What’s on in July? Even though it’s the middle of winter, there’s still plenty on both indoors and out. 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.
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Snow Time in the Garden at Hunter Valley Gardens
Enjoy a fun-filled day of icy activities at Hunter Valley Garden’s winter festival Snow Time in the Garden. Create a snow angel or build a snowman in the Mega Snow Play Zone, race down the Giant Ice Toboggan and glide across the massive Ice Skating Rink. Plus there’s amazing amusement rides, roving entertainment, hearty food and warm beverages. Read more about Snow Time in the Garden.
Date: 28 June to 27 July 2025
Location: Hunter Valley Gardens
Cost: Tickets from $31 (Child 4-15), $41 (Adult 16+), Family Passes available
Website
Disney on Ice
Grab your mouse ears and get ready for a party as Disney On Ice skates into Newcastle again. This much-loved family favourite ice spectacular returns with Disney On Ice presents Find Your Hero in Newcastle from 3 to 6 July 2025.
Disney On Ice presents Find Your Hero is an adventure for the whole family, filled with world-class skating, high- flying acrobatics, unexpected stunts, and wow-moments both on the ice and in the air. The show brings the magic of Disney on Ice to Australia, starring the world’s most beloved characters and some of the most advanced ice-skating technology yet! The show features exciting moments from your favourite Disney films and will leave the whole family with memories that will last a lifetime.
Date: 3 to 6 July 2025
Location: Newcastle Entertainment Centre
Cost: Tickets from $25
Website
Mayfield MINI Arts Trail
Did you know there are 27 public artworks in Mayfield? Pick up a map from one of the participating cafes in Mayfield and take a self-guided tour. Talk to the 20 local artists painting live on the trail and 10 musicians performing for your entertainment. The perfect way to kick start the school holidays with this FREE FAMILY EVENT.
Date: July 5
Location: Mayfield
Age Group: 5-75
Cost: Free
Website
Monster Jump
Get ready to bounce in the July school holidays. Monster Jump returns to Griffith Park, Stockton in Newcastle from Saturday 5 – Sunday 20 July 2025 for an unforgettable school holiday adventure! The Monster Jump is the newest inflatable obstacle course to hit Australia, suitable for everyone from children to adults! With sliding, climbing, bouncing, and more, this mobile inflatable obstacle course offers a whopping 280 meters of continuous fun!
Date: Saturday 5 – Sunday 20 July 2025
Location: Griffith Park, Stockton
Cost: Tickets from $35
Website
Newcastle Brickfest A LEGO Fan Event
Newcastle Brickfest, a premier LEGO fan event is on again this year. This year’s event promises to be an even more immersive and inclusive experience, showcasing the awe-inspiring creativity of Australia’s top LEGO builders while raising vital funds for the John Hunter Children’s Hospital Kids Club. Building on the success of previous years, Newcastle Brickfest 2025 will extend to a complete two-day celebration, offering attendees more time to explore the vast array of LEGO masterpieces on display. In a commitment to accessibility, Rainbow Bricks is proud to introduce a dedicated 90-minute Sensory Session on Sunday, July 6 from 9am to 10:30am.
Date: Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 July 2025
Location: Newcastle Racecourse
Age Group: All ages
Cost: $10 per person (under 3 free), $35 per family (2A/2C or 1A/3C) if tickets bought beforehand. ** If you wait until the weekend of the event, Tickets are $12 per person or $40 a family
Website
Raffertys Coastal Run Kids Fun Run
Returning in 2025 is the Raffertys Kids Fun Run in conjunction with Raffertys Coastal Run. Approximately 1km in length, all runners will receive an official race bib and finishers medal.
Date: 5 July 2025
Location: Raffertys Resort, Cams Wharf
Age Group: Kids aged 5 – 12 years
Cost: $25
Website
Children’s Discovery Day at Hunter Region Botanic Gardens
Join Hunter Region Botanic Gardens for Children’s Discovery Day – a special day for kids to highlight how learning about nature can be fun! Join HRBG for market stalls, craft activities, nature workshops, jumping castle, face painting, join our discovery train for tours of the Gardens. There will be a sausage sizzle and food van, cafe open for coffee, or bring a picnic and enjoy the grounds.
Date: Tuesday 8 July 2025
Location: Hunter Region Botanic Gardens, Heatherbrae
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Adults $10, Child (3-15) $5, Family $25
Website
The Listies: 110% Ready
In this show The Listies perform a miracle! 110% Ready sees Rich and Matt do something no family in Australia has ever done before: LEAVE THE HOUSE ON TIME!!!!!!!!! Well, that’s what Rich thinks anyway. Matt on the other hand has a different plan. He may or may not have accidentally flushed the car keys down the toilet. Featuring a poop-load of puns, silly slapstick sight gags, and a splash of improvisational idiocy, 110% Ready sees Melbourne’s masters of mirth do what they do best for 55 solid minutes of full family lols.
Date: 8 July 2025
Location: Performance Arts Culture Cessnock
Age Group: 4+
Cost: Tickets: $25. Accompanying adult free (must obtain a ticket from the PACC Box Office).
Website
You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
Happiness is great musical theatre! Based on the beloved Peanuts Charles Schulz comic strips, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown is a revue of songs and vignettes with charm, wit, and heart.
Date: 8 July to 2 August 2025
Location: Young People’s Theatre, Hamilton
Age Group: All ages
Cost: TBA
Website
The Shoemaker’s Secret
The Shoemaker’s Secret’ is a traditional fairytale with a modern twist, which features an original script by Wendy Leis, with songs by Glenda Price and orchestration by Alexandra McCann. Threaded through this wonderful play are the timeless themes of teamwork, following dreams, self-belief, and the power of kindness.
Date: 8 July to 3 August 2025
Location: Young People’s Theatre, Hamilton
Age Group: All ages
Cost: TBA
Website
High Tea on the Harbour
Treat yourself to a day of elegance and indulgence aboard a beautiful 3-level super-yacht, featuring a delightful High Tea Cruise with stunning harbour views! Enjoy a relaxing, picturesque cruise around Newcastle Harbour enjoying an exquisite high tea with a selection of teas, gourmet pastries, and savory treats with free tasting of premium gins, vodka, and Limoncello by Wildstreak Distillery.
Date: Saturday 12 July 2025
Time: 3 hours (12:00 PM – 3:00 PM)
Location: Queens Wharf Ferry Terminal
Age Group: All ages
Cost: $69 for adults (12 and over); $39 for kids (2 – 12)
Website
Port Stephens Winter Festival
Visit Port Stephens for their annual Port Stephens Winter Festival. Enjoy 9 packed days from the popular Port Stephens Car Show, the annual Human Whale event, to the popular Taster’s Trails. Full of family activities including a winter ice rink, baby animal nursery, food, festival fun and more! Plus great foodie options for the adults only.
Date: 12 – 20 July 2025
Location: Nelson Bay, Port Stephens
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free
Website
Stroud Brick Throwing & Rolling Pin Competition – POSTPONED
Each year Stroud Showground comes alive with market and food stalls, activities and entertainment for the whole family for the Stroud Brick and Rolling Pin Throwing Competition. Join in the fun and sign up to throw a brick, hurl a rolling pin or fling a rubber chook in this annual test of skill and strength. Entertainment for the kids includes face painting, a tug-of-war and a street parade.
Date: 12 July 2025 – POSTPONED TO NOVEMBER
Location: Stroud Showground
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Adults $15, Children $5, Family tickets $30
Website
My Kids Market
Head to My Kids Market families to purchase gently used pre-loved baby and kids items. The My Kids Market attracts a large crowd of parents, grandparents and expecting parents who are looking for quality baby and kids goods without breaking the budget.
Date: 13 July 2025
Location: Newcastle Showground Exhibition Centre
Age Group: All ages
Cost: $5 per adult (kids free)
Website
Madagascar The Musical
Get ready for a wild ride as Madagascar The Musical’s talented cast delivers an unforgettable performance, combining vibrant costumes, pulsating rhythms, and hilarious antics. The stage comes alive with infectious tunes that will have you tapping your feet and singing along. It’s a high-energy adventure for the whole family!
Date: 14 & 15 July 2025
Location: Civic Theatre
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Standard from $55, Family of 4 from $45, Groups of 10+ $45
Website
Disney’s Frozen JR
This winter, step into the magical world of Arendelle with Disney’s Frozen JR., brought to life by the talented young performers of Hunter Drama! Perfect for a fun family outing to close out the school holidays, this heartwarming musical adventure features all your favourite characters and songs, including “Let It Go” and “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” With dazzling costumes, exciting choreography, and a story celebrating love, courage and sisterhood, Frozen JR. is a theatrical experience for all ages. Don’t miss your chance to share the magic with your family — only at The Playhouse, Civic Theatre Newcastle!
Date: 17 July to 2 August 2025
Location: The Playhouse, Civic Theatre
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Tickets from $39
Website
Lakeside Leisure Centre Winter Pool Party & Grand Reopening
After two weeks of upgrades and maintenance, Lakeside Leisure Centre are welcoming patrons back with a day of warmth, water, and winter fun at their Community Pool Day & Grand Reopening Celebration! FREE ENTRY for all between 10am – 3pm. Inflatables from 11am – 1pm, slip ‘n’ slide.
Date: 19 July 2025
Location: Lakeside Leisure Centre, Raymond Terrace
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free entry
Website
Kids Big Day Out
Looking for an unforgettable school holiday experience that will entertain the kids and delight the whole family? Head to The Levee Central Maitland on Saturday 19 July from 10am to 2pm for Kids Big Day Out, a jam-packed day of science shows with University of Newcastle’s SMART team, prehistoric creatures, reptile encounters, giant games and bubble-filled fun. Bookings are essential for some free kids activities (limited spots) so book in quick.
Date: Saturday 19 July 2025
Location: The Levee Central Maitland
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free
Website
Hunter Valley Winery Run & Kids Marathon
The Kids Marathon event can be entered either as a stand along 2km run or as part of the Kids Marathon program, where kids run 5km per weeks for 8 weeks to accumulate 40km and then complete their marathon journey. Children unable to complete the 40km of pre event running can still participate.
Date: 20 July 2025
Location: Wandin Estate Winery, Hunter Valley
Age Group: Kids of all ages
Cost: $30
Website
Christmas in July Cruise
Step aboard for a festive mid-year celebration like no other. Gather your friends, don your favourite Christmas jumper, and indulge in a delicious Christmas Buffet Lunch as we cruise the sparkling waters of Newcastle Harbour. With festive décor, music, and all the cheer of the holiday season (without the summer heat!), this is your perfect winter escape.🎅 Every child gets a present!
Date: 26 July 2025
Time: 3 hours (12:00 PM – 3:00 PM)
Location: Queens Wharf Ferry Terminal
Age Group: All ages
Cost: $79 for adults (12 and over); $49 for kids (2 – 12)
Website
Lake Mac POP BAM: Pop Cultural Festival
Wham, bam, POP BAM! Lake Macquarie’s pop culture festival returns this July! Dive into a world where your favourite movies, TV shows, comics, and music come alive in a vibrant celebration of creativity and fandom.
Date: Saturday 26 July 2025
Location: Rathmines Theatre and Rathmines Park
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Youth (5-17 years) – $10 + booking fee, Adults – $20 + booking fee, Children under 5 – Free (Adults must accompany children up to 15 years old). Tickets purchased at the gate: Adults $25, Lake Mac Arts members $22.50 and youth $15.
Website
Peek Into the Past – Tocal Homestead
Peek into the Past is when Tocal Homestead comes alive with the sights, sounds and smells of yesteryear. It is the perfect old-worldly day out for the whole family to become immersed in the nostalgia. Including traditional bush games, farm animals, heritage parades, machinery demonstrations, sheep shearing, fresh scones and much more.
Date: 27 July 2025
Location: Tocal Homestead, Paterson
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Adults – $20 online/$22 at the gate, Concession – $15 online/$17 at the gate, Children 5-12 years – $5 online/$7 at the gate
Website
Edgeworth Trains
Ride on a miniature train. Lake Macquarie Live Steam Locomotive Society hosts monthly public ride days. 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. Their public ride days run on the last Sunday of each month excluding December.
Date: 27 July 2025
Time: Trains running from 12:30pm till 3:30pm (weather permitting). The park is open from around 9:30am.
Location: Velinda Street, Edgeworth
Age Group: All ages
Cost: It costs $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.