What’s on in June? Here’s the month’s top events in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & The Hunter specially selected for families. Although the weather is starting to get cooler, there are still outdoor events to enjoy or escape the winter cold at indoor events. There is a mix of ticketed and free events for parents, grandparents and carers to enjoy some family fun in June.
Look for this icon showing our Featured Events this month!
FIRST Exhibition – Newcastle Museum
Running until August 6, Newcastle Museum’s FIRST exhibition features different works by local First Nations Creatives. First is about providing a space for the abundance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creatives with a connection to Newcastle and the Hunter Region. Showcasing their work on what can feel like an unattainable platform – this is a chance to leave a first (and hopefully lasting) impression.
Date: Runs until Sunday 6 August 2023
Time: 10am – 5pm (Tues – Sun)
Location: Newcastle Museum
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free
Website
Merriwa Festival of the Fleeces
Merriwa Festival of the Fleeces is on the June long weekend each year and celebrates the rich history of agriculture and sheep farming in Merriwa. It’s a fun family-friendly event with markets stalls, petting zoo, free kids rides, dog high jump, working sheep dog demonstrations, shearing demonstrations, gumboot throwing and fireworks and the the famous Running of the Sheep parade.
Date: Friday 9 June – Sunday 11 June 2023
Location: Golden Highway Merriwa
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free
Website
Harvest Festival Central Coast
The two-day event includes fresh food and country markets, food and wine events, factory tours, bush tucker tours, working farm tours, pick your own pecans and sunflowers and meet farm animals. This is a rare chance to take a glimpse behind the farm gate as you explore rural farming areas and their picturesque heritage villages on the Central Coast.
Date: Saturday 10 June & Sunday 11 June 2023
Location: Central Coast
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Combination of free and paid events and activities
Website
Mr Stink – Live on Stage
David Walliams’ award-winning book comes to life on stage for children 6-12… and their adults! A CDP Kids production, Mr Stink is a touching, twisted and hilarious, and very smelly tale… hold on to your nose!
Date: 16 June 2023
Location: Newcastle Civic Theatre
Age Group: 6 – 12
Cost: Tickets from $20
Website
Star Struck Ignite
In 2023 Star Struck will put on its 31st arena spectacular. The theme this year is Ignite and will showcase public education students from across Newcastle, The Hunter and Central Coast regions as they display performing arts talents in dance, drama, music and stage production.
Date: 17 June 2023
Location: Newcastle Entertainment Centre
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Tickets from $39.95
Website
Maitland Heritage Fest
The Church Street, Maitland precinct will be full of family activities and historical entertainment for Maitland Heritage Fest. Historic games, local history, family fun, artisans and craft, live music plus food and coffee.
Date: 18 June 2023
Location: Church Street, Maitland (opposite Pender Place)
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free
Website
Port Stephens Library Literary Picnic
Join Port Stephens Libraries for the 2023 Port Stephens Library Literary Picnic, a series of events including author talks and discussions, creative writing workshops, open mic sessions, and children’s writing sessions. Refreshments will be provided at all sessions. Bookings are essential. Contact your preferred Library to secure your place.
Date: 22 June – 24 June 2023
Location: Raymond Terrace Library & Tomaree Library
Age Group: Various ages
Cost: Free
Website
Cinderella Presented by St Philip’s Christian College
Inspired by the acclaimed 1997 Teleplay starring Brandy & Whitney Houston, this version of the magical fairytale is reborn with the Rodgers & Hammerstein hallmarks of originality, charm and elegance. With a big production, a sumptuous live orchestra and a story we have all come to know and love, this SPCC Senior school full-length musical will leave you believing that impossible things can happen every day.
Date: 24 June – 1 July 2023
Location: Newcastle Civic Theatre
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Tickets from $25
Website
Float Your Boat
Get your friends and family together and gather on the shores of Lake Macquarie to see a flotilla of boats pass by in the Float Your Boat event organised by Lake Macquarie City Council The event runs over two nights and sets sail from Marmong Point Marina each night covering the western side of Lake Macquarie on one night and the Eastern side the following night.
Date: Friday 23 & Saturday 24 June 2023
Location: Various locations in Lake Macquarie
Cost: Free
Website
Snow Time in the Garden at Hunter Valley Gardens
Enjoy a fun-filled day of icy activities at Hunter Valley Garden’s winter festival Snow Time in the Garden. Build a snowman (or snow family) in the mega snow pit, glide down the giant ice toboggan and skate on a real ice rink. Plus there’s amazing amusement rides, roving entertainment, hearty food and warm beverages.
Date: 24 June to 23 July 2023
Location: Hunter Valley Gardens
Cost: TBA
Website
Multicultural Fiesta!
Celebrate our diverse cultural communities’ unique music, dance, food and arts, promoting social cohesion and cross-cultural harmony at the Multicultural Fiesta! There’ll be multicultural foods, dance, music and arts, kids face painting, jumping castle and petting zoo! Plus coffee, cakes and a sausage sizzle.
Date: Saturday 24 June 2023
Location: 2A Platt Street, Waratah
Cost: Free entry
Website
The Birds of Australia Exhibition
A new exhibition from the Australian Museum showcases the incredible world of Australia’s birdlife. Presented on STORYBOX, an interactive storytelling cube, The Birds of Australia, brings to life the iconic bird illustrations of John and Elizabeth Gould together with First Nations storytelling and knowledge.
Date: Until 25 June 2023
Location: Newcastle Museum
Cost: Free
Website
Edgeworth Trains
Ride on a miniature train. Lake Macquarie Live Steam Locomotive Society hosts monthly public ride days. There’s a variety of miniature trains such as steam and diesel and different rail routes (both elevated and ground-level) so you can easily spend a couple of hours watching and riding trains. Their public ride days run on the last Sunday of each month excluding December.
Date: Sunday 25 June 2023
Time: Trains running from 12:30pm till 3:30pm (weather permitting). The park is open from around 9:30am.
Location: Velinda Street, Edgeworth
Age Group: All ages
Cost: It costs $2.50 per train ride. Children under 2 years old are free.
Website
Newcastle Winter Fun Fest 2023
Get along to Nobby’s Beach Reserve for Winter Fun Fest 2023, a thrilling winter extravaganza for the whole family! From Wed-Sun, June 29th – July 16th, immerse yourself in a wonderland of icy delights and thrilling adventures. Lace up your skates and glide across the enchanting ice rink open to all skill levels. There’ll be an array of attractions and activities to keep everyone entertained including show rides, food vendors, show bags and more.
Date: Wed-Sun, Thursday 29 June – Sunday 16 July 2023
Time: 11am – 9pm
Location: Nobby’s Beach Reserve, Nobbys Road, Newcastle
Age Group: All ages
Cost: General Admission $5.00. Ride coupons $55.00 for 30 coupons. Ice skating from $25.00.
Website
What’s On Next Month?
Looking for more events in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter? Check out our What’s On Guide with information about events all year long. The guide provides a list of local family-friendly events organised by month.
Started in late 2012 by a local mum, Newy with Kids has grown into a thriving go-to family guide for the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter region. Parents visit the Newy with Kids website to find things to do with babies, kids and teens. Whether it’s local attractions, upcoming events, kids eat free, school holiday activities or birthday party ideas, Newy with Kids is the best website for local parents to find local kid-friendly activities and information 24/7.