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

A Hunter Valley balloon dawn, Annabel Crabb and Leigh Sales at the Civic, and the Knights in a grand final for the first time since 2001: the first week of the holidays is carrying a fair bit. There are places all over to watch if Sydney feels a touch ambitious, plus art in the baths and food around the world in Wheeler Place. Read on before “we should do something this weekend” becomes a vague promise made in the Woolies carpark.

Adamstown Bowlo is setting up for a blue-and-red night, with food and drink specials from 6:00pm before the big screen takes over. Seats are first come, so the early roll-in is the sensible play.

•When: Sunday 4 October, from 6:00pm; kick-off 7:30pm

•Where: Adamstown Bowlo, 504 Glebe Road, Adamstown

•Price: Entry price not listed; $5 vodkas, $5 selected schooners and $10 Margherita pizzas advertised

•More info: Plan the Knights Grand Final watch at Adamstown Bowlo

The Exchange is screening Knights v Roosters live and loud on its big screen, with Carlton Dry pints at schooner prices and the kitchen open all day. Bookings of four or more go into the draw for a $100 bar tab, although a booking does not guarantee big-screen-area seating.

•When: Sunday 4 October, from 7:30pm

•Where: The Exchange Hotel, 125 Denison Street, Hamilton

•Price: Entry price not listed

•More info: Book the Exchange Hotel grand final screening

The Great Northern is putting the NRL Grand Final on its big projector, with $22 beer jugs, $16 burgers and $1 wings for the occasion. Table bookings are available.

•When: Sunday 4 October; time not listed

•Where: Great Northern Hotel, 83–89 Scott Street, Newcastle

•Price: Entry price not listed

•More info: Book the Great Northern grand final screening

Club Stockton has the Roosters v Knights decider on its big screen, with the club promoting a massive-screen setup for the evening. The page header opens the event at 4:00pm, while the listed kick-off is 7:30pm.

•When: Sunday 4 October, event from 4:00pm; kick-off 7:30pm

•Where: Club Stockton, 29 Douglas Street, Stockton

•Price: Entry price not listed

•More info: See Club Stockton’s grand final event

Central is showing every finals match live, with the grand-final jersey draw happening at half-time on Sunday. Spend $10 during a finals match for an entry and settle in with $6.50 schooners.

•When: Sunday 4 October; screening time not listed

•Where: Central Leagues Club, 8 Bula Street, Charlestown

•Price: Entry price not listed

•More info: See NRL Finals Live at Central

The Beaches is showing both the NRLW and NRL Grand Finals live and loud, making it a full afternoon and evening of football rather than a last-minute Sunday dash.

•When: Sunday 4 October, from 3:55pm

•Where: The Beach Hotel, 99 Frederick Street, Merewether

•Price: Entry price not listed; table bookings available

•More info: Book The Beach Hotel’s grand final session

The Albion has the Grand Final live and loud on its big screens, with $8 VB pints advertised throughout the game. Table bookings are encouraged.

•When: Sunday 4 October; time not listed

•Where: The Albion Hotel, 72 Hannell Street, Wickham

•Price: Entry price not listed

•More info: Book The Albion’s grand final screening

The Hamilton Station Hotel’s free Grand Final screening rolls straight into a DJ Rachel Maria Cox afterparty. It is an 18+ event, so this one is for the adults who have plans for a longer Sunday night.

•When: Sunday 4 October, 7:30pm

•Where: The Hamilton Station Hotel, Islington

•Price: Free; 18+

•More info: Register interest for the Hamilton Station screening

Wests New Lambton is one of five Wests clubs screening the final live and free on big screens. The group is running Knights gear giveaways, food specials and appearances from the Knights Dance Squad and Steely.

•When: Sunday 4 October; Wests lists 7:30pm, with its match details stating a 7:00pm kick-off

•Where: Wests New Lambton, New Lambton

•Price: Free

•More info: See Wests’ grand final plans

The same Wests live-and-free grand-final event is running at Wests Mayfield, with big-screen viewing alongside the group-wide Knights promotions and bar specials.

•When: Sunday 4 October; Wests lists 7:30pm, with its match details stating a 7:00pm kick-off

•Where: Wests Mayfield, Mayfield

•Price: Free

•More info: See Wests’ grand final plans

Around 20–25 balloons will lift off at dawn across the October long weekend, with the option of a passenger flight and bubbly breakfast at Peterson House. Launch locations vary with the weather, so book ahead if you are flying.

•When: Saturday 3 October–Monday 5 October, around sunrise; this week’s flights are Saturday and Sunday

•Where: Hunter Valley; meeting point at Peterson House, corner Broke Road and Wine Country Drive, Pokolbin

•Price: Spectating is free; passenger flights via booking page

•More info: Book or plan for the Hunter Valley Balloon Fiesta

Wheeler Place becomes a two-night celebration of food, performance and cultural storytelling. Friday explores Asian food and culture; Saturday heads to South America with live music, dance, chef demonstrations and workshops.

•When: Friday 2 October and Saturday 3 October, 5:00pm–9:00pm

•Where: Wheeler Place, Newcastle

•Price: Free

•More info: See the Global Table programme

Annabel Crabb and Leigh Sales bring the beloved podcast to the Civic for a live, unscripted evening of culture, politics, detours and sharp conversation. Recommended for ages 15+.

•When: Saturday 3 October, 8:00pm

•Where: Civic Theatre Newcastle, 375 Hunter Street, Newcastle

•Price: A Reserve $64.90; B Reserve $49.90

•More info: Book Chat 10 Looks 3 Live

Ben Folds brings the songs, stories and piano work that have made him a fixture for listeners who enjoy wit with their melody. With special guest Lindsey Kraft and a comfortable Civic Theatre seat, this is the polished midweek concert to book when you would rather hear the lyrics than talk over them.

When: Thursday, 1 October, 8:00pm ·

Where: Civic Theatre, Newcastle · A Reserve $119; B Reserve $89 (fees may apply)

🔗 Tickets and event details

Rebecca O’Connor brings her Tina Turner tribute to Warners Bay Theatre, with the familiar hits and full-band energy you would expect from a show built around a very large catalogue.

•When: Saturday 3 October, 7:30pm–9:30pm

•Where: Warners Bay Theatre, baramayiba, 39 Lake Street, Warners Bay

•Price: Check booking page

•More info: See Rebecca O’Connor at Warners Bay Theatre

A relaxed Sunday session with live music from Mark Henderson, wine tasting, outdoor games and the option to pre-order a cheese or grazing box. Dogs are welcome on the lawns.

•When: Sunday 4 October, 12:30pm–4:00pm

•Where: Pepper Tree Wines, 86 Halls Road, Pokolbin

•Price: Free entry; tastings and food are extra

•More info: Plan a Lawn Session at Pepper Tree Wines

Dazz brings blues, country, Americana and timeless covers to the d’Albora Marina main stage. A straightforward excuse for a Nelson Bay wander that ends with a local set by the water.

•When: Friday 2 October, time not listed

•Where: d’Albora Marina Main Stage, Teramby Road, Nelson Bay

•Price: Free

•More info: See Live & Local Music with Dazz

A one-off Pasifika ocean ceremony led by artist Latai Taumoepeau with local collaborators at the Ocean Baths. Participants enter the water, so bring swimmers and a little willingness to do more than merely observe.

•When: Monday 28 September, 5:30pm

•Where: Newcastle Ocean Baths, Newcastle East

•Price: Free; registration required

•More info: Register for Wansolmoana Lunar Assembly

Five new works by local choreographers, performers and visual artists unfold through Newcastle Art Gallery. It is designed as an immersive gallery experience, so audiences move through the rooms rather than sitting still in one place.

•When: Thursday 1 October–Saturday 3 October, 7:30pm

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

•Price: $30 standard; $18 concession (under 18s)

•More info: Book PRAXIS

Warners Bay Theatre screens ten international finalist short films, then hands the vote to the audience. It is a nice, self-contained Friday night out with films arriving from more than 500 cities worldwide.

•When: Friday 2 October, 7:00pm–9:30pm; doors 6:30pm

•Where: Warners Bay Theatre, baramayiba, 39 Lake Street, Warners Bay

•Price: Check booking page

•More info: Get Manhattan Short Film Festival tickets

Maitland Musicals takes on the Tony Award-winning comedy based on Monty Python and the Holy Grail, complete with King Arthur, killer rabbits and “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life”.

•When: Friday 2 October, 7:00pm–10:00pm; Saturday 3 October and Sunday 4 October, 2:00pm–5:00pm

•Where: Maitland Town Hall, High Street, Maitland

•Price: Check booking page

•More info: Book Monty Python’s SPAMALOT

The Port Stephens Community Arts Centre’s annual display is a peaceful long-weekend outing for anyone who appreciates careful craft and a good garden chat. There are demonstrations at 11am on Saturday and Sunday, a garden café and trees for sale if the visit sends you home with horticultural ambitions.

When: Saturday 3 October–Sunday 4 October, 10:00am–4:00pm

Where: Port Stephens Community Arts Centre, Nelson Bay · FREE

🔗 Exhibition details

More than 100 stalls bring handmade, homegrown and locally produced goods to the Showground, alongside food trucks and entertainment. Dogs on leashes are welcome, which is handy for anyone whose social calendar is largely run by a spaniel.

•When: Sunday 4 October, 9:00am–1:00pm

•Where: Maitland Showground, 50 Blomfield Street, South Maitland

•Price: Free entry

•More info: Plan a visit to Maitland Community Markets

Saddler’s Creek keeps the cellar door open late for a Friday evening of wine, food and music. Same-day bookings are recommended by the winery.

•When: Friday 2 October, 4:30pm–8:00pm

•Where: Saddler’s Creek Wines, 15 Marrowbone Road, Pokolbin

•Price: Check with winery

•More info: See Friday Night Wine & Chill

A long-table Italian lunch in the vines with share-style dishes, six Italian wine tasting tokens and live music from Zenith Pop Funk. The event moves undercover if the weather decides to be theatrical.

•When: Sunday 4 October, from 11:30am

•Where: Picnic Grounds, Saddler’s Creek Wines, 15 Marrowbone Road, Pokolbin

•Price: $159; $149 Club Equus members; under 18s $59

•More info: Book Picnic in the Vines

Civic Park fills with more than 130 artists, designers, makers, gourmet producers and street-food stalls for the first Saturday market of spring. It is an easy place to meet a friend, find a thoughtful gift or simply conduct important research into which stallholder has brought the best pastry.

When: Saturday, 3 October, 9:00am–2:00pm ·

Where: Civic Park, Newcastle · FREE entry

🔗 Market details

Emerging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander footballers aged 13–16 take the field across three days of competition, culture and community. U14 and U16 girls’ and boys’ teams represent Northern NSW Football and Football NSW.

•When: Tuesday 29 September–Thursday 1 October, 9:00am–5:00pm daily

•Where: Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility, 13 Park Road, Speers Point

•Price: Free

•More info: See the NAIDOC Cup programme

One of the state’s largest gatherings of Aboriginal sport, culture and community arrives at King Park for the long weekend, with the Newcastle Yowies welcoming teams, families and visitors on Worimi Country.

•When: Friday 2 October–Monday 5 October; this week’s program runs Friday–Sunday

•Where: King Park Sports Complex, 23 Newline Road, Raymond Terrace

•Price: Entry price not listed

•More info: Plan for the NSW Koori Knockout

Damien Frost’s photography exhibition brings dramatic portraits and ideas of identity, performance and self-reinvention to Watt Space Gallery. With generous daily opening hours, it is easy to make this one a pre-dinner detour or a quiet solo browse between other plans.

📅 Monday 28 September–Sunday 4 October, 10:00am–9:00pm daily · Watt Space Gallery, Newcastle · FREE

🔗 Exhibition details

A heads-up for next Saturday: the Levee turns into a global village with more than 40 cultures represented through food, music, performance, the global kitchen and the community lantern flotilla. It is free, close to home, and worth putting in the diary before the long-weekend leftovers take over.

•When: Saturday 10 October, 2:00pm–9:00pm

•Where: The Levee Central Maitland, High Street, Maitland

•Price: Free entry

•More info: Plan ahead for Maitland Riverlights

When: Friday, 9 October, 4:00pm–11:30pm

Where: Maitland Showgrounds, South Maitland

The rodeo action starts at 6pm, with live country music, food, markets and entertainment from the gates opening. Last year sold out, so it is worth booking now if a lively regional night with friends sounds like the right kind of Friday.

🔗 Tickets and event details

Recommendation:

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That's your week, GRAND FINAL!!!. Go the Knights! See you out there. 🙌

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