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

It’s mid-April in Newcastle, which means we’re in that weird seasonal limbo where you need a jumper for the morning coffee run but you’re sweating by the time you hit the light rail. This week, the city is absolutely packed. We’ve got Guy Sebastian bringing his massive new tour to the Entertainment Centre, James Reyne and Boom Crash Opera taking over Bar on the Hill, and the newly reopened Newcastle Art Gallery showing off its shiny new expansion. Plus, Newcastle Food Month is in full swing with long lunches and pop-up cellar doors everywhere you look. Grab a coffee, settle in, and read the full list below to plan your week.

Guy Sebastian – 100 Times Around The Sun Tour

ARIA Award-winning singer-songwriter Guy Sebastian kicks off his 2026 National Tour right here in Newcastle, performing hits like Battle Scars alongside tracks from his tenth studio album.

•When: Thursday 16 April, 7:00pm

•Where: Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Broadmeadow

•Price: From $99

•More info: Ticketek

James Reyne + Boom Crash Opera – Fall of Crawl Tour

A massive double-header of Australian rock royalty. James Reyne delivers a night of classic hits, supported by the legendary Boom Crash Opera.

•When: Friday 17 April, 7:00pm

•Where: Bar on the Hill, Newcastle University

•Price: $89.90

•More info: Oztix

Hunter Valley Steamfest

Maitland's biggest annual weekend returns with historic steam locomotives, the famous Great Train Race, and a festival of vintage machinery, market stalls, and family entertainment spread across the town.

•When: Saturday 18 April & Sunday 19 April, from 9:00am

•Where: Maitland Railway Station and surrounds, Maitland

•Price: Festival entry free / Train rides from $25

•More info: Book train tickets

Newton Faulkner

The UK acoustic-folk virtuoso brings his incredible guitar skills and new album OCTOPUS to an intimate local stage.

•When: Wednesday 15 April, 7:30pm

•Where: The Hamilton Station Hotel, Islington

•Price: $68.55

•More info: Oztix

Henry Wagons – The Road Less Travelled Tour

The charismatic frontman of Wagons brings his solo country-rock swagger to a classic Newcastle pub setting.

•When: Friday 17 April, 7:00pm

•Where: The Ship Inn, Newcastle

•Price: Door sales only

•More info: Wagons Music

Camping & Music Weekend

A relaxed weekend of live local music, good food, and country vibes featuring Javier's Music, Andy Abra, and the Auldberry Duo.

•When: Friday 17 April to Sunday 19 April

•Where: Tuckers Lane Boutique Accommodation, North Rothbury

•Price: $155 (Full Weekend Pass)

•More info: Tuckers Lane

Iconic Loved Unexpected

The inaugural exhibition of the newly expanded Newcastle Art Gallery, showcasing a curated selection from their 7,000-piece collection spanning 200 years of Australian art.

•When: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00am – 4:00pm

•Where: Newcastle Art Gallery, Laman Street

•Price: Free

•More info: Newcastle Art Gallery

My Brilliant Divorce

A witty, warm, and well-observed one-woman comedy by Geraldine Aron, presented by Bare Theatrical Productions.

•When: Friday 17 April to Sunday 19 April

•Where: Royal Exchange (REX) Theatre, Bolton Street

•Price: $28

•More info: TryBooking

Form and Colour

A vibrant group exhibition featuring colourful paintings and ceramics from six talented Newcastle and Lake Macquarie artists.

•When: Friday 17 April to Sunday 19 April, 11:00am – 5:00pm

•Where: Back to Back Galleries, Cooks Hill

•Price: Free

•More info: Visit Newcastle

Erth's Shark Dive: Live on Stage

A theatrical experience using exquisite puppetry to bring Australia's iconic sharks to life on stage, from ancient ocean dwellers to present-day species. Recommended for ages 5 and up, with two sessions available on the day.

•When: Wednesday 15 April, 10:30am & 12:30pm

•Where: Performance Arts Culture Cessnock (PACC)

•Price: $25 / Family bundle of 4 for $95

•More info: Get tickets

From Argentina with Love

A 70-minute journey through Argentina's musical heritage with a two-course set meal and drink on arrival, part of Newcastle Food Month.

•When: Thursday 16 April, 6:30pm

•Where: FogHorn Brewery, King Street

•Price: $95

•More info: OpenTable

First Creek Wines | Cellar Door In The City

A pop-up cellar door experience bringing the best of the Hunter Valley directly to the Newcastle CBD for Food Month.

•When: Thursday 16 April to Sunday 19 April, 2:00pm – 6:00pm

•Where: Crystalbrook Kingsley, Newcastle

•Price: Free entry (tastings vary)

•More info: Newcastle Food Month

Semillon Soirée Newcastle

A signature Newcastle Food Month event celebrating the Hunter Valley's most iconic varietal with tastings and canapés.

•When: Saturday 18 April, 2:00pm – 5:00pm

•Where: The Signal Box, Wharf Road

•Price: $85

•More info: TryBooking

Customs House x TINTA Belmont Autumnal Garden Party

A long afternoon of flowing drinks, roaming food stations, and live entertainment in the historic beer garden at Customs House, as part of Newcastle Food Month.

•When: Saturday 18 April, 12:00pm – 4:00pm

•Where: Customs House Hotel, 1 Bond Street, Newcastle

•Price: $129

•More info: Get tickets

Henderson Newcastle Marathon

An AIMS-certified flat and fast marathon and half-marathon course taking in the scenic Newcastle foreshore.

•When: Sunday 19 April, from 6:00am

•Where: The Station, Newcastle

•Price: Spectating is free (registration fees apply for runners)

•More info: Henderson Newcastle Marathon

Collector Con Newcastle

A massive day for pop culture fans featuring over 180 tables of action figures, Star Wars gear, trading cards, vintage toys, die-cast models, and collectibles from across the decades.

•When: Sunday 19 April, 9:30am – 2:30pm

•Where: Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Broadmeadow

•Price: Adults $14 / Kids under 12 free

•More info: Get tickets

HMC Multicultural Fiesta

A free, family-friendly celebration of cultural diversity featuring live music, international food stalls, and kids' activities.

•When: Saturday 18 April, 10:00am – 3:00pm

•Where: Hunter Multicultural Communities, Waratah

•Price: Free

•More info: Hunter Multicultural Communities

Melodies for Melanoma

A brilliant local charity night where well-known Hunter region faces swap their day jobs for the microphone, belting out tunes to raise funds for the Hunter Melanoma Foundation. It's a fiercely fun vocal competition with a live audience vote, a two-course dinner, and a whole lot of community spirit. These tickets go fast every year — worth grabbing early.

•When: Friday 17 April, 6:00pm

•Where: Flamingos Live, Lambton

•Price: Dinner & Show $100 / Show Only $50

•More info: Get tickets

The Gum Ball Music & Arts Festival

Dashville's legendary family-friendly music festival is celebrating its 21st birthday next weekend. Set in the beautiful bushland of the Hunter Valley, it's one of the best boutique festivals in the country. Tickets always sell out, so if you want to spend the Anzac Day long weekend camping under the stars with incredible live music, you need to lock this in right now.

•When: Friday 24 April to Sunday 26 April

•Where: Dashville, Lower Belford

•Price: Weekend passes from $240

•More info: Humanitix

That's your week, Next time Knights! 4-2. See you out there. 🙌

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