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

It's a big week in Newy. The Jets are one win away from the A-League Grand Final, and the newly expanded Art Gallery has just opened two brand new exhibitions. If you're not sure where to start, Footloose is on at the Civic, there's a water lantern festival out at Speers Point on Saturday, and Lisa Simone is performing a tribute to her mother Nina at the Civic Theatre on Friday night. Scroll down for the full list of 20 things to do this week.

A small piece of news this week. A new publication we recommend is called Marram. It's a Sunday letter about the slow coastal life around the Hunter, covering the people, places, and small rituals that make this stretch of coast what it is. The first letter went out yesterday. The link is at the bottom of this email if you'd like to take a look. The Newy List continues as it has done. Onto the week.

Newcastle Jets v Sydney FC: A-League Semi-Final Leg 2

The Jets are one win away from the A-League Men's Grand Final after drawing 1-1 in Sydney last week. A crowd of 25,000 is expected at McDonald Jones Stadium for what could be a historic night for Newcastle football.

•When: Saturday 16 May 2026, 7:40pm

•Where: McDonald Jones Stadium, Broadmeadow

•Price: Check ticketing site

•More info: Book tickets

Footloose: The Musical

The smash hit 80s musical hits the stage in Newcastle, marking the first professional production of Footloose in Australia in over 20 years.

•When: Thursday 14 May – Sunday 24 May 2026, various times

•Where: Civic Theatre, Newcastle

•Price: From $69.90

•More info: Book tickets

Newcastle Water Lantern Festival

An evening of music, food trucks, and community connection, culminating in the release of thousands of biodegradable, illuminated lanterns onto the water at sunset.

•When: Saturday 16 May 2026, 2:30pm

•Where: Speers Point Park, Speers Point

•Price: From $48.99

•More info: Book tickets

Slow Read & Desire Lines at Newcastle Art Gallery

Two new exhibitions opened at the expanded Newcastle Art Gallery last Saturday and are now on show all week. Slow Read is the gallery's major new exhibition, and Desire Lines is a community exhibition running alongside it. The gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm.

•When: Tuesday 13 May – Sunday 17 May 2026, 10:00am – 4:00pm

•Where: Newcastle Art Gallery, 1 Laman Street, Newcastle

•Price: Free

•More info: More info

Genesis Owusu

The acclaimed Ghanaian-Australian artist brings his electrifying, genre-blurring live show to Newcastle as part of the Red Star Wu's Pirate Radio Tour for Great Southern Nights.

•When: Thursday 14 May 2026, 7:00pm

•Where: Bar on the Hill, Callaghan

•Price: $79.90

•More info: Book tickets

Lisa Simone - A Daughter's Tribute to Nina Simone

Dame Lisa Simone reprises the iconic classics of her mother, Dr Nina Simone, in a powerful tribute concert presented by Great Southern Nights.

•When: Friday 15 May 2026, 7:30pm

•Where: Civic Theatre, Newcastle

•Price: From $79.90

•More info: Book tickets

Jack River

Australian pop artist and producer Jack River performs her shimmering, thoughtful pop tracks at the King Street Band Room for Great Southern Nights.

•When: Thursday 14 May 2026, 7:00pm

•Where: King Street Band Room, Newcastle West

•Price: $51.55

•More info: Book tickets

Casey Donovan: This Is Me

Australia's powerhouse vocalist Casey Donovan brings her biggest national tour to the Hunter Valley. Called the Queen of New Year's Eve by the Australian media, this is a night of big voice and big emotion.

•When: Sunday 17 May 2026

•Where: Performance Arts Culture Cessnock, 198-202 Vincent St, Cessnock

•Price: From $72.95

•More info: Book tickets

Celebrating Snowball

A panel discussion celebrating the digitisation of the Ralph Snowball collection, featuring thousands of preserved plate glass negatives capturing Newcastle in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

•When: Wednesday 13 May 2026, 6:00pm – 7:00pm

•Where: Lovett Gallery, Newcastle City Library

•Price: Free (bookings essential)

•More info: Book now

Author Talk: Holden Sheppard

Award-winning Western Australian author Holden Sheppard discusses his new novel Yeah the Boys, the long-awaited follow-up to Invisible Boys. He'll be in conversation with a host, with books available for purchase and signing on the night.

•When: Wednesday 13 May 2026, 6:00pm – 7:00pm

•Where: Newcastle City Library, Newcastle

•Price: Free (bookings essential)

•More info: Book now

The City That Made Surfest

A free exhibition celebrating 40 years of iconic champions and unforgettable moments from Newcastle's famous surfing competition.

•When: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00am – 5:00pm

•Where: Newcastle Museum, Newcastle

•Price: Free

•More info: More info

Pint of Science

Power to the People. Grab a drink and talk science. This session dives into the post-coal transition, green steel, and liquid batteries, exploring how we build a fossil-free future. Part of the global Pint of Science festival.

When: Monday 18 May, 7:00pm

Where: The Happy Wombat, Newcastle West

Tickets: Get tickets here

Homegrown Markets at The Station

Browse 100+ stalls selling local handmade and eco goods, accompanied by live acoustic music and food trucks at the heritage-listed train station in the heart of Newcastle.

•When: Saturday 16 May 2026, 9:00am – 2:00pm

•Where: The Station, Newcastle

•Price: Free entry

•More info: More info

Warners Bay Markets

A vibrant foreshore market held on the third Saturday of the month, offering homewares, fashion, and local goods by the lake.

•When: Saturday 16 May 2026, 8:00am – 2:00pm

•Where: Warners Bay Foreshore, Warners Bay

•Price: Free entry

•More info: More info

Entwine Food Hub

Every Friday and Saturday evening, Entwine Food Hub brings together chef-run food trailers serving elevated street food alongside Hunter Valley wines, live music, and a laid-back vineyard atmosphere. Pets and families welcome.

•When: Friday 15 May & Saturday 16 May 2026, from 5:00pm

•Where: Entwine Food Hub at Calais Estate, 151 Palmers Lane, Pokolbin

•Price: Free entry

•More info: More info

Newcastle City Farmers Market

A Sunday staple for locals featuring a wide array of fresh regional produce, bakery items, butchery, and gourmet food stalls.

•When: Sunday 17 May 2026, 7:00am – 1:00pm

•Where: Newcastle Showground, Broadmeadow

•Price: Free entry

•More info: More info

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

Newcastle Distinguished Gentleman's Ride

Classic and vintage motorcycle enthusiasts gather to ride through Newcastle in dapper attire, raising funds and awareness for prostate cancer and men's mental health. This is the 15th edition of the global event.

•When: Sunday 17 May 2026, 9:00am

•Where: Newcastle (meet point TBC via registration)

•Price: Free to watch / Donation to ride

•More info: Register or donate

Beginner Sewing with Sonny and Scout

Newcastle-based sewing teacher Lucy Merchant runs a four-week beginner sewing program at Newcastle City Library, covering the fundamentals of making clothing, bags, and homewares. Sessions run Monday evenings through May.

•When: Mondays 4 May – 25 May 2026, 6:00pm – 7:30pm

•Where: Newcastle City Library, Newcastle

•Price: $155 for the 4-week program

•More info: Book now

Yorke at Civic Theatre Bar

Rising Australian pop artist Yorke brings her vibrant sound to the Civic Theatre Bar for a free, all-ages Great Southern Nights show. With over 48 million streams and a rapidly growing following, this is a rare chance to catch her in a small room before she outgrows them entirely.

•When: Friday 15 May 2026, 5:00pm

•Where: Civic Theatre Bar, Newcastle

•Price: Free (RSVP required)

•More info: RSVP here

& Juliet

The Broadway and West End smash hit musical is coming to Newcastle next month. It flips the script on Shakespeare's classic tragedy, packed with pop anthems like Since U Been Gone and Roar. Tickets are selling fast, so grab yours now.

•When: Friday 19 June – Sunday 28 June 2026

•Where: Civic Theatre, Newcastle

•Price: From $69

•More info: Book tickets

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.

Know someone who'd love this? Forward it on, they can subscribe free at thenewylist.com

Have a local event or business you think we should feature? Just hit reply, we read every message.

That's your week, Up the Knights! 6-4. See you out there. 🙌

The Newy List