Book tickets to a stage show or concert and enjoy a memorable outing with your kids. This guide brings together the best kids shows and family-friendly theatre experiences happening across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, the Central Coast and the Hunter region.
From live theatre and musical shows to interactive performances and family concerts, these local stage events are designed to entertain children of all ages. Whether you’re planning a special day out, a school holiday treat or a first theatre experience, you’ll find plenty of kid-approved options close to home.
Looking to make a weekend of it? We’ve also included a selection of family-friendly kids shows in Sydney, with major theatre productions and concerts playing throughout 2026 — perfect for a day trip or a short family getaway.
Look for this icon showing our Featured Events
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
Circle of Illusion
Escape into a world where sawdust and sequins join cutting edge illusions and spectacular magic to create Circus of Illusion, a show that features death defying escapes, mind-blowing illusions, mime and magic.
Date: 7 April 2026
Location: Civic Theatre
Age Group: All ages performance.
Cost: Standard $59, Under 17 $49, Family of 4 (2A+2C) per person $47.25
Website
Once Upon A One More Time
Presented by Hunter Drama. Powered by the iconic hits of Britney Spears, this bold and glittering jukebox musical flips the fairy-tale world on its head! Packed with pop anthems, dazzling choreography, and girl-power reinvention, 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: Recomended for ages 10+.
Cost: Standard $59, Concession $49
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
Ride the Cyclone
Step right up for a wildly original musical unlike anything you’ve seen before. When six Canadian chamber choir teens meet an untimely end on a rollercoaster, they awaken in a bizarre limbo where a mysterious mechanical fortune teller offers them one final challenge: tell the story of their life. Only one can return to the real world. A global cult sensation with over half a billion views on TikTok, it’s finally arriving in Newcastle.
Date: 29 April – 2 May 2026
Location: Civic Theatre Playhouse
Age Group: Recommended for persons aged 13+.
Cost: $50
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
& Juliet
What if Juliet’s greatest love story was just getting started?
The Broadway and West End smash hit explodes onto the Newcastle stage June 2026. Forget the balcony. Skip the poison. Juliet’s rewriting her story – louder, prouder, and packed with pop anthems you know by heart. & Juliet turns Shakespeare’s tragedy into a fearless, feel-good celebration of love, life, and second chances.
Date: 19 – 28 June 2026
Location: Civic Theatre
Age Group: Recommended for ages 8+.
Cost: Tickets from $69
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.
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. 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
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
Pirates Love Underpants
Join a crew of silly pirates in this laugh-out-loud stage adaptation of the bestselling Pirates Love Underpants picture book. Packed with slapstick humour, colourful characters and audience participation, this is a great first theatre experience for little ones.
Date(s): 4 – 12 February 2026
Location: Sydney Opera House – Playhouse
Age Group: 2+
Cost: From $49
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
Rothar
A visually imaginative physical theatre show where a simple bicycle transforms into a storytelling machine. With minimal dialogue and lots of movement, Rothar is perfect for creative kids who love stories told in unexpected ways.
Date(s): 14 – 18 February 2026
Location: Sydney Opera House – Kids & Families Space
Age Group: 4+
Cost: From $39
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 Gruffalo
Based on the much-loved picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, this magical stage adaptation brings the Gruffalo, Mouse and forest creatures to life with music, puppetry and plenty of laughs.
Date(s): 4 – 12 April 2026
Location: The Seymour Centre, Chippendale
Age Group: 3+
Cost: From $32
Website
Anastasia – The Broadway Musical
Journey from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the glittering streets of Paris in this spectacular Broadway musical inspired by the beloved animated film. Anastasia is a sweeping adventure filled with beautiful music, dazzling costumes and a story of identity, hope and family that older kids and teens will love.
Date(s): 7 April – 7 June 2026
Location: Sydney Lyric Theatre, Pyrmont
Age Group: Recommended for ages 8+
Cost: From $69.90
Website
Erth’s Dinosaurs
Get up close with roaring, life-size dinosaurs in this immersive theatre experience by Erth Visual & Physical Inc. Featuring huge puppets and interactive moments, this is a favourite with dino-obsessed kids.
Date(s): 8 – 19 April 2026
Location: Sydney Opera House – Playhouse
Age Group: All ages
Cost: From $49
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
Cirque du Soleil: KOOZA
A spectacular circus production combining jaw-dropping acrobatics, comedy and vibrant costumes. While not traditional theatre, KOOZA is a huge hit with families and older kids who love big performances.
Date(s): 17 October – 22 November 2026
Location: The Big Top, Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park
Age Group: All ages
Cost: From $79
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