New Annual reveals its biggest program yet, turning Newcastle into a 10-day stage
- intouch Magazine
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
Newcastle's beaches, ocean baths, laneways, parks and best-loved landmarks are about to become stages once again, with City of Newcastle unveiling the full program for New Annual — the city's flagship arts festival, running from Friday, September 25 to Sunday, October 4.
Now in its sixth year, the festival is going bigger than ever: 402 artists, 40 events and seven new commissions across 10 days of art, music, performance and ideas. Building on the success of New Annual 2025, which drew more than 50,000 attendees and delivered close to $3.5 million in local economic impact, this year's program leans into Newcastle's creative confidence with ambitious new work from local, national and international artists.
Festival Director Tory Loudon said every major work in the 2026 program is shaped by the city itself.
"New Annual could only belong to Newcastle. Every major work is shaped here — by its coastline, communities, and unmistakable character — creating experiences that couldn't happen anywhere else," Ms Loudon said.
"This year's program reflects a city that's creative, confident and constantly evolving. It brings together remarkable local artists with leading voices from across Australia, all responding to this place with generosity, curiosity and imagination.
"Whether you're visiting for the first time or have lived here your whole life, I hope New Annual has you seeing Newy in a completely new light."
The coast takes centre stage
True to form, Newcastle's coastline does a lot of the heavy lifting. Days begin with Sea Stories, an intimate sunrise listening experience from acclaimed theatre-maker Roslyn Oades celebrating friendship, ritual and life by the ocean. Along Bathers Way, Penelope Green's open-air photographic exhibition Ocean Rituals honours Newcastle's enduring relationship with the sea, while at Canoe Pool, Izabela Pluta's monumental new commission Cavitation shifts with the tides, weather and changing light — with Catapult Dance Choreographic Hub's dancers responding live each morning in At Sea.
As the sun goes down, the ever-popular SOAK: Live at the Baths returns to Newcastle Ocean Baths, turning the harbour pool into one of the country's most spectacular open-air music venues. Curated by Urthboy (Tim Levinson), this year's four free sunset concerts feature Hermitude and Claire O'Brien, 92Wrld and Kobie Dee, and Karen Lee Andrews. The coastal program closes out beneath the full moon with Tongan-Australian artist Latai Taumoepeau's Wansolmoana Lunar Assembly, inviting hundreds of participants to float and move together in a celebration of feminine sovereignty, renewal and collective care.
Heartbeat of the city
Beyond the coast, New Annual transforms pubs, theatres, galleries and public spaces across town. The festival kicks off with the free First Night Art Party, spilling across Laman Street alongside the opening of Newcastle Art Gallery's major exhibition Muse by internationally acclaimed Newcastle artist Angela Tiatia, headlined by rising soul artist Ngaiire with Aleksiah and Djanaba.
Inside the Oriental Hotel, Brand X's Petite Suite unlocks seven intimate theatrical encounters across seven hotel rooms, while indie-rock gig-theatre work AUTO-TUNE, from re:group performance collective, channels Silverchair obsession and Y2K nostalgia — with a free gig from local bands, including 2026 triple j Unearthed High winners Trophy Wyfe, following each show. Newcastle's quirkier side gets its due in Bizarre Newcastle, a newly commissioned film uncovering 10 extraordinary local tales, with its premiere expanding into a one-night-only live event featuring Steve Abbott (Sandman), Maynard and Christa Hughes.
Something for everyone
The wider program spans circus, comedy, fashion, food, theatre, dance, music, visual art and ideas. Highlights include Circa's acrobatics in Wolf at Civic Theatre, Annabel Crabb and Leigh Sales bringing their podcast Chat 10, Looks 3 to the stage, and Jonny Hawkins' Truck Driver, fresh from a sold-out season at the Sydney Opera House. Triceratop offers a wildly inventive one-person gay dinosaur love story with climate change on its mind, while Dance Makers Collective's All In brings professional dancers together with three local dance schools for a large-scale performance at City Hall.
Elsewhere, Jennifer Wong and Benjamin Law serve up food and storytelling under the stars at Global Table in Wheeler Place; Newcastle Museum celebrates three generations of the local punk scene with the free, all-ages NM:PM PUNK!, and photographer Damien Frost's Night Flowers showcases more than a hundred portraits of the local queer community at Watt Space, paired with the after-dark art party Twisted. The Spiegeltent returns to Civic Park with cabaret, comedy and late-night spectacle, including Strut n Fret's Loca Vida, and artist MelissaLikesSushi transforms Charlestown Square with the vivid inflatable installation BLOOM.
Presented by City of Newcastle and supported by the NSW Government through Destination NSW, Multicultural NSW, Transport for NSW and Create NSW, with the University of Newcastle returning as presenting partner, New Annual continues to champion low-cost and free access, with most ticketed shows under $40.
Tickets are on sale now via newannual.com, where audiences can explore the full program and start planning their festival. With the event falling during the September–October school holidays and Newcastle just two hours from Sydney by road, organisers are encouraging visitors to book tickets and secure accommodation early.
