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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Model Newcastle: Big Stories, Little Things
A captivating exhibition of models and miniatures that celebrate Newcastle’s history, creativity and community. From intricate railways and maritime marvels to dollhouses, puppetry and cinematic cityscapes, this exhibition brings together treasures from Newcastle Museum’s collection alongside contributions from local makers and storytellers. With playful, hands-on experiences, displays of technical brilliance and moments of nostalgia, this exhibition invites visitors of every age to discover the big stories told by these little things.
Date: Season extended until Sunday 19 April 2026
Time: Newcastle Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday 10am – 5pm. It’s open 7 days a week during NSW school holidays and Public Holidays.
Location: Newcastle Museum
Age Group: All ages
Cost: $10 (adults), $8 (concession), $5 (children 5-16), FREE (children 4 and under). Family tickets for two adults and two children can be purchased for $25.
Website
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 are 15 fun, family-friendly shows designed to delight kids, parents and grandparents alike. Read more about the Newcastle Fringe Festival family-friendly events.
Date: Saturday 14 – Sunday 29 March 2026
Location: Various venues
Cost: Various costs
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
Glendale City Centre 30th Birthday Party Celebration
Glendale City Centre is turning 30 and you’re invited to the birthday party celebration. Join the fun on Saturday 28 March from 10am – 2pm at Glendale City Centre, with plenty of free family activities happening throughout the centre.
The fun includes:
- • Free birthday cupcake decorating outside Target (limited numbers)
- • Free face painting
- • Free balloon twisting
- • Free Polaroid photo at the birthday cake display outside Nextra
You might also spot roaming ambassadors handing out gifts, enjoy a performance from local disability choirs at 11am, and keep an eye out for the Easter Bunny visiting the centre.
Date: Saturday 28 March 2026
Time: 10am–2pm
Location: Glendale City Centre
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free
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
Got a little booklover in the family? The Newcastle Writers Festival Family Fun Day features a fantastic lineup of family-friendly sessions with authors including Andrew McDonald, Maxine Beneba Clarke, Corey Tutt, Sally Rippin, Jess Black and Andy Griffiths. Some events are ticketed and others are free.
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.