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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Santa Cinema at Glendale City Centre – SOLD OUT
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
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
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
Christmas Movie: Dr Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (PG)
Get ready to cosy up with the Grinch for a Christmas movie night full of laughs and holiday spirit! Wear your Christmas outfit or PJ’s, enjoy some Christmas snacks and watch Dr Suess’ beloved Christmas classic: How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Rated PG. This is a free family event. Note: A ticket must be purchased for each person attending.
Date: Tuesday 16 December 2025
Time: 5 – 6.30pm
Location: Port Stephens Libraries, Salamander Bay & Raymond Terrace Branches
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free, but bookings required
Website
Maitland Christmas Movie Night
This year you can head on down to Maitland Regional Sportsground for a free screening of How the Grinch Stole Christmas under the stars. Enjoy a range of family-friendly activities including kids craft such as create your own Christmas wreath, a visit from Santa and the Lochinvar Fire Brigade, lawn games, free popcorn, and The Grinch on the big screen.
There’ll be ice cream, spiral spuds for purchase, and a BBQ prepared by a local community group, or you can pack your own picnic.This event is alcohol and glass free with bags checked upon entry. BYO camp chairs and rugs.
Date: Thursday 18 December 2025
Time: 5pm – 8:30pm. Gates open at 5pm with movie starting at 6:30 pm.
Cost: Free
Location: Maitland Regional Sportsground
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.