The Night Market
A licensed event with live music from local performers, chef-prepared food vendors, huge seating areas, and a massive outdoor cinema screen with the latest family releases. Newcastle Showground, Griffiths Road, Broadmeadow. Friday (4pm-9.30pm).
Lake Cinema: 62 Main Road, Boolaroo
Lee (M): A fact-based drama, with Kate Winslett, detailing American fashion model and photographer Katherine Lee Miller, who became an acclaimed war correspondent for Vogue magazine during World War Two. Friday, Saturday and Sunday (4pm).
Gladiator II (MA): An historical epic, with Paul Mescal, in which a gladiator seeks to overthrow corrupt twin emperors and restore Rome to its former glory. Friday (7pm); Saturday and Sunday (1pm and 7pm).
Cash only. Bookings available only for the 7.30pm sessions (4958 5810). https://lakecinema.au
The Nutcracker Remixed
A pantomime version of the much-loved ballet with comedic narrators, modern Christmas music, and dance styles which include jazz, tap, ballet and hip-hop. Speers Point Park. Friday, Saturday and Sunday (food trucks, lawn games and roving Christmas characters from 5.30pm; performance at 6.30pm). Tickets: https://thenutcrackeremixed.com.au/tickets/
Christmas Lights Spectacular
A glowing wonderland of more than four-million lights and a host of magical themed displays, plus amusement rides and roving entertainment. Hunter Valley Gardens, 2090 Broke Road, Pokolbin. Daily, excluding Christmas Day, until 26 January, 2025 (5.30pm-10.30pm; rides available 6pm-10pm).
Music in the Podium
A free outdoor concert of Christmas tunes from local performers. Weather permitting. BYO picnic or take advantage of the onsite food trucks. Warners Bay Foreshore, The Esplanade. Friday (6pm-9pm).
The Years
The popular six-member local band with rock hits of the 70s, 80s and 90s. Hotel Orana, 20 Pacific Highway, Blacksmiths. Friday (7.30pm). Performing also at The Marble Bar, West Leagues Club, New Lambton, on Saturday (8.30pm); Shelly Beach Golf Club, Shelly Beach Road, on Sunday (2.30pm); and Honeysuckle Hotel, Honeysuckle Drive, Newcastle, on Boxing Day (5pm).
Dark Stories: A True Crime Tour – Newcastle
Guided tours of Newcastle’s East End to learn of its dark criminal history. Departs at 7.30pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from the corner of Scott and Watt streets (next to Customs House). Bookings: https://darkstories.com.au/newcastle/
Dark Stories: A True Crime Tour – Maitland
Guided tours of Maitland’s alleyways and backstreets to learn of the city’s dark criminal history. Departs on Saturday (5pm) from the entrance to Maitland Railway Station. Bookings: https://darkstories.com.au/maitland/
Newcastle Comedy Showcase
Features comedians Michael Hing, Danielle Walker, Lauren Bonner, Paige Hally and Taylor Coughtrie-Neal. 70 minutes (no interval). Ages 15+. Civic Playhouse. Saturday (7pm). Tickets: 4929 1977 or https://civictheatrenewcastle.com.au
Carols By the Beach
A free event, hosted by members of the C3 Victory Church, with food trucks and amusements from 5pm; carols at 7pm; and a fireworks finale at 9pm. Empire Park, Bar Beach. Sunday. Download the songbook of singalong carols: https://www.carolsbythebeach.com.au
Santa On Lake Macquarie
Santa travels by water-sleigh from Bolton Point to Wangi, accompanied by a flotilla and the playing of carols, spreading Christmas cheer among the lakeside spectators. Tuesday, 24 December. Estimated arrival times: Bolton Point foreshore (4.30pm), Toronto foreshore (5pm), Kilaben Bay Park (6.15pm), Rathmines Old Catalina launching ramp (6.45pm) and Wangi Workers Club (7.15pm).
Better Man (MA)
A satirical musical offering a semi-biographical look at the life and career of British singer Robbie Williams, who’s portrayed as a CGI-style chimpanzee because he says he always felt ‘‘less evolved’’ than other people. Opens in Newcastle and around the Hunter on Boxing Day (26 December). Check the relevant websites for cinemas and session times.
Fort Scratchley
Open from 10am to 4pm (closed Tuesdays) for displays of the fort’s history, tunnel tours, the 1pm gun firings (weather permitting), and Morse Code demonstrations each Wednesday. Nobbys Road, Newcastle East.
Morpeth Museum: Born Again Bradmill
Historic photos, artefacts, fabrics and raw materials from the Burlington, Bradford, Bradmill and National Textiles eras at Rutherford between 1945 and 2000 when the fabric mill was Maitland’s largest employer. 123 Swan Street. Friday, Saturday and finishing Sunday (11am-2pm).
Back-to-Back Galleries: Christmas Takeaway
Annual display and sale of beautifully handcrafted pottery and ceramic sculptures which can be purchased, gift-wrapped and taken home on the same day. 57 Bull Street, Cooks Hill. Friday, Saturday and finishing Sunday (11am-5pm).
Dungog Arts Society Exhibition
Annual art-prize display of art and craft under the heading The Tops, allowing artists to imbue their work with an imaginative interpretation of the theme – such as Barrington or Gloucester Tops, a child’s spinning top, the fibre tops used to produce handspun yarn or even as a salute to signify the very best. 266 Dowling Street, Dungog. Daily, excluding Christmas Day, until 3 January, 2025 (10am-4pm).
Performance Arts Culture, Cessnock: Lionel’s Place
A touring exhibition of more than 140 Lionel Lindsay artworks from the Maitland Regional Art Gallery’s collection and featuring his finest etchings, engravings and watercolours, including portraiture, gardens, and exotic and domestic animals and birds. 198 Vincent Street, Cessnock. Tuesdays-Fridays (9am-4.30pm); Saturdays and Sundays (10am-2.30pm). Until 5 January, 2025.
Onwards Gallery: Out For Summer!
A large display and sale of small works by new and established local and national artists. Includes modern paintings, ceramics, photography and assemblage. 6 Torpey Place, Hamilton. Saturdays and Sundays (midday-5pm). Until 10 January, 2025.
Max Dupain: Art and War
Rare photos of the Australian experience of the Second World War, including the everyday activities of the Rathmines RAAF, taken by esteemed photographer Max Dupain during his 1940s service as a Camouflage Officer. Rathmines Heritage Centre, Stilling Street. Saturdays and Sundays (10am-2pm). Until 19 January, 2025. Closed from 21 December to January 3.
Lighthouse Arts: House of Stories II
Celebrating the works of the artists-in-residence with a showing of their individual artistic practices and perspectives, be it paintings, sketches or even a journal entry. Nobbys Lighthouse, Newcastle. Saturdays and Sundays (10am-4pm). Until 25 January, 2025.
Port Stephens Art Centre: Sea, Salt and Sand
An art-and-craft display highlighting the Port Stephens paradise lifestyle and featuring the work of artist Lorraine Edmunds and potter Diana Atkinson. Cultural Place (off Shoal Bay Road), Nelson Bay. Mondays-Saturdays (10am-4pm); Sundays (10am-1pm). Until 28 January, 2025.
Newcastle Museum: A Place Called Hollywood
Photographic records, objects from archaeological investigations and personal memories recall those who lived in Newcastle’s unofficial suburb, Hollywood, which was established outside Jesmond during the 1920s and 1930s. The display reflects on today’s housing crisis as well as providing an insight into everyday lives built on creative solutions. 6 Workshop Way, Honeysuckle. Tuesdays-Sundays (10am-5pm). Until 2 February, 2025.
Museum of Art and Culture: Off the Wall
Works by local artists which can be purchased straight off the exhibition wall and taken home on the day. 1A First Street, Booragul. Tuesdays-Sundays (9am-3pm). Until 9 February, 2025.
Maitland Regional Art Gallery: Twitcher
A celebration of art and nature with 23 contemporary Australian artists paying homage to a variety of birds. Includes a larger-than-life look at the humble budgie, life-sized brolgas made from cotton-paper and brass, and an audiovisual installation highlighting the cockatoo. 230 High Street. Tuesdays-Sundays (9am-4pm). Until 16 February, 2025.
Newcastle Museum: Dinosaurs – Surviving Extinction
A ticketed, all-ages exhibition of captivating displays, artworks and interactive fun which reveals the fascinating connection between dinosaurs and modern-day birds. Includes a life-sized fossil display of a 9-metre-high carnivorous dinosaur, replica dinosaur nests, and digging-pits filled with prehistoric fossils and eggs. 6 Workshop Way, Honeysuckle. Tuesdays-Sundays (10am-5pm). Until 2 March, 2025.
Local History Library: Desert Jungle
Vibrant illustrations and collages by artist and children’s author Jeannie Baker which explore the beauty and diversity of the desert landscape. The display is a companion piece to Jeannie’s latest book, Desert Jungle. 15 Laman Street, Newcastle. Mondays (9.30am-5pm); Tuesdays and Wednesdays (9.30am-8pm); Thursdays and Fridays (9.30am-5pm); and Saturdays (9.30am-2pm). Until 15 March, 2025.
Coming Soon: Steve Backshall – Ocean
The British naturalist and explorer celebrates the ocean’s wonders via giant-screen footage from his career encounters with sharks, whales and dolphins, as well as via stunts, experiments and life-sized models of oceanic mammals. Civic Theatre. Wednesday, 15 January, 2025 (7pm). Tickets: 4929 1977 or https://civictheatrenewcastle.com.au