1/5

From BBQ breakfasts to the big screen, Maitland has it all this Australia Day

intouch Magazine
41 minutes ago
2 min read

People relax on inflatables in a pool watching a movie on a large screen. Evening setting, with soft lights and trees in the background.

Maitland is gearing up for a vibrant Australia Day celebration on Monday 26 January 2026, featuring family-friendly activities, live entertainment and the return of the ever-popular Dive in Cinema at Maitland Aquatic Centre.

The day kicks off at Maitland Park with a free community breakfast from 7.30am, complete with live performances, interactive craft activities, classic car displays, a petting zoo and games for all ages. Visitors can also enjoy free entry to Maitland and East Maitland Aquatic Centres from 10am to 4pm, offering a refreshing way to cool off during the summer celebrations.

The Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony will be held at 10.30am at Maitland Town Hall, officially welcoming the city’s newest citizens and recognising the contributions they bring to our growing community.

Maitland Mayor Philip Penfold said, "Australia Day is a special opportunity to welcome new residents to our city and celebrate the people who help make Maitland a connected city with thriving communities.

"Our Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony is one of the largest we hold each year and sets the tone for what the day is all about – celebrating community, welcoming new residents and recognising the contributions they bring to Maitland.”

As the day winds down, Dive in Cinema lights up Maitland Aquatic Centre from 5pm, offering a fun and relaxing way to cap off the celebrations. Families can float in the pool or relax poolside while enjoying a double feature, including Moana 2 (PG) and Lilo & Stitch (PG), with free popcorn available.

"Dive in Cinema is a highlight of our Australia Day celebrations. Grab your floaties and swimwear, or simply relax by the poolside, and immerse yourself in an unforgettable movie experience under the stars. It’s a great way for families and friends to come together and enjoy the day," Mayor Penfold said.

Tickets for Dive in Cinema are $5 per person for poolside seating and $10 per person for in-pool seating. Tickets can be purchased online at mait.city/DiveInCinema2026.

For the full Australia Day 2026 program, visit mait.city/AusDay2026

GET INTOUCH THIS MONTH

Newcastle’s Sparkling Summer of Celebration!

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

Swifties Unite! International Taylor Tribute Touring This Jan

The newest stage show in Showtime Australia’s roster of world-class tribute shows - THE UNOFFICIAL TRIBUTE SHOW - TAYLOR: A Tribute to the Eras of Taylor Swift Music – is set to begin its Australian tour this January, taking in dates across QLD, New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia, and the Northern territory, including at NEX Newcastle on Wednesday 7 January, 2026.

School Holiday Pass: Giving Teens a Healthier Holiday

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.

Clyde St Arts Opens Its Doors for Summer Celebration

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.

Summer in the City: Maitland's Festive Season Rolls On

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.

Diana: The People's Princess Returns in Broadway Musical

Thirty years ago, the Princess of Wales travelled to Sydney to open the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute’s newest location. Now, local theatre company Hyde Entertainment is giving Newcastle audiences a glimpse into the beloved late royal’s life in 2026 with its season of the Broadway musical Diana.

What's On Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens & the Hunter Valley | December 25 - January 26

Your complete guide to what's on in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens and the Hunter Valley...

Christmas Magic Awaits in Historic Morpeth

When the festive season arrives, there's something undeniably special about wandering through the historic streets of Morpeth. This charming village transforms into a Christmas shopping haven where every purchase feels personal, meaningful, and delightfully unique.

Newcastle Gig Guide

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

Rekindle Your Creative Spark at Allettare Dezign's Art Retreat

For nine years, artist and educator Chris Deards has guided hundreds of people into the joy of creativity through her business, Allettare Dezigns. Now, 2026 marks her most ambitious venture yet.

Fire & Rain: A Celebration of James Taylor

One of Australia's most captivating performers, Darren Coggan, brings his critically acclaimed show ‘Fire & Rain’ to The Playhouse stage at Civic Theatre Newcastle, celebrating the timeless songs of one of modern music’s most magnetic and beloved artists, James Taylor.

Christmas at the Markets: Fresh Feasts and Last-Minute Gifts

As the festive season approaches, locals are discovering that the region's farmers' markets offer the perfect solution for both Christmas feast preparations and those last-minute gift dilemmas. With fresh, locally sourced produce and unique artisan products, Newcastle City Farmers Market and Lake Macquarie Farmers Market are becoming go-to destinations for Christmas shoppers.

Hot Eats in the Hunter Valley

Uncover the ultimate Hunter Valley dining experience this spring with our top picks and favourite eats! Discover a variety of cuisines, flavours, and destinations to explore.

Sleeping With the Lions Jamala Wildlife Lodge Redefines Luxury

Imagine waking from one of the best sleeps of your life to the deep roar of a lion. In most hotels, you might think you are still dreaming, but at Jamala Wildlife Lodge, this is simply part of the experience. Jamala offers guests luxurious accommodation alongside an encounter with wildlife unlike anything else in Australia.

Morpeth: The Hunter’s Number One Fashion Destination

Nestled along the banks of the Hunter River, the historic village of Morpeth is a place where old-world charm meets modern sophistication. Once a bustling port town, today it stands proudly as the Hunter Valley’s number one fashion destination—a boutique shopping haven where women come to discover something truly unique.

Make Fitness Resolutions that Actually Stick

The start of a new year brings a familiar pressure: set bold goals, change everything, and commit without fail. But most resolutions fizzle by February, not because people give up, but because the expectations were wrong from the start.

The Clothing Space: Sustainable Style, Community-Driven

Tired of unworn clothes cluttering your wardrobe? The Clothing Space at Cooks Hill offers a refreshing solution to fast fashion fatigue. This innovative rent-a-rack concept gives pre-loved clothing a second life while putting money back in your pocket.

Sustainable Weight Loss: How Surgery Transforms Lives in the Hunter

Weight loss surgery is more than a procedure — it’s a life-changing journey with longterm benefits for health and wellbeing. For individuals struggling with obesity and its associated conditions, bariatric surgery offers a proven pathway to sustained weight loss, improved mobility, and a reduction or cure of diabetes, heart disease and sleep apnoea.

A Visit to Your Local Could Change Your Life

I have just read Professor Scott Galloway's new book, Notes on Being a Man. As a father of two sons, he’s become increasingly alarmed that the manosphere has hijacked the idea of masculinity. For Galloway, coarseness, cruelty, and violence are the opposite of what being a man should mean. His book is part autobiography and part operations manual for men navigating today’s world.