What’s on in Newcastle? Here’s the month’s top events in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & The Hunter especially selected for families.
Biodiversity Day
Thursday 3 October | Blue Gum Hills Regional Park, Minmi |
Why you should go: Bring the kids along to interact with live native animals and visit stalls run by NSW National Parks, Saving our Species, Local Lands Services, Hunter Water, and many more. Activities include nature activities for kids, Aboriginal dance group performance, guided nature and culture walks, free native plant giveaway as well as a free sausage sizzle.
Jack and The Beanstalk
Thursday 3 October – Saturday 5 October | Hamilton | $10 | Details
Why you should go: The famously revolting wit of Roald Dahl is now an exciting musical production for all ages, Jack and the Beanstalk!
Hunter Valley Balloon Aloft Fiesta
Why you should go: The Hunter Valley Balloon Aloft Fiesta will take to the skies over the Hunter Valley in an amazing display of colour and excitement! Each day will see around 30 hot air balloons from all around the country launch together at sunrise and float majestically over the Hunter Valley wine country. Come join in the excitement as a passenger or follow along from the ground.
Lifeline Newcastle Book Fair
Saturday 5 October to Monday 7 October | Unit 35/ 54 Clyde Street, Hamilton North |
Why you should go: Support a great cause and stock up on books. There will be thousands of books available over 3 days. This event is a Lifeline fundraiser, all proceeds will help fund suicide prevention services
Mattara Festival
Saturday 5 October – Sunday 13 October | Wallsend Park| Free but cost for rides | Details
Why you should go: Enjoy family entertainment during the school holidays
Open Day at Fort Scratchley
Monday 7 October | Fort Scratchley, Newcastle East| Free | Details
Why you should go: Explore Fort Scratchley on the long weekend. During the Open
Peter Pan
Thursday 10 October to Saturday 12 October | Civic Theatre Newcastle | Various time
Why you should go: Hunter Drama presents Peter Pan, one of the most beloved and frequently performed family favourites of all time. Join Peter and his mischievous fairy sidekick, Tinkerbell, visit the nursery of the Darling children late one night and, with a sprinkle of pixie dust, begin a magical journey across the stars that none of them will ever forget.
HMRI Open Day
Friday 11 October | Hunter Medical Research Institute |
Why you should go: Discover the exciting world of health, science and medical research at the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) 2019 Open Day. This popular event is filled with interesting and engaging things for kids and teenagers to do including Kids Science Sessions and activities, Science Meets Fiction
Spring Street Festival
Saturday 12 October | Laman Street | 10am – 4pm | Free | Details
Why you should go: This youth-led street festival showcases ideas, activities and local organisations that are working towards a more sustainable and equitable future. Featuring a clothes swap, music, food, art, stalls and workshops on a range of issues like fast fashion, gender equality and climate action this is a street party with a purpose!
Riverlights Multicultural Festival
Saturday 12 October |The Levee, Maitland | 3pm – 9pm | Free | Details
Why you should go: Celebrate diversity at the Riverlights Multicultural Festival on Saturday 12 October from 3pm to 9pm at The Levee in Central Maitland. This free family-friendly festival showcases cultures from around the globe including global cuisine, live music and dance, language classes, lantern making and cooking demonstrations.
Sportsfest
Sunday 13 October | Speers Point Park |
Why you should go: SportFest is an all ages family-friendly event hosted by the Hunter Academy of Sport. Fun and engaging simulators, batting cages and sports challenges will be dotted along the Sportsgrounds giving kids young and young-at-heart the opportunity to have a try at a new sport or test their skills and speed on a sport they already love. Fitness classes, health and wellness booths, and healthy food stalls will all be a part of the day.
Lake Mac Food & Wine Festival
Saturday 19 October | Speers Point Park | 12pm –
Why you should go: Buy and taste local produce and enjoy the variety of wine tasting and beer tasting whilst relaxing and listening to the great selection of musicians. The event is family-friendly with a great Kids Zone.
Lake Macquarie Superboats
Saturday 19 October & Sunday 20 October| Marmong Point | 9am –
Why you should go: Grab a prime position on the foreshore to watch Offshore Superboats racing at speeds of up to 200 km/hr and enjoy other activities around the lake including
The Great Get Together Picnic in Speers Point Park
Tuesday 22 October| Speers Point Park | 11am – 2pm | Free | Details
Why you should go: This year Children’s Week, Mental Health Month and Lake Macquarie Family Day Cares’ 40th birthday all collide. Lake Macquarie City Council will be hosting a joint celebration at Speers Point Park to mark these special occasions, and recognise Council’s Me2 program. The free event includes activities for all ages with a reptile show and therapy ponies featuring alongside Cycling Without Age, ‘big games’, such as Jenga and Connect Four, and loads more.
My Kids Market
Sunday 27 October | Newcastle Basketball Stadium |
Why you should go: Want some gently used baby and kids clothing, toys or goods for a fraction of the retail price? Head to My Kids Market on Sunday 27 October 2019. My Kids Market provides families with the opportunity to purchase quality preloved items at huge savings. The market held three times a year in Newcastle is filled with local stallholders selling their family’s gently used baby and kids goods that they no longer need.
Thoroughly Modern Millie JR.
Tuesday 1 October – Saturday 2 November | Hamilton | From $20 | Details
Why you should go: Young Peoples Theatre, a not-for-profit youth theatre company in Newcastle is presenting Thoroughly Modern Millie JR. during the school holidays. Filled with fun flappers, dashing leading men and a villainess audiences will love to hate, Thoroughly Modern Millie JR. is a clever adaptation of the six-time-Tony-Award-winning Best Musical and the Academy Award-winning film.
Photo: Biodiversity Day
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