Fringe Curious? Head to Hamilton for Free Fringe

Newcastle Fringe Festival kicks off on Thursday 9 March and runs over 2 weekends until March 19. If you're Fringe curious, head over to Hamilton each Saturday, 11 and 18 March when Fringe takes over James St Plaza for a free taste of all the fun and frolic of Newcastle's own fringe festival.

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Hamilton becomes the Fringe Hub with a free program of roving street performers, entertainment at James St Plaza, a Fringe Box Office and home to 3 of the 6 Fringe venues - The Gal, Sydney Junction Hotel and Hamilton Uniting Church. Designed to give everyone a taste of what sort of entertainment can be expected at the festival, there is something for the whole family to enjoy.

On Saturday 11 March from 5.30pm to 8pm, the roving program includes Lizzieland, a singing and violin playing butterfly who is performing her show at the festival and the 3rd Earl of Rochester, part of the burlesque sensation that is Bur-Roque. Other roving entertainers include the Pretty Amazing Jono, stilt walker Rachel Dryden and The Flaming Jesters who will enchant with their silly antics and mesmerising displays.

In the James St Plaza, the Fringe Box Office will be open to sell tickets and to answer all your Fringe related questions. There will be facepainting for the kids with Kingdom Kids Facepainting, blues and rock and roll music by Midnight Removalists, comedy with Newcastle’s queen of giggles Eddy Rockefeller and more from Lizzieland and the Pretty Amazing Jono. As the day disappears, The Flaming Jesters take to the stage. These talented fire performing clowns will light up the night sky with their daring stunts and high-octane thrills. You'll be left in awe as you watch them breathe flames, spin fire and more. So come one, come all, and experience comedy, danger and excitement! This is a family friendly and free event.

“The Hamilton Business Association are thrilled to welcome Newcastle Fringe Festival into our precinct for 2023,” said Reece Hignell, Chair of Hamilton Business Association. “Hamilton is a cultural hotspot full of history, art and creatives. We feel this festival truly reflects that and will greatly benefit our small business community.“

Supported by the City of Newcastle, Councillor Carol Duncan said Newcastle Fringe aligns with the city’s strategy to attract locals and visitors into the CBD and Hamilton precincts at night, supporting local businesses and jobs.

“March is set to see the city attract visitors from near and far with the return of Newcastle Fringe and the Newcastle 500, following a three-year hiatus due to Covid-disruptions,” Cr Duncan said.

On Saturday 18 March there will be free lunchtime entertainment in James St Plaza from 12pm to 1pm, ideal for catching up with friends over brunch at one of the many cafes along Beaumont Street, browsing the shops and picking up last minute Fringe tickets from the Box Office. Facepainting for the kids will be back and performances by the Pretty Amazing Jono and Fringe children’s favourite, the disgusting Mr Snotbottom, who will delight the whole family with his grosstastic gags.

From 5.30pm to 8pm the roving program and James St Plaza entertainment kicks off again with street performers Pretty Amazing Jono, Rachel on stilts, JD Magic, a touch of burlesque with Fringe artists Dollhaus and of course clowning with The Flaming Jesters. On the James St Plaza stage you’ll find the high energy and charismatic rock of Pilot Buffalo Teen Band, comedian and compare Kelly Mac fresh from her Fringe show Wrong Side of 50, more from Mr Snotbottom and as the sun sets, the thrills, spills and fire of The Flaming Jesters lighting up the night sky.

At 3pm on both Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 March there is more free entertainment at SJs with Reckless Empire, a trio of rock journeymen delivering a 90’s inspired selection of covers and originals. Fans of Pearl Jam will rejoice.

Be Fringe curious, bring the family and enjoy some free fun entertainment in and around Hamilton – you just might be inspired to buy a ticket to one of the 55 different shows presented at the festival this year and if not, you’ll have a great time anyway and it won’t cost you a penny.