Best Kids Shows to Attend in Newcastle, Central Coast & Sydney in 2025/2026

Book in to attend a stage show or concert with your kids. There’s a range of upcoming kids shows for families to enjoy. Find out about the best kids events including family-friendly concerts, plays, musical shows and theatre performances.

There are lots of great local stage and music shows in the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Central Coast and Hunter area that your kids will love. No matter what the age of your child or their interests, you’re bound to find a show to entertain them. If you feel like a day trip or a night away, head down and catch a show in Sydney. We’ve included shows in Sydney playing in 2025/2026 as well.

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The Unofficial Tribute Show – Taylor: A Tribute to the Eras of Taylor Swift

Showtime presents Josette with international band and dancers in this joyous, effervescent concert experience, complete with sparkly costumes, cosmic stage production and over 20 exquisite renditions of Taylor’s biggest hits from every era of her career, including Shake It Off, Anti-Hero, Cruel Summer, You Belong With Me, Love Story, I Knew You Were Trouble, Blank Space, We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, Bad Blood, Our Song, Lover and more.

Date: 7 January 2026
Location: NEX, Newcastle
Age Group: All ages
Cost: GA Tickets from Adult $75.50, Child (Under 13) $65.30
Website

The Bubble Spectacular

Enter the bubbly brilliant world of Dr Hubble, as he presents The Bubble Spectacular – a fun-filled, out of this world, bubble-riffic show!

Date: 19 January 2026
Location: Civic Theatre
Age Group: All ages
Cost: A Reserve $34.90, Premium $49.90
Website

Mitch Tambo – Musical Performance and Storytime

Join Lake Mac Arts for a special storytime and music performance with Australian world music star, and proud Gamilaraay man, Mitch Tambo. Mitch is travelling across the country with his I AM ME tour, using music, storytelling and culture to inspire young people and encourage self-belief. Celebrate the diversity of First Nations culture in this delightful picture book about being true to yourself. Books available for sale and signing.

Date: 7 March 2026
Location: Rathmines Theatre
Age Group: This event is designed for children of all ages and their families. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Cost: GA $12 plus booking fee, Family ticket (4 people) $40 plus booking fee, Tickets at the door $15 (subject to availability)
Website

Andy Griffiths’ YOU & ME and The Land of Lost Things

The team behind the 13-, 26-, 52-, 78- and 91-Storey Treehouses brings Andy Griffiths and Bill Hopes’ brilliantly bonkers book to the stage in a hilarious new theatrical adventure for children aged 6–12 and their adults.

Date: 14 April 2026
Location: Civic Theatre
Age Group: Recommended for ages 6 – 12
Cost: Standard $40, Under 15 $28, Family of 4 (2A+2C) per person $30
Website

The Next Step: Legacy World Tour 2026

The Next Step: Legacy World Tour is a brand-new live touring dance show featuring fan-favourite cast members from the original and current seasons of the hit teen drama, The Next Step. This is a must-see event for fans of the series and dance lovers alike!

Date: 15 April 2026
Location: Civic Theatre
Age Group: All ages
Cost: A Reserve $79.90, B Reserve $69.90
Website

K-Pop Icons

Get ready to sing, dance, and party like never before with K-POP ICONS LIVE, the ultimate concert experience celebrating the global music phenomenon, K-Pop!

Date: 16 April 2026
Location: Civic Theatre Playhouse
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Tickets from $39 (C Reserve)
Website

Once Upon A One More Time

Once Upon A One More Time is a hilarious, heart-filled adventure that asks: what if happily ever after isn’t the end of the story, but just the beginning?

Date: 9 – 19 April 2026
Location: Civic Theatre Playhouse
Age Group: Recommended for ages 10+
Cost: Opening Night Standard $55, Standard $59, Concession $49
Website

Drum Tao ‘Samurai of the Drum’

Fusing the thunderous power of taiko drumming with martial arts athleticism, choreography, and cinematic staging.

Date: 24 April 2026
Location: Civic Theatre
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Premium from $79.90, Concession from $69.90, Under 17 from $49.90
Website

The Bugs

Presented by Hunter Drama. What can a group of bugs actually do when their ecosystem is threatened? When a couple of disgruntled honeybees discover their habitat is going to be destroyed to make way for a swimming pool, there’s only one thing for them to do: forge an alliance with the other bugs who live in the yard and stop it.

Date: 20 – 24 April 2026
Location: Civic Theatre Playhouse
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Opening Night Standard $55, Standard $59, Concession $49
Website

Aladdin by Victorian State Ballet

Victorian State Ballet proudly presents Aladdin, a spectacular full-length classical ballet that brings the beloved tale to life with grace, colour, and magic. This vibrant production features exquisite choreography by Michelle Cassar de Sierra, dazzling costumes, and a rich musical score that transports audiences into a world of enchantment and adventure. Don’t miss this unforgettable performance that promises to delight, inspire, and transport you to a world where dreams really do come true.

Date: 22 May 2026
Location: PACC Cessnock
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Adult: $58.00, Concession: $55.00, Groups 6+: $55.00, Child: $35.00
Website

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Presented by Hunter Drama. As night falls on an ancient forest, four young lovers flee the city in search of freedom — only to become tangled in a web of love potions, mistaken identities, and mischievous fairies. Meanwhile, a troupe of amateur actors prepares a play so bad it just might be brilliant. Filled with unforgettable characters, dazzling language, and a healthy dose of chaos, A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a whimsical celebration of love in all its wild, ridiculous, and magical forms.

Date: 27 – 31 May 2026
Location: Civic Theatre Playhouse
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Opening Night Standard $55, Standard $59, Concession $49
Website

Shrek Jr! The Musical

See St Philip’s Christian College Cessnock production of SHREK THE MUSICAL JR. Everyone’s favourite ogre is back in this hilarious stage spectacle, based on the Oscar-winning smash hit film and outrageous Broadway musical. Once upon a time, in a faraway swamp, there lived an ogre named Shrek.  

Date: 26 & 27 June 2026
Location: PACC Cessnock
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Tickets from Adult $24, Concession/Child $18, Child (1 & under) Free on lap, Group (10+) $10
Website

Water Mirror

Water Mirror is a breathtaking fusion of Taiko percussion, dance, acrobatics, and cutting-edge projection design. The powerful rhythms of Taiko, led by extraordinary percussionists, resonate throughout the venue, setting the stage as Danza del Arte’s athletic acrobatic dancers command the spotlight and captivate the audiences. Set against a stunning multimedia backdrop, Water Mirror creates an immersive experience that engages the senses. 

Date: 4 July 2026
Location: PACC Cessnock
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Tickets from $45
Website

CLUE

Presented by Hunter Drama. On a dark and stormy night, six unique guests, plus a butler and a maid, assemble for a dinner party at the home of Mr. Boddy. When their host turns up dead, it is clear that no one is safe! Soon the guests are racing to find the killer and keep the body count from stacking up. Based on the popular board game and adapted from the cult classic film, Clue is the comedy whodunit that will keep you guessing (and laughing) to the very end.

Date: 20 – 23 August 2026
Location: Civic Theatre Playhouse
Age Group: Recommended for ages 10+
Cost: Opening Night Standard $55, Standard $59, Concession $49
Website

The Bugalugs Bum Thief

The Bugalugs Bum Thief takes audiences on a whimsical journey through the imaginative world created by Australian author and National Treasure, Tim Winton. This literacy-based play with music, vividly brings to life the colourful characters and quirky adventures from Winton’s beloved book.

Date: 3 September 2026
Location: PACC Cessnock
Age Group: All ages
Cost: All tickets $20
Website

Where is the Green Sheep?

Presented by Monkey Baa Theatre Company. Blending puppetry and animation, this beautiful production invites young audiences to join three farmers on their quest to find the elusive green sheep. Co-created with students from Bankstown West Public School, this production integrates their voices as narrators, ensuring the work resonates deeply with young audiences.

Date: 9-11 July 2026
Location: Civic Theatre
Age Group: All ages
Cost: $49 Premium, $42 A Reserve, $37 Family (4-6 tickets) per person
Website

Cosentino presents TRICKED – An Evening of Wonder

Step into the mysterious world of Australia’s greatest illusionist, Cosentino. Witness the impossible as the ‘International Magician of the Year’ takes you on an unforgettable journey with his brand-new production, ‘TRICKED – An Evening Of Wonder’.

Date: 24 July 2026
Location: Civic Theatre
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Adult $99, Child $80.70, Family (2A+2C) $328.80
Website

Come From Away

Come From Away tells the true story of when 7,000 people from across America and around the world landed on the doorstep of Gander, Newfoundland… and the people of Gander… “put the kettle on”. While the world witnessed the worst acts of humankind, the stranded passengers had their faith in humanity restored by the spirited people who comforted those who had come from away.

Date: 7 – 15 August 2026
Location: Civic Theatre
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Tickets from $79 (Adult), $69 (Child Under 17)
Website

Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show

The return of the hit stage show. This is Bluey’s Big Play, For Real Life. Join the Heelers in their first live theatre show made just for you, featuring brilliantly created puppets, this is Bluey as you’ve never seen it before, brought to real life.

Date: 19 & 20 September 2026
Location: Civic Theatre
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Tickets from $54.90
Website

Disney’s FROZEN – The Broadway Musical

The phenomenon that melted hearts around the world is coming to the Civic Theatre! Disney’s Frozen the Broadway Musical brings the beloved animated classic to life on stage in a dazzling theatrical experience that will captivate audiences of all ages.

Date: 10 – 18 October 2026
Location: Civic Theatre
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Tickets from $69 (C Reserve)
Website

Radium Girls

Presented by Hunter Drama. In the 1920s, hundreds of young women found work in factories painting luminous watch dials — a symbol of progress, elegance, and American ingenuity. But when their bodies began to fall apart, they were met with silence, denial, and a powerful company determined to protect its reputation. Based on true events, Radium Girls is a searing and heartbreaking play about courage in the face of corporate greed. As the women fight for justice, their voices shine brighter than any glow-in-the-dark dial — a reminder that speaking the truth can change the world.

Date: 5 – 7 November 2026
Location: Civic Theatre Playhouse
Age Group: Recommended for ages 10+
Cost: Opening Night Standard $55, Standard $59, Concession $49
Website

Peter and the Wolf and other tales

Join brave Peter and meet the instruments in the orchestra in this enchanting musical journey! This fun and magical musical adventure is headlined by Peter and the Wolf by Sergei Prokofiev. In this exciting story, each character is brought to life by a different instrument – the bird tweets on the flute, the duck waddles with the oboe, and the big, scary wolf growls with the French horns! Follow brave little Peter as he outsmarts the wolf and saves the day! A program of musical story telling for the whole family. A magical introduction to the symphony orchestra and a joyful journey through beloved favourites. The perfect way for kids to discover the magic of music and meet the instruments of the orchestra.

Date: 22 November 2026
Location: Warners Bay Theatre
Age Group: All ages
Cost: GA $50 plus booking fee, Child (12 and under) $35 plus booking fee
Website

SYDNEY

Where is the Green Sheep?

For the first time on the stage, Monkey Baa Theatre Company brings the theatrical adaptation of beloved Australian classic to life; Mem Fox’s and Judy Horacek’s Where is the Green Sheep?

Date(s): 10 – 21 December 2025
Location: Sydney Opera House
Age Group: 1+
Cost: From $29
Website

Cirque Alice

Step into magical ‘Wonderland’ as Cirque Alice reimagines Lewis Carroll’s classic adventures with breathtaking twists and astonishing, gravity-defying feats. A joyous acrobatic adventure filled with heart-stopping moments and unforgettable performances, Cirque Alice is a fantastical extravaganza for all ages!

Date(s): 24 December 2025 – 4 January 2026
Location: Coliseum Theatre
Age Group: All ages
Cost: From $69
Website

Pirates Love Underpants

Ahoy, mateys! Set sail on a hilarious quest for the legendary Pants of Gold in Pirates Love Underpants, based on the bestselling book by Claire Freedman and Ben Cort. It’s a swashbuckling, underpants-loving adventure for the whole family!

Date(s): 4 – 12 January 2026
Location: Sydney Opera House
Age Group: 2+
Cost: Standard $49
Website

Garden of Sound

Play your part in this innovative symphony. Garden of Sound invites you to follow the antics of two loyal gardeners, Dag and Dug, who are trying to bring their garden of sound back to its lush and symphonic potential. Dag loves chaos. Dug loves control. They’re at a standoff and need the help of Young People (that’s you) to rediscover the sounds of the garden before they’re lost forever.

Date(s): 7 – 11 January 2026
Location: Riverside Theatre, Parramatta
Age Group: 4+
Cost: From $25
Website

Duck Pond

Feathers will fly as Circa’s extraordinary performers take flight in Duck Pond. With soaring aerials, gravity-defying balances and daring leaps, this world-class ensemble transforms Swan Lake and The Ugly Duckling into a high-energy spectacle bursting with humour, heart and physical brilliance.

Date(s): 9 – 12 January 2026
Location: Sydney Opera House, Concert Hall
Age Group: 10+
Cost: From $99.90
Website

Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show

This is Bluey’s Big Play, For Real Life. Join the Heelers in their first live theatre show made just for you, featuring brilliantly created puppets, this is Bluey as you’ve never seen it before, brought to real life. 

Date(s): 10 & 11 January 2026
Location: Coliseum Theatre
Age Group: All ages
Cost: From $54.90
Website

Room on the Broom

Adapted from the award winning picture book by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler. Following sell-out seasons across Australia, the team behind The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo’s Child return with songs, laughs and scary fun.

Date(s): 10 – 13 January 2026
Location: The Seymour Centre, Chippendale
Age Group: 3+
Cost: From $43
Website

The Quizzical Mr Jeff

Step into a world of magic, circus, and illusion! The Quizzical Mr Jeff is a versatile circus showman and magician renowned for his unique blend of object manipulation, whimsical illusions, and engaging humour.

Date(s): 13 & 14 January 2026
Location: The Art House, Wyong
Age Group: Recommended for ages 5+
Cost: Adult $15, Child Under 12 $12, Family of 4 (2A, 2C or 1A, 3C):$50
Website

Spike The Echidna

Spike is the story of an echidna who is stolen from his nest by a greedy rat. He hatches from his egg far away from home. A young girl finds him. She is playing alone in the bush because she is being bullied by other children. He has no spikes yet and she doesn’t know what kind of creature he is. She tries to work out where he comes from but accidently puts him in dangerous situations – in the nest of a crocodile, an emu and a turtle. He feels frightened, rejected, alone. As the story unfolds, she helps him to discover where he belongs, and he helps her to find her own “spikes” and stand up to the bullies.

Date(s): 13 & 14 January 2026
Location: The Art House, Wyong
Age Group: Recommended for ages 4-12
Cost: Adult $20, Child Under 12 $15, Family of 4 (2A, 2C or 1A, 3C):$60
Website

The Bogong’s Song

When a brother and sister turn out the lights for the night, they are swept into a world of imagination — a portal to their Dreaming. Seeking an elusive Bogong Moth, they journey into an extraordinary world where Country shares its secrets. In this place, the past speaks through stars, trees, and grasses. Healing begins in the silence between breaths. 

Date(s): 15 – 17 January 2026
Location: Riverside Theatre, Parramatta
Age Group: 5+
Cost: From $24
Website

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show

Alongside The Very Hungry Caterpillar, this show features three other Eric Carle stories, including Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? The team behind the Australian tours of The Gruffalo, Spot, and The 13, 26, 52, 78 & 91-Storey Treehouses will excite, educate and entertain new readers and first-time theatre-goers, while those who grew up with these books will delight in experiencing one of the most popular children’s books ever written.

Date(s): 16 – 19 January 2026
Location: The Seymour Centre, Chippendale
Age Group: 18 months+
Cost: From $43
Website

Waverider

Get swept up in a thrilling ocean adventure in Waverider. Watch amazing acrobatics and get your chance to have your own turn after the show. A new family-friendly, outdoor show that will leave you breathless. 

Date(s): 20 – 24 January 2026
Location: The Art House, Wyong
Age Group: All ages
Cost: FREE
Website

Shrek The Musical

Embark on an epic quest to a far, far away kingdom turned upside down. An unsightly ogre (not a handsome prince) arrives to rescue a feisty princess. Add in a talkative donkey, a “short” tempered villain, an attitude-laden cookie, and over a dozen other fairy tale creatures, and you’ve got a situation that only a true hero can fix! This multi-million-dollar musical is based on the Academy Award-winning animated film and is a hilarious blend of romance, twisted fairy tales, and irreverent fun, proving that there’s more to the story than meets the ear.

Date(s): 21 – 24 January 2026
Location: Coliseum Theatre
Age Group: All ages
Cost: From $59.90
Website

YOU & ME and The Land of Lost Things

CDP Kids presents Andy Griffiths’ YOU & ME and The Land of Lost Things. The team behind the 13-, 26-, 52-, 78- and 91-Storey Treehouses brings Andy Griffiths and Bill Hopes’ brilliantly bonkers book to the stage in a hilarious new theatrical adventure for children aged 6–12 and their adults.

Date(s): 14 & 15 February 2026
Location: The Concourse, Chatswood
Age Group: Recommended for ages 6-12
Cost: Tickets from $41.50
Website

Ballet of Lights: Cinderella

Cinderella returns in a bold, new ballet that’s redefining classical dance. Watch as dancers in illuminated costumes twirl and glow across the stage, breathing new life into this beloved fairytale. Whether it’s the hilarious antics of the evil stepsisters, the opulence of the Royal Ball, or the heartwarming romance between the Prince and Cinderella, each magical moment is brought to life through dance, colour, and light.

Date(s): 27 February – 30 April 2026
Location: The Seymour Centre, Chippendale
Age Group: 5+
Cost: From $50
Website

The Riddle of Washpool Gully

Combining old-fashioned storytelling with contemporary puppetry and miniature sets, The Riddle of Washpool Gully is a reimagined tale of Australian mythology about the incredible creatures that might still live in the uncharted corners of our vast country.

Date(s): 5 March 2026
Location: Riverside Theatre, Parramatta
Age Group: 7 – 14 years
Cost: From $28
Website

Willoughby Symphony Orchestra: Disney’s Frozen in Concert

Join the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra for this ‘snowstorm’ of a concert – perfect for the whole family.

Date(s): 21 & 22 March 2026
Location: The Concourse, Chatswood
Age Group: Recommended for ages 6-12
Cost: Tickets from $46.80
Website

The Lion King

Giraffes strut. Birds swoop. Gazelles leap. The entire Serengeti comes to life as never before. And as the music soars, Pride Rock slowly emerges from the mist. This is Disney’s THE LION KING, making its triumphant return to Sydney!

Date(s): From April 2026
Location: Capitol Theatre, Sydney
Age Group: All ages
Cost: TBA
Website

The Magical Music of Harry Potter – In Concert

Experience the best of the Oscar-nominated music from the Harry Potter films in a unique evening of concert, with a star guest, the Magic Film Orchestra & Choir, and magical illusions!

Date(s): 9 April 2026
Location: The Concourse, Chatswood
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Tickets from $99
Website

The Box Show

Drawing on inspiration from everyday life – home and the land – Junkyard Beats’ The Box Show is a high-energy and captivating performance that will teach your students rhythm and movement, drawing on body percussion and music produced out of recycled materials and everyday objects.

Date(s): 5 – 6 May 2026
Location: The Seymour Centre, Chippendale
Age Group: 7 – 12
Cost: $34
Website

Room on the Broom

Adapted from the award winning picture book by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler. Following sell-out seasons across Australia, the team behind The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo’s Child return with songs, laughs and scary fun.

Date(s): 20 – 22 August 2026
Location: Riverside Theatre, Parramatta
Age Group: 3+
Cost: From $32
Website

ARCO

ARCO is Adam Kelly’s award-wining show about living with autism, or, in Fin bar the fish’s case, living in water. The show takes a heartfelt look at the life and struggles of a young man trying to make connections with the people and world around him. Along the way Adam asks gently of his audience to consider life from his perspective.

Date(s): 25 – 16 August 2026
Location: Riverside Theatre, Parramatta
Age Group: 8 – 12 years
Cost: From $28
Website

The Bugalugs Bum Thief

The Bugalugs Bum Thief takes audiences on a whimsical journey through the imaginative world created by Australian author and National Treasure, Tim Winton. This literacy-based play with music, vividly brings to life the colourful characters and quirky adventures from Winton’s beloved book.

Date(s): 8 – 10 September 2026
Location: The Seymour Centre, Chippendale
Age Group: Recommended for ages 4 – 10
Cost: From $34
Website

Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show

This is Bluey’s Big Play, For Real Life. Join the Heelers in their first live theatre show made just for you, featuring brilliantly created puppets, this is Bluey as you’ve never seen it before, brought to real life. 

Date(s): 23 September 2026
Location: The Art House, Wyong
Age Group: All ages
Cost: $59.90 (24 months+), Family of 4 (2A, 2C or 1A, 3C) $219.60
Website

Where is the Green Sheep?

Presented by Monkey Baa Theatre Company. Blending puppetry and animation, this beautiful production invites young audiences to join three farmers on their quest to find the elusive green sheep. Co-created with students from Bankstown West Public School, this production integrates their voices as narrators, ensuring the work resonates deeply with young audiences.

Date(s): 6 – 16 October 2026
Location: Riverside Theatre, Parramatta
Age Group: Recommended for ages 1 – 6
Cost: From $32
Website

Where is the Green Sheep?

Presented by Monkey Baa Theatre Company. Blending puppetry and animation, this beautiful production invites young audiences to join three farmers on their quest to find the elusive green sheep. Co-created with students from Bankstown West Public School, this production integrates their voices as narrators, ensuring the work resonates deeply with young audiences.

Date(s): 29 – 30 October 2026
Location: The Seymour Centre, Chippendale
Age Group: Recommended for ages 1 – 6
Cost: From $34
Website

Young Refugee

An unforgettable performance of Treehouse Theatre’s Young Refugee. Experience the powerful narratives of child refugees, now teenagers, as they bravely share their real-life journeys of escaping war and persecution to start anew in Australia. Young Refugee invites audiences to engage and connect with the refugee experience, fostering empathy and understanding. 

Date(s): 12 – 14 November 2026
Location: The Seymour Centre, Chippendale
Age Group: Recommended for ages 12+
Cost: Adult $30, Concession $25
Website

Newy with Kids

Since 2012, Newy with Kids has been Newcastle's most trusted family guide, built on over a decade of local knowledge. Founded by local mum Reena Bilen, our platform serves thousands of parents and carers seeking reliable information on family-friendly activities across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, and the Hunter. Our content is created and regularly updated by a team of local parents who live in the region. From curated attraction guides and event listings to kids eat free deals and school holiday programs, we provide the local expertise families rely on for planning adventures with children of all ages.