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

It’s a big week in Newy, with the Hunter Valley Outdoor Show taking over Maitland Showground and the Pets Life Festival bringing all the good boys and girls to The Station. If you’re feeling fancy, the Newcastle Art Gallery is throwing its Autumn/Winter Opening Party, and if you’re feeling nostalgic, there’s a Justin Bieber Appreciation Night in Cooks Hill. Whatever your speed, there’s plenty to get you off the couch this week. Read on for the full list.

Marram, a Sunday letter on slow coastal life around the Hunter, wades into the Newcastle Ocean Baths and the 40,000-year-old ritual of getting in. Onto this week!

The Hunter Valley Outdoor Show

The region's biggest outdoor leisure event returns with over 400 exhibitors showcasing caravans, camper trailers, 4WDs, and boats, plus free entertainment including high-energy bike performances and camp oven cooking demos.

•When: Friday 22 May – Sunday 24 May

•Where: Maitland Showground, South Maitland

•Price: From $16

•More info: Book Tickets

Pets Life Festival

The ultimate day out for pet lovers featuring market stalls, animal shows, a petting zoo, and dog competitions. Grab a raffle ticket to support local animal rescues and bring your furry friend along (on a leash).

•When: Sunday 24 May, 9:00am – 3:00pm

•Where: The Station, Newcastle

•Price: $5 online / $7 at the gate

•More info: Oztix

Autumn/Winter Opening Party

Celebrate the launch of Newcastle Art Gallery's new season of exhibitions, including Brian Robinson's Multiverse and Tiyan Baker's Mouth Mnemonica. Your ticket includes exhibition entry, a drink on arrival, and live entertainment.

•When: Friday 22 May, 5:30pm – 8:00pm

•Where: Newcastle Art Gallery, Cooks Hill

•Price: $25 General / $20 Concession

•More info: Book tickets

Luke Combs Experience on the Harbour

An epic live tribute show to country music superstar Luke Combs, set against the backdrop of Newcastle Harbour.

•When: Saturday 23 May, 12:00pm – 4:00pm

•Where: Queens Wharf Terminal, Newcastle

•Price: From $39.51

•More info: Eventbrite

Justin Bieber Appreciation Night

A dedicated night of Bieber hits, from the early days to his latest tracks. Expect a packed dancefloor and plenty of singalongs.

•When: Friday 22 May, 7:00pm

•Where: Bar Romeo, Cooks Hill

•Price: From $22.49

•More info: Eventbrite

All Ages Punk at the Croat

A massive all-ages punk gig featuring No Quarter, Topnovil, Down2zero, and Long Distance.

•When: Saturday 23 May, 6:00pm

•Where: Croatian Wickham Sports Club, Wickham

•Price: From $11.90

•More info: Eventbrite

Consent by Nina Raine

Presented by Rational Animals, this gripping play follows two friends taking opposing briefs in a rape case, exploring themes of justice, truth, and impartiality.

•When: Wednesday 20 May – Saturday 23 May

•Where: Catapult Dance Choreographic Hub, Newcastle West

•Price: From $35

•More info: TryBooking

The Bugs

A wildly funny, fast-paced adventure where honeybees, spiders, and a whole backyard of critters band together to fight for their home. Family-friendly theatre with bite.

•When: Thursday 14 May – Sunday 24 May

•Where: Civic Theatre Playhouse, Newcastle

•Price: From $42.50

•More info: Civic Theatre

Professor Brian Cox – Emergence

Join the renowned physicist for a mind-expanding journey through the cosmos, exploring the origins of life and the universe.

•When: Tuesday 19 May, 7:30pm

•Where: Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Broadmeadow

•Price: From $89

•More info: Ticketek

Hunter Melanoma Foundation Race Day

A spectacular day of fun, frocks, and fundraising. Tickets include a two-course lunch, a five-hour beverage package, and entry into the Best Dressed Competition.

•When: Saturday 23 May, 11:30am

•Where: Newcastle Racecourse, Broadmeadow

•Price: $180

•More info: Facebook Event

Special Edition: Akwaba All White Party

Dress in your finest all-white attire for a night of Afrobeats, Amapiano, and Dancehall.

•When: Saturday 23 May, 9:00pm

•Where: The Crown & Anchor Hotel, Newcastle

•Price: From $22.49

•More info: Eventbrite

Sunset Sessions at Bimbadgen

Kick off the weekend with live music, wood-fired pizza, and Bimbadgen wines as the sun sets over the vineyards.

•When: Friday 22 May, 4:00pm – 8:00pm

•Where: Bimbadgen Winery, Pokolbin

•Price: Free entry

•More info: Wine Country

Pokolbin Market

A vibrant Sunday market featuring local artisans, fresh produce, handmade crafts, and gourmet treats in the heart of the Hunter Valley.

•When: Sunday 24 May, 9:00am – 2:00pm

•Where: Pokolbin, Hunter Valley

•Price: Free entry

•More info: Wine Country

Wine & Dine Dinner: Huntlee Tavern x Margan Wines

Indulge in a gourmet evening as the award-winning Huntlee Tavern teams up with Margan Wines for a specially curated food and wine pairing experience.

•When: Tuesday 5 May, 7:00pm

•Where: Huntlee Tavern, Branxton

•Tickets: Book via Humanitix

Africa Day Celebration

A vibrant celebration of culture, community, and creativity featuring live African music, performances, and delicious food from across the continent.

•When: Saturday 23 May, 10:00am – 6:00pm

•Where: Islington Public School, Islington

•Price: Free entry

•More info: Rhema FM Guide

Good Vibrations Pickle for Parkinson's

Grab a paddle and join this charity pickleball tournament raising funds for Parkinson's research. Suitable for all skill levels.

•When: Saturday 23 May, 9:00am

•Where: The Courtyard, Broadmeadow

•Price: From $25

•More info: Eventbrite

Botanic Gardens Day & 40th Anniversary

Celebrate 40 years of the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens with free entry, expert talks, guided walks, and family activities.

•When: Sunday 24 May, 10:00am – 2:00pm

•Where: Hunter Region Botanic Gardens, Heatherbrae

•Price: Free entry

•More info: Hunter Gardens

Little Bang Discovery Club

Hands-on science sessions for preschoolers at Newcastle Museum — noticing, sorting, collecting, and experimenting. A four-session term program that starts this week. Wednesday mornings are sorted.

•When: Wednesday 20 May, 10:15am – 11:15am (and weekly to 10 June)

•Where: Newcastle Museum, Newcastle

•Price: $25 total for all four sessions (carers free)

•More info: TryBooking

Repair Cafe Wallsend

Bring your broken household items, clothing, or small electronics and learn how to fix them with the help of skilled local volunteers. A brilliant community sustainability initiative.

Where: Wallsend Library

When: Saturday 23 May

Event details

Digitales – Storytime and Art

A unique storytime experience on the big screen followed by hands-on activities, projection, and shadow play. It's a creative and engaging morning out for the little ones, set in the beautiful Multi-Arts Pavilion.

•When: Thursday 21 May, 10:00am

•Where: Multi-Arts Pavilion, mima, Speers Point

•Price: Free

•More info: Visit Lake Mac

PBR Origin I

The Professional Bull Riders are bringing the toughest sport on dirt back to Newcastle. It's New South Wales vs Queensland in a high-stakes battle. This is always a massive night at the Entertainment Centre, so grab your tickets before they're gone.

•When: Saturday 30 May 2026

•Where: Newcastle Entertainment Centre

•More info: Ticketek

Newcastle Creative Writers 

A friendly community writing group supporting writers at all stages of their creative journey. Each session includes a 20-minute writing sprint, followed by readings of the stories, scenes, poems, or ideas inspired by the prompt. 

·        When: Monday 8 June, 12 noon 

·        Where: Bostin Brew, Merewether 

·        Price: Free 

·        More info: https://www.newcastlecreativewriters.com.au/

Recommendation:

If The Newy List is what's on this week, Marram.com.au is the slower companion to it, a Sunday letter about the people and places that make this stretch of coast what it is.

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That's your week, Up the Knights! 7-4. See you out there. 🙌

The Newy List