Looking for what’s on in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie or the Hunter Valley this September? You’ll find the best family-friendly events right here — from festivals to 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, the September/October school holidays, or just looking for something fun to do with the kids. Click here for our list of Father’s Day events.
🔖 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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September at a Glance
- Throughout September — Mr Squiggle and Friends Exhibition
- 1 September — Pre-School Art School
- 2 September — Story Explorers
- 3 September — The Bugalugs Bum Thief
- 4 – 20 September — NEURODIVERSE Exhibition & Opening
- 5 September — High Tea on the Harbour
- 5 – 6 September — Newcastle Medieval Festival
- 12 September — Hamilton Hawker Street Markets
- 13 September — Lake Mac Run | Broke Village Fair & Vintage Car Display | Vacy Country Carnival
- 13 September — ART PLAY at MAP mima
- 17 September — Digitales: Storytime and Art
- 19 September — Living Smart Festival | Illuminate Raymond Terrace 2026
- 20 September — Move for MADA
- 19 – 20 September — Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show
- 20 September — ARTSPACE: Free Family Artmaking at MAC yapang
- 25 – 27 September — Singleton Show
- 25 September – 4 October — New Annual 2026
- 25 September — Burn the Floor: Luminous
- 26 September — Crafternoon at The Lockup | Taste of the Hunter Valley | Sonic Swing Fest Youth Music Festival | MAP mima Rocks | Maitland Roller Disco
- 26 – 27 September — New Annual: Curtain Call – Strut Your Stuff | Brickfest Newcastle
- 26 – 29 September — New Annual: At Sea – Catapult Dance Choreographic Hub
- 27 September — Edgeworth Trains
- 28 September — Film: Chicken Run
- 30 September — New Annual: Lennie’s Country
Mr Squiggle and Friends Exhibition
Newcastle Museum’s current feature exhibition is a nostalgic one. Mr Squiggle and Friends: The Creative World of Norman Hetherington has opened as the first stop on its national tour, and it is packed with puppets, props and plenty of reasons to bring the whole family along.
Date: Saturday 4 July – 1 November 2026 (closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Open 7 days in school holidays)
Location: Newcastle Museum
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free
Website
Pre-School Art School
An expert tour guide leads little ones through the latest exhibition at the Museum of Art and Culture, Lake Macquarie, followed by story time and a craft activity inspired by the artwork. A great way to spend the morning getting creative with the youngest artists in the family.
Date: Tuesday 1 September 2026
Time: 10 – 11am
Location: Museum of Art and Culture, yapang, 1A First Street, Booragul
Age Group: suited to ages 0 – 6
Cost: Free, bookings preferred but not required
Website
Story Explorers
Join Newcastle Museum for stories and adventures on the first Wednesday of each month, during school terms, exploring different items in the Museum collection.
Date: Wednesday 2 September 2026
Time: 11.15am – 12pm
Location: Newcastle Museum
Age Group: Aimed at ages 3-5 years, but all ages welcome!
Cost: Free, no bookings needed, just drop-in!
Website
The Bugalugs Bum Thief
The Bugalugs Bum Thief takes audiences on a whimsical journey through the imaginative world created by Australian author and National Treasure, Tim Winton. This literacy-based play with music, vividly brings to life the colourful characters and quirky adventures from Winton’s beloved book.
Date: Thursday 3 September 2026
Location: PACC Cessnock
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Ticketed – check website for prices
Website
NEURODIVERSE Exhibition & Exhibition Opening
Step into MAP mima’s 360-degree projection cube for the opening of Neurodiverse, an immersive exhibition by neurodivergent artists from across regional NSW. A lovely one for families wanting to celebrate different ways of thinking, seeing and making.
Date: Saturday 5 September 2026 (opening), Friday 4 – Sunday 20 September 2026 (exhibition dates)
Time: 12 – 2pm (opening)
Location: Multi-Arts Pavilion mima (MAP), Lake Macquarie
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free
Website
Newcastle Medieval Festival
Knights in full armour, cannon fire and a medieval village pop up on the Foreshore for a weekend, with market stalls and combat demonstrations that go down a treat with kids who love a bit of spectacle. Dress the family up for the occasion if you’re keen, though it’s not compulsory.
Date: Saturday 5 September – Sunday 6 September 2026
Time: Gates open 10am both days
Location: Foreshore Park, Newcastle East
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Ticketed — check website for prices
Website
High Tea on the Harbour Cruise
Step aboard MV Calmer and enjoy a beautiful afternoon on Newcastle Harbour, surrounded by sparkling water, stunning views, and the timeless charm of our take on a classic high tea. Gather your friends and family, celebrate a special occasion, or simply treat yourself to an day out on the water.
Date: Saturday 5 September 2026
Time: 12pm – 2:30pm
Location: Queen’s Wharf Terminal, Newcastle
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Ticketed – check website for prices
Website
Hunter Valley Martial Arts Centre Open Day
Hunter Valley Martial Arts is opening its doors this September with an Open Day on September 12 & 13 at all six centres inviting children, teens and adults to try martial arts in a welcoming, supportive environment. Whether you’re after better fitness, more confidence, or support for your own or your child’s development, martial arts offers a lot more than physical training. It’s a pathway to personal growth, discipline and skills that last well beyond the mat.
Date: Saturday 12 & Sunday September 2026
Time: 9am – 12pm
Location: Hunter Valley Martial Arts Centres at Warners Bay, Green Hills, Morisset, Redhead, Waratah and Maryland.
Age Group: young adults and teenagers
Cost: Free but bookings required
Website
Hamilton Hawker Street Markets
The much-loved Hamilton Hawker Street Markets is back. From the producers of the fantastic Winterheat festival, this spring edition marks the very first event at the newly revitalised Nyiirunba Park (Hamilton Station Park), and it’s shaping up to be a fun community celebration. If you have been to Hawker Markets before, you know the drill: neon lights, street food, and that unmistakable night market buzz. Plus, there’s plenty of free family fun including Sideshow alley, face painting, bubble and treat carts with free lollipops, s’mores and fairy floss.
Date: Saturday 12 September 2026
Time: 5pm – 9pm
Location: Nyiirunba Park (Hamilton Station Park)
Facebook event
Lake Mac Run
One of the longest-running fun runs in NSW, this scenic foreshore course is mostly flat and a great one for families wanting to get active together. Kids will love the 4km Family Scamper, while the keen runners in the family can tackle the 10.5km or the half marathon.
Date: Sunday 13 September 2026
Time: 7am – 12pm
Location: Lake Macquarie Foreshore, The Esplanade, Warners Bay
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Ticketed – check website for details
Website
Broke Village Fair & Vintage Car Display
A proper old-school country fair, this one’s been running since 1984 and still has all the charm. Kids will love the jumping castle and roaming entertainers, while the grown-ups can wander rows of beautifully restored vintage cars and grab a free tour of the Bulga Open Cut mine.
Date: Sunday 13 September 2026
Time: 9am – 2pm
Location: McNamara Park, Broke
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Gold coin donation
Website
Vacy Country Carnival
A classic country day out, the Vacy Country Carnival brings together Jack Russell and Dachshund races, pony and camel rides, market stalls, country cooking and more in the small village of Vacy.
Date: Sunday 13 September 2026
Time: 9am – 4pm
Location: 792 Gresford Road, Vacy
Age Group: All ages
Cost: TBA
Website
ART PLAY at MAP mima
A free monthly art session at the Multi-Arts Pavilion in Speers Point, ART PLAY starts with a guided look at the current exhibition before families get hands-on with a different art activity each month. No experience needed, just curiosity and a willingness to get a bit creative together.
Date: Sunday 13 September 2026
Time: 10-11.30am
Location: Multi-Arts Pavilion (MAP mima), Speers Point
Age Group: Families with children of all ages
Cost: Free, bookings required
Website
Digitales: Storytime and Art
A lovely indoor activity for little ones. Digital stories projected on the big screen followed by hands-on artmaking and shadow play, run by Lake Mac Arts at the Multi-Arts Pavilion, MAP mima.
Date: Thursday 17 September 2026
Time: 11am – 11.45am
Location: Multi-Arts Pavilion, mima, Speers Point Park, Speers Point
Age Group: 2 – 5 years
Cost: Free, bookings required
Website
Living Smart Festival
Lake Macquarie City Council presents Living Smart, one of Australia’s largest sustainability festivals. With free workshops, market stalls, live music and a dedicated kids’ zone, this is a fun day out for the whole family. This year’s headline guest is YouTube sensation, author and upcycling guru Beau Miles.
Date: Saturday 19 September 2026
Time: 9am – 3pm
Location: Speers Point Park
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free
Website
Illuminate Raymond Terrace 2026
Boomerang Park transforms into a glowing wonderland for one night, featuring stunning light installations, live entertainment, delicious food and free, family-friendly activities for all ages. It’s an opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate everything that makes Raymond Terrace unique. Whether you’re exploring the glowing displays, enjoying live performances or spending time with family and friends, Illuminate offers something for everyone in a welcoming and accessible environment.
Date: Saturday 19 September 2026
Time: From 4pm
Location: Boomerang Park, Raymond Terrace
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free entry
Website
Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show
Bluey’s Big Play is back in Australia and heading to the Civic Theatre. It’s a great pick for Bluey fans of all ages, especially little ones. The show features brilliantly made puppets bringing the Heeler family to real life, with an original story and new music from the show’s creator and composer.
Date: Saturday 19 September – Sunday 20 September 2026
Time: Saturday 9.30am, 12.30pm & 3.30pm, Sunday 9.30am
Location: Civic Theatre, Newcastle
Age Group: All ages (children under 24 months require a free Babe in Arms ticket)
Cost: Ticketed – check website for prices
Website
Move for MADA Fun Run & Event
The Maitland Against Domestic Abuse (MADA) Committee is proud to announce Move for MADA Family Fun Run & Event. Now in its third year, this Maitland community event brings families together to raise funds and awareness for children and young people affected by domestic and family violence.It is a genuinely family friendly morning, with a course suited to all ages and fitness levels, plus live music, kids’ activities and a sausage sizzle.
Date: Sunday 20 September 2026
Time: 10 – 11.30am
Location: Harold Gregson Park, Maitland
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Run is ticketed. Free community event.
Website
ARTSPACE: Free Family Artmaking at MAC yapang
This free monthly program at the Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie is a lovely outing for young families. Sessions start with a guided look at a current exhibition before kids get hands-on making their own artwork inspired by what they’ve seen.
Date: Sunday 20 September 2026
Time: 10 – 11.30am
Location: Museum of Art and Culture (MAC yapang), Booragul
Age Group: Young children and families
Cost: Free, bookings required
Website
Singleton Show
Three days of classic country show fun, with pavilion displays of cooking, handcraft, woodwork and produce alongside live entertainment, a horse show and the famous Australian Wife Carrying Titles.
Date: Friday 25 September – Sunday 27 September 2026
Time: Friday 8am – 11pm, Saturday 8am – 10pm, Horse Show Sunday from 8am
Location: Singleton Showground
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Ticketed – check website for prices
Website
New Annual 2026
Newcastle’s flagship arts and culture festival is back for ten days across the CBD, with public art, live performance and family-friendly events woven throughout. Check out our article about New Annual’s family-friendly activities and events.
Date: Friday 25 September – Sunday 4 October 2026
Location: Newcastle CBD
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Mix of free, low-cost and ticketed events
Website
Crafternoon at The Lockup
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 26 September 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
Taste of the Hunter Valley
The best of the Hunter’s wineries, breweries and food stalls set up on Newcastle Harbour, with jumping castles, mini golf and face painting keeping the kids busy while the grown-ups sample a few local drops. Kids under 16 get in free, so it’s an easy one for the whole family.
Date: Saturday 26 September 2026
Time: 11am – 6pm
Location: The Station, corner Scott and Watt Streets, Newcastle
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Ticketed – check website for prices, kids under 16 free
Website
Sonic Swing Fest Youth Music Festival
Twelve local youth acts take to the stage for this one-day music festival, kicking off the September school holidays in style. Every ticket also includes a round of mini golf and entry into giveaway prizes, so it’s worth the visit beyond just the music.
Date: Saturday 26 September 2026
Time: 12 – 6pm
Location: Rippit Golf, 20 Curley Road, Broadmeadow
Age Group: Youth
Cost: Ticketed – check website for prices
Website
MAP mima Rocks
Five bands, one loud night of alternative and grunge at the Multi-Arts Pavilion mima. It’s a free, all-ages gig so bring the whole crew for a proper dose of local live music. Good one for older kids and teens who are into their indie and 90s-inspired sounds.
Date: Saturday 26 September 2026
Time: 3pm – 9pm
Location: Multi-Arts Pavilion mima (MAP), Lake Macquarie
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free
Website
Maitland Roller Disco
Free family fun under the lights at Harold Gregson Reserve, with music and skating for all ages, whether the kids are old hands on wheels or wobbling around for the first time. Bring your own skates or grab a spot on the rink and make a night of it as a family.
Date: Saturday 26 September 2026
Time: 5pm – 9pm
Location: Harold Gregson Reserve, Maitland
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free
Website
New Annual: Curtain Call – Strut Your Stuff
Turn discarded clothing into your own runway look at this free, drop-in fashion installation at Museum Park. No sewing skills needed, if you can work a safety pin you’re ready, and Saturdays feature all-ages runway parades on the hour while Sundays offer a quieter, low-sensory session.
Date: Saturday 26 & Sunday 27 September 2026
Time: 10am – 2pm
Location: Newcastle Museum Park, Newcastle
Age Group: All ages, drop-in (school holiday workshops suit ages 4 to 12 with an adult)
Cost: Free
Website
Newcastle Brickfest: A LEGO Fan Event 2026
Nearly 300 tables of LEGO displays and 120 exhibitors make this one of the biggest LEGO fan events in regional Australia, with a build area, speed build competitions and a colouring in comp to keep younger fans busy. Staggered entry times are in place, so once you’re in you can stay as long as you like.
Date: Saturday 26 September & Sunday 27 September 2026
Time: Saturday 10am – 5pm, Sunday 9am – 4pm
Location: Newcastle Jockey Club, Darling Street, Broadmeadow
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Ticketed – check website for prices
Website
New Annual: At Sea – Catapult Dance Choreographic Hub
Catch this free 30 minute dance work at the water’s edge as dancers move with the tide, wind and sand at Canoe Pool. It’s an early one at 8am, but stick around afterwards for a relaxed, no-experience-needed dance workshop on the sand.
Date: Saturday 26 – Tuesday 29 September 2026
Time: 8am to 8.30am
Location: Canoe Pool, Newcastle
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free
Website
Edgeworth Trains
Ride on a miniature train at Lake Macquarie Live Steam Locomotive Society’s monthly public ride day. 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.
Date: Sunday 27 September 2026
Time: Trains from 12.15pm–3.30pm (weather permitting), park open from 9.30am
Location: Velinda Street, Edgeworth
Age Group: All ages
Cost: $3 per ride; children under 2 free
Website
Film: Chicken Run
A school holiday screening of the claymation classic Chicken Run, perfect for a rainy day matinee with the kids. Grab the family ticket if there are four or more of you, it works out cheaper than individual tickets.
Date: Monday 28 September 2026
Time: 10 – 11.25am
Location: Performance Arts Culture Cessnock, 198-202 Vincent Street, Cessnock
Age Group: All ages, great for school holidays
Cost: Ticketed – check website for prices
Website
New Annual: Lenny’s Country
A free evening of illuminated puppetry and storytelling on Throsby Creek Foreshore, led by Worimi Elder Aunty Debbie Dates and Newcastle company Curious Legends. Pack a picnic and settle in for stories about the land, community and native wildlife, brought to life through giant lit-up puppets roving through the space.
Date: Wednesday 30 September 2026
Location: Throsby Creek Foreshore, Newcastle
Age Group: All ages, family friendly
Cost: 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.