Get in the spirit of Christmas and take your family and friends along to a show, concert or movie in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & the Hunter.
Keep checking back! We plan to have this guide packed with local Christmas show and concerts to enjoy in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter, with more being added in the weeks ahead. Keep checking back for all the Christmas 2025 fun!
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A Very Newy Christmas
This two-act play is a very Newcastle take on the holiday season, following the complicated lives of several locals in the week before Christmas. With a diverse cast and well-loved Novocastrian locations, the story leads up to Christmas Eve, suggesting that while the characters may not get what they want, they just might get what they need, filling the audience with a joyful Christmas spirit. Newy with Kids saw A Very Newy Christmas on opening night, and we’d highly recommend it for a fun date night or girls/boys night out. Leave the kids at home for this one, though, as there’s coarse language and sexual references.
Date: Thursday 6 – Saturday 15 November 2025
Time: Shows at 2pm & 7pm
Location: Civic Theatre Playhouse
Age Group: Recommended for ages 15+. Contains mild coarse language and sexual references.
Cost: Standard tickets $49, Concession $39, Under 18 $39
Website
BIG Live Presents: The Nutcracker
Ballet’s most iconic story, The Nutcracker, is returning to the Civic Theatre this November, presented by BIG Live after a sell-out 2024 season. Audiences are invited to journey to the Land of Sweets and indulge in the spirit of Christmas tradition. The production features world-class dancers from around the globe, breathtaking snowflakes, and the exquisite Sugar Plum Fairy, all brought to life with dazzling costumes and exquisite sets that are guaranteed to captivate the imagination of the entire family.
Date: Sunday 16 November 2025
Time: Shows at 2pm & 6.30pm
Location: Civic Theatre
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Standard tickets from $64, Concession from$59, Under 17 from $59, Family (2A+2C) $236
Website
A Christmas Spectacular
Experience a symphony of holiday magic as Orchestra Nova, conducted by esteemed musician Kevin Young, in collaboration with Hunter Valley Soprano Jade Riordan, brings your favourite Christmas songs to life. From traditional carols like “O Holy Night” to modern classics, join us for a family-friendly festive concert featuring Australia’s acclaimed Tenor Paul Ettore Tabone and Newcastle’s Waratah Girls choir, conducted by Lindy Connett, for a unique and unforgettable performance that captures the wonder and nostalgia of the season.
Date: Saturday 29 November 2025
Time: 7 – 9pm
Location: Christ Church Cathedral, The Hill
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Tickets from $30
Website
Waratah Brass – Newcastle Presents Christmas Brass
Join in an afternoon of festive music provided by Waratah Brass Academy Band and Waratah Brass as part of their ongoing Concert Series.
Date: Sunday 30 November 2025
Time: From 1.30pm
Location: Warners Bay Theatre, Lake Street, Warners Bay
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Adults $20, Kids FREE, tickets at the door
Website
Christmas Concert Lake Macquarie
Enjoy a wonderful performance by the talented Lake Macquarie U3A Orchestra. The Lake Macquarie U3A Orchestra is comprised of 30+ senior citizens aged 55 and over who have a passion for playing orchestral music. The orchestra will showcase a variety of musical pieces to entertain and delight the audience including popular Christmas pieces, Australian medleys, and popular classical hits.
Date: Friday 5 December 2025
Time: 2 – 3pm
Location: Toronto Library, tirrabiyangba
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free
Website
Kids Christmas Disco at Mayfield West Bowling Club
Get ready to dance, laugh, and jingle! The Mayfield West Bowling Club’s Kids’ Christmas Disco is back again! They’ve got heaps of activities and treats ready to make this day unforgettable: DJ Jingle Beats will be spinning festive favourites and party hits to keep the kids dancing all evening! Dress in your best Christmas outfit!
Date: Saturday 6 December 2025
Time: 5 – 8pm
Location: Mayfield West Bowling Club
Cost: Free entry
Website
Maitland Christmas Movie Night
This year you can head on down to Maitland Regional Sportsground on Saturday 6 December for the Christmas Movie Night. Families can enjoy an evening of fun with kids’ activities, free popcorn and delicious treats, leading to a screening of How the Grinch Stole Christmas under the stars. Tickets are just $5 for adults, while children aged 17 and under can attend for free.
Date: Saturday 6 December 2025
Time: 5 – 9pm
Cost: $5 per person
Location: Maitland Regional Sportsground
Website
Santa Cinema at Glendale City Centre
Santa Cinema is a much-loved Christmas family tradition at Glendale City Centre. This year, families can watch Zootopia 2, Paw Patrol Christmas or SpongeBob after a Meet & Greet with Santa.
Sessions run over the three Saturdays on 6, 13 and 20 December as well as an Accessible session on Sunday 7 December. In the Accessible Santa Movie session, there will be Wheelchair access, reduced volume and dimmed lighting as well as Audio/Visual descriptive headsets available on request.
Get in quick – The tickets for Santa Cinema get snapped up fast. It’s a sensational price of $5 which also includes popcorn and a drink. It’s no wonder why Santa Cinema books out each year.
Date: Saturday 6, 13 and 20 December 2025 (Standard sessions) & Sunday 7 December (Accessible session)
Time: 9:30 arrival for a 10am start
Cost: $5 per person (parents please make sure to book a ticket for yourself to enjoy this fun-filled experience!) Popcorn and drink included in ticket price
Location: Event Cinemas Glendale
Bookings open on Monday 27 November
The Christmas Spectacular
The Christmas Spectacular is the most magical holiday event of the season, offering an extravaganza of music, circus, dance, and magic that celebrates the joy of Christmas. This show features a kaleidoscope of Christmas songs, dances, and world-class variety performers, paying tribute to iconic acts like the Radio City Rockettes and The Nutcracker. The event stars The Voice finalist and musical theatre sensation Prinnie Stevens, who takes the audience on a musical journey through Christmas classics—from traditional songs to Mariah Carey favorites—all delivered with her unique style. With a visit from Santa and his friends, this spectacular production is guaranteed to ignite your holiday spirit.
Date: Wednesday 10 December 2025
Time: From 6.30pm
Location: Civic Theatre
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Standard tickets from $59, Concession from$49, Under 17 from $49, Family (2A+2C) $189
Website
Hunter Ice Skating Christmas Show 2025
Featuring a cast that includes a number of Hunter Ice Skating’s State and National representatives. The rest of the cast consists of skaters ranging in ages from 5 years to Adult and come mainly from their Learn to Skate classes. Hunter Ice Skating invite you to come and watch their talented skaters and class skaters and see how much they have learnt over the last 12 months. The show goes for approximately 1 hour plus a short intermission.
Date: Thursday 11 December 2025
Time: From 10am
Location: Hunter Ice Skating Stadium, Warners Bay
Age Group: All ages
Cost: $18.50 (Child), $23.50 (Adult), $73.50 (Family)
Website
Crafty Cinema at East Maitland Library
Join East Maitland Library for a special holiday edition of Crafty Cinema. Make bookish holiday decorations using recycled materials while watching the madcap adventures of The Grinch (2018). BYO snacks. This is a family event.
Date: Friday 12 December 2025
Time: 6.30 – 8pm
Location: East Maitland Library
Cost: Free, bookings required
Website
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 of Elf (2003, PG) 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: Saturday 13 December 2025
Time: From 5.00pm (carols) – movie at sundown
Location: King Edward Park, Newcastle
Cost: Free
Website
Handel’s Messiah
Presented by Newcastle University Choir and Civic Theatre Newcastle. Handel’s Messiah is the world’s most-loved choral work. It tells the story of the birth and passion of Jesus Christ and was first performed in Dublin in 1742, featuring in Christmas and Easter celebrations ever since. Its most famous movement, the Hallelujah Chorus, is instantly recognisable as one of the most inspirational choral works ever written.
Date: Sunday 14 December 2025
Time: From 2.30pm
Location: City Hall
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Standard $55, Concession $45, Full-time Student $25, Under 17 $25
Website
Christmas in the Sky – Maitland
The Maitland sky will light up with a spectacular Christmas Drone Light Show at 9pm! See Christmas Characters, Grinch, Santa, Elf. FREE Santa photos, letters to Santa North Pole letterbox. Snow machines, bubble show, fairground rides ($30 unlimited ride wristband), food trucks and more.
Date: Tuesday 16 December 2025
Time: 4 – 10pm
Location: Maitland Showground
Age Group: All ages
Cost: This is a ticketed event, with tickets starting at $10
Website
JD’s World of Christmas Magic
Join international award-winning magician Joel Howlett for an interactive, family-friendly spectacular filled with magic, puppets, audience participation, and heaps of Christmas cheer, fun for the young and the young at heart!
Date: Thursday 18 December 2025
Time: From 6pm
Location: PACC Cessnock
Cost: All tickets $5, bookings essential
Website
A Christmas Carol: LIVE Performance
Experience Charles Dickens’ beloved classic, A Christmas Carol, brought to life in a special live retelling presented by The Grainery Church. The theatrical retelling follows Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey of transformation, delivering a timeless message about the beauty of redemption, the power of love, and the miracle of second chances that will stir your heart and lift your spirit.
Date: Thursday 18 – Saturday 20 December 2025
Time: 7pm Thur, Fri, Sat & Matinee 2pm Sat
Location: The Grainery Church, 11 Murray Dwyer Circuit, Mayfield West
Age Group: All ages
Cost: $20 Adult, $10 Child under 16
Website
One Song Sing – Last Christmas Mash Up
This year’s Christmas One Song Sing is Last Christmas Mashup, a mashup of ‘Last Christmas’ by Wham! and ‘Birds of a Feather’ by Billie Eilish. 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: Monday 22 December 2025
Time: From 5.30pm
Location: Wheeler Place, Civic Theatre, Newcastle
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free, but registration required
Website
The Greatest Christmas Show
The Greatest Christmas Show promises an unforgettable night of heart-warming moments, spectacular magic, and world-class entertainment, led by internationally acclaimed Master Illusionist Anthony Street and featuring breathtaking illusions, soaring vocals, incredible dancers, and a jaw-dropping cirque aerial act. This dazzling production blends high-flying feats with touching moments that capture the true meaning of the holiday, including a very special visit from Santa Claus, promising to warm hearts, inspire smiles, and create cherished family memories.
Date: Tuesday 23 December 2025
Time: Shows at 3pm & 7pm
Location: Civic Theatre
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Standard tickets from $50.90, Concession from$46.90, Under 15 from $40.90
Website
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.