Looking for what’s on in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie or the Hunter Valley this July? You’ll find the best family-friendly events right here – from festivals and markets to theatre 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 school term, the July school holidays or just looking for something fun to do with the kids.
🔖 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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July at a Glance
- 1 July–26 July — Snow Time in the Garden, Hunter Valley Gardens (from 27 June)
- 9–12 July — Disney On Ice: Magic in the Stars, Newcastle Entertainment Centre
- 10–19 July — Port Stephens Winter Festival
- 11 July — Rafferty’s Coastal Run
- 16 July — Digitales: Storytime and Art
- 19 July — Hunter Valley Winery Run
- 25 July — Lake Mac POP BAM, Glendale
- 26 July — My kids Market Newcastle | Tocal Peek into the Past | Edgeworth Trains
Ongoing in July
These events run across multiple weeks in July.
Little Bang Discovery Club
Calling all preschoolers and their carers – do you have Wednesday mornings available? Have fun in July at Newcastle Museum with hands-on science for preschoolers: noticing, sorting, naming, collecting, comparing, questioning and experimenting! Your mini scientists will develop their skills over four sessions, each session building on the last one. This is a new offering from Newcastle Museum and will run every school term!
Date: Wednesday 1, 22 & 29 July, 10.15 – 11.15am
Location: Newcastle Museum
Age Group: 3-5 years and their carers. Recommended one carer per mini scientist.
Cost: $25 total per preschooler for the four sessions, carers free. Bookings required.
Website
Snow Time in the Gardens
Ice skating, tobogganing, snowman building and amusement rides at Hunter Valley Gardens a proper winter day out without the drive to the snowfields. Book tickets online in advance and check the forecast before you go, as the snow play zone is outdoors. Read more about Snow Time in the Gardens.
Date: Saturday 27 June – Saturday 26 July 2026
Time: Gardens open 9am; Snow Time activities from 9:30am (last entry 3pm)
Location: Hunter Valley Gardens, Pokolbin
Age Group: All ages
Cost: From $31 child (4 – 15), $41 adult; family passes available
Website
July Events
Disney On Ice: Magic in the Stars
Mickey, Minnie and more than 50 Disney and Pixar characters take to the ice in this year’s brand-new production. A school holidays tradition that tends to sell out fast, so book ahead. Children under 2 are free on a lap.
Date: Thursday 9 – Sunday 12 July 2026
Time: Various – check website for session times
Location: Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Broadmeadow
Age Group: All ages
Cost: From $27 per person (concession pricing available for children 2–12)
Website
Port Stephens Winter Festival
Nine days of family-friendly events in Nelson Bay — highlights include the Human Whale, the Port Stephens Car Show, Taster’s Trails and a range of on-water and onshore activities. A great winter weekend away for families who love the coast.
Date: Friday 10 – Sunday 19 July 2026
Time: Various – check website
Location: Nelson Bay, Port Stephens
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Mix of free and paid events
Website
Raffertys Coastal Run & Raffertys Kids Fun Run
A scenic trail run from the shores of Lake Macquarie to the rugged Catherine Hill Bay coastline — choose from 12km, 22km or 35km distances, with a kids run also on offer on the day. A well-run event in a beautiful setting, and a good one to make a weekend of with accommodation available at Raffertys Resort.
Date: Saturday 11 July 2026
Time: 7am – 3pm
Location: Raffertys Resort, Cams Wharf
Age Group: All ages (Kids Fun Run for ages 5–12; adult distances for 12+)
Cost: From $15 (Kids Fun Run); adult distances from $95
Website
Digitales: Storytime and Art
A lovely indoor activity for little ones. Digital stories projected on the big screen followed by hands-on artmaking and shadow play, run by Lake Mac Arts at the Multi-Arts Pavilion, mima. Bookings are essential and fill up quickly.
Date: Thursday 16 July 2026
Time: 11am – 11.45am
Location: Multi-Arts Pavilion, mima, Speers Point Park, Speers Point
Age Group: 2 – 5 years
Cost: Free
Website
Hunter Valley Winery Run & Kids Marathon
A scenic run through the vineyards of the Hunter Valley with distances to suit the whole family — from a 2km Kids Marathon to a full 42.2km for the serious runners. Based at Wandin Estate in Lovedale, it’s a fun winter day out just 30 minutes from Newcastle.
Date: Sunday 19 July 2026
Time: 6.30am – 12.30pm
Location: Wandin Estate Winery, Wilderness Road, Lovedale
Age Group: All ages (Kids Marathon for children; adult distances for all fitness levels)
Cost: Adult tickets from $55; check website for Kids Marathon pricing
Website
Lake Mac POP BAM: Pop Cultural Festival
Lake Macquarie’s pop culture festival is back. Cosplay, swordfighting, Star Wars characters, free-play gaming, anime workshops and more, all in one day. Kids 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult, and a shuttle runs from Fassifern Station.
Date: Saturday 25 July 2026
Time: 10am – 3pm
Location: Hunter Sports Centre, 43 Stockland Drive, Glendale
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Adults $28 + booking fee, Youth (5-17 years) $15 + booking fee, Children under 5 Free. An adult must accompany children up to 15 years old. Tickets at the gate: Eftpos only Adults $35, Youth (5-17 years) $18
Website
My Kids Market
A great place to snap up quality pre-loved baby and kids gear without the full-price tag. Stalls are packed with clothing, toys, equipment and more. Entry is $5 for adults, with kids getting in free.
Date: Sunday 26 July 2026
Time: 9am – 12pm
Location: Newcastle Showground Exhibition Centre, Broadmeadow
Age Group: All ages
Cost: $5 per adult; children free
Website
Peek Into the Past – Tocal Homestead
Tocal Homestead in Paterson comes alive for one day each winter with heritage clothing parades, blacksmithing, sheep shearing, calf feeding, colonial games and a musket march by redcoat soldiers. Freshly baked scones from a 200-year-old wood-fired oven and damper from the campfire make it a genuinely lovely winter day out. Take a picnic rug and stay a while. in free.
Date: Sunday 26 July 2026
Time: 10am – 3pm
Location: Tocal Homestead, 957 Tocal Road, Paterson
Age Group: All ages
Cost: TBA – 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 26 July 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 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.