Looking for what’s on in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie or the Hunter Valley this June? 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, 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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June at a Glance
- 1–30 June — Lake Macquarie Dobell Festival 2026
- 1–30 June — Port Stephens Marine Creatures – Great and Small
- 1–5 June — You’re Kidding Me Family Expo, Charlestown Square
- 5–7 June — Merriwa Festival of the Fleeces
- 6–7 June — Harvest Festival, Central Coast
- 7 June — The Loxford Maitland Running Festival
- 8 June — King’s Birthday Long Weekend Open Day – Fort Scratchley
- 8–28 June — Ashton’s Super Cirque
- 12-13 June — Starstruck 2026: Out of the Ordinary
- 13 June — Beaumont Street Hawker Markets
- 14 June — Maitland Heritage Fest Free Family Day
- 16 June — Wicked: PACC Cessnock Cinema Club
- 19 June — Village in the City
- 19–20 June — Luminous, Maitland
- 19–20 June — Float Your Boat, Lake Macquarie
- 19–28 June — & Juliet
- 20 June — Hamilton Bus Depot Open Day
- 21 June — Toronto Brass in Concert | Central Cinema: The Super Mario Bros. Movie
- 25 June — Hunter Women’s Centre Presents “How Not to Stuff Up Your Kids”
- 26 June — Hunter Region Botanic Gardens: Storytime in the Rotunda
- 26 & 27 June — Shrek! The Musical
- 27 June — Newcastle Repair Cafe at Hunter Multicultural Communities
- From 27 June — Snow Time in the Garden, Hunter Valley Gardens
- 28 June — Crafternoon at The Lockup | Gumnut Valley Alpacas Winter Open Day
- 28 June — Whistle & Trick | Edgeworth Trains
Ongoing in June
These events run across multiple weeks in June.
Lake Macquarie Dobell Festival 2026
The Lake Macquarie Dobell Festival is an annual month-long arts festival inspired by the life and work of esteemed artist Sir William Dobell. The festival includes a range of events around Lake Macquarie including workshops, presentations and exhibitions addressing various aspects of Dobell’s life and work.
Date: Monday 1 June – Tuesday 30 June 2026
Time: Various – check website
Location: Various locations, Lake Macquarie
Age Group: Families with older children
Cost: A mix of free and ticketed events
Website
Port Stephens Marine Creatures: Great and Small
A free interactive display at the Nelson Bay Visitor Information Centre this June is worth a stop if you’re heading to Port Stephens with kids. It covers everything from humpback whales to tiny nudibranchs, with sculptures, marine models and an augmented reality whale experience. There are also two free expert talks on Saturday 6 June and Saturday 27 June (bookings essential — call 4988 0900).
Date: Monday 1 June 2026 – Tuesday 30 June 2026
Time: Mon – Fri: 9am – 4pm, Sat: 10am – 2pm, Sun – CLOSED (Open 10am to 2pm during NSW School holidays)
Location: Port Stephens Visitor Information Centre, Nelson Bay
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free
Website
The City That Made Surfest Exhibition
Celebrating four decades of Surfest through rare objects, footage and stories.
Date: On display until July 2026
Time: Newcastle Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday 10am – 5pm
Location: Newcastle Museum
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free
Website
June Events
You’re Kidding Me Family Expo
The Hunter’s largest parenting expo, You’re Kidding Me connects families with local services, programs and childhood experts, all under one roof at Charlestown Square. Free entry makes it an easy outing, and it’s particularly well suited to families with children under 8.
Date: Monday 1 – Friday 5 June 2026
Time: 9am – 1pm Monday – Wednesday, 9am – 1pm & 3pm – 7pm Thursday
Location: Charlestown Square Centre Court, Charlestown
Age Group: Best for families with children 0–8 years
Cost: Free
Website
Merriwa Festival of the Fleeces
One of the Upper Hunter’s most beloved community events, the Festival of the Fleeces fills Merriwa’s main street with market stalls, shearing demonstrations, free kids’ rides, a working dog display and the iconic Running of the Sheep parade. It’s well worth the drive. Read more about Festival of the Fleeces.
Date: Friday 5 – Sunday 7 June 2026
Time: Friday from 6pm; Saturday: 8am – 3pm; Sunday TBA – check website
Location: Merriwa town centre, Golden Highway, Merriwa
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free entry Saturday and Sunday; Friday Opening Night ticketed
Website
Harvest Festival
A great excuse for a Central Coast day trip, the Harvest Festival offers farm tours, pick-your-own fruit, archery, animal feeding and more across a range of properties in the hinterland. A mix of free and paid events means you can tailor the day to your budget. Read more about Harvest Festival.
Date: Saturday 6 – Sunday 7 June 2026
Time: Various times – check website
Location: Various locations, Central Coast
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Mix of free and paid activities
Website
The Loxford Maitland Running Festival
A family-friendly walk and run along the Maitland foreshore. Choose from 4km, 8km or 12km laps to suit your pace. A great way to get the family moving on a winter morning.
Date: Sunday 7 June 2026
Time: From 7.30am
Location: Maitland Regional Athletics Centre, Loxford, Maitland
Age Group: All ages
Cost: From $35 child, $45 adult (plus processing fee)
Website
King’s Birthday Long Weekend Open Day – Fort Scratchley
Fort Scratchley throws open its gates for a free action-packed day on the King’s Birthday long weekend, with cannon firings at 11am, 1pm and 3pm that kids will love. There’ll also be tunnel tours, military vehicle displays, the Newcastle Pipe Band, re-enactment displays and food on site. A wonderful outing for primary-school-aged kids and up.
Date: Monday 8 June 2026
Time: 10am – 4pm
Location: Fort Scratchley, Nobbys Road, Newcastle East
Age Group: All ages (tunnel tours free for under 14s)
Cost: Free
Website
Ashton’s Super Cirque
Ashton’s Circus is back under the Big Top bringing flying trapeze, the Wheel of Death, acrobats, aerialists and plenty of comedy to Richardson Park in Hamilton North.
Date: Monday 8 June 2026 – Sunday 28 June 2026
Time: Various — check website
Location: Richardson Park, Hamilton North
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Check website
Website
Star Struck 2026: Out of the Ordinary
One of the Hunter’s biggest performing arts events, Star Struck brings together NSW public school students from Kindergarten to Year 12 for two nights of dance, drama and music at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre.
Date: Friday 12 and Saturday 13 June 2026
Time: Shows at 11am & 7pm (Friday), 1pm & 7pm (Saturday)
Location: Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Newcastle
Age Group: All ages (performers K–12; suitable for families as audience)
Cost: Tickets from $42.70 (B Reserve)
Website
Maitland Heritage Fest Free Family Day
A free day out in Maitland’s historic Church Street precinct, with performances, heritage displays, kids’ activities, free face painting, treasure hunt, silhouette artist, Sanjex’s Wonder Games, colouring in, learn botanical drawing, penny farthing demonstrations, steam engines and so much more, spread across multiple venues.
Date: Sunday 14 June 2026
Time: 10am – 3pm
Location: Church Street precinct (multiple venues), Maitland
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Mostly free, some ticketed extras (carriage rides $20/person; Grossmann House self-guided tours $5/person)
Website
Luminous
Maitland’s winter solstice festival transforms The Levee with light installations, fire displays, live performances, ice skating rink and a fireworks finale over the Hunter River. Rug up and go – it’s free and genuinely impressive. Read more about Luminous.
Date: Friday 19 – Saturday 20 June 2026
Time: Friday 5pm – 8pm & Saturday 3pm – 8pm
Location: The Levee, Central Maitland
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free
Website
Float Your Boat
Thousands of people line the shores of Lake Macquarie to watch a flotilla of brightly lit boats cruise past in this free annual favourite. Live music, food trucks and roving performers make the lakeside atmosphere well worth the trip on both evenings. Read more about Float Your Boat.
Date: Friday 19 – Saturday 20 June 2026
Time: 4.30 – 8.30pm both nights
Location: Various foreshore locations, Lake Macquarie
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free
Website
& Juliet
What if Juliet’s greatest love story was just getting started? The Broadway and West End smash hit explodes onto the Newcastle stage June 2026. Forget the balcony. Skip the poison. Juliet’s rewriting her story – louder, prouder, and packed with pop anthems you know by heart.
Date: Friday 19 – Sunday 28 June 2026
Time: Various
Location: Civic Theatre
Age Group: Recommended for ages 8+.
Cost: Tickets from $69
Website
Hunter Women’s Centre Presents: “How to Not Stuff Up Your Kid”
Paediatrician Dr Billy Garvey takes a relatable, often funny look at the fears parents face, with evidence-based guidance to help families navigate parenting without the stress or guilt. A worthwhile session for parents, with the venue recently moved to the Broadmeadow Room due to high demand.
Date: Thursday 25 June 2026
Time: 1pm – 2pm
Location: McDonald Jones Stadium, Broadmeadow
Age Group: Parents and carers
Cost: Ticketed – check website for prices
Website
Storytime in the Rotunda
A lovely one for little ones — storytime at the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens features books by Australian authors about native animals and plants, followed by a garden adventure. Bring a pillow to sit on and a snack, and book ahead via Humanitix.
Date: Friday 26 June 2026
Time: 10 – 10.45am
Location: Hunter Region Botanic Gardens, Heatherbrae
Age Group: 6 and under
Cost: Garden entry fees apply — check website for details
Website
Shrek Jr! The Musical
St Philip’s Christian College Cessnock brings everyone’s favourite ogre to the stage in this fun, family-friendly production. A great outing for primary school-aged kids. The 10am Friday session is worth considering if you’re heading along with younger children.
Date: Friday 26 June – Saturday 27 June 2026
Time: Friday – 10am & 7pm, Saturday: 3pm & 7pm
Location: PACC (Performance Arts Culture Cessnock), Cessnock
Age Group: All ages
Cost: From $18 concession/child | From $24 adult (varies by session)
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
Orange Picking
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: Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 June
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
Newcastle Repair Cafe at Hunter Multicultural Communities
Bring along clothes, small electrical items, household goods or a bike and the Full Circle Collective team will help you fix them for free. No bookings needed – just pop in.
Date: Saturday 27 June 2026
Time: 10am – 12.30pm
Location: Hunter Multicultural Communities, 2A Platt Street, Waratah
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free
Website
Crafternoon at The Lock-Up
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 27 June 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
Gumnut Valley Alpacas Winter Open Day
Gumnut Valley, a working alpaca farm, is opening their gates for a family-friendly day of animal feeding, craft activities, face painting, and plenty of food. Book presale tickets to save on entry, and note that timed arrival slots are used to keep numbers manageable for the animals.
Date: Sunday 28 June 2026
Time: From 10am
Location: Gumnut Valley Alpacas, 456 Butterwick Road, Butterwick
Age Group: All ages
Cost: $10 per person presale / $15 per person at the gate (subject to availability)
Website
Whistle & Trick
Aria-nominated musical duo, Whistle & Trick are always ready to sing, dance, and cause a bit of mischief. Writing original music for kids and their big people, a Whistle & Trick show is bound to get the whole family up and moving.
Date: Sunday 28 June 2026
Time: 10.30am
Location: Civic Theatre
Age Group: This performance is suitable for all ages. Recommended for ages 2 – 8.
Cost: Standard tickets $41.75
Website
Edgeworth Trains
Monthly public ride day from the Lake Macquarie Live Steam Locomotive Society. Steam and diesel miniature trains on elevated and ground-level tracks. A relaxed, affordable outing for little train lovers.
Date: Sunday 28 June 2026
Time: Trains from 12:30pm – 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.