Looking for what’s on in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie or the Hunter Valley this May? 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, celebrating Mother’s Day 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.
For more ideas, including special Mother’s Day events, see our What’s On for Mother’s Day 2026 guide or subscribe to our newsletter for weekly picks and last-minute ideas.
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May at a Glance
- 1–3 May — Tocal Field Days, Tocal Agricultural College
- 2 May — Singleton Firelight Festival
- 9 May — NSW Fire & Rescue Station Open Day
- 10 May — Mother’s Day Classic, Stockton Foreshore
- 14–24 May — The Bugs, Civic Theatre Playhouse | Footloose: The Musical, Civic Theatre
- 21 May – Digitales at MAP mima
- 22 May — Aladdin by Victorian State Ballet, PACC Cessnock
- 22 May — Village in the City — Twilight Village Kitchen & Market
- 23 May — Africa Day | Repair Cafe at Wallsend Library
- 24 May — Pets Life Festival, The Station Newcastle
- 24 May — Botanic Gardens Day & 40th Anniversary Event, Hunter Region Botanic Gardens
- 27 May — National Simultaneous Storytime, various libraries
- 28–30 May — A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Civic Theatre Playhouse
- 30 May — PBR Origin I, Newcastle Entertainment Centre | Young Dobell Exhibition opens, MAC yapang
- 31 May — Memory Walk and Jog, Stockton | Edgeworth Trains
Ongoing in May
These events run across multiple weeks in May.
Little Bang Discovery Club – BOOKED OUT
Calling all preschoolers and their carers – do you have Wednesday mornings available? Have fun in May 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: Wednesdays 20 May to 10 June, 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
Scholastic National Family Reading Month 2026
Scholastic’s National Family Reading Month is back for its 30th year, with families across Australia invited to read together for just 10 minutes a day throughout May. Register online to join the 31-Day Reading Challenge and access free resources, with prizes up for grabs across multiple phases.
Date: Throughout May 2026 (31-Day Challenge)
Location: Online / nationwide
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free to register
Website
Bidhiinja – Restoring our Oyster Reef Exhibition
The current exhibition at Murrook Culture Centre, Bidhiinja – Restoring Our Oyster Reefs, explores the decline of nearly all of our oyster reefs from overfishing and pollution. Developed in partnership with the NSW Department of Primary Industries, it uncovers the forgotten history of these underwater worlds.
Date: Runs throughout May 2026
Location: Murrook Culture Centre, Nelson Bay Road, Williamtown
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free entry
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
YPT Presents Shrek JR.
Everyone’s favourite ogre hits the stage at Young People’s Theatre. A fun, feel-good show for the whole family that runs well into May.
Date: Until Saturday 23 May 2026
Time: Various
Location: Young People’s Theatre Hamilton
Age Group: All ages
Cost: $28
Website
Footloose The Musical
The first professional Australian production of Footloose in over 20 years — bold, energetic and a lot of fun.
Date: Thursday 14 May – Sunday 24 May 2026
Time: Various
Location: Civic Theatre
Age Group: Recommended for ages 10+
Cost: Tickets from $69.90 (C Reserve)
Website
The Bugs presented by Hunter Drama
THE BUGS ARE TAKING OVER. What happens when a backyard becomes a battleground? Total. Insect. Chaos. 🐛 The Bugs is a wildly funny, fast-paced adventure where honeybees, spiders, and a whole backyard of critters band together to fight for their home. Packed with bold characters & big laughs, this is family-friendly theatre with bite – think outrageous comedy, a touch of Greek mythology, and a whole lot of heart.
Date: 14 – 24 May 2026
Time: 2pm & 7pm
Location: Civic Theatre Playhouse
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Opening Night Standard $55, Standard $59, Concession $49, Hunter Drama Subscriber $49, Four Ticket Bundle (pp) $42.50
Website
May Events
Tocal Field Days
The Hunter’s premier agricultural event heads into its fourth decade with plenty for city and country families alike. Expect farm machinery, animals, show rings, food and a genuine taste of regional NSW. Read more about Tocal Field Days.
Date: Friday 1 – Sunday 3 May 2026
Time: 9am – 4pm daily
Location: Tocal Agricultural College
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Adult from $25, Kids (5-17) $10, 4 years and under free
Website
Singleton Firelight Festival
Singleton’s Civic Precinct transforms for an evening of lantern displays, live entertainment, circus workshops, market stalls and a fireworks finale. A great free night out for families.
Date: Saturday 2 May 2026
Time: 6 – 9.30pm
Location: Singleton Civic Centre Precinct
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free
Website
NSW Fire & Rescue Station Open Day
Meet the firefighters, explore the trucks and get a close look at specialised equipment at your local Fire & Rescue NSW station. A great outing for kids who love emergency vehicles.
Date: Saturday 9 May 2026
Time: 10am – 2pm
Location: Participating Fire & Rescue NSW fire stations. Here’s a list of local stations participating in Open Day.
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free
Website
Digitales: Storytime and art
Come along to MAP mima for a storytime adventure like no other! Immerse yourself in a digital story projected on the big screen, then spark your creativity with a hands-on art activity. Suitable for ages 2-5.
Date: Thursday 21 May 2026
Time: 10am-10:45am on the third Thursday of every month
Location: MAP mima, Speers Point Park
Age Group: Suitable for ages 2-5.
Cost: Free but bookings are essential
Website
Aladdin by Victoria State Ballet
A full-length classical ballet production of Aladdin with dazzling costumes and a rich musical score. A lovely introduction to ballet for kids.
Date: Friday 22 May 2026
Time: 7.30 – 9.30pm
Location: PACC, Cessnock
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Members $50, Adults $58, Concession $55, Groups 6+ $55, Children $35
Website
Village in the City – Twilight Village Kitchen & Market
A free community evening at Jesmond Neighbourhood Centre with cooking stations, market stalls, cultural performances, African dancing, music workshops and kids’ face painting. Part of a three-event series celebrating food, culture and neighbourhood connection in Jesmond.
Date: Friday 22 May 2026
Time: 4pm – 7.30pm
Location: Jesmond Neighbourhood Centre, Jesmond
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free
Website
Africa Day
Celebrate African culture, community and connections. Enjoy incredible food, the vibrant market stalls, or catch a set by DJ Deon. There’s something for everyone.
Date: Saturday 23 May
Time: 10am – 3pm
Location: Islington Public School
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free
Website
Repair Cafe at Wallsend Library
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 23 May 2026
Time: 10am – 12.30pm
Location: Wallsend Library
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free
Website
Pets Life Festival 2026
Animals, market stalls, dog races and family entertainment at The Station in Newcastle East. A fun day out for pet-loving families, with proceeds supporting local animal rescues.
Date: Sunday 24 May 2026
Time: 9am – 2pm
Location: The Station, Newcastle East
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Online $5 | Gate $7 | Under 2 free
Website
Botanic Gardens Day & 40th Anniversary Event – Hunter Region Botanic Gardens
This year’s national Botanic Gardens Day is extra special at Heatherbrae, with the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens marking its 40th anniversary with free entry, expert talks on everything from bonsai to bush foods, rare herbarium tours and live entertainment. Entry is free but bookings are required.
Date: Sunday 24 May 2026
Time: 10am – 2pm
Location: Hunter Region Botanic Gardens, Heatherbrae
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free (bookings required; donations welcome)
Website
ALIA National Simultaneous Storytime
Libraries across the country read the same book at the same time — this year it’s Luna Roo the Kangaroo Baller. Join in at your local library or read along at home. Read more about National Simultaneous Storytime.
Date: Wednesday 27 May 2026
Time: 12pm
Location: Various libraries
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free
Website
A Midsummer Night’s Dream presented by Hunter Drama
Shakespeare’s most loved comedy reimagined by Hunter Drama — four lovers, a forest full of mischief and some very confused fairies. Fun for older kids and adults alike.
Date: Thursday 28 May – Saturday 30 May 2026
Time: 2pm & 7pm
Location: Civic Theatre Playhouse
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Opening Night Standard $55, Standard$59, Concession$49, Hunter Drama Subscriber $49
Website
PBR Origin I 2026
Professional bull riding comes to Newcastle Entertainment Centre — Australia’s top riders, All-Star Bulls and serious state rivalry. An action-packed night out for older kids and adults.
Date: Saturday 30 May 2026
Time: Gates open 4.30pm, doors open 6pm
Location: Newcastle Entertainment Centre
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Tickets start from $74.50
Website
Memory Walk and Jog
A family-friendly fundraising walk and run along the foreshore at Griffith Park, Stockton, raising awareness for Dementia Australia. Choose from 2.5km, 5km or 9.5km distances.
Date: Sunday 31 May 2026
Time: From 7.30am
Location: Griffith Park, Stockton
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Adult (18-59) $27.50, Child (6-17) $22, Junior (0-5) FREE, Senior (60+) $24.75, Family (2A+2C) $82.50
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 31 May 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
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.