It won’t be be long until the Christmas season ramps up across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland and the Hunter, and each year, there is plenty on for families. From the big light displays to free community days and Santa sightings, this guide brings together the standout events happening across the region.
Looking for something specific? Check out our dedicated guides to Christmas carols, Christmas markets, Christmas shows and movies and Santa photo locations. For the full festive rundown including lights, budgeting tips and things to do at home, start with our Ultimate Guide to Christmas.
We update this page as new events are confirmed, so bookmark it and check back through November and December.
Jump to: Big Ticket Events | Markets | Free Community Days | Carols | Movie Nights | FAQs
Look for this icon showing our Featured Christmas Events
Big Ticket & Standout Events
Hunter Valley Gardens Christmas Lights Spectacular
Celebrate the festive season with a family night to remember. Wander through dazzling themed light displays made up of over 4 and a half million of twinkling lights, enjoy amazing amusement rides (extra cost), roving entertainment, hearty food, beverages and so much more! Make memories that will shine bright for years to come.
Date: To be confirmed
Time: 9.00am – 10.30pm
Location: Hunter Valley Gardens, Broke Road, Pokolbin
Cost: Night Pass: $41 (Adult 16+), Child (4-15) $31.00, FREE (3 and under), Day/Night Passes and Family Passes available
Website
Free Community Days & Santa Sightings
Jingle in the City
Get ready to Jingle in the City as Newcastle’s Christmas season officially begins! Head to Wheeler Place. There will be festive live music, carolling choir, dance performances and more. Then enjoy live music performances by local schools and community groups every Friday and Sunday evening at Wheeler Place (next to Civic Theatre).
Date: To be confirmed
Time: 5 – 8pm
Location: Wheeler Place, Newcastle
Cost: Free
Website
Carols & Sing-Alongs
Lake Mac Carols
Lake Macquarie City Council’s flagship carols by candlelight event, with live entertainment, family activities, food trucks and a visit from Santa.
Date: Sunday 13 December 2026
Time: 3pm to 8.45pm
Location: Speers Point Park
Cost: Free
Website: Find out more
Christmas Under the Stars
Newcastle Permanent’s long-running carols night at King Edward Park, with free kids’ activities, food vendors and an outdoor screening of Elf after the carols wrap up. A free shuttle bus runs between Bar Beach car park and the park.
Date: To be confirmed
Time: From 5pm (carols), movie at sundown
Location: King Edward Park, Newcastle
Cost: Free
Website: Find out more
Lambton Park Carols
The annual Lambton Park Carols is a family-friendly, community celebration of Christmas organised by Hunter Bible Church. The popular event includes food stalls and a fireworks finale. Get a group together and enjoy a picnic to celebrate Christmas.
Date: Sunday 20 December 2026
Time: 5-9pm
Location: Lambton Park
Cost: Free
Website
One Song Sing – Last Christmas Mash Up
Newcastle’s own enormously popular pop-up community choir returns to help sing in the end of the year. Join in for a special Christmas One Song Sing in Wheeler Place. Learn the song, in a three-part harmony, in one hour with friends, family and complete strangers.
Date: To be confirmed
Time: From 5.30pm
Location: Wheeler Place, Civic Theatre, Newcastle
Cost: Free, but registration required
Website
There are more carols events across the region through December, including Carols by the Lake at Croudace Bay and Lambton Park Carols. For the full list organised by date, see our Christmas Carols guide.
Movie Nights
Christmas Under the Stars at King Edward Park
A local Christmas tradition returns! Newcastle Permanent’s Christmas Under the Stars is back at King Edward Park for another evening of free carols and festive fun. From 5.00pm, enjoy live Christmas carols, tasty food vendors, and free kids’ activities including arts and crafts, face painting, and lawn games. Keep an eye out for Santa before settling in for a magical outdoor screening with free popcorn! Don’t forget your picnic blanket when you hop on the free shuttle bus running between Bar Beach Car Park and King Edward Park for the carols event Newcastle families look forward to every year.
Date: To be confirmed
Time: From 5.00pm (carols) – movie at sundown
Location: King Edward Park, Newcastle
Cost: Free
Website
Maitland Christmas Movie Night
Families can enjoy an evening of fun with kids’ activities, free popcorn and delicious treats, leading to a screening of a Christmas movie under the stars. Enjoy a range of family-friendly activities including kids craft , a visit from Santa, lawn games, free popcorn, and a movie on the big screen.
Date: To be confirmed
Time: 5 – 9pm
Cost: Free
Location: Maitland Regional Sportsground
Website
For more festive screenings and shows, see our Christmas Shows, Concerts & Movies guide.
Good to Know
Most of these events are free and family friendly, but a few things are worth planning around. Bring a picnic blanket and cash for food trucks, as EFTPOS lines can be slow at busy events. Outdoor events in December can be cancelled or moved at short notice due to extreme heat, so check the event page on the day if temperatures are forecast to be high. For evening events like Christmas Under the Stars, arrive early to grab a spot on the grass before the sun goes down, and take advantage of free shuttle buses where they are offered rather than fighting for parking.
🎄 🎅🏼 Make sure that you don’t miss any of the other fun and family-friendly Christmas events and activities in Newcastle and the Hunter, visit the Newy with Kids Guide to Christmas.