What’s on in August? Here’s the month’s top events in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & The Hunter specially selected for families. There is a mix of ticketed and free events for parents, grandparents and carers to enjoy some family fun.
Look for this icon showing our Featured Events this month!
Sculpture in the Gardens
Running until Saturday September 9, Sculpture in the Gardens is a bi-annual collaboration between the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens and Newcastle University Watt Space Gallery. The dual exhibits feature nineteen prominent Newcastle artists exhibiting sculpture works across the two locations. Various packages are available for purchase and include guided and self paced tours of the sculpture walk, morning tea, sketching classes, live harp music, grazing boxes and more.
Date: Runs until Saturday 9 September 2023
Time: 9am – 4pm
Location: Hunter Region Botanic Gardens
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free with Gardens entry (packages available at extra cost)
Website
Maitland AROMA Coffee & Chocolate Festival
The warm aroma of freshly ground coffee beans, rich melted chocolate and decadent dishes will descend on Maitland. The events program will feature a variety of demonstrations to suit everyone’s taste buds, some of the region’s most delicious, sweet treats and gourmet food and artisan market stalls, live music, kids activities and more.
Date: Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 August 2023
Location: Riverside Carpark & The Levee Shared Zone, Central Maitland
Cost: Free
Website
Hunter Science Festival
Learn about science at the Hunter Science Festival. It’s a fun free event for everyone from young children to adults. The festival is a celebration of all things science in the Hunter and is hosted by the Hunter Innovation and Science Hub and is part of National Science Week. Join the Hunter Innovation and Science Hub for hands-on interactive learning, mini Electric Vehicles, STEM Education, Geology, magnets and more.
Date: Sunday 20 August 2023
Time: 10am – 2pm
Location: Newcastle Museum
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free
Website
The Harrington Circus Show
The circus is coming to town! The Harrington Circus Show will be at New Vine Church in Maryland. Come and see this 50-minute action-packed circus show featuring the fabulous Kano the Clown, a daring aerial act, and human acrobats. The mini funfair opens 1 hour before showtimes. Enjoy a teacup ride, sideshow alley games and a jumping castle. Ticket prices start from $10 for kids and $20 for adults
Date: Thursday 24 August to Sunday 3 September 2023
Time: 3pm & 6pm on Saturday and 2pm on Sunday
Location: New Vine Church, Maryland
Website
Newcastle Outdoor Adventure and Motoring Expo
The Newcastle Outdoor Adventure and Motoring Expo will showcase the very latest outdoor adventure equipment and accessories, including the latest caravans and camper trailers, 4×4’s and accessories, boating and fishing, holidays, tourism, tools, gadgets and more. The event will be a one-stop-shop for visitors looking for the very best deals to get them on the road to their next adventure.
Date: Friday 25 – Sunday 27 August 2023
Time: 8.30-4pm (Fri, Sun), 8.30-5pm (Sat)
Location: Newcastle Entertainment Centre
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Adult $15.00, Concession $12.00, Accompanied children 16yrs and under FREE
Website
Australian Haydn Ensemble – Beethoven’s Seventh
Experience a dramatic, exciting and ravishing performance of Beethoven’s Seventh by The Australian Haydn Ensemble – Australia’s leading historically informed orchestra and chamber music groups.
Date: Saturday 26 August 2023
Time: 2 – 5pm
Location: Rathmines Theatre, nawayiba
Age Group: All ages
Cost: General admission $60
Website
Young People’s Theatre presents A Pocketful of Stories
Following the success of their most recent production, Frozen JR, Young People’s Theatre, Newcastle Inc. is thrilled to bring a brand new story to life on the stage. In ‘A Pocketful of Stories’ – an author and their ensemble of ideas weave six tales from their imaginations: The Pocket, Pip, Koo-Koo Gossip, The Plok, Poppy’s Pond and Tamiko. Throughout these stories the audience will meet many lovable characters such as the fashionable ladybug, a theatrical possum and a pop-star sea-turtle!
Date: 26 August to 9 September 2023
Location: Young People’s Theatre Newcastle, Hamilton
Age Group: All ages
Cost: $25 – adults at children’s prices. Children 2 years and over must be counted and are also charged at $25 per head
Website
Hunter Valley Highland Games
Come experience the Hunter Valley Highland Games in beautiful Wine Country! These games celebrate the deep connection between Australia and Scotland. Come spend a day in the vines. Hear the pipes, see the strength and watch the dance, plus there’ll be a host of activities for the kids!
Date: Saturday 26 August 2023
Location: Saltire Estate, Rothbury
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Adults $10, Children 12+ $5
Website
Ramsay Health Care Lake Macquarie Running Festival
The Lake Macquarie Running Festival is back! There are some exciting events this year including the 4km Family Scamper for parents and kids to enjoy.
Date: Sunday 27 August 2023
Time: From 7:30am
Location: Lake Macquarie Foreshore
Age Group: 6+
Cost: From $40 per person
Website
Family Fun Day with Elsa and Anna
Elsa and Anna are bringing their Frozen magic to Shoal Bay for their Family Fun Day. Join them for free kids activities including a meet and greet with the Frozen princesses, face painting, pony rides, a petting zoo, jumping castles and more! It’s a day of family fun not to be missed so gather up the little ones and head in for an epic afternoon.
Date: Sunday 27 August 2023
Time: 11.30 – 2.30pm
Location: Shoal Bay Country Club
Age Group: All ages
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 27 August 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
Circus Rio
Australia’s biggest touring big top is hitting Newcastle this month. Featuring world-class lineup acts including extreme FMX stunts, acrobatics, incredible juggling, unbelievable magic and hilarious comedy.
Date: Friday 25 August – Sunday 3 September 2023
Location: Richardson Park, Hamilton North
Age Group: All ages
Cost: GA, Gold GA, VIP GA and Diamond Table tickets available, as well as Earlybird and Family Discounts
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.