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.
Please note: National Science Week runs from Saturday 15 – Sunday 23 August, 2026. If you’re looking for National Science Week activities, refer to our article National Science Week 2026: What’s On in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter.
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August at a Glance
- Throughout August — Orange Picking at Cedar Farm | Mr Squiggle and Friends Exhibition
- Until 15 August — Young People’s Theatre Presents: The Sound of Music
- 1 August — Winterheat Festival
- 5 August — Story Explorers
- 7 – 30 August — YOU ARE A UNIVERSE Exhibition
- 9 August — ART PLAY at MAP mima
- 16 August — Medieval Fair at Hunter Region Botanic Gardens
- 16 August — ARTSPACE: Free Family Artmaking at MAC yapang
- 20 August — Digitales: Storytime and Art
- 20-23 August — Hunter Drama Presents: Clue
- 22 August — Hunter Valley Highland Games
- 23 August — Hunter Science Festival
- 25 August — The Bugalugs Bum Thief
- 27–30 August — Impact Festival 2026
- 28–30 August — Newcastle Outdoor Adventure & Lifestyle Expo
- 29 August — Glendale Community Day | Crafternoon at The Lockup
- 30 August — Waste on the Waterfront | Emma Memma’s Jungle Picnic Tour | Edgeworth Trains
August Events
Orange Picking at Cedar Farm
Want a fun day out? Go fruit picking with your family. Late June is the start of the navel orange picking season. Wander through 15 acres of orchards at Cedar Farm which is home to 3000 orange trees, that are a mix of mostly navel oranges.
Date: Every weekend until closing in late August.
Time: 10am to 4pm
Location: Cedar Farm, Dooralong
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free entry. You’ll pay $2.50 a kilo this year for farm fresh navel oranges that you’ve personally picked
Website
Mr Squiggle and Friends Exhibition
Newcastle Museum has a new exhibition and it is a nostalgic one. Mr Squiggle and Friends: The Creative World of Norman Hetherington has opened as the first stop on its national tour, and it is packed with puppets, props and plenty of reasons to bring the whole family along.
Date: Saturday 4 July – 1 November July 2026 (closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Open 7 days in school holidays)
Location: Newcastle Museum
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free
Website
Winterheat Festival
Winterheat 2026 is a FREE, all-ages celebration of community, creativity, and keeping cozy. 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. Read our article about Winterheat.
Date: Saturday 1 August 2026
Time: 5 – 9pm
Location: Pacific Park, Newcastle East
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free
Website
Story Explorers
Join Newcastle Museum for stories and adventures on the first Wednesday of each month, during school terms, exploring different items in the Museum collection.
Date: Wednesday 5 August 2026
Time: 11.15am – 12pm
Location: Newcastle Museum
Age Group: Aimed at ages 3-5 years, but all ages welcome!
Cost: Free, no bookings needed, just drop-in!
Website
YOU ARE A UNIVERSE: Ryan Wild – Exhibition
An immersive 360 degree projection experience that takes audiences on a poetic journey through the solar system, blending astronomy, mythology and reflection. A lovely one for families keen on something a bit different and thought provoking, with striking visuals and sound design.
Date: Friday 7 August – Sunday 30 August 2026
Time: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 9am to 2pm
Location: Multi-Arts Pavilion (MAP mima), 96 Creek Reserve Road, Speers Point
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. 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: Ticketed – check website for prices
Website
Hunter Science Festival
Newcastle’s biggest science celebration takes over the Newcastle Museum for a free day of hands-on activities. Over thirty of your favourite stalls from last year are back, plus there’s even more science fun and hands-on experiences for kids and adults. Robot races, solar car building, the HMRI Poo Palace inflatable, science shows and talks from local scientists.
Date: Sunday 23 August 2026
Time: 10am – 3pm
Location: Newcastle Museum, Honeysuckle
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free entry. No bookings required for most activities, some shows have free tickets available on the day.
Website
The Bugalugs Bum Thief
Hold onto your bums – The Bugalugs Bum Thief steals into the Civic Theatre this August. Civic Theatre Newcastle and Red Line Productions are delighted to present The Bugalugs Bum Thief, a musical adaptation of Tim Winton’s award-winning children’s book of the same name. This literacy-based play with music, vividly brings to life the colourful characters and quirky adventures from Winton’s beloved book.
Date: Tuesday 25 August 2026
Time: 10am & 12:30pm
Location: Civic Theatre Newcastle
Age Group: Ideal for kids 4 – 10
Cost: Ticketed – check website for prices
Website
Impact Festival 2026
Four days of contemporary dance take over the region, with performances, dance film screenings, artist talks and workshops for both audiences and industry folk. A great one for older kids and teens with an interest in dance or performance, especially the workshops with guest artists.
Date: Thursday 27 to Sunday 30 August 2026
Location: Warners Bay Theatre, baramayiba, Warners Bay
Age Group: Best suited to teens and adults with an interest in dance
Cost: Ticketed – check website for prices
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.
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: Ticketed – check website for prices
Website
Glendale Community Day
Join Glendale City Centre for a free fun-filled, family-friendly Community Day on Saturday 29 August from 10am to 2pm, in the undercover market precinct alongside the vibrant Glendale Farmers & Artisans Markets. This exciting event celebrates our local community with a full line-up of interactive activities, emergency service displays, free entertainment and more.
Date: Saturday 29 August 2026
Time: 10am to 2pm
Location: Glendale City Centre
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free
Website
Crafternoon at The Lockup
A monthly hands-on art-making session for kids and families at The Lock-Up in Newcastle, Crafternoons are inspired by what’s currently showing in the gallery, so each one is a little different. A good option if your kids like making things and you want something with a bit more substance than a standard craft activity.
Date: Saturday 29 August 2026
Time: 10.30am – 12.30pm
Location: The Lock-Up, 90 Hunter Street, Newcastle
Age Group: Families with children
Cost: Ticketed – check website for prices
Website
Emma Memma’s Jungle Picnic Tour
Pack your picnic baskets and get ready to go on a jungle picnic adventure with Emma Memma and her Memma mates at the Civic Theatre on the 30th of August! With colourful storytelling, get-up-and-dance songs, interactive games and cheeky jungle animals, this lively show is perfect for children and the whole family.
Date: Sunday 30 August 2026
Time: 10am
Location: Civic Theatre, Newcastle
Age Group: All ages (babes in arms welcome under 12 months)
Cost: Ticketed – check website for prices
Website
Waste on the Waterfront
A free family morning down at Swansea Belmont SLC with a fishing workshop for kids, wildlife talks, a tackle recycling drop-off and a sausage sizzle. Kids Corner sessions and the fishing workshop need bookings, so sort those before you arrive, and bring hats, sunscreen and enclosed shoes for the outdoor activities.
Date: Sunday 30 August 2026
Time: 10am – 1pm
Location: Swansea Belmont SLC, 118 Ungala Rd, Blacksmiths
Age Group: All ages, with a dedicated Kids Corner and a fishing workshop for 8 to 14 year olds
Cost: Mix of free and paid activities
Website
Edgeworth Trains
Ride on a miniature train at Lake Macquarie Live Steam Locomotive Society’s monthly public ride day. There’s a variety of miniature trains such as steam and diesel and different rail routes (both elevated and ground-level) so you can easily spend a couple of hours watching and riding trains.
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.