Welcome to the ANZAC Day 2026 special edition of The Newy List!

ANZAC Day is always a significant day on the Newcastle calendar, and with it falling on a Saturday in 2026, the city is preparing for a huge day of remembrance and mateship. The day begins before sunrise with dawn services across the region, followed by traditional gunfire breakfasts, the main march through the CBD, and an afternoon filled with two-up, live music, and local sport. To help you plan your day, we've rounded up 20 of the best events, services, and activities happening around town this Saturday, 25 April.

Nobbys Beach Dawn Service

The city's largest dawn service takes place at Camp Shortland, featuring a band, choir, bugler, and bagpiper. The service concludes with a four-gun salute from Fort Scratchley. Attendees are advised to arrive early, bring a torch, and dress warmly.

•When: 5:00am

•Where: Camp Shortland, Newcastle East

•Price: Free

•More info: Newcastle RSL

Newcastle ANZAC Day March

Following the dawn services, the official Newcastle ANZAC Day March will step off from the corner of Hunter and Perkins Streets, making its way down King Street before concluding at Civic Park for the United Commemoration Service.

•When: 9:15am (March), 10:00am (Service)

•Where: Hunter Street to Civic Park, Newcastle

•Price: Free

•More info: Newcastle RSL

Hamilton Dawn Service & Breakfast

For a slightly smaller, community-focused service, head to Gregson Park in Hamilton. Following the 6:00am service, the Hamilton Public School P&C will be hosting a breakfast in the school grounds for a gold coin donation.

•When: 6:00am

•Where: Gregson Park, Hamilton

•Price: Free (gold coin donation for breakfast)

•More info: Newy With Kids

Newcastle Memorial Walk

Take a moment of quiet reflection along the spectacular Newcastle Memorial Walk. The 160-metre cliff-top bridge is adorned with steel silhouettes of soldiers and inscribed with the names of almost 11,000 Hunter Valley men and women who enlisted during World War I.

•When: Open all day

•Where: Strzelecki Lookout, Bar Beach

•Price: Free

•More info: Visit Newcastle

Nova Cruises Breakfast Cruise

Ease into the morning after the Nobbys dawn service with a peaceful two-hour breakfast cruise on Newcastle Harbour. Enjoy a buffet breakfast featuring pastries, fresh fruit, and croissants while watching the sun rise over the water.

•When: 7:00am – 9:00am

•Where: Departs Lee Wharf, Newcastle

•Price: $59

•More info: Nova Cruises

Gunfire Breakfast at The Cricketers Arms

The Cricketers Arms in Cooks Hill is opening its doors bright and early at 7:00am, serving up a traditional gunfire breakfast alongside a full menu to keep you fuelled for a massive day of two-up and yabby racing.

•When: From 7:00am

•Where: The Cricketers Arms, Cooks Hill

•Price: Varies

•More info: The Cricketers Arms

Honeysuckle Hotel Veterans Breakfast

The Honeysuckle Hotel is offering a complimentary breakfast and beer for all service personnel from 10:00am to 11:00am, before the venue opens up for an afternoon of two-up and live entertainment by the water.

•When: 10:00am – 11:00am

•Where: Honeysuckle Hotel, Newcastle

•Price: Free for service personnel

•More info: Honeysuckle Hotel

Early Coffee at Son of a Gun

If you need a caffeine hit before the dawn service, Son of a Gun in Hamilton is opening its doors at an eye-watering 4:45am. Grab a coffee and a quick bite before heading to your local service.

•When: From 4:45am

•Where: Son of a Gun, Hamilton

•Price: Varies

•More info: Hunter Hunter

Stockton Dawn Service & March

Stockton offers a deeply moving local service. The morning begins with a march by veterans from Club Stockton to the Cenotaph at 5:30am, followed immediately by the Dawn Service. A main march and service will also take place later in the morning from 8:30am.

•When: 5:30am (Dawn Service), 8:30am (Main March)

•Where: Stockton Cenotaph

•Price: Free

•More info: Newy With Kids

Wallsend Diggers Dawn Service & March

Join the Wallsend community for their annual march, stepping off from outside Wallsend Diggers at 5:00am and travelling to the Federal Park Cenotaph for the Dawn Service. The club opens at 4:00am for those wanting to gather beforehand.

•When: 5:00am

•Where: Wallsend Diggers to Federal Park Cenotaph

•Price: Free

•More info: Wallsend Diggers

United Service Club Veterans Breakfast

The United Service Club in Newcastle is offering a complimentary breakfast for all veterans and active service members from 6:00am to 9:00am. It's a wonderful opportunity for service personnel to gather, reflect, and share a meal together after the dawn services.

•When: 6:00am – 9:00am

•Where: United Service Club, Newcastle

•Price: Free for veterans and active service members

•More info: United Service Club

Two-Up at The Del

The Delany Hotel claims to host Newcastle's biggest two-up ring, complete with a massive three-tier grandstand. Doors open at 9:00am, with the two-up action kicking off at midday, followed by DJs and live music into the night.

•When: Doors 9:00am, Two-Up from 12:00pm

•Where: The Delany Hotel, Cooks Hill

•Price: Free entry

•More info: Hunter Hunter

Queens Wharf Hotel

Starting bright and early at 6:00am, Queens Wharf Hotel will host waterfront two-up from midday. Expect a special pipe band appearance, live entertainment, and a massive crowd soaking up the harbour views.

•When: Doors 6:00am, Two-Up from 12:00pm

•Where: Queens Wharf Hotel, Newcastle

•Price: Free entry

•More info: Queens Wharf Hotel

The Prince of Merewether

The Prince is kicking things off at 10:00am, with two-up taking over the driveway from midday. They'll have $6 tins running from 12:00pm to 2:00pm, plus DJs spinning tunes on the rooftop and downstairs throughout the afternoon.

•When: Doors 10:00am, Two-Up from 12:00pm

•Where: The Prince of Merewether

•Price: Free entry

•More info: Hunter Hunter

Two-Up at Wallsend Diggers Mezz Bar

Dust off your luck and join the Wallsend community for the ultimate ANZAC Day tradition. Wallsend Diggers is bringing back two-up for a massive session in the Mezz Bar, running from 9:00am right through to 1:00pm.

•When: 9:00am – 1:00pm

•Where: Wallsend Diggers Mezz Bar, 5 Tyrrell St, Wallsend

•Price: Free entry

•More info: Wallsend Diggers

The Beach Hotel

Head to The Beaches for a classic game of two-up hosted by Tommy Casha from midday. The venue opens at 10:00am and will feature all-day drink specials and DJs keeping the energy high until late.

•When: Doors 10:00am, Two-Up from 12:00pm

•Where: The Beach Hotel, Merewether

•Price: Free entry

•More info: Hunter Hunter

Two-Up at Club Stockton

If you're spending the day over the bridge, Club Stockton will be hosting their two-up ring in the Willcox Room from 11:30am. Stick around for live entertainment from Snape & Son kicking off at 4:30pm.

•When: 11:30am – 2:30pm

•Where: Club Stockton, 29 Douglas St, Stockton

•Price: Free entry

•More info: Club Stockton

Fort Scratchley Open Day & Gun Firings

After the dawn service gun salute, Fort Scratchley reopens from midday to 4:00pm. The historic 25-pound field guns will be fired at 1:00pm and 3:00pm, and modified tunnel tours will be running throughout the afternoon. A genuinely special Newcastle experience.

•When: 12:00pm – 4:00pm (Gun firings 1:00pm & 3:00pm)

•Where: Fort Scratchley, 1/3 Nobbys Rd, Newcastle East

•Price: Free entry (tunnel tours vary)

•More info: Fort Scratchley

Newcastle Museum Field of Remembrance

Visit the Newcastle Museum to see their Field of Remembrance display in Museum Park. The installation features white crosses and poppies, each acknowledging the name of a service person with a connection to the Hunter Region.

•When: Open 10:00am – 5:00am

•Where: Newcastle Museum, Workshop Way, Newcastle

•Price: Free

•More info: Newcastle Museum

ADF Masters vs Newcastle Jets Legends

Before the main A-League match, catch a special commemorative curtain-raiser as the Australian Defence Force Football Federation Masters side takes on a team of Newcastle Jets Legends. Football meets remembrance.

•When: Afternoon (prior to main match)

•Where: McDonald Jones Stadium, Broadmeadow

•Price: Included with main match ticket

•More info: Newcastle Jets

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

We will remember them
Lest we forget.

The Newy List

Know someone who'd love this? Forward it on, they can subscribe free at thenewylist.com

Have a local event or business you think we should feature? Just hit reply, we read every message.