Good morning Newcastle! The countdown to Christmas is officially on, if you haven’t started already.

Another busy weekend with some pretty hot weather expected, perfect for a morning at the markets.

This week I went to Monte in Honeysuckle, located just underneath the Little National Hotel. It’s a modern café with both indoor and outdoor seating and a breakfast menu that mixes café staples with a few of their own creations. They describe Monte as a spot for laid-back brekkies, catch-ups, takeaway treats and long, easy mornings, and that’s pretty accurate.

I ordered the Full Monte, their take on a big breakfast. The food was great, the coffee was just as good, and the whole place has a relaxed feel that works well for a weekend visit. Definitely worth checking out if you’re around the harbour.

📍 Shop 1, 42 Honeysuckle Drive, Newcastle

Bring colour and creativity to your next event with professional face and body art.

Mythical Ink creates bright, detailed designs using high-quality, skin-safe paints, perfect for parties, weddings, festivals and community events across Newcastle, the Hunter, Central Coast and Sydney.

Bookings and gallery at mythicalink.com.

P.S. Looking to advertise in the Newcastle Digest? Click here or reach out at [email protected]

The Wizard of Oz – Civic Theatre Playhouse | 27 November – 30 November (Various times)
Follow the Yellow Brick Road to an unforgettable theatrical adventure! Bursting with energy, charm, and the timeless lesson that “there’s no place like home,” this spectacular youth production will delight audiences of all ages. More info.

Young Architects – Maitland Regional Art Gallery | 27 November 4pm – 5pm
Young artists aged 12-16 can unleash their creativity and design skills at this exciting workshop with Artist Jen Denzin and a talented architecture student from the University of Newcastle. This is a unique hands on opportunity to explore their passion for architecture and design. More info.

A Christmas Spectacular – Christchurch Cathedral, Newcastle | 29 November 7pm
Experience a symphony of holiday magic as Orchestra Nova, conducted by esteemed musical director Kevin Young, in collaboration with Hunter Valley Lyric Soprano Jade Riordan brings your favourite Christmas songs to life. Time: 7pm. Cost: From $30.

Meg Washington – Warners Bay Theatre, 39 Lake St, Warners Bay | 29 November
Meg Washington is a platinum-selling, award-winning, and genre-defying singer-songwriter who fluently weaves the worlds of jazz, pop, folk and musical theatre together. Presented by Craft Music. More info.

Hills 4 Hearts Gladdy Gallop – Start at Stockton Active Hub, finish at The Gladdy | 29 November 10.30am
Join or support “Team Gladdy Gallop” for the 5km Fun Run/Ride/Walk to help Hills 4 Hearts reach their goal to establish their fifth Neo Natal clinic in developing regions of Vietnam. Amazing drinks, food and raffle prizes at The Gladdy in Stockton afterwards. More info.

Christmas Charity Art Picnic – Foreshore Park, Newcastle | 30 November 1:30pm
A festive charity art picnic with all ticket proceeds to Barnados and NourishED Australia. BYO art materials and food. Relaxed picnic with lofi Christmas carols and limited art references available to borrow or keep. More info.

Tim Minchin – Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Showground, Brown Rd, Broadmeadow | 27 November
The ironically titled AUS tour, "Songs The World Will Never Hear” looks back on how a Perth cabaret pianist ended up building one of the most eclectic and extraordinary careers in entertainment. More info.

Newy Music Market – The Hamilton Station Hotel, 2 Beaumont St, Hamilton | 27 November
Celebrate local music and merch at The Hamilton Station Hotel’s first-ever Newy Music Market. Shop gear from Newcastle bands, enjoy community vibes, and support Support Act with $1 from every sale donated. More info.

Mixed-Media Assemblage Workshops – MAC yapang, 2A First St, Booragul | 28 November, 5 December, 12 December
Join artist Emma Florence May for a four-week Friday workshop series exploring mixed media assemblage. Create art from found and recycled materials while learning layering, composition, and storytelling techniques. No experience needed. More info.

Santa Photos at SBCC – Shoal Bay Country Club, 35–45 Shoal Bay Rd, Shoal Bay | 28 November – 24 December
Head to SBCC from Friday 28 November to Wednesday 24 December to have your picture taken with Santa! Cost: From $25

Sunset Sounds – Toronto Hotel, 74 Victory Parade, Toronto | 29 November
Here's the next instalment of Sunset Sounds at Toronto Hotel, starring The Black Sorrows, Dragon, V Spy V Spy, Matt Finish & X-Mentals.

Equium Social 8th Birthday Street Style Party – Equium Social, 1/2–4 Merewether St, Newcastle East | 30 November
Celebrate Equium Social’s 8th Birthday with a street-style party featuring live music by The High Andies and DJ DnM, freshly shucked oysters, street eats, and local brews from The Grifter, Method Brewing, and Earp Distilling Co. Tickets $25.

Za Vas Ot Nas – Hamilton Uniting Church, 150 Beaumont St, Hamilton | 30 November
Launch of 'Za Vas Ot Nas', the new album of original Jazz/World music by ARIA award winning MARA! band with Martenitsa choir. Cost: $30 & $2.41 booking fee (full price)/ $25 plus $2.19 booking fee (student/pensioner concession). More info.

Art Auction 4 Jac – Timeless Textiles Gallery, 90 Hunter St, Newcastle | 30 November
Leading Newcastle and Hunter Artists have donated works for auction to raise money for 23 year-old jac Mathot, who is battling stage 4 cancer. Viewing and auction 2:30-4:00pm. Cost: Free. Wine and nibbles provided. More info.

Tighes Hill Tipple – The Royal Oak Hotel Tighes Hill, 207 Maitland Rd, Tighes Hill | 30 November
A selection of some of the best small wine makers from the Orange wine region- a cellar door with a twist. Cost: $35

En plein air with MAC yapang Art Prize finalists – MAC yapang, 2A First St, Booragul | 30 November
Spend a relaxed Sunday creating art outdoors with MAC yapang Art Prize finalists Adele Merdjanic, Dino Consalvo, and Patrick Mavety. Enjoy three hours of guided, hands-on artmaking accompanied by live music. All materials provided. Cost: $25+bf

Wreath Making Workshop w. Newcastle Flower Markets – Earp Distilling Co., 41 Darling St, Carrington | 30 November
Gather around the barrels at Earp Distillery for a day of hands-on fun where you will be guided by the team from Newcastle Flower Markets on how to make your holiday wreath. Tickets include all materials. Cost: $194

Christmas Wreath Making – The Kotoda w The Elderflower Florist, 131 Hill Street, Carrington | 28 November 6pm – 8.30pm
Festive Christmas wreath making with fresh flowers, a glass bubbles and grazing platter. The perfect Friday night with friends. $159pp all inclusive. More info.

Newy Mental Wellness Reset – The Beach Hotel, Merewether | 29 November 7am
Join The Basin Gym for 5km at your pace, then return to The Beach Hotel for a recovery session, free coffee, karma kegs and a raffle. More info.

Flea Market Takeover – Floozy Coffee HQ × Jams, 398 King St, Newcastle West | 29 November
Coffee, beers and market finds collide in a relaxed Saturday of vintage clothing, handmade goods, trinkets and treasures, with morning brews and afternoon pours. Free entry.

CWA East Maitland Christmas Market – CWA East Maitland, 162 George Street, East Maitland | 29 November 8am – 1pm
CWA Christmas Market. Lots of Christmas goodies and gifts to buy. Father Christmas will be there. More info.

Newcastle Christmas Market – The Station, Newcastle | 29 November 9am – 1pm
Homegrown Markets Christmas event with Santa, kids entertainment, face painting, Christmas craft, roving entertainers, handmade and design stalls, street food, live music and more. More info.

Merewether Christmas Market – Dixon Park Playground, Merewether | 29 November 9am – 2pm
Christmas Market with food vendors, local makers, live music, face painting, fashion, handmade treasures and the Make-A-Wish Waves for Wishes surf event. More info.

Twilight Christmas Market – The Station, Newcastle | 30 November 4pm – 8pm
Unique Christmas gifts, market stalls, handmade and retail products, holistic and spiritual items, tarot/palm readings, food trucks, live music, kids activities, face painting and Santa. More info.

Maitland Christmas Market – Harold Gregson Park, Maitland | 30 November 9am – 1pm
Homegrown Markets Christmas in Maitland with handmade and design stalls, street food, live tunes, kids craft/game zone, permanent jewellery bar, face painting and more. More info.

Do you want me to share an event in the Newcastle Digest?

The morning of March 8, 1954, brought not routine, but tragedy to the soldiers of the 15th Northern Rivers Lancers and 16th Coy RAASC. A contingent of 184 men embarked on what should have been a standard crossing, piloting 21 amphibious vehicles from Shortland Army Camp into the waters of the Stockton Bight.

Moments after passing Nobby’s Headland, the sea turned violent, unleashing huge waves—some reported to be 6 metres high. Trapped in the sudden storm, the vehicles were overwhelmed, and eight tanks sank, scattering the soldiers into the dark, dangerous surf.

The subsequent rescue efforts saw extraordinary courage, not just from the surviving troops, but from local heroes; members of the Stockton Surf Lifesaving Club rushed from their beds into the massive swell. Their selflessness was later formally honoured with the George Medal.

Tragically, three young men lost their lives: Corporal Noel Moran, Trooper Neville Mornement, and Private Robert Blackie, whose body was never recovered. This disaster remains a deeply significant event in Newcastle’s history, annually commemorated to honour the sacrifice of the fallen and the profound courage displayed that night.

Black Friday is this friday. I have put together a quick guide of some deals that are happening in town. Check it out here.