This week in Newcastle and the Hunter Valley is one of the biggest of the year. The Newcastle Writers Festival takes over the CBD from Friday to Sunday with over 100 sessions and speakers including Kathy Lette, Tara Moss, and Bryan Brown. Add to that the Newcastle Beer Fest at King Edward Park, SoundBites at the Racecourse, the closing weekend of Fringe, and the opening of Mega Creatures in the Hunter Valley, and you've got a genuinely stacked week. Here are the 20 best things to do from Monday 23 March to Sunday 29 March 2026.

Newcastle Beer Fest 2026

The 10th annual Newcastle Beer Fest returns to King Edward Park for a massive day celebrating the best in local craft beer, food, and live music.

•When: Saturday 28 March, 11:00am - 5:30pm

•Where: King Edward Park, Newcastle

•Price: From $75

•More info: TryBooking

SoundBites Food & Wine Festival

A new festival built around food, wine, storytelling, and entertainment, featuring celebrity chef Miguel Maestre and headline performers Hindley Street Country Club.

•When: Saturday 28 March, 11:00am - 6:00pm

•Where: Newcastle Racecourse, Broadmeadow

•Price: From $65

•More info: Newcastle Racecourse

Kurri Kurri Nostalgia Festival

A weekend dedicated to all things 50s and 60s, featuring classic cars, hot rods, rock n roll dancing, retro market stalls, and live entertainment.

•When: Friday 27 March - Sunday 29 March, from 8:30am

•Where: Lang Street and Rotary Park, Kurri Kurri

•Price: Free entry (indoor shows ticketed)

•More info: Kurri Kurri Nostalgia Festival

Hussy Hicks w/ Minnie Marks

Acclaimed blues and roots duo Hussy Hicks bring their energetic live show to Mayfield, supported by Minnie Marks.

•When: Friday 27 March, 7:00pm

•Where: The Stag & Hunter Hotel, Mayfield

•Price: $30

•More info: Oztix

Novatones Harmony Chorus

Newcastle's award-winning men's a cappella chorus performs a fun afternoon of music, laughter, and harmony as part of the Fringe Festival.

•When: Saturday 28 March, 3:00pm

•Where: Polish Club, Broadmeadow

•Price: $25

•More info: Newcastle Fringe

Sunset Sessions at Bimbadgen

Enjoy live music, wood-fired pizza, and wine as the sun sets over the vineyards at Bimbadgen's Cellar Door.

•When: Friday 27 March, 4:00pm - 7:00pm

•Where: Bimbadgen, Pokolbin

•Price: Free entry

•More info: Bimbadgen

Stage Fright ein Kabarett

Award-winning performer Jude Bowler presents a mesmerising, Marlene Dietrich-inspired cabaret show for the Newcastle Fringe Festival.

•When: Wednesday 25 March - Sunday 29 March, various times

•Where: The Royal Exchange Theatre, Newcastle

•Price: $35

•More info: Newcastle Fringe

Newcastle Writers Festival 2026

Over 100 sessions across three days celebrating the best Australian writing, with speakers including Kathy Lette, Tara Moss, Natasha Lester, Bryan Brown, and AC Grayling. Tickets are sold per session, ranging from free to $50.

•When: Friday 27 March – Sunday 29 March, various times

•Where: Newcastle City Hall, University of Newcastle, and other venues across the city

•Price: Free – $50 per session

•More info: Newcastle Writers Festival

True Crime Comedy Walking Tour: Newcastle

A walking-format event with a bit more personality than the standard city tour. It is a good inclusion for readers after something social, local and mildly left of centre.

•When: During Newcastle Fringe, week of 23–29 March 2026

•Where: Newcastle, see booking page

•Price: Check ticket options

•More info: True Crime Comedy Walking Tour — Newcastle

Family Fun Day at Newcastle Writers Festival

This Sunday session brings children’s authors and festival programming together in a format that works just as well for grandparents as it does for kids. It is an easy family add-on if the wider festival already has your attention.

•When: Sunday 29 March 2026, 9:30 am – 1:00 pm

•Where: Newcastle City Hall, Newcastle

•Price: Check ticket options

•More info: Newcastle Writers Festival

Mega Creatures at Hunter Valley Gardens

A family-friendly immersive experience featuring towering dinosaurs, majestic dragons, and mythical creatures across the gardens. Opens this weekend and runs through April.

•When: Saturday 28 March – Sunday 26 April, 9:00am – 4:00pm (day) and 5:00pm – 9:30pm (night, weekends)

•Where: Hunter Valley Gardens, Pokolbin

•Price: From $42 (Adult day pass)

•More info: Hunter Valley Gardens

Merewether March Markets

A boutique coastal market supporting local artists, designers, and creators, complete with live music and food options.

•When: Saturday 28 March, 9:00am - 2:00pm

•Where: Dixon Park, Merewether

•Price: Free entry

•More info: Merewether Markets

Pokolbin Market

A vibrant weekly market in the heart of the Hunter Valley wine country offering fresh produce, hot food, and local crafts.

•When: Sunday 29 March, 8:00am - 2:00pm

•Where: 691 Hermitage Road, Pokolbin

•Price: Free entry

•More info: Cessnock City Council

Handmade in the Hunter Markets

Discover locally made artisan goods, art, and produce at this regular Saturday market in the vineyards.

•When: Saturday 28 March, 9:00am - 2:00pm

•Where: Sobels Wines, Pokolbin

•Price: Free entry

•More info: Wine Country

Entwine Food Hub @ Calais Estate

Every Friday and Saturday, Calais Estate opens its doors for a relaxed food and wine experience in the vineyards, with local produce, wine tastings, and a laid-back atmosphere.

•When: Friday 27 & Saturday 28 March, from 11:00am

•Where: Calais Estate, Pokolbin

•Price: Free entry (food and drinks at cost)

•More info: Wine Country

Hill to Harbour 12K

The iconic Newcastle running festival returns with a scenic 12km course from Bar Beach to Carrington, plus a 6km and 2km fun run.

•When: Sunday 29 March, morning

•Where: Bar Beach to Carrington, Newcastle

•Price: Check registration page

•More info: Hill to Harbour

Wine Country Race Day – Newcastle Racecourse

A themed race day at McDonald Jones Stadium's sister venue, celebrating the Hunter Valley's wine country with live racing, food, and entertainment.

•When: Monday 23 March, from 11:00am

•Where: Newcastle Racecourse, Broadmeadow

•Price: Check booking page

•More info: Newcastle Racecourse

Sailfest

This long-running harbour event brings racing, spectacle and a solid excuse to spend time on the foreshore over the weekend. It is one of those Newcastle events that feels best enjoyed by wandering and watching.

•When: Saturday 28 March – Sunday 29 March 2026

•Where: Newcastle Harbour

•Price: Check event details

•More info: Sailfest

My Greatest Walk

A charitable community walk at Dixon Park that adds a more reflective tone to the weekend calendar. It is a good option for readers who prefer purpose-driven community events to louder festival fare.

•When: Sunday 29 March 2026

•Where: Dixon Park, Merewether

•Price: Check registration details

•More info: My Greatest Walk

Mindful Mixed Media with Emma Florence May

A welcoming, six-week creative journey blending art making with wellbeing. This Friday morning class invites you to explore mixed media, assemblage, and painting using recycled treasures. You can book in for just a single session to try it out, a perfect, quiet start to your weekend by the lake.

•When: Friday 27 March, 10:30am - 1:00pm

•Where: MAC yapang, Booragul

•Price: $25 per session

•More info: MAC yapang

Civic Theatre Newcastle — 2026 Season

The Civic's 2026 season is stacking up nicely. Coming up in April and May: the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, the Australian Chamber Orchestra, and a string of comedy and theatre shows. If you haven't browsed the full season yet, now's a good time, the popular shows sell out well before opening night.

•When: Various dates from April 2026

•Where: Civic Theatre and City Hall, Newcastle

•Price: Varies per show

•More info: Civic Theatre Newcastle

Lights Up. Scripts Down. One Act Play Festival returns in 2026!

This is a nice cultural book-ahead option from the broader sweep: local theatre, short-form storytelling and a community-minded setting. It is a good one for readers who enjoy seeing local talent before it becomes everyone else’s recommendation.

•When: Saturday, 28 March 2026, 2:00pm

•Where: Warners Bay Theatre, baramayiba

•Price: See event page

•More info: Lights Up. Scripts Down. One Act Play Festival returns in 2026!

That's your week, You will get them next game Knights! See you out there. 🙌

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