What’s on in March? 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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ARTEXPRESS
ARTEXPRESS is an annual exhibition celebrating exceptional HSC Visual Arts projects from students across NSW. The showcase gives these talented young creators a chance to share their skills and unique ideas with the public.
Date: Runs until Sunday 19 April 2026
Time: 9am – 4pm (Tuesday to Sunday, closed public holidays)
Location: Maitland Regional Art Gallery
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free entry
Website
Newcastle Show
The Newcastle Show is the Hunter’s largest annual ticketed event, happening across three days. In 2026, Newcastle’s first-ever Comic-Con, Newy-Con, is landing at the Newcastle Show, and it is going to be EPIC! Also expect rodeo, fireworks and events and activities for the whole family including carnival games, rides, petting zoo, equestrian events, showbags and much, much more!
Date: Friday 27 February – Sunday 1 March 2026
Time: Fri & Sat 9 – 10pm, Sunday 9 – 3pm
Location: Newcastle Showground
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Tickets from $15 (child 5-17, concession), $25 (adults 17+), FREE (Under 4), Family passes available
Website
Newcastle Art Gallery Grand Reopening
Following its landmark extension, Newcastle Art Gallery will officially reopen on Saturday 28 February 2026. A three-day celebration will begin with a ‘Friday Night Sounds’ street party on Friday February 27. The opening weekend will feature a vibrant program of live performances, artist talks, and community artmaking, headlined by the major inaugural exhibition Iconic Loved Unexpected. This huge exhibition fills two floors with more than 500 artworks.
Date: Friday 27 February – Sunday 1 March 2026
Time: Friday 5 – 9pm, Saturday 10am – 4pm, Sunday 10am – 4pm
Location: Newcastle Art Gallery, 1 Laman Street, Newcastle
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free admission
Website
Clean Up Australia Day 2026
This year, get your family involved in Clean Up Australia Day. This day is Australia’s largest annual national community-based litter clean up event. It’s on Sunday 1 March 2026 and there are a variety of different local activities you can do to help clean up our community.
Date: Sunday 1 March 2026
Time: Various
Location: Various
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free
Website
Newcastle Pools Inflatable Day at Wallsend Swimming Pool
This February and March, Newcastle Pools are hosting a series of inflatable days. The perfect way for the community to cool off and level up their pool day. Three hours of inflatable fun, included in your normal pool entry.
Date: Sunday 1 March 2026
Time: 11am – 2pm
Location: Wallsend Pool
Age Group: Inflatables are suitable for children aged 6 years and over. Little ones 5 and under can still enjoy the pool in designated areas with supervision.
Cost: $2 entry
Website
Music in the Podium
Music in the Podium returns to Warners Bay Foreshore and runs January, February & March 2026. The program, hosted by Lake Macquarie City Council will feature popular local musicians every Friday evening.
Date: 6, 13, 20 & 27 March 2026
Time: 6 – 9pm
Location: Warners Bay Foreshore
Age Group: All ages welcome
Cost: Free
Website
Friday Chill
On Friday nights through January, February & March 2026, 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: 6, 13, 20 & 27 March 2026
Time: 6.30 – 8.30pm
Location: Pacific Park, Newcastle East
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free entry
Website
Mitch Tambo – Musical Performance and Storytime
Join Lake Mac Arts for a special storytime and music performance with Australian world music star, and proud Gamilaraay man, Mitch Tambo. Mitch is travelling across the country with his I AM ME tour, using music, storytelling and culture to inspire young people and encourage self-belief. Celebrate the diversity of First Nations culture in this delightful picture book about being true to yourself. Books available for sale and signing.
Date: 7 March 2026
Time: 10 – 11.30am
Location: Rathmines Theatre
Age Group: This event is designed for children of all ages and their families. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Cost: GA $12 plus booking fee, Family ticket (4 people) $40 plus booking fee, Tickets at the door $15 (subject to availability)
Website
My Kids Market
My Kids Market is your local market to buy, sell and recycle preloved babies and kids’ items including clothing, toys, shoes, and other nursery items.
Date: Sunday 8 March 2026
Time: 9am – 12pm
Location: Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Exhibition Centre
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Shopper entry $5, Kids FREE
Website
Lake Macquarie Triathlon Festival
Swim, cycle and run in beautiful Lake Macquarie! This welcoming event is perfect for all levels – from juniors and first-timers to experienced athletes. Enjoy calm, protected swim waters, a flat closed-road cycle, and a scenic lakeside run. Standard, Sprint & Short Course Triathlons , Junior Triathlons, Aquathlon (Swim & Run), Open Water Swim (1km or 2km).
Date: Sunday 8 March 2026
Time: 6 – 11.30am
Location: Speers Point Park
Age Group: All ages can spectate, there is a Junior Triathalon is for ages 7-11 years
Cost: Visit the Lake Macquarie Triathlon Festival website for event entry fees
Website
Newcastle Pools Inflatable Day at Lambton Swimming Pool
This February and March, Newcastle Pools are hosting a series of inflatable days. The perfect way for the community to cool off and level up their pool day. Three hours of inflatable fun, included in your normal pool entry.
Date: Sunday 8 March 2026
Time: 11am – 2pm
Location: Lambton Pool
Age Group: Inflatables are suitable for children aged 6 years and over. Little ones 5 and under can still enjoy the pool in designated areas with supervision.
Cost: $6 entry
Website
Newcastle Surfest
Newcastle Surfest is the largest surfing festival in the southern hemisphere, with more than 800 male and female competitors from across the globe competing across nine events throughout February and March 2026, culminating with the final event of the World Surf League, Challenger Series from March 9 -15.
Date: Monday 9 – Sunday 15 March 2026
Time: Various
Location: Various beaches in the region
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free to spectate
Website
Gresford Show
The Gresford Show offers classic country entertainment, from woodchopping and campdrafting competitions to horse ring events. Animal lovers will enjoy the animal nursery, cattle exhibits and the Bisons, Horses & Hounds show. There’ll also be a sausage competition, local producers stand, the Gresford Ute Show, Art Show and more!
Date: Friday 13 & Saturday 14 March 2026
Time: TBA
Location: Gresford Showground
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Friday: Adults $15, Children (6-15 years) FREE, Pensioners (aged and Invalid) $10, Saturday: Adults $25, Children under 6 FREE, Children 6-15 $10, Pensioners (aged and Invalid) $10, Family tickets and 2-day passes available
Website
HMRI Art for Impact
Looking for a fun way to support a great cause? This special three-day event pairs local artists with top scientists to raise money for life-saving medical research right here in the Hunter. Art for Impact is a fantastic mix of creativity and community that includes art exhibition, a Draw and Pour guided by Newcastle artist Holly Turner and a Long, long luncheon culminating with the conclusion of the HMRI Art for Impact Auction.
Date: Friday 13 – Sunday 15 March 2026
Time: Various
Location: Earp Distilling Co, Carrington
Age Group: Adults
Cost: Opening Exhibition Night $50pp, Draw & Pour $100pp, Long, long luncheon $200pp
Website
SailFest Newcastle Regatta
Experience the excitement of the historic Newcastle Regatta as the harbour comes alive with night racing, competitive sprints, and a national club championship. Beyond the professional races, children aged 6 to 12 can join the fun with free Try Sailing classes held on the waterfront at the NCYC Clubhouse in Wickham. Running from 9:00am to 12:00pm on Saturday, March 28, and Sunday, March 29, 2026, these sessions pair beginners with qualified instructors who stay onboard to show them the ropes. It is a fantastic, no-cost way for kids to celebrate the city’s maritime tradition and get a taste of life on the water.
Date: Friday 13 – Sunday 29 March 2026
Time: Various
Location: Newcastle Harbour
Age Group: All ages can spectate, Try Sailing classes are for kids aged 6-12
Cost: Free to spectate
Website
Hunter Region Botanic Gardens Mindfulness Mini-Fair
The Mindfulness Mini-Fair & Exhibition is part of the celebrations to launch the new Mindfulness Walk at Hunter Region Botanic Gardens. There will be stalls relating to mindful practices, readers, food and activities for wellbeing all in the tranquility of the Gardens.
Date: Saturday 14 March 2026
Time: 10am – 2pm
Location: Hunter Region Botanic Gardens, Heatherbrae
Age Group: All ages
Cost: GA Adult $15, GA Child (5-16 yrs) $5, Concession $10, Child under 5 FREE
Website
Newcastle Fringe
Newcastle Fringe Festival is back for 2026! The festival is a diverse, inspirational and super creative festival that showcases a smorgasbord of performing arts. As well as shows for adults, this year, there’s a huge line-up of exciting and interactive shows just for kids! Read more about the Newcastle Fringe Festival family-friendly events.
Date: Saturday 14 – Sunday 29 March 2026
Location: Various venues
Cost: Various costs
Website
Fringe Feast
Fringe Feast is Hamilton’s ultimate street party where everyone’s invited to the table. Beaumont Street bursts into life with a street-party experience that comes with a bite. For one unforgettable afternoon and evening, the street turns into a long, shared table where neighbours, families and friends gather for local food, live entertainment and a true taste of the Fringe. Musicians, cabaret artists, and roving performers drift between diners and light up the stage. It is an experience with a bite: part street party, part open-air restaurant and part creative playground.
Date: Saturday 14 March 2026
Time: 4pm – 9pm
Location: Beaumont Street, Hamilton (Between Lindsay & Cleary Streets)
Cost: Free
Website
Newcastle Pools Inflatable Day at Beresfield Swimming Pool
This February and March, Newcastle Pools are hosting a series of inflatable days. The perfect way for the community to cool off and level up their pool day. Three hours of inflatable fun, included in your normal pool entry.
Date: Sunday 15 March 2026
Time: 11am – 2pm
Location: Beresfield Pool
Age Group: Inflatables are suitable for children aged 6 years and over. Little ones 5 and under can still enjoy the pool in designated areas with supervision.
Cost: $2 entry
Website
LIVE at the Levee Street Party
LIVE at The Levee Street Party returns to The Levee Shared Zone to bring you the best live music from across the region to Central Maitland. Expect some good vibes, tasty food and maybe even a cheeky pop up bar or two.
Date: Saturday 21 March 2026
Time: 5:30pm – 9:30pm
Location: The Levee Shared Zone
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free
Website
Hunter Arts Network Art Bazaar 2026
Hunter Arts Network Art Bazaar is a high quality artisan market. All stallholders are creative makers who have been selected by Hunter Arts Network because of their unique, handmade, high quality and original work. While wandering the stalls, enjoy live entertainment, food trucks and coffee.
Date: Sunday 22 March 2026
Time: 10am – 2pm
Location: St Therese’s Primary School, Royal Street, New Lambton
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free
Website
Newcastle Chilli Festival
It’s the hottest day in Newcastle. A great day for chilli lovers with loads of chilli products and food. Not so thrilled on chilli? There’s plenty of non-spicy food options available. This free event will feature food trucks, stalls, live music and a chilli eating competition. A fun, colourful, family friendly festival atmosphere all day long.
Date: Sunday 22 March 2026
Time: 10am – 3pm
Location: The Station, Newcastle East
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free entry
Website
Variety Spin 4 Kids 2026
Spin 4 Kids is a high-energy, five-hour team cycling challenge at Newcastle Harbour Square dedicated to raising funds for children facing illness, disadvantage, or disability. Participants can register a team of ten to spin and fundraise, or join the crowd as a spectator to cheer on the riders and enjoy the atmosphere.
Date: Friday 27 March 2026
Time: 10am – 3pm
Location: Under the big marquee at Newcastle Harbour Square, Honeysuckle
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free to spectate, Team cost $650 (includes $200 entry fee and $450 tax-deductible donation)
Website
Kurri Kurri Nostalgia Festival
The annual Kurri Kurri Nostalgia Festival is all about Rock n Roll, Classic Cars, Hot rods, Fashion, Music, Dancing and everything good about the 50’s and 60’s. There’ll be a classic car and hot rod ‘Show and Shine’, a huge range of quality retro market stalls and food vans, lots of free entertainment, rock n roll dance demonstrations, main stage performances, feature bands, fashion parades, best dressed competitions, side show alley and much more.
Date: Friday 27 – Sunday 29 March 2026
Time: From 8.30am daily
Location: Various locations around Kurri Kurri
Age Group: Something for all ages
Cost: Free entry and live entertainment, some ticketed events
Website
Mega Creatures
Mega Creatures is back for another bite! Let the fantastic creatures mesmerise you as you enter the Gardens with Land of Legends, then wander around to discover Dragon Den, Unicorn Meadow, Dragon Floresta, Carnivore Concourse, Herbivore Hectares, and so much more!
Date: Saturday 28 March – Sunday 26 April 2026
Time: Open 9am – 4pm (last entry 3pm), rides 10am – 3.30pm, ride ticket booth 10am – 3pm, last ride at 3.15pm
Location: Hunter Valley Gardens
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Day Pass: Kids (aged 4-15) $31, Kids (3 and under) FREE, Adults (16yrs+) $42, Family Passes Available, Day/Night Passes Available
Website
Mega Creatures Night Safari
Mega Creatures Night Safari is back. Take over the night and join Hunter Valley Gardens in an awe-inspiring after-dark experience where imagination knows no bounds! Explore & discover amazing prehistoric dinosaurs, crawling insects and mythical creatures. Prepare to be transported to The Land of Legends, a magical realm that blends fantasy and history. The fantastic creatures mesmerise you as you wander around the top of the Sunken Garden Waterfall.
Date: Weekends & School Holidays: 28-29 March, 3-19 April and 24-26 April.
Time: Open 5pm – 9.30pm (last entry 8.30pm), rides 5.30pm – 9pm, ride ticket booth 5.30pm – 8.30pm, last ride at 8.45pm
Location: Hunter Valley Gardens
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Night Pass: Kids (aged 4-15) $31, Kids (3 and under) FREE, Adults (16yrs+) $31, Family Passes Available, Day/Night Passes Available
Website
Warbirds over Scone
Witness the largest gathering of Spitfires and Mustangs in Australia since WWII, alongside a blockbuster lineup of iconic warbirds, thrilling aerobatics and so much more across this spectacular two-day aviation festival. Whether you’re a history buff, aviation enthusiast, or just looking for a fun day out, this event is sure to impress. Bring the whole family for a day of excitement and nostalgia in the skies above Scone.
Date: Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 March 2026
Time: 9am – 5pm
Location: Scone Memorial Airport
Cost: Tickets from $27.05
Website
Hill to Harbour
The iconic Newcastle Hill to Harbour is a fun run welcoming runners, walkers and wheelchair participants. The feature event is an approximately 12km point-to-point course along Newcastle’s stunning coastline, starting at Bar Beach and finishing in Carrington. For a shorter option, the 6km Halfa Hill to Harbour offers a great challenge. Kids aged 12-17 can enter the 12km and 6km run. The Hunter Valley Orthodontics 2K-4-FUN is perfect for kids, families and anyone keen to soak up the atmosphere and be part of the day.
Date: Sunday 29 March 2026
Time: 7.30am – 12.30pm
Location: Newcastle Foreshore
Cost: Halfa Hill to Harbour: Adults $65, Children $50 (plus processing fee), 2K4FUN: $35 (plus processing fee)
Website
Newcastle Writer’s Festival – Family Fun Day
Do you have a little booklover in your family? Get them involved in this year’s Newcastle Writer’s Festival. There’s a great lineup of events and guest authors, including the Real Pigeons Live Mystery with author Andrew McDonald and illustrator Ben Wood, Poetry and Picture Books with Maxine Beneba Clarke, Deadly Reptiles with Corey Tutt, Family Fun with Billie B Brown and School of Monsters author Sally Rippin and What Characters Teach Us About Courage with Jess Black. Author Andy Griffiths and illustrator Bill Hope will also be delivering laughs and live drawings. Some events are ticketed and some are free. Check out the Newcastle Writer’s Festival website for more details.
Date: Sunday 29 March 2026
Time: 9.30am – 1pm
Location: Newcastle City Hall
Age Group: Various, refer to website for age recommendations
Cost: Some free and some ticketed events, bookings essential
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: Sunday 29 March 2026
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
Feature Image: Newcastle Fringe
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.