Festival snapshot: Newcastle's epic line-up

Compact, colourful, and bursting with energy, Newcastle’s vibrant culture is a sight to behold when it’s festival time. From music and arts to beer, sailing, and comedy, there is a festival in Newcastle that not only draws a crowd but is sure to satisfy your unique style and tastes. This snapshot of the city’s upcoming festival line-up is your invitation to start planning your next Newcastle getaway and uncover something new and dynamic in this coastal hotspot.

Dates: 26 September – 5 October 2025

New Annual sees Newcastle explode into a city-wide celebration of creativity with electrifying events that take over beaches, theatres, parks, laneways, and even shipping containers, turning the city into a living, breathing canvas of imagination. It all kicks off with First Night Art Party, which is a free street party on Friday, 26 September. Here’s just a snippet of what is coming: Meet Me at the Baths, Dancefloor Conversion Therapy, Chicken, La Ronde at the Spiegeltent in Civic Park, plus Darkfield’s mind-bending and immersive experiences.

Date: 1 November 2025

Strummingbird is swooping into Foreshore Park for its debut year with a lineup that fuses country soul with modern swagger. Leading the charge is Jelly Roll, making his first-ever Australian appearance, alongside viral powerhouse Shaboozey. But that’s just the beginning, with Treaty Oak Revival, James Johnston, Kaylee Bell, and Matt Hansen taking to the stage. Plus, Hot Dub Time Machine will spin a country-rock set that’ll keep the party pumping from dusk till late. Expect mechanical bull madness, boot-stomping line dancing with the legendary Maddison Glover, and a whole lot of country-fuelled fun too.

Date:  14-15 November 2025

For the first time ever, the legendary Jackalope Festival is leaving North America for a Block Party, and it’s landing right here in Newcastle. This high-octane, adrenaline-fueled festival is packed with elite skateboarders battling it out for massive prizes, with jaw-dropping skate demos, pumping live DJ sets, and mouthwatering food trucks. But here’s the twist: this isn’t just about the pros. The Jackalope Block Party is also a launchpad for local legends, with one lucky skater scoring a life-changing trip to compete in the USA. Come for the tricks, stay for the tunes, and witness history in the making.

Date: 22 November 2025

Get ready for a full-throttle day of 30+ brews, beats, and belly laughs at Foreshore Park, because Australia’s favourite frothy festival is rolling back into town for another epic round. A celebration of Newcastle’s booming craft beer scene and the good times that come with it, Crafted Beer Festival features local brewing legends and the tastiest of Aussie names. Catch headline legends Beddy Rays, sip something smooth at Granddad Jack’s Cocktail Bar, and feast your way through a lineup of mouthwatering foodie delights.

Dates: 31 January – 1 February 2026

Get ready to race, ride, and run by the sea at Stockton’s Island Triathlon Festival, by H Events. A quick 700-metre ferry ride across Newcastle Harbour, Stockton transforms into a buzzing hub of athleticism and coastal charm for two action-packed days. Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned triathlon warrior, this multi-day celebration of endurance has something for everyone – from sunrise runs to aquathlons, aqua bikes, and triathlons of all distances. Whether you're chasing a personal best or just soaking up the atmosphere, this is a race weekend to remember.

Date: 14 February 2026

This one-day, all-ages country music celebration is hitting the Foreshore in February! Headlined by multi-award-winning powerhouse Lainey Wilson and homegrown hero turned global sensation Morgan Evans, this high-energy Howlin' Country festival is packed with talent. Joining the lineup are the electrifying Flatland Calvary, the soulful Kaitlin Butts, the raw and riveting Adam Newling, rising star Tyla Rodrigues, and many more! With local food trucks, craft drinks, and a whole lot of country spirit, it’s more than a music event—it’s a full-blown cultural experience.

Date: March 2026

Now part of the World Surf League, Surfest is the southern hemisphere’s biggest and boldest surfing festival, drawing over 800 elite male and female surfers from around the world to compete across nine thrilling events. Held at Merewether Beach, a designated National Surfing Reserve, the event is steeped in cultural and sporting significance. Over the years, the legendary Mark Richards Trophy has been claimed by some of surfing’s biggest names – Kelly Slater (USA), Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Mick Fanning (AUS), Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), and Tom Curren (USA) have all helped cement Surfest’s reputation as a proving ground for greatness.

Dates: March 2026

Newcastle Harbour bursts into life during SailFest. From grand-prix yachts and offshore racers to hands-on Try-Sailing adventures, this vibrant celebration puts a modern spin on our rich maritime heritage. The harbour transforms into a natural amphitheatre of action—perfect for sailing and spectating. Stroll the Foreshore and catch everything from nimble dinghies and Olympic-class boats to high-speed skiffs in the Honeysuckle Basin, while TP52s and ocean racers tear through the waves off Newcastle Beach. It’s fast, it’s thrilling, and pure coastal energy.

Dates: March 2026

Over three weekends, Australia’s biggest little Fringe brings indie arts, bold ideas, and unexpected delights to Newcastle. During this epic festival, our buzzing beachside city welcomes artists and audiences from across the globe to perform and excite in new and innovative ways across multiple venues – creating a party atmosphere and a plethora of entertainment options. Fringe is open-access, independent, and unfiltered. A celebration of independent arts, comedy, cabaret, and performance, Newcastle Fringe Festival welcomes the weird, wonderful, and experimental.

Date: 27-29 March 2026

From thought-provoking author talks and dynamic panel discussions to hands-on workshops, the Newcastle Writers Festival has grown into one of the country’s largest and most beloved regional literary events. The festival also champions emerging voices with the Fresh Ink Emerging Writer Prize, and nurtures the next generation of storytellers with Story Hunter, a creative writing initiative across the region’s schools. Dive deeper into the work of a favourite author, discover fresh literary talent, or simply soak up the buzz of being surrounded by fellow book lovers.

Date: June 2026

Whether you're a die-hard comedy lover or just looking for a great night out, this month-long celebration is your chance to experience the best in stand-up, sketch, and improv, so get ready to giggle, chuckle, and roar with laughter as the Newcastle Comedy Festival takes over the city. Bringing together a stellar lineup of seasoned comedians and rising stars from across Australia and beyond, the festival laughter-starter is the Gala, followed by a stack of solo shows across beloved comedy venues, including the Newcastle Comedy Club and the Civic Theatre. A vibrant mix of local, national, and international talent that’ll have you laughing out loud, and then some.

Whether you're a music lover, foodie, athlete, or adventurer, Newcastle’s festival season offers something for every curious traveller. Come for the events, stay for the stories—and leave with a satisfied spirit and a heart full of unexpected discoveries. See you soon in Newcastle!