Newcastle Art Gallery will officially reopen to the public on Saturday, 28 February, following its estimated $47 million expansion. The landmark reopening will be celebrated with a three-day festival and the debut of the major exhibition Iconic Loved Unexpected.

I don’t know about you, but I felt like I limped to the end of 2025. If it needs a visual, it's like one of those marathon runners who can see the finish line, but whose legs are going out from under them; they end up needing physical assistance, and when they take one step over the threshold, they pass out face-first on the road.

The festive season in Newcastle is more than just tinsel and lights - it’s a time for connection, joy, and celebration. From the heart of the city to the sparkling Harbour Foreshore, City of Newcastle is rolling out its annual calendar of Christmas cheer and New Year festivities, offering something for everyone. Whether it’s wandering through a glowing Christmas precinct, snapping selfies with Santa, or dancing your way into 2026, the city is alive with energy, creativity, an

School holidays can be a welcome break for teens, but they can also mean long days indoors, endless screen time, and little movement. At Urth Fitness, we wanted to offer a different kind of break, one that gives high school students a safe place to move, clear their heads, meet new friends and feel part of a community.

Mark Friday 12 December in your diary – Clyde St Arts is throwing open its doors for a festive evening of creativity, community and Christmas shopping with a difference.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Maitland, and this year the celebrations roll right through summer with a vibrant program of family-friendly events and community activities. There’s something for everyone to enjoy, from outdoor movie nights and Christmas lights to New Year’s celebrations and roller discos.

Step into a world where the tiniest details tell the biggest stories. Model Newcastle: Big Stories, Little Things is Newcastle Museum’s headline exhibition for 2025/26, bringing the city’s history, imagination, and creativity to life in miniature.

Hunter Drama, the Hunter Region’s leading youth theatre and drama education company, will soon be accepting enrolments for its 2026 workshops, offering pathways in Drama, Musical Theatre, Screen Acting, and Pre-Diploma of Musical Theatre.

Audiences will follow the Yellow Brick Road this November when more than 50 young performers aged 8-15 years from across Newcastle and the Hunter take the stage in Hive Youth Theatre's 2025 production of The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition.

The Hunter Valley's most beloved festive tradition returns this November, as the Christmas Lights Spectacular transforms Hunter Valley Gardens into a glittering wonderland of holiday enchantment. From 7 November to 26 January, over four and half million dazzling lights will illuminate eight acres of stunning landscapes, creating the perfect backdrop for unforgettable family memories.

Young artists from the Place Based Abilities Program share their creativity, connection, and joy through the Placed to Speak podcast.

Newcastle's young theatre talent takes centre stage this November as Hunter Drama presents three distinctive productions showcasing the region's emerging performers.

Hunter Drama has unveiled its bold 2026 Season, a year packed with rebellious fairytales, glittering musicals, searing dramas, and two brand-new Hunter Drama Originals.

Newcastle Museum has unveiled its next major exhibition, and there's one notable difference to the items on display – their size. Model Newcastle: Big Stories, Little Things opened on 27 September, delving into the intricate world of models and miniatures that pack maximum impact despite their diminutive scale.

The PACC Art Gallery buzzed with excitement as record numbers of families, longtime fans, and local media turned out for the opening of Ted Prior's Grug retrospective exhibition on Saturday, 27 September.