Welcome to this week's edition of The Newy List!
Winter is well and truly here, but things are heating up across the Hunter. We’ve got the massive Luminous fire and light festival taking over Maitland, the golden age of Hollywood hitting the Civic Playhouse, and a viral food festival rolling into Broadmeadow. Plus, the Knights are back at home under Friday night lights. Let’s get into it.
Featured Events
Luminous Fire & Light Festival
Maitland’s winter solstice celebration returns bigger than ever, transforming The Levee into a glowing wonderland of light, fire, and ice. Expect dazzling installations, fire performers, an immersive Ice Cathedral, and a pop-up ice skating rink. Warm up with comfort food at Bulwer Street Bites or a glass of local wine at Boydells on Bourke, before the spectacular fireworks finale on Saturday night.
When: Friday 19 June (5pm–8pm) & Saturday 20 June (3pm–8pm)
Where: The Levee, Central Maitland
Tickets: Free entry (some activities ticketed)Link:
Newcastle VIRAL Food Festival
Your social media feed is coming to life. This massive food festival is bringing over 50 trending street eats to Broadmeadow, from Dubai bubble waffles and loaded baked potatoes to scoopable cookie dough pie. Beyond the food, there’s live music, carnival rides, and even a live wrestling ring.
When: Friday 19 June (5pm–10pm), Saturday 20 June & Sunday 21 June (12pm–10pm)
Where: Newcastle Racecourse, Broadmeadow
Tickets: $5 earlybird / $7 at the gateLink:
Hollyweird: A HD Original
Welcome to the golden age of Hollywood, where the stars shine bright and the studios call the shots. Devised by James Chapman and presented by Hunter Drama, this original production follows a troupe of young hopefuls chasing fame in Tinseltown, only to find that the real drama happens off the soundstage.
When: Saturday 20 June – Saturday 27 June
Where: Playhouse, Civic Theatre
NewcastleTickets: $35Link:
MUSIC
Jon Stevens – The Noiseworks & INXS Collection
Aussie rock royalty Jon Stevens is bringing a visceral charge of emotion to The Station. Transport yourself back to 1987 with a relentless setlist of hits including Take Me Back, New Sensation, Touch, and Never Tear Us Apart.
When: Friday 19 June, gates open 4:00pm
Where: The Station, Newcastle
Tickets: Available onlineLink:
Sanguisugabogg with PeelingFlesh
For those who like their music heavy, the utterly uncompromising gore merchants Sanguisugabogg are tearing through Newcastle on their Australian Headline Tour. Expect a night of pure, unfiltered brutality and bowel-rattling death metal.
When: Thursday 18 June, 7:00pm
Where: Hamilton Station Hotel, Islington
Tickets: $69.90 - $74.90Link:
Doric String Quartet & Lloyd Van’t Hoff
London’s Doric String Quartet meets Australian clarinettist Lloyd Van’t Hoff for an evening of musical alchemy. Presented by Musica Viva, the program features Beethoven’s rich ‘Razumovsky’ quartet, delicate early works by Benjamin Britten, and Thomas Adès' beguiling Alchymia.
When: Tuesday 23 June, 7:30pm
Where: Newcastle City Hall
Tickets: From $65Link:
ARTS & CULTURE
& Juliet
What if Juliet’s greatest love story was just getting started? This Broadway and West End smash hit rewrites Shakespeare’s tragedy into a feel-good celebration of second chances, packed with pop anthems like Since U Been Gone and Baby One More Time.
When: Friday 19 June – Sunday 28 June
Where: Civic Theatre Newcastle
Tickets: $69 - $119Link:
Make N Do at Newcastle Museum
A creative, hands-on program for adults led by resident artist Ken O’Regan. It’s all about curiosity, connection, and making, offering a relaxed environment to explore your creative side.
When: Thursday 18 June
Where: Newcastle Museum
Tickets: Free (bookings essential)Link:
Friday Night Comedy @ Newcastle Comedy Club
After a long week, head over to Islington for a rolling lineup of local and travelling comedians. It’s a New York-style stand-up room, and you can grab a dinner and show deal with the Barracks Hotel next door.
When: Friday 19 June 2026, Doors 8:00pm for 8:30pm start
Where: Newcastle Comedy Club, 139 Maitland Road, Islington
Tickets: Book here
FOOD, WINE & MARKETS
Winter Solstice @ Boydell’s
Celebrate the shortest day of the year at Boydell’s in Morpeth. They’re hosting a beautiful Winter Solstice event with extended à la carte dining, cellar door prices for one night only, and a seriously cozy atmosphere.
When: Saturday 20 June 2026, from 5:30pm
Where: Boydell’s Restaurant and Cellar Door, 2 Green Street, Morpeth
Tickets: Book here
Homegrown Markets at Lambton Park
The Homegrown Markets team is teaming up with Made & Found for a special Sunday edition at Lambton Park. Expect feel-good vibes, delicious street food, vintage finds, and a curated mix of local handmade stalls.
When: Sunday 21 June, 10am–2pm
Where: Lambton Park
Tickets: Free entryLink:
Weird is Wonderful Market
Embrace something a little different in the Hunter Valley. This monthly market celebrates creativity in all its forms, from artisan goods to quirky finds, set against the backdrop of The Valley Brewhouse with live music and great food.
When: Sunday 21 June, 11am–3pm
Where: The Valley Brewhouse, Nulkaba
Tickets: Free entryLink:
Handmade in the Hunter Markets
Discover local artisans with unique skills who work tirelessly behind their creations. Set within the picturesque Sobels Wines, you can shop local, enjoy a wine tasting, and make a day of it in the vineyards.
When: Saturday 20 June, 9am–2pm
Where: Sobels Wines, Pokolbin
Tickets: Free entryLink:
SPORT & COMMUNITY
NRL: Newcastle Knights vs Dragons
Friday night footy comes to McDonald Jones Stadium as the Knights take on the St. George Illawarra Dragons in a high-energy Round 16 clash. Grab your beanie and get behind the boys in red and blue.
When: Friday 19 June, 8:00pm
Where: McDonald Jones Stadium
Tickets: Available via TicketmasterLink: mcdonaldjonesstadium.com/events/n2026_nrl_round_16__knights_vs_dragons
Float Your Boat
Bundle up and head to the lake for this magical winter tradition. A flotilla of brightly lit boats will cruise across Lake Macquarie, with the Warners Bay live site offering live music, food, and a brilliant vantage point to watch the lights reflect on the water.
When: Saturday 20 June 2026, 4:30pm – 8:30pm (Warners Bay Live Site)
Where: Warners Bay Foreshore, Lake Macquarie
Tickets: Free community event
Newcastle Queer Pickleball
A relaxed, social session for beginners and casual players. No experience needed, no pressure—just good fun on the court. Tickets cover paddle hire, but you're welcome to bring your own.
When: Saturday 20 June, 11am–12pm
Where: Venue TBA (Broadmeadow or Cooks Hill)
Tickets: $11.25Link: events.humanitix.com/newcastle-queer-pickleball-june
Snow Time in the Garden
Ready for icy fun? Create unforgettable winter memories as Snow Time returns to the Hunter Valley Gardens. It's the perfect family day out with winter-themed activities set among the stunning garden displays.
When: Starts Saturday 27 June
Where: Hunter Valley Gardens, Pokolbin
Tickets: Available onlineLink:
Hamilton Bus Depot Community Open Day
A surprisingly fun Saturday morning outing. The Hamilton Bus Depot is throwing open its doors with free coffee, depot tours, face painting, and rides on electric and vintage buses.
When: Saturday 20 June 2026, 10:00am – 1:00pm
Where: Hamilton Bus Depot, 89 Denison Street, Hamilton
Village in the City: Bright Nights Bazaar
Marking Refugee Week, this beautiful community evening in Jesmond features food stalls, drumming, live percussion, indoor story circles, and a mini tasting trail. A warm, welcoming space celebrating cultural diversity.'
When: Friday 19 June 2026, 4:00pm – 7:30pm
Where: Jesmond Neighbourhood Centre, Jesmond
Tickets: Free community event
Euro Motorfest 2026
Car enthusiasts, this one is for you. The MG Car Club Hunter Region hosts this premier annual display of European cars right on the harbour at Foreshore Park.
When: Sunday 21 June 2026, 8:30am – 3:00pm
Where: Newcastle Foreshore Park, Newcastle East
Tickets: $10 entry
ReFashion Lab: Pojagi Style
WorkshopFashion, sustainability, and creativity collide at the Newcastle Museum. This hands-on workshop introduces you to the traditional Korean patchwork technique of Pojagi, teaching you how to create a beautiful reversible fabric piece using hand-sewn flat-felled seams.
When: Saturday 20 June, 1pm–4pm
Where: Newcastle Museum
Tickets: $5 (Bookings essential)Link:
LOOKING FORWARD
Tom Gleeson: Out of Touch
Hard Quiz host, Taskmaster Australia host, and Gold Logie winner Tom Gleeson is bringing his brand new stand-up show to Newcastle. He's completely out of touch, and his head is up his arse. Come along and take him down a peg.
When: Friday 3 July & Monday 6 July, 7:00pm
Where: Civic Theatre Newcastle
Tickets: $64.90 - $69.90Link:
Recommendation:
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That's your week, Up the Knights! 9-5. See you out there. 🙌
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