WHAT'S ON IN THE NEWCASTLE AREA

When & Juliet arrives at Newcastle’s Civic Theatre this June, it brings with it the glittering credentials of a global phenomenon. Since its 2019 premiere, this irreverent reimagining of Shakespeare's most famous tragedy has conquered the West End, Broadway, and stages across the globe, winning three Olivier Awards and earning nine Tony nominations along the way.

Celebrating 35 years in 2026, Flickerfest remains Australia’s leading Academy® Qualifying and BAFTA Recognised short film festival, ensuring that we continue to present A-list short film programmes recognised amongst the best in the world with films hand-picked from the festival’s record 3,700+ entries!

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

Maitland Heritage Fest is back, running from 12 to 28 June 2026. A vibrant celebration of Maitland's unique and richly layered history, Maitland Heritage Fest brings together community groups, historians, entertainers, and artisans to create new experiences, foster collaboration, and deepen appreciation for the region's remarkable past.

Newcastle Tuna Festival is back for 2026 — bigger, bolder, and it's bringing the whole ocean with it!

Comedy legend Eddie Izzard is heading to Newcastle's Civic Theatre on Thursday, 28 May 2025, bringing with her The Remix Tour Live — a spectacular celebration of 35 years of boundary-pushing stand-up comedy.

Yorke is rapidly emerging as one of Australia’s most globally connected new artists.

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

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

Australia’s powerhouse vocalist, Casey Donovan, is set to take the stage of Performance Arts Culture Cessnock (PACC) as part of her biggest national tour yet in 2026, THIS IS ME.

The Write Here Festival is back, bringing together bestselling authors, bold new voices, and a lineup of workshops, talks and special events across three days designed to spark your imagination.

Musica Viva Australia brings together Australian pianist Aura Go, Finnish-Australian cellist Timo-Veikko (Tipi) Valve and virtuoso violinist Kristian Winther for their first national tour as a trio.

Get ready to kick off your Sunday shoes, Newcastle! Following a sold-out Melbourne season, the Footloose: The Musical national tour marks the first professional Australian production of Footloose in over 20 years.

Oliver Jr is coming to Warners Bay Theatre, presented by Hive Youth Theatre and performed by a cast of talented local young actors and singers.

Following the global success of his Horizons tour, which attracted nearly half a million attendees, Professor Brian Cox returns with his new world tour, Emergence.

Victorian State Ballet brings the magic of Aladdin to life in a dazzling full-length classical ballet!

Chart a course through the night sky - Disney On Ice is coming to Newcastle Entertainment Centre this July, and it promises to be the most spectacular show yet.

One of the most beloved operas ever written is coming to Newcastle, as Opera Hunter presents a full-scale production of Mozart's The Magic Flute, featuring a stellar cast of local and acclaimed performers accompanied by the Lake Mac Philharmonic Orchestra.

There’s something quietly extraordinary about a festival that not only survives but thrives - growing year after year without losing its soul. In a landscape where even major events have fallen by the wayside, The Gum Ball has done the opposite. It has deepened, expanded, and embedded itself into the cultural fabric of regional New South Wales, located in the bush, on the property of Dashville in Lower Belford.

There's a question that has delighted children for more than two decades, and this July it's coming to life on stage right here in Newcastle. Where is the Green Sheep? - the iconic picture book by Mem Fox and illustrator Judy Horacek - is being adapted for the very first time as a full theatrical production, and Civic Theatre Newcastle is one of the first stops on its Australian journey.

Get ready to kick off your Sunday shoes — one of the most beloved musicals of the '80s is heading to Civic Theatre Newcastle this May, and it's bigger, bolder, and more electric than ever.