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

This week’s list moves from the Civic Theatre to the vineyards, via Maitland galleries, Port Stephens and a few handy reasons to leave the house before Sunday afternoon disappears. There are big-ticket nights, free local outings, and several excellent opportunities to call a winery visit “research.”

COSENTINO TRICKED - An Evening of Wonder

Magician and illusionist Cosentino brings his TRICKED stage show to the Civic Theatre, with large-scale illusions and escapology at the centre of the evening.

•When: Friday 24 July, 7:30 pm

•Where: Civic Theatre, Newcastle

•Price: Adult $99; child $80.70

•More info: Civic Theatre

Newcastle Knights v Sydney Roosters

Newcastle host the Sydney Roosters in a Friday-night NRL home fixture at McDonald Jones Stadium.

•When: Friday 24 July, gates from 3:15 pm; NRL kick-off 6:00 pm

•Where: McDonald Jones Stadium, Broadmeadow

•Price: Ticketed; see official event page for details

•More info: McDonald Jones Stadium

Running in the Shadows of FLEETWOOD MAC

A live tribute to Fleetwood Mac, covering the band’s catalogue in the dinner-and-show setting at Flamingos Live.

•When: Friday 24 July, doors 6:00 pm; show 8:30 pm–11:00 pm

•Where: Flamingos Live, Lambton

•Price: Show only from $59.50

•More info: Flamingos Live

Organ Recital Series 2026

An afternoon recital on the historic pipe organ at Saint Peter’s Church, with a programme suited to a quiet Sunday outing.

•When: Sunday 26 July, 2:00 pm–3:30 pm

•Where: Saint Peter’s Church, East Maitland

•Price: Adult from $20; child from $10

•More info: My Maitland

Les Poetes Pop with Huckleberry

A free, 18+ Friday-night live-music bill at the Stag & Hunter, bringing two independent acts to Mayfield.

•When: Friday 24 July, 8:00 pm

•Where: The Stag & Hunter Hotel, Mayfield

•Price: Free

•More info: Oztix

Opera Hunter presents Mozart’s enchanting masterpiece with a local cast, the Opera Hunter Chorus, and the Lake Mac Philharmonic Orchestra. The production is sung in German, with English dialogue and subtitles.

•When: Friday 24 July, 7:30pm

•Where: Warners Bay Theatre, baramayiba, Warners Bay

•Price: Adult $65 / Concession $60

•More info: Lake Mac Arts

Award-winning vocalist Zoe K returns to her hometown with a band and special guests, drawing on the originals and Louisiana jazz repertoire that shaped her years in New Orleans.

•When: Tuesday 21 July, 8pm

•Where: The Underground, The Grand Hotel, 32 Church Street, Newcastle

•Price: $25

•More info: NIMA

Civic Cinema - National Theatre Live: The Playboy of the Western World

A National Theatre Live screening of the classic stage work, shown in the Playhouse at Civic Theatre.

•When: Wednesday 22 July, 7:00 pm

•Where: Playhouse, Civic Theatre, Newcastle

•Price: Standard $27; concession $22

•More info: Civic Theatre

Upriver Downriver - Various Artists

This major MRAG exhibition follows the Hunter River through the perspectives and practices of artists from across the region.

•When: Tuesday 21 July–Sunday 26 July, 9:00 am–4:00 pm

•Where: Maitland Regional Art Gallery, Maitland

•Price: Free

•More info: My Maitland

Free guided tours at MAC yapang

Take a short guided walk through the current exhibitions with a gallery guide at Lake Macquarie’s Museum of Art and Culture.

•When: Wednesday 22 July or Saturday 25 July, 11:00 am–11:20 am

•Where: Museum of Art and Culture, yapang, Booragul

•Price: Free

•More info: Lake Macquarie City Council

Take a guided walk through Maitland’s darker stories, from infamous crimes to local legends and the city’s more unsavoury characters. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a friend who is happy to walk home with you afterwards.

•When: Saturday 25 July, 5pm–6:30pm

•Where: Meet at Maitland Railway Station, Station Street, Maitland

•Price: Adult from $34 / Child from $25

•More info: Dark Stories

Christmas in July at Entwine Hunter Valley Food Hub

Two winter evenings of chef-led street food, Hunter Valley wines, live music and firepit warmth at Entwine’s Pokolbin food hub.

•When: Friday 24 July & Saturday 25 July, 5:30 pm–10:00 pm

•Where: Entwine Hunter Valley Food Hub, Pokolbin

•Price: See event page for entry and food details

•More info: Wine Country Events

Duck Sensations - Friday’s in July

A fireside, four-course duck degustation by chef-owner Matt Dillow, with the menu paired to Gartelmann Wines.

•When: Friday 24 July, 6:00 pm–8:30 pm

•Where: Gartelmann Wines, Lovedale

•Price: $175 per person

•More info: Wine Country Events

Stomp! Winter Wine Down

A Saturday winery gathering for a winter tasting in the Lovedale vines.

•When: Saturday 25 July

•Where: Stomp Wines, Lovedale

•Price: See winery event page for details

•More info: Stomp Wines

Pokolbin Market

A Sunday-morning market for local produce and artisan finds in the heart of wine country.

•When: Sunday 26 July, 8:00 am–1:00 pm

•Where: 691 Hermitage Road, Pokolbin

•Price: Free entry

•More info: Organic Food Markets

Tocal Homestead Open Days

Bring a picnic, explore the historic homestead and gardens using the site’s audio guides, and stop for Devonshire tea at the Visitor Centre.

•When: Sunday 26 July, 10:00 am–3:00 pm

•Where: Tocal Homestead, Tocal

•Price: Adult from $15; concession from $10; child from $2

•More info: My Maitland

NSW EPA Chemical CleanOut

A free drop-off day for safely disposing of household chemicals, paints, batteries and other problem waste.

•When: Saturday 25 July, 9:00 am–3:30 pm

•Where: Salamander Bay Waste Transfer Station, Salamander Bay

•Price: Free

•More info: Port Stephens Council

A local knockout football night under lights. Bring a scarf, gather a few friends, and enjoy the easy social ritual of watching a home side chase a place in the next round.

•When: Wednesday 22 July, gates 6pm; kick-off 7:30pm

•Where: Maitland Regional Sportsground, James Street, Maitland

•Price: Adult from $15 / Child from $5

•More info: Intix

Art Sunday

A free, hands-on family art session with materials supplied and no booking required. Children need to be accompanied by an adult.

•When: Sunday 26 July, 10:00 am–12:00 pm

•Where: Maitland Regional Art Gallery, Maitland

•Price: Free

•More info: My Maitland

Slow Stitch Saturday

If you have a well-loved jumper that needs a second life, make for Hamilton North. This small, relaxed session focuses on visible mending and hand stitching, with the useful bonus that you leave knowing how to make a repair look intentional.

•When: Saturday 25 July, 11:00 am–1:00 pm

•Where: Upcycle Newcastle, Hamilton North

•Price: Ticketed; see booking page for details

•More info: Humanitix

Ocean of Stories from Down Under

Tucked away in the Lovett Gallery above Newcastle City Library is a free exhibition of underwater stories and art from Australian picture books. It is the sort of quietly lovely space many people walk straight past on the way to the borrowing desks, and it makes an easy stop with the grandchildren, or a peaceful pocket of time on your own before it closes at month’s end.

•When: Friday 24 July, 9:30am–5pm

•Where: Lovett Gallery, Level 2, Newcastle City Library, 15 Laman Street, Newcastle

•Price: Free

•More info: Newcastle Libraries

The Brazilian Community of Newcastle brings a family-friendly Julina celebration to Mayfield, with live music and DJs, traditional Brazilian food and drinks, games, and plenty to keep the children occupied. A cheerful midwinter outing for anyone keen to swap the usual Saturday routine for colour, music, and a little Brazilian warmth.

Come From Away

A heads-up for August: the multi-award-winning musical based on the true story of the 7,000 stranded passengers welcomed by a small Canadian town is coming to Civic Theatre. Opening-weekend seats are already worth a look if you want your pick of the house.

•When: Friday 7 August–Saturday 15 August

•Where: Civic Theatre, Newcastle

•Price: Adult A Reserve $89; other prices available

•More info: Civic Theatre

Recommendation:

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That's your week, Onward for next week Knights 11-6. See you out there. 🙌

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