What’s on in December? Here’s the month’s top events in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & The Hunter specially selected for families. There is a mix of ticketed and free events for parents, grandparents and carers to enjoy some family fun.
For Christmas and NYE events, check out the Newy with Kids Guide to Christmas and our NYE 2025 Guide
Look for this icon showing our Featured Events
Model Newcastle: Big Stories, Little Things
A captivating exhibition of models and miniatures that celebrate Newcastle’s history, creativity and community. From intricate railways and maritime marvels to dollhouses, puppetry and cinematic cityscapes, this exhibition brings together treasures from Newcastle Museum’s collection alongside contributions from local makers and storytellers.
With playful, hands-on experiences, displays of technical brilliance and moments of nostalgia, this exhibition invites visitors of every age to discover the big stories told by these little things.
Date: Runs until February 2026
Time: Newcastle Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday 10am – 5pm. It’s open 7 days a week during NSW school holidays and Public Holidays.
Location: Newcastle Museum
Age Group: All ages
Cost: $10 (adults), $8 (concession), $5 (children 5-16), FREE (children 4 and under). Family tickets for two adults and two children can be purchased for $25.
Website
Big Summer Read with NSW Libraries
Join. Borrow. Read. Win. The Big Summer Read Challenge runs from Monday 1 December 2025 to Saturday 31 January 2026. The aim of the challenge is for children to read and log as many books as they can over Summer. Children will need to read and log a minimum of 5 books or 5 days of reading to be recorded between these dates to be eligible for the Statewide prize draws. Anyone between the ages of 0-18 is welcome to participate. Readers can log any book they read, that is read to them or is listened to. Ebooks, audiobooks and graphic novels count!
Date: Monday 1 December 2025 – Saturday 31 January 2026
Location: Visit the website or a Cessnock, Lake Mac, Maitland or Newcastle Libraries branch
Age Group: 0-18
Cost: Free
Website
Newcastle’s Lost World Exhibition
The sand at Newcastle’s Canoe Pool hides the secrets of a vanished map of the world. A unique pool was built in 1937 for children. It disappeared over time and today is remembered by many names: the Young Mariners’ Pool, the Map Pool and the World Pool. This exhibition resurfaces the lost world and its place in Newcastle’s history. Although the World Pool disappeared decades ago, it still sparks people’s imaginations. Generations of Novocastrians have wondered about the World Pool. Where did it come from? Why did it disappear? And what if digging here could uncover a lost world?
Date: Runs until 15 February 2026
Location: Newcastle Museum
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free entry
Website
The Wiggles: Tree of Wisdom Big Show Arena Spectacular
The Wiggles will be back in Newcastle for their traditional pre-Christmas show. As your favourites take centre stage, get ready for a dazzling array of surprises from bubbles, lights, DJ Dorothy dance parties and Big Red Utes! You’ll be sure to make memories that last a lifetime.
Date: Wednesday 10 December 2025
Time: Gates open 8am, start time 10am
Location: Newcastle Entertainment Centre
Age Group: All ages
Cost: From $52
Website
Chrissy Crafts at the Baths
Celebrate the latest milestone for the revitalisation of Newcastle Ocean Baths by diving into the Christmas spirit at a free community event presented by City of Newcastle. Chrissy Crafts at the Baths is set to be a lively afternoon full of festive activities, creativity and coastline vibes, perfect for kids of all ages. Newy with Kids will be there manning the craft tables.
Date: Wednesday 10 December 2025
Time: 4pm – 7pm
Location: Newcastle Ocean Baths
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free
Website
The Clyde St Arts Open Market
Shop local and support your local talent at The Clyde St Arts Open Market. This event brings the community together at this vibrant “one night only” event of open studios, art sales, market stalls with second-hand goods and handmade recycled products, food trucks, live music, DJs, and vintage Karaoke bus.
The tenants of Clyde St Arts in Hamilton North make up Newcastle’s largest collective of artists, producers, creative manufacturers & social innovators, where you’ll find your favourite businesses like Upcycle Newcastle, The Creator Incubator, Earthen Rhythms, FeatherEdge and OzHarvest Newcastle.
Date: Friday 12 December 2025
Time: 4.30 – 9.30pm
Location: Clyde St Arts, Hamilton North
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free entry
Website
Betty’s Christmas Book Fair
Save the date and visit Betty Loves Book’s Christmas Book Fair. There’ll be heaps of books outside, bargains galore, gifts for the whole family, giveaways, 20% off all new books, and heaps more!
Date: Saturday 13 December 2025
Time: 9am – 3pm
Location: Betty Loves Books, The Station, Newcastle
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free
Website
Shaw and Partners Iron Series at Newcastle Beach
Watch the world’s best ironmen and ironwomen battle it out when the Shaw and Partners Iron Series returns to Newcastle Beach this December. Witness them take on the ocean in a series of races that are designed to test their speed, endurance, and ability to read the surf. This year, for the first time, there’ll also be an Iron Series Nipper Challenge.
Date: Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 December 2025
Time: From 7am
Location: Newcastle Beach, Shortland Esplanade, Newcastle
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free
Website
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
Free Family Open Day at Maitland Pool
Maitland City Council is offering free entry to Maitland Aquatic Centre on Monday 22 December, to celebrate the reopening of the outdoor 50 metre pool. Join them for a range of fun activities, including: sausage sizzle, DJ, lawn games, laser tag, free programs, and Zooper Doopers.
Date: Monday 22 December 2025
Time: 10am – 3pm
Location: Maitland Aquatic Centre, Les Darcy Drive, Maitland
Age Group: All ages
Cost: 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.