Welcome to this week's edition of The Newy List!

Spring has arrived with the sort of enthusiasm normally reserved for a parking spot near the beach, and Newy has answered with a harbour-side seafood festival, a Hunter Valley wine weekend and a very shiny Spiegeltent in Civic Park. There is also serious music, proper theatre and enough markets to make a reusable tote bag feel briefly important. Whether you are chasing a good table, a good song or a gentle wander through a historic garden, this is a fine week to leave the house, read on.

Newcastle’s working harbour gets its own seafood celebration across Pier 97, the Fishermen’s Co-operative and Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club. Expect local seafood, shucking and filleting demonstrations, makers’ stalls, live music, family activities and bookable boat tours.

•When: Saturday 12 September, 11:00 am–5:00 pm

•Where: 95 Hannell Street and Throsby Basin venues, Wickham

•Price: Free; boat tours are $10

•More info: RSVP and program

Around Hermitage Road comes alive for a weekend of tastings, maker encounters, long lunches and winery experiences. Festival registration opens the door to a broad program spread across Pokolbin’s cellar doors and restaurants.

•When: Friday 11 September, 5:00 pm–Sunday 13 September, 5:00 pm

•Where: Hermitage Road, Pokolbin

•Price: $35 adult; $15 child aged 5–17; free for under 5s

•More info: Festival registration

Four women take on hot flushes, memory lapses and familiar 1960s–80s hits in this touring musical comedy. It is a lively, knowingly relatable night out at the Civic Theatre.

•When: Friday 11 September, 7:30 pm; Saturday 12 September, 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm; Sunday 13 September, 2:00 pm

•Where: Civic Theatre, 375 Hunter Street, Newcastle

•Price: From $79.90

•More info: Show details and tickets

Western Sydney drill group ONEFOUR brings its regional tour to Bar on the Hill, drawing from its debut album and the songs that helped shift the sound of Australian hip-hop.

•When: Friday 11 September, 7:00 pm

•Where: Bar on the Hill, University of Newcastle, Callaghan

•Price: $66.70

•More info: Tickets

Sydney rock outfit Dear Seattle arrives with US guests Seahaven and local support Bad Neighbour. This is the week’s larger-scale guitar night, with plenty of melodic, emotionally direct rock in the mix.

•When: Saturday 12 September, 7:00 pm

•Where: King Street, Newcastle West

•Price: $54.90

•More info: Tickets

Newcastle hardcore band DROPSAW marks two decades with Grim Reality, Latest God, L.O.W. and D.I.S.C.O. at the Hamilton Station Hotel.

•When: Saturday 12 September, 7:30 pm

•Where: The Hamilton Station Hotel, Islington

•Price: $22.45

•More info: Tickets

A sharp Broadway comedy about fact-checking, literary ego and the difference between accuracy and a good story. The Newcastle production plays the intimate Playhouse across four days.

•When: Wednesday 9–Saturday 12 September; 7:30 pm nightly, plus Saturday 2:00 pm

•Where: Playhouse, 375 Hunter Street, Newcastle

•Price: See booking page

•More info: Sessions and tickets

Koko Casey discusses Stay, her memoir of resilience and recovery, at a free author event with books available for purchase and signing afterwards.

•When: Wednesday 9 September, 11:00 am–12:00 pm

•Where: Belmont Library, ngarrabangba, 19 Ernest Street, Belmont

•Price: Free

•More info: Event details and booking

A small, non-alcoholic garden-themed painting workshop with all materials, a grazing platter and a hot drink included. It is designed for beginners as well as more confident painters.

•When: Saturday 12 September, 9:00 am–12:30 pm

•Where: Hemporium Wellness Centre, 87 Young Street, Carrington

•Price: $75

•More info: Book your place

This exhibition brings together work shaped by neurodivergent ways of thinking, seeing and making, including work from The Useless Assembly and local artist Doug Heslop.

•When: Friday 11–Sunday 13 September, 9:00 am–2:00 pm

•Where: MAP mima, 96 Creek Reserve Road, Speers Point

•Price: Free

•More info: Exhibition details

Newcastle University Choir presents Czech composer Antonin Dvořák’s Mass in D Major for the first time in Newcastle on Sunday 13th September at The Harold Lobb Concert Hall, The Newcastle Conservatorium of Music, Laman St, at 2:30pm. Dvořák is known for his lyrical melodies and rhythms based on Bohemian folk-music, the best-known example being his “New World” Symphony. The Mass is another charming example. The program also includes Goodall’s The Lord Is My Shepherd, Fauré’s Cantique de Jean Racine and Saint-Saëns’ Ave Maria. Doors will open at 2pm.

When: Sunday 13th September. 2.30pm

Where: The Harold Lobb Concert Hall, The Newcastle Conservatorium of Music, Laman St

More Info: Book here

Hamilton’s street market expands into Nyiirunba Park for a spring night of local food, market stalls and outdoor dining under the big fig trees.

•When: Saturday 12 September, 5:00–9:00 pm

•Where: Beaumont Street and Nyiirunba Park, Hamilton

•Price: Free entry

•More info: Market details

The D’Vine opening-night gathering pairs Hunter wines with grazing, canapés and a chance to meet ten participating winemakers. Festival registration is required in addition to this ticket.

•When: Friday 11 September, 6:00–9:00 pm

•Where: The Beltree, Pokolbin

•Price: $130, plus D’Vine festival registration

•More info: Book the showcase

A relaxed McCaffrey’s Estate day of wine, food and festival atmosphere within the D’Vine weekend. Take a slower route through Pokolbin and settle in for the afternoon.

•When: Saturday 12 September, 10:00 am–5:00 pm

•Where: McCaffrey’s Estate, Pokolbin

•Price: See booking page

•More info: Tickets and details

Start the D’Vine weekend with a brunch at The Mill Restaurant, built around relaxed food, a morning mimosa and time to linger before the winery circuit begins.

•When: Saturday 12 September, 10:00 am–12:00 pm

•Where: The Mill Restaurant, Pokolbin

•Price: $45 adult; $20 child under 12

•More info: Book brunch

Roundhouse at Crystalbrook Kingsley has teamed up with Hunter Valley's First Creek Wines for a spring take on its High Tea. There's a new seasonal menu, a seafood tower option, and a complimentary glass of First Creek's newly released Blanc de Blancs for anyone dining through September. If you're in no rush, add two hours of bottomless Blanc de Blancs and Limited Release Rosé for $40 a head. Keep an eye out for the Fraisier, a French strawberry cake set with First Creek Rosé jelly.

When: Saturdays at 11:30am throughout September

Where: Roundhouse, Level 9, Crystalbrook Kingsley

$85 per person, seafood High Tea $109 per person

Book: https://www.crystalbrookcollection.com/kingsley/offers/high-tea

The Lake Macquarie foreshore running festival offers a half marathon, 10.5 km fun run and 4 km family scamper. It is a good excuse to be near the water early, whether you are running or cheering from the esplanade.

•When: Sunday 13 September; race times vary by distance

•Where: Lake Macquarie foreshore, Warners Bay

•Price: From $40 late registration

•More info: Enter or view event details

A free, inclusive learn-to-surf clinic for autistic young people and their siblings, with volunteer roles also available. Experienced coaches and volunteers run the three-hour beach session.

•When: Saturday 12 September, 9:00 am–12:00 pm

•Where: Nobby’s Beach, Pasha Way, Newcastle East

•Price: Free

•More info: Register

Your Friday morning ritual is back for summer 2026.Friday mornings Newcastle ocean baths mat pilates & meditation times perfectly to start as she sun pops its head over the water out at sea. Followed by coffee, swims and connection.

$20 mats included all ages and abilities welcome. No experience needed beautiful community.

When: Friday Mornings, 5.30am (watch the sunrise)

Where: Newcastle Ocean Baths.

More Info: BOOK HERE

The local rugby league finals conclude with the grand final at Lakeside Sporting Complex. It is a proper local footy afternoon with women’s community tackle through to A Grade represented across the series.

•When: Sunday 13 September; kick-off time to be confirmed

•Where: Lakeside Sporting Complex, Raymond Terrace

•Price: $10 adult; $5 child or concession

•More info: Finals series details

If you have walked past this modest King Street house a hundred times and meant to go in, here is your nudge. Spend a quiet afternoon in the garden and fernery, then explore the special floral display and a replica of the family’s gardening scrapbook.

•When: Sunday 13 September, 1:00–4:00 pm

•Where: Miss Porter’s House Museum, 434 King Street, Newcastle West

•Price: Check entry price with the venue

•More info: Open-day details

A gentle heads-up for October: Ben Folds returns to the Civic with special guest Lindsey Kraft for a solo-piano encore date. If this is on your list, it is worth sorting sooner rather than later.

•When: Thursday 1 October, 8:00 pm

•Where: Civic Theatre, 375 Hunter Street, Newcastle

•Price: $89 B Reserve; $119 A Reserve

•More info: Show details and tickets

Recommendation:

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That's your week, Bye this week, rest up Knights. Finals in two weeks! See you out there. 🙌

The Newy List