Compact, colourful, and bursting with energy, Newcastle knows how to put on a festival.
From world-class surfing and thought-provoking arts festivals to waterfront music events, literary celebrations and sporting spectacles, the city's calendar is packed with reasons to plan a visit.
Whether you're chasing live music, big ideas, culture, comedy or coastal adventure, here's a snapshot of Newcastle's standout festivals and events across the year.
Dates: 25 Sept – 4 October 2026
New Annual transforms Newcastle into a city-wide playground of creativity, filling streets, beaches, theatres, parks and unexpected spaces with art, music, performance and ideas. From large-scale installations and immersive experiences to live music, talks and family-friendly events, the festival invites you to see Newcastle differently.
Bold, surprising and distinctly local, New Annual is one of the city's most anticipated cultural celebrations.
SOAK at Newcastle Ocean Baths, part of New Annual
Date: 17 October 2026
Strummingbird Festival, Newcastle Foreshore
Dates: October-November 2026
Newcastle will welcome the world when the Rugby League World Cup 2026 comes to town. As one of the tournament's host cities, McDonald Jones Stadium will stage men's and women's pool matches, as well as a semi-final, bringing international teams and passionate fans from across the globe to the city.
Date: 7 November 2026
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.
Crafted Beer Festival, Foreshore Park
Date: 12 November 2026
Rock legends Foo Fighters are bringing their highly anticipated Take Cover Tour to Newcastle for one night only. Known for their incredible live performances, the band will deliver a career-spanning set of anthems and fan favourites, cementing Newcastle's growing reputation as a stop for major international touring acts.
Date: 17 November 2026
Global pop superstar Robbie Williams will make his Newcastle headline debut when the BRITPOP World Tour hits McDonald Jones Stadium. Expect a stadium-sized celebration packed with iconic hits including Angels, Feel, Rock DJ and Let Me Entertain You, alongside the energy and showmanship that have made Robbie one of the world's most successful entertainers.
Date: 8 December 2026
One of rock's most iconic bands, Guns N' Roses, will close out the year in spectacular fashion at McDonald Jones Stadium. Joined by Australian rockers Airbourne, the World Tour 2026 promises a night of legendary riffs, unforgettable singalongs and timeless hits that have defined generations of music fans.
Date: 13 February 2027
Howlin' Newcastle, Foreshore Park
Date: March 2027
As the largest surfing festival in the Southern Hemisphere, Surfest has been a Newcastle tradition for decades. Held at Merewether Beach, the event attracts elite surfers from around the world to compete on one of Australia's most iconic stretches of coastline.
Whether you're watching from the sand or cheering from the headland, Surfest delivers world-class action and unmistakable Newcastle energy.
Surfest, Merewether Beach
Dates: March 2027
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.
Sailfest Newcastle Regatta, Newcastle Beach
Dates: 6-21 March 2027
Expect the unexpected at Newcastle Fringe Festival.
This celebration of independent arts fills venues across the city with comedy, cabaret, theatre, live music, visual arts and experimental performances.
Creative, unconventional and proudly independent, Fringe showcases local talent alongside visiting artists from across Australia and beyond.
Newcastle Fringe Festival
Date: 2-4 April 2027
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.
Newcastle Writers Festival
Date: June 2027
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.
Newcastle Comedy Festival, Civic Theatre
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!
