Looking for what’s on in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie or the Hunter Valley this August? You’ll find the best family-friendly events right here — from festivals to shows, free community events and everything in between.
Events are listed by date so you can easily plan your week or weekend, whether you’re heading out during the week, or just looking for something fun to do with the kids on the weekend.
🔖 Bookmark this page — we update it throughout the month so you can easily find what’s on in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter.
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August at a Glance
- August (date TBC) — WinterHeat Festival, Pacific Park Newcastle
- August (date TBC) — Hunter Science Festival, Newcastle Museum
- 22 August — Hunter Valley Highland Games, Lovedale
- 28–30 August — Newcastle Outdoor Adventure & Lifestyle Expo
- 28–30 August — 37th Newcastle Jazz Festival, Newcastle City Hall
- 30 August — Edgeworth Trains
Ongoing in August
These events run across multiple weeks in August.
Sustainable Neighbourhoods Waste to Art Competition
Sustainable Neighbourhoods are inviting individual artists, community and school groups to register for this community art exhibition that aims to educate, inform and challenge perspectives on waste. Registrations are now open for 2026. The exhibition will be held across two locations in Charlestown and Swansea from 23 October 2026 to 30 January 2027.
Date: Registrations now open
Location: The exhibition is open to community members from across the region
Age Group: Open to all ages
Cost: Free to enter
Website
August Events
WinterHeat Festival
Newcastle’s long-running free winter festival lights up Pacific Park with fire sculptures, live music, roving performers, street food, kids’ face painting and a silent disco hill. Now in its 22nd year, it’s one of the city’s most loved free nights out.
Date: August 2026 — date TBC, check website
Time: TBC — check website
Location: Pacific Park, Newcastle East
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free
Website
Hunter Science Festival
Newcastle’s biggest science celebration takes over the Newcastle Museum for a free day of hands-on activities. Robot races, solar car building, the HMRI Poo Palace inflatable, science shows and talks from local scientists. No bookings required for most activities; some shows have free tickets available on the day.
Date: August 2026 — held annually during National Science Week; date TBC, check website
Time: 10am – 2pm
Location: Newcastle Museum, Honeysuckle
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free
Website
Hunter Valley Highland Games
Pipe bands, Highland dancing, caber tossing, Jacobite reenactments and a kids’ activity area set against the vineyards of Saltire Estate in Lovedale, about 50 minutes from Newcastle and well worth the drive. There are food stalls and market vendors on site too, so you can make a full day of it.
Date: Saturday 22 August 2026
Time: 9am – 4pm
Location: Saltire Estate, 113 Wilderness Road, Lovedale
Age Group: All ages Cost: Adults $30, Concession & Children 13–18 years $25, Children under 13 FREE
Website
Newcastle Outdoor Adventure & Lifestyle Expo
Three days of caravans, camper trailers, 4×4 vehicles, camping gear, live entertainment and activities at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre — a good one for families who love the outdoors or are planning a road trip. Entry pricing TBC; check the website before you go.
Date: Friday 28 – Sunday 30 August 2026
Time: Friday and Sunday 8.30am – 4pm; Saturday 8.30am – 5pm
Location: Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Broadmeadow
Age Group: All ages
Cost: TBC — check website
Website
37th Newcastle Jazz Festival
Enjoy three days of live jazz across four rooms at Newcastle City Hall. Traditional, swing, blues, contemporary, big band and more, with 55 hours of music across the weekend. Accompanied under-18s get in free, making it a great family outing for older kids with a musical interest.
Date: Friday 28 – Sunday 30 August 2026
Time: Friday 6pm; Saturday 10am, 1.30pm and 6pm; Sunday 10am and 12.30pm
Location: Newcastle City Hall
Age Group: All ages (accompanied under-18s free)
Cost: Various session and weekend passes available — check website
Website
Edgeworth Trains
The Lake Macquarie Live Steam Locomotive Society’s monthly public ride day. Steam and diesel miniature trains on elevated and ground-level tracks through bushland. Affordable, relaxed and great for little train lovers of any age.
Date: Sunday 30 August 2026
Time: Trains from 12.30pm – 3.30pm (weather permitting); park open from 9.30am
Location: Velinda Street, Edgeworth
Age Group: All ages
Cost: $3 per train ride. Children under 2 years old are free.
Website
What’s On Next Month?
Looking for more events in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter? Check out our What’s On Guide with information about events all year long. The guide provides a list of local family-friendly events organised by month.