC) | G | 84 min |
| Thursday 19 May | Cinderella (1950) | G | 75 min |
| Friday 20 May | The Jungle Book (1967) (CC) | G | 78 min |
What you need to know about ‘Movies in Museum Park’
- Free entry, no bookings required
- BYO picnic rug or chairs
- Bar, popcorn and ice cream available for purchase by local stallholders
- Movies start when it is dark (6:15 pm)
- Late night access to Alice’s Wonderland (tickets available at the door)
- Museum open late, until 9 pm
- Movies will go ahead inside the Museum in case of wet weather
East End Party
Saturday, 7 May 2022
The newest part of Newcastle’s CBD is open for business and this is your opportunity to check it out in style. Local businesses invite you to taste and see all that the new East End Stage 1 has to offer with boutique wine tasting, dumplings, an alfresco art exhibition, stringed musicians, contemporary dance and operatic vocals.
Closing Night: Laman Street Party
Saturday, 21 May 2022
Come along to Autumn Alive’s final night party on Laman Street with live music, dance, an art installation by Newcastle Art Gallery, local food stalls and more. Follow City of Newcastle’s social channels for the headline act announcement!
Visit What’s On Newcastle for Autumn Alive event details, dates and times.
Started in late 2012 by a local mum, Newy with Kids has grown into a thriving go-to family guide for the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter region. Parents visit the Newy with Kids website to find things to do with babies, kids and teens. Whether it’s local attractions, upcoming events, kids eat free, school holiday activities or birthday party ideas, Newy with Kids is the best website for local parents to find local kid-friendly activities and information 24/7.
