What’s on in May? 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. For Mother’s Day events see What’s On for Mother’s Day 2025.
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Press Play! at MAP Mima
Enjoy a weekend of family-friendly fun at Press Play! Unleash your creativity in engaging art-making workshops, performances and plenty of family fun. The program includes Kids’ Disco and Exhibition on Friday, Workshop, art-making and exhibition on Saturday and art-making and exhibition on Sunday.
Date: 2, 3 & 4 May 2025
Time: Various times
Location: Multi-Arts Pavilion (MAP Mima), Speers Point
Cost: Kids’ Disco and Exhibition FREE, Workshops – various cost
Website
Tocal Field Days
Head out to Tocal Field Days during the first weekend of May. Established in 1984, Tocal Field Days is the premier agricultural event in the Hunter, Newcastle and Central Coast Regions and has lots of fun things to do for the family, whether you’re from the city or the bush. Read more about Tocal Field Days.
Date: 2, 3 & 4 May 2025
Time: 9am – 5pm (Fri & Sat), 9am – 4pm (Sun)
Location: Tocal Agricultural College
Cost: Adult from $18, Kids (5-17) $6, 4 years and under free
Website
Singleton Firelight Festival
Singleton’s town centre comes to life with fire, music, food and fun. It features a packed program of vibrant fire performers, music and magic, interactive art, roving acts, delicious food and local beer, wines and spirits.
Date: 3 May 2025
Time: 6 – 9.30pm
Location: Singleton Civic Centre
Cost: Free
Website
NSW Fire & Rescue – Station Open Day
Join your local Fire and Rescue NSW fire station for their annual Open Day. Meet the firefighters, see specialised equipment and fire trucks – all while learning about how a working smoke alarm can help save lives this winter.
Date: 10 May 2025
Time: 10am – 2pm
Location: Participating Fire & Rescue NSW fire stations. Here’s a list of local stations participating in Open Day.
Cost: Free
Website
Mother’s Day Classic
The annual Mother’s Day Classic (MDC) is getting ready to take place in Newcastle again. Registrations are now open! This year the MDC walk/run event is raising funds and awareness for vital breast AND ovarian cancer research. The course is a flat 5km loop course that follows the Stockton foreshore walking track taking in views of the Hunter River, Newcastle Harbour, Nobbys Lighthouse and Stockton Beach.
Date: 11 May 2025
Time: From 8am
Location: Stockton Foreshore
Cost: Tickets $30 (3-12 years), $40 (adult)
Website
ALIA National Simultaneous Storytime
Participate in this national storytime that encourages young Australians to read and enjoy books. Join storytime at your local library or read along at home. This year’s book is The Truck Cat, written by Deborah Frenkel and illustrated by Danny Snell. Read more about National Simultaneous Storytime.
Date: 21 May 2025
Time: 12pm
Location: Various libraries
Cost: Free
Website
Africa Day
You’re invited to celebrate Africa’s diverse culture through music, dance all things African!! All are welcome! This day commemorates the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (AU) on the 25th of May 1963 and reflects on the rich history, diverse cultures and progress made by the African continent.
Date: 24 May 2025
Time: 10am – 4pm
Location: Islington Public School
Cost: Free
Website
Variety Family Fun Day – CANCELLED
The Variety Family Fun Day celebrates the end of the Variety Bash – our colourful convoy of Bash cars will arrive at Camp Shortland at lunchtime and feature lots of familiar characters like Lightning McQueen, Captain America, Shrek, Star Wars, Toy Story, Scooby Doo and more. Families can come and check out the cars and characters for free. They will also have a range of activities for the kids including jumping castles, face painting, a petting zoo and mini golf which can all be accessed by buying a $5 wristband for unlimited access.
Variety supports kids who are sick, experiencing disadvantage or living with a disability. Support of the Variety Family Fun Day allows us to continue supporting kids in the Newcastle and Hunter area, be the best that they can be.
Date: Saturday 24 May 2025 – Due to weather forecast and conditions at Camp Shortland, the Variety Family Fun Day has been cancelled.
Time: 11am – 3pm
Location: Camp Shortland, Pasha Way, Newcastle
Cost: Free
Website
Move for MADA 2025
After an incredible event debut in 2024, Move for MADA returns, bringing the community together once again in a powerful show of support and inspiring locals to take a stand against domestic abuse. Walk, run, or stroll 2km around Harold Gregson Park at your own pace. There’ll also be free family and kids’ activities, free face painting, Soldier Fit Mini Olympics, live music, food trucks, market stalls and more.
Date: 25 May 2025
Time: 9am – 12pm
Location: Harold Gregson Park, Maitland
Cost: Free
Website
Edgeworth Trains – CANCELLED
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: 25 May 2025 – Cancelled due to ground conditions
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
Multicultural Services Expo
It’s going to be a relaxed, friendly and fun day at this year’s Multicultural Neighbourhood Centre Services Expo. If you’re new to the Hunter Region this is a great opportunity to meet new people, make friends and also to find out more about services and programs in the region.
Date: 28 May 2025
Time: 10am – 2pm
Location: Wallsend Diggers
Cost: Free entry
Website
Kids Summerhill Waste Management Tour
Ever wondered what happens to the contents of your bin once it’s emptied into the collection truck? Get ready for a behind-the-scenes adventure of Summerhill Waste Management Centre. The tour will depart from Wallsend Library and will include a stop at the Summerhill Education Room followed by the chance to explore a garbage truck and the landfill up close! Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Seats are limited, bookings are essential.
Date: 31 May 2025
Location: Departing from Wallsend Library
Cost: Free, but bookings essential
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.