Bell Shakespeare’s national tour of Romeo & Juliet has kicked off, but with no Newcastle dates, Novocastrians keen to see the Bard’s star-crossed lovers will have to look elsewhere.

Support live music this September with our local gig guide for Newcastle, the Hunter and Lake Macquarie.

Your guide to local farmers & artisan markets in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter.

Newcastle's New Annual festival is rolling out the red carpet for families this year, with two standout events that promise to captivate audiences of all ages while delivering unforgettable experiences right in the heart of the city.

# This is Not Journalism (#TINJ) is hailed as an urgent comedy about truth, news and alternative facts. A powder keg 75-minute comedy drama written and directed by Ross Mueller for some of Newcastle’s finest actors, including Philip McGrath and Mark Pegler, # TINJ is presented by UpStage at The Playhouse (Newcastle Civic Theatre) from Friday 26 September until Saturday 4 October.

Get ready for an unforgettable spectacle as the Balloon Aloft Hunter Valley Fiesta returns this October Long Weekend (October 3rd - 6th, 2025) with an enchanting Balloons & Bubbles theme!

The award-winning La Ronde is set to take over the Spiegeltent, blending elegance, acrobatics, and outrageous cabaret in one unforgettable show.

NEW ANNUAL is back in 2025! From 26 September to 5 October, experience 10 days of art, music, and ideas with over 30 events transforming Newcastle’s streets, stages, and coastal icons.

Held on the traditional lands of the Awabakal People, the Living Smart Festival returns to Speers Point Park on Saturday, 20 September 2025, celebrating sustainability with one of Australia’s largest free community events.

The D’Vine Festival is a vibrant weekend in the Hunter Valley featuring wine tastings, gourmet food, live music, luxury experiences, and family-friendly fun, and it’s back and better than ever.

Fresh off a sold-out AU/NZ tour and a breakthrough North American debut, Rum Jungle are returning home to Newcastle to celebrate their ARIA-chart-topping deluxe album Recency Bias (New, For Now) with a one-night-only mini-festival!

The historical town of Dungog invites everyone to the Dungog Tea Party as a fabulous, fun and free way to celebrate the return of Spring.

This ‘Cosmic Country Weekender’ is unlike any other, commonly known as a country music festival, featuring an extensive list of both local and international talent.

City of Newcastle's flagship arts festival, New Annual Festival, now in its fifth year, will take over the streets, stages and iconic landmarks of our city for ten days of art, music and ideas from 26 September to 5 October. It will showcase local people, places and performances alongside some of the best theatre, art and music from Australia and overseas.

It’s been a beautiful sonic stroll for the Hunter Valley’s Dashville Skyline, which celebrated a huge 10th birthday last year and now returns over the October Long Weekend (NSW) 3-5 October 2025, for what is arguably the biggest line up in its enduring 11-year history.