Looking for something that gets the kids off screens, sparks their imaginations and keeps you entertained too? Newcastle Fringe Festival is back from 14 – 29 March 2026 with a jam-packed program of 15 fun, family-friendly shows designed to delight kids, parents and grandparents alike.
Across three weekends, Newcastle Fringe invites families to dive into a world of magic, music, laughter, bubbles, storytelling and playful chaos — all delivered in bite-sized, affordable shows perfect for curious young minds and grown-ups who love to laugh along.
Set across venues in Hamilton / Broadmeadow, such as Young People’s Theatre and the Polish Club as well as Souths Merewether, Newcastle Fringe makes it easy to build a family day out around the shows – grab lunch, hit the playground or beach, then pop in for a performance that might just become the highlight of the weekend.
FRINGE FEAST (Free Event)
The festival will launch with Fringe Feast, a free community street party on Saturday 14 March 2026, celebrating Hamilton’s vibrant food and entertainment scene. The event is supported by the City of Newcastle Special Business Rate funding and Hello Hamilton.
Fringe Feast will fill the streets with music, colour and performance, creating a family-friendly celebration to mark the opening of the festival and featuring taster performances by Fringe artists.
Artists expected to make an appearance at Fringe Feast include everyone’s favourite, The Pretty Amazing Jono, the visually spectacular Creative Creatures, Divine Folles á Newy, Ark Hive, and KehdiDoofi Disqo, along with roving artists and fire dancing. There are also workshops, face painting, competitions, craft tables and even a silent disco!
Newcastle Fringe Family-Friendly Shows
On March 14, the festival itself kicks off for two weeks of extraordinary performances. Children, teenagers and families have multiple opportunities to come along and support our own Newy Fringe and experience the magic of live shows.
There are some familiar faces in this year’s lineup of kids’ shows including previous award winners and nominees, as well as new shows.
Winni Wizard and Her Magical Smells
Brand new to Newcastle Fringe are Winni Wizard and Her Magical Smells. The Wacky Wizard is back with her hilarious hijinks for 4-400 year olds. A laugh-out-loud comedy adventure for kids, bursting with songs, silliness and of course a little magic! When Winni is left in charge of her parents’ magic shop, everything that can go wrong absolutely does! This high energy, interactive whirlwind is stuffed with jokes funnier than your Dad’s. Perfect for the whole family, even your stinky goblin brother.
Evolution Revolution
If your kids love science, don’t miss Evolution Revolution all the way from the UK, it’s an interactive games show about evolution that will test the whole family’s knowledge.
Mr Snotbottom’s Stinky Silly Show
He’s the Prince of Putrid, the Willy Wonky of Weird – it’s Mr Snotbottom’s Stinky Silly Show! A hilariously disgusting kids’ comedian with gross-tastic gags, slimy songs, and ooey-gooey fun for weird kids 4 + and their weirder parents!
The Giant Balloon Show
The Giant Balloon Show offers big fun! Take everything you know about balloons, add an award-winning entertainer, an 80s soundtrack, and twist that into a hilarious show for the whole family.
The Magical World of Crazy Science
The Magical World of Crazy Science with multi-award winning entertainer Richard Scholes is an explosive mix of spectacular science and theatrical magic, taking audiences on a wild ride with eye popping experiments and larger than life chemical reactions, from bubbling potions to flashes of fire, proving science really is cool.
The Pretty Amazing Show
The Pretty Amazing Show is back with fresh magic, mischief, and maker mayhem! This award-winning family show bursts with mad magic, ridiculous robots, and super circus stunts.
Muffet Mayhem
At Young People’s Theatre, you’ll find Muffet Mayhem. Join the adventurous Muffet girls as they tumble through nursery rhymes, meeting beloved characters and learning life’s ups and downs through catchy songs and laughter. Written by award-winning playwright Claire Thomas and performed by Young People’s Theatre, this joyful, family-friendly show will have audiences clapping and cheering along!
Creative Creatures Kids Spectacular
Creative Creatures Kids Spectacular bursts with colour, comedy, and high-energy fun! Featuring glowing LED lights, UV props, hula hoops, and silk fans, this playful performance invites kids to join the magic. With vibrant music, interactive dance, and captivating visuals, it’s a family-friendly celebration of creativity sure to inspire the kids.
Coach Mon’s Comedy Games
Coach Mon’s Comedy Games is like the Olympics but HILARIOUS & interactive! This award-nominated family comedy bursts with music, clowning & sports-tastic events like eyebrow push-ups & a slow-motion race. Little champions will move, groove & dream — then score a custom medal! Perfect for kids 4+/primary age, with younger siblings welcome to join the fun!
P. Gee
Calling adultish children & childish adults! Love comedy that’s chaotic & clean? Hectic & harmless? Innocent & edgy? From veteran family comedian Mr Snotbottom/Mark Trenwith, comes an accessible and irreverent show P. Gee that grandparents and teenagers can enjoy equally.
Monski Mouse’s Baby Disco Dance Hall
In Monski Mouse’s Baby Disco Dance Hall, enjoy an epic session of bopping, bonkers, beautiful disco fun hosted by DJ Monski Mouse. Expect high-energy smiling to retro beats and thumping nursery rhymes.
Bubble Show in Space
Then there’s Bubble Show in Space. Combining an outer space adventure with the best bubble tricks, amazing puppetry and laugh out loud slapstick, these multi award-winning performers, there’s no shortage of bubbles to enjoy.
Gertie Goose’s Eggcellent Twisted Fairy Tales
Explore the world of fairy tales in Gertie Goose’s Eggcellent Twisted Fairy Tales. Join Gertie Goose on a musical adventure (with magic!) as she discovers the eggstraordinary truth behind Jack and the Beanstalk, the Troll and the Goats, Puss in Boots, Goldilocks and more…
Super Hubert Magic Show
To round off the kids shows, there’s local favourite, Super Hubert. He has a rare gift; the ability to totally capture a child’s imagination and attention then take them on a magical ride through his show which is full of humour, sleight-of -hand tricks, illusions and antics
In addition to these 15 kids shows, there are plenty of other shows on offer that kids are welcome to attend. Check the audience rating on the program for PG or G listings in all genres.
With an average ticket price of just $25–$30, Newcastle Fringe is one of the most accessible family arts experiences on the calendar.
Whether your child loves magic, music, silliness, stories or surprises they’ve never seen before, Newcastle Fringe 2026 is your invitation to explore creativity together, laugh loudly and make memories that last long after the curtain comes down.
The full Newcastle Fringe program is online now, with tickets on sale from 1 February and early-bird discounts (10% off most shows) available until 14 February. Buy your tickets early because some of these shows will definitely sell out.
Discover what’s on and plan your Fringe adventure at the Newcastle Fringe Festival website