Spring School Holidays in Newcastle and the Hunter, 28 September – 9 October 2026

NSW public schools break up on Friday 25 September and go back on Tuesday 13 October (Monday 12 October is a staff development day). Monday 5 October is the Labour Day public holiday.

Here's what's on for kids across Newcastle, Lake Mac, Maitland, Port Stephens and the Hunter Valley, from festivals and theatre to library workshops, animals and free days out. Most workshops need booking and fill fast.

Festivals and big days out

New Annual – Newcastle CBD | Fri 25 Sep – Sun 4 Oct Newcastle's ten-day arts festival, with free family events, installations and shows across the city. Mix of free and ticketed. More info

Lenny's Country – Throsby Creek Foreshore, Carrington | Wed 30 Sep, 4pm–7pm Worimi Elder Aunty Debbie Dates leads an evening of storytelling with Curious Legends' illuminated puppets. Bring a picnic. Free. More info

Curtain Call: Strut Your Stuff – Newcastle Museum Park | Sat 3 & Sun 4 Oct, 10am–2pm Drop in and build an outfit from discarded clothing. Runway parades on the hour Saturday, quieter low-sensory session Sunday. Free. More info

At Sea – Canoe Pool, Newcastle East | Sat 26 Sep – Sun 4 Oct (not Wed 30 Sep), 8am–8.30am A 30-minute dance work at the water's edge by Catapult, followed by a beach dance workshop. No experience needed. Free. More info

Cavitation: Breathing Ocean – Canoe Pool, Newcastle East | until Sun 4 Oct, Mon–Sat 10am–4pm, Sun 10am–2pm Swim among Izabela Pluta's floating installation of marine floats. Lifeguard on duty, kids must be supervised. Free. More info

Bloom – Charlestown Square | until Sun 11 Oct, centre hours Melissa Mathieson's giant inflatable garden spread across all three levels of the centre. Free. More info

NSW Koori Knockout – King Park Sporting Complex, Raymond Terrace | Fri 2 – Mon 5 Oct The state's Aboriginal rugby league carnival, hosted this year by the Newcastle Yowies, with up to 10,000 people a day expected. More info

Fort Scratchley Special Gun Firing Day – Fort Scratchley, Newcastle East | Mon 5 Oct, 10am–4pm Guns fired at 11am, 1pm and 3pm, with military vehicles, re-enactors, modified tunnel tours and every exhibition room open. Free entry. More info

Maitland's Kite Flying Festival – Harold Gregson Park, Maitland | Mon 5 Oct, 10am–5pm Kite displays and flying, jumping castles, face painting, food trucks and a DJ. Bring your own kite. Register

Spaghetti Confetti – The Bowlo Stockton | Sun 4 Oct, from 2pm The kids' band brings its album launch tour to Stockton. No tickets needed. Free. More info

Week of Riverlights – venues across Maitland | Tue 6 – Fri 9 Oct Lantern making at MRAG, poi and judo, a kids' pasta class with Slow Food Hunter Valley, magic workshops and cultural storytime. Program

Maitland Riverlights – The Levee, Maitland | Sat 10 Oct, 2pm–9pm The Levee becomes a global village with food, music and performance from more than 40 cultures, finishing with a lantern flotilla on the river. Free. More info

Festival of Sweets & Treats – The Station, Newcastle | Sun 11 Oct, from 9am Dessert stalls and live entertainment on the harbour. $10 at the gate, under 18s free. Get tickets

First weekend, 26–27 September

Newcastle Brickfest – Newcastle Jockey Club, Broadmeadow | Sat 26 Sep, 10am–5pm; Sun 27 Sep, 9am–4pm About 300 tables of LEGO displays, build pits and speed builds. Sensory hour Sunday 9am–10am. From $10 per person or $35 family, under 3 free. Get tickets

Maitland Roller Disco – Harold Gregson Reserve basketball court, Maitland | Sat 26 Sep, 5pm–9pm Council roller disco with a DJ and food vans. Bring your own skates, no booking. Free. More info

Hunter Wetlands Spring Festival – Hunter Wetlands Centre, Shortland | Sun 27 Sep, 10am–2pm Jumping castle, face painting, market stalls, reptile encounters and walks. Free. More info

Edgeworth Trains – Velinda Street, Edgeworth | Sun 27 Sep, trains 12.15pm–3.30pm Lake Macquarie Live Steam Locomotive Society's monthly ride day on miniature steam and diesel trains. Weather permitting. $3 per ride, under 2 free. More info

Shows, theatre and film

Film: Chicken Run – PACC, Cessnock | Mon 28 Sep, 10am–11.25am School holiday screening of the claymation classic. Family ticket available. More info

Press Play – The Playhouse, Civic Theatre, Newcastle | Thu 1 – Sat 3 Oct, 10am and 1pm Fifty young Tantrum Youth Arts actors race to premiere a show in 50 minutes, with the audience pressing buttons to steer the action. Relaxed sessions, Auslan on Sat 3 Oct at 1pm. $20, $15 under 18s. Get tickets

Gone Buggo – Rathmines Theatre, Rathmines | Wed 7 Oct, 10.30am–11.30am Science communicator Steven Gill mixes LEGO and wildlife photography to show off backyard bugs. Ages 5 and up. The theatre has no air conditioning. Ticketed. More info

The Rainbow Fish Musical – Young People's Theatre, Hamilton | Thu 8 – Sun 25 Oct A large young cast stages the picture book about sharing and belonging. A good first show for little ones. Ticketed. More info

Disney's Frozen The Broadway Musical – Civic Theatre, Newcastle | Sat 10 – Sun 25 Oct Elsa, Anna and Olaf on stage for the last weekend of the holidays and beyond. Midweek sessions are cheaper. Four-ticket bundle from $54 per person. Get tickets

All Ages Pop Party on the Harbour – MV Calmer, Queens Wharf | Sat 10 Oct, 11.30am–2pm A pop DJ cruise on Newcastle Harbour. Under 18s must be with a parent or guardian, no prams, and the vessel isn't wheelchair accessible. Ticketed. Get tickets

Cinema Under the Stars – Maitland Park, Maitland | Sat 3 Oct, entertainment from 4.30pm, film at sundown How to Train Your Dragon (PG, 2025) with live music, kids' games and free popcorn. BYO picnic. No dogs, no alcohol. Free. More info

Cinema Under the Stars – Speers Point Park, Speers Point | Sat 10 Oct, entertainment from 5.30pm, film at sundown The same free screening of How to Train Your Dragon (PG, 2025) for Lake Mac. Free. More info

Holiday films in cinemas New family releases include Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie, Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom, Forgotten Island, Coyote vs. ACME and The Last Whale Singer. Showing at Event Cinemas Kotara and Glendale. Session times

Heddon Greta Drive-In – Heddon Greta | Friday and Saturday nights The Hunter's only drive-in closes in November, so these holidays are one of the last chances to go. More info

Workshops and holiday programs

Museums and galleries

Mr Squiggle and Friends – Newcastle Museum | daily in the holidays, 10am–5pm Puppets, props and a squiggle drawing station from Norman Hetherington's world, alongside Murray Raine's Marvellous Marionettes. Both run until 1 November. Free. More info

Gums to Bums science show – Newcastle Museum | Wed 7 Oct, 11.15am, 12.15pm and 1.15pm Follow a manikin's breakfast through the digestive system. Drop in, no bookings. Arrive 10–15 minutes early. Free. More info

Curtain Call workshops – McIntyre Theatrette, Newcastle Museum | Tue 29 Sep – Thu 1 Oct, 10am–11.30am Fast Fashun artists help kids turn scrap fabric into outfits and walk the catwalk. Ages 4–12, adults stay and join in. $7 per child or adult, $20 family. Book

Clam, Camera, Action! – Newcastle Art Gallery, Cooks Hill | Tue 29 Sep – Fri 2 Oct, 10am and 1pm Two-hour stop-motion workshop for ages 5–12 inspired by Angela Tiatia's video work The Pearl. Includes exhibition entry. Ticketed. Book

Kit Creators – Newcastle Art Gallery, Cooks Hill | Tue 6 – Fri 9 Oct, 10am and 1pm Kids aged 5–12 design their own jersey, inspired by Tiatia's The Matildas. Adults must stay onsite. Ticketed. Book

Draw yourself as an animal! – MAC yapang, Booragul | Wed 30 Sep, 9.30am, 11.30am or 1.30pm Drawing workshop with artist Emily Lloyd for ages 10–16, inspired by the Of This Earth exhibition. $15 plus booking fee. Book

Pre-School Art School – MAC yapang, Booragul | Tue 6 Oct, 10am–11am Short gallery tour, story time and a craft activity for ages 3–6. Free, bookings preferred. More info

Make your own earrings with Holmeswares – MAC yapang, Booragul | Fri 9 Oct, 10.30am, 11.30am or 12.30pm Paint and assemble a pair of earrings with local maker Sarah. Ages 7 and over, under 16s with an adult. $24 plus booking fee. Book

Free Art Sunday – Maitland Regional Art Gallery | Sun 4 Oct, 10am–12pm Drop-in art activities that take about 30 minutes. Materials provided. Free. More info

Libraries

LEGO Challenges – Newcastle City Library | Mon 28 Sep; Wallsend Library | Wed 30 Sep Timed LEGO building challenges. More info

Escucha! A Spanish Sound Adventure – Newcastle Libraries | Tue 29 Sep Spanish, music and craft for ages 5–8. Book

Kids Bingo – Newcastle City Library | Wed 30 Sep; Wallsend Library | Wed 7 Oct Three in a row wins a prize. More info

Air Dry Clay Mini Bugs – Wallsend Library | Wed 30 Sep; Newcastle City Library | Wed 7 Oct Shape a small clay bug to take home. No kiln needed. More info

Friendship Bracelet Workshop – Wallsend Library | Fri 2 Oct; Newcastle City Library | Tue 6 Oct Beads and thread, one to keep and one to give away. More info

LEGO Builders – Swansea Library | from Mon 28 Sep, multiple dates Relaxed LEGO free play. Just drop in. Free. More info

Crafty Kids: Owl Mobiles – Wangi Library Creative Hub, Wangi Wangi | Fri 9 Oct Design a colourful owl mobile to hang at home. Part of Lake Mac Arts' Make and Create Week. More info

Maitland Libraries holiday program – branches across Maitland | 28 Sep – 9 Oct Librarian for a Day, a tawny frogmouth bird walk with the Hunter Bird Observers Club, an illustration session with Dan Marshall and Riverlights storytime. Program

Silent Disco – Branxton Community Hall | Thu 8 Oct, 6pm–7.30pm Cessnock City Library's headphone dance party for ages 5–12. Book

Big Bang science workshops – Kurri Kurri Library | Fri 9 Oct, 11am, 1pm and 3pm Three hands-on sessions: Bottled Planet (ages 5–8), Trick of the Eye and Unbelievable Bubbles. Book

Collage Pollinators – Tomaree Library | Tue 29 Sep; Raymond Terrace Library | Tue 6 Oct, 10.30am–12pm Port Stephens Libraries collage workshop on bees and other pollinators, ages 7–12. Book

Recycled Craft Fun – Raymond Terrace Library | Fri 2 Oct, 2pm–3pm Make bird craft from recycled materials, ages 5–13. Book

Other programs

Newcastle Transport Big Day Out – Newcastle Interchange, Wickham | Tue 29 Sep – Thu 1 Oct, 10am–12pm Kids aged 4–12 ride the light rail, take the ferry to Stockton for a play, then pick a bus home. Every child gets a $10 Child Opal card. Adults tap on with their own card. Free, registration required. Register

High Speed Rail Hub – 175 Scott Street, Newcastle | weekdays 28 Sep – 9 Oct, 10am–4pm Build your own train and other hands-on activities, one minute from the Queens Wharf light rail stop. No booking. Free. More info

Rock and Water holiday camp – Hunter Valley Martial Arts Centre, Warners Bay | Mon 28 Sep – Fri 2 Oct, 9am–12pm A week-long program for ages 6–14 on body awareness, emotional regulation and handling difficult situations. $200 per child, $180 siblings. Book

Open Day at Maitland Pool – Maitland Aquatic Centre | Wed 30 Sep, 10am–3pm Free pool entry for the summer launch, with a sausage sizzle, laser tag, lawn games, aqua classes and CPR demos. Free. More info

Sport and active

Newcastle Jets holiday clinics – venues across the Hunter | Sep/Oct holidays Community clinics, girls-only clinics coached by A-League Women's players, a Mini World Cup and a goalkeepers masterclass. Register

Kids' golf camps – Rippit Golf, Broadmeadow | Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10am–1pm Structured holiday golf sessions with lunch included. Mini golf and the driving range are open seven days. $50 a session. Book

Dullboy's Social Co – Warners Bay and Rutherford | Sat 26 Sep – Mon 12 Oct Holiday deals on bowling, mini golf and arcade: $10 games 9am–10am, bowling plus a $10 arcade card for $20 until 4pm, or bowling, mini golf and a $30 arcade card for $55. From $10. More info

Animals and nature

Spring School Holidays – Hunter Valley Gardens, Pokolbin | Sat 26 Sep – Sun 11 Oct, 9am–5pm (last entry 4pm) Butterfly house, baby lambs, face painting, lantern making, daisy chains and bee demonstrations on weekends. Rides run 10am–2pm. Garden admission applies. Rides $6 each or six for $30. More info

Blackbutt Reserve – New Lambton Heights | daily, wildlife exhibits 10am–4.30pm Wallabies, wombats, emus and kangaroos, plus playgrounds, picnic areas and walking trails. Koalas are temporarily unavailable. Free. More info

Hunter Wetlands Centre – Shortland | daily, 9am–4pm Bird and magpie geese feeding at 10.30am, dip-netting, a playground, walking trails and canoe hire ($20 per kayak for two hours). More info

Pokémon GO Picnic – Hunter Region Botanic Gardens, Heatherbrae | Fri 2 Oct, 10.30am Safety tips for parents, then a guided raid of the gardens' gyms with Pokémon trainers. No booking. Free with normal garden entry. More info

Oakvale Wildlife Park – Salt Ash | daily, 10am–5pm (last entry 4pm) Port Stephens wildlife park with daily animal talks included in admission. Ticketed. More info

Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters – Anna Bay | daily, 9am–5pm Hand-feed rays, catch the shark talks and swim in the lagoons. Undercover, so it works in bad weather. Book ahead in the holidays. Ticketed. More info

Aussie Ark Open Days – Tomalla, Barrington Tops | daily until Sun 11 Oct, gates 10.30am, experience 11am–1pm See Tasmanian devils, eastern quolls and wallabies on a one-hour guided tour. A long drive, so make a day of it. Ticketed. More info

Rainy day

Charlie's Fun Pass – Charlestown Square One game of Holey Moley, Strike Bowling or laser tag, 30 minutes at Timezone, a Grill'd kids meal, a Boost junior, a $10 Yo-Chi voucher and a day of free parking. Online only. From $45 plus booking fee. More info

Chipmunks Playland & Café – Belmont No time limit on entry. Holiday extras include fairy bread making, face painting, glitter tattoos and ice cream decorating. More info

Free days out

Beaches Newcastle and Lake Mac beaches are patrolled from Saturday 26 September. Nobbys, Bar Beach, Dixon Park and the Newcastle and Merewether ocean baths are patrolled year-round. Free. Patrol times

Pools Mayfield, Wallsend, Beresfield and Stockton pools and Speers Point Swim Centre reopen on Saturday 26 September. Swansea Swim Centre is closed this season. More info

Caves Beach sea caves – Caves Beach Explore the caves and rock pools at low tide. Check the tide times before you go. Free. More info

Speers Point Park – Speers Point The region's biggest playground, with a giant spiral slide, an 83-metre jetty and flat shared paths for bikes and scooters. Free. More info

Nobbys Headland – Newcastle East | weekends and public holidays, 8am–4pm An 800-metre walk from the Nobbys Beach car park up to the lighthouse, with a steep last stretch. Free. More info

Fort Scratchley – Newcastle East | 10am–4pm, closed Tuesdays Open grassy hills over the harbour and ocean. Tunnel tours are extra. Free entry to the grounds. More info

Pirrita Island Boardwalk – Swansea A short walk through the mangroves beside the channel. Good for little legs. Free. More info

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