Looking for what’s on in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie or the Hunter Valley this January? 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 summer school holidays, or just looking for something fun to do with the kids.
For Australia Day Events see our article: Australia Day 2027: What’s On In Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & the Hunter
🔖 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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January at a Glance
- 31 January — Yoga On The Water Sunrise Wellness Cruise
Big Summer Read with NSW Libraries
Join. Borrow. Read. Win. The aim of the challenge is for children to read and log as many books as they can over Summer. Ebooks, audiobooks and graphic novels count!
Date: Dates for 2027 TBA
Location: Visit the website or a Cessnock, Lake Mac, Maitland or Newcastle Libraries branch
Age Group: 0-18
Cost: Free
Website
Music in the Podium
Music in the Podium returns to Warners Bay Foreshore in January 2027 and runs until March 2027. The program, hosted by Lake Macquarie City Council will feature popular local musicians every Friday evening.
Date: Dates for 2027 TBA
Time: 6 – 9pm
Location: Warners Bay Foreshore
Age Group: All ages welcome
Cost: Free
Website
Summer Art Fest
Summer Art Fest arrives at Maitland Regional Art Gallery with a jam-packed month of creative fun for all ages. From pom pom sculptures to pet portraits, clay workshops to cake making competitions, there’s a fun and creative experience for kids of all ages to enjoy! MRAG’s friendly artist educators will be hosting drop-in workshops, or book into a workshop online, or fly in at any time to enjoy a self-directed activity while you explore the current exhibitions.
Date: Dates for 2027 TBA
Location: Maitland Regional Art Gallery
Age Group: Kids and teens
Cost: Mixture of free and paid workshops
Website
Friday Chill
Friday Chill kicks off in January. On Friday nights through summer Soul engages local artists to perform chilled out tunes in a family-friendly setting. Food trucks and kids’ performers/activities add to the festival environment. Soul Hub would like to invite their friends and community to come along and join them for a picnic in the park! BYO picnic food and beverages or take advantage of the gourmet food served by a selection of local food vendors.
Date: Dates for 2027 TBA
Time: 6.30 – 8.30pm
Location: Pacific Park, Newcastle East
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free entry
Website
Sunflower Event
Little Tin Shed Medowie are opening their sunflower fields to the public. There will be lots of tractors, glasshouses, and accessories to take photos amongst the blooming sunflowers. It’s a great family day out.
Date: 2027 Dates TBA
Time: 8:30am – 1pm
Location: 54 Lisadell Road, Medowie
Age Group: All ages
Cost: There is a $5 entry fee to enter the sunflower paddocks (free entry for kids 12 years and under).
Website
Australia Day Newcastle Harbour Swim
Celebrating 31 years in 2027. Both swims will start from the Stockton side this year. There will be no Newcastle-side start due to the Queens Wharf demolition and ongoing works. Enter and get in on the action, or cheer from the swimmers on from land.
Date: 2027 Dates TBA
Time: Race times remain the same: 700m swim – 10am, 1400m swim – 11am.
Location: Stockton Ferry Wharf
Age Group: Ages 12+ can enter the swim
Cost: Ticketed – check website for prices
Website
Yoga On The Water Sunrise Wellness Cruise
Start a Sunday with sunrise yoga across three levels of MV Calmer, rotating between three instructors and styles as the sun comes up over Newcastle Harbour. It’s suited to ages 12 and up, so a great one for teens and parents. BYO yoga mat.
Date: Sunday 31 January 2027
Time: 6am to 8am (boarding from 5.45am)
Location: Queens Wharf Terminal, 242-258 Wharf Road, Newcastle
Age Group: Ages 12+
Cost: Ticketed – check website for prices
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 31 January 2027
Time: Trains from 12.15pm–3.30pm (weather permitting), park open from 9.30am
Location: Velinda Street, Edgeworth
Age Group: All ages
Cost: $3 per ride; children under 2 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.