Good morning, Newcastle! Welcome back to the Newcastle Digest.

This week's edition covers some great dog-friendly venues, Halloween events, and the regular content.

Have a great rest of your week.

Looking for a spot where your four-legged mate is just as welcome as you are? Here are a few local favourites where good food or great coffee, and wagging tails all come together.

☕ Sunnyboy Kiosk + Blue Door, Merewether
Beach walk + coffee. Dogs are welcome at the kiosk after a Bathers Way stroll, both open early for your morning routine.

🍹 Customs House Hotel
Heritage charm meets harbour views. Grab a cocktail and a table in the beer garden while your pup soaks up the sun beside you.

🐶 Café INU, Carrington
“Inu” literally means dog. With puppuccinos, treats, and a big outdoor area, this one’s an instant tail-wagger.

🌊 Queens Wharf Hotel
Harbourside drinks, salty breeze, and space for your pup to chill on the wharf deck, all with great views.

🌿 Local Customs, Adamstown
Leafy courtyard, relaxed vibe, and a solid brunch menu. A go-to weekend spot where your dog’s welcome to lounge outdoors.

🥐 Bolton Street Pantry, Newcastle
Coffee, breakfast, and easy weekend vibes in the city centre. Great food and plenty of space to relax with your pup out front.

The Ballpark - Kotara

A new spot has opened at Westfield Kotara, blending sport and social in one place. The Ballpark brings together batting cages, digital darts, pool tables, and plenty of screens showing live games.

There’s also a food and drink menu with burgers, pizzas, wings, and a mix of craft beers and cocktails.

Located on The Rooftop opposite Burger Point, it’s a fresh option for something a bit different next time you’re at Kotara.

📍 Where: Westfield Kotara, The Rooftop, Level 3
🔗 theballpark.au

Halloween at Fort Scratchley – Newcastle | 31 October 5 pm
Celebrate Halloween with family and friends at Fort Scratchley. Explore the tunnels from 6 pm, enjoy food, coffee, and spooky fun. Cost: $30 family (2 adults + 2 kids). More info.

Halloween Party – Coal & Cedar, Newcastle | 31 October
Coal & Cedar’s annual fright night brings spooky cocktails, costumes, themed drinks, and late-night mischief. More info.

Hip Hop Halloween Party – The Den, Newcastle | 31 October
Spooky cocktails, costume prizes, and hip-hop beats to raise the dead. Free entry — just bring your best haunted moves. More info.

Old Hollywood New Year’s Eve Party – The Exchange, Hamilton | 31 October
Step into the glamour of Old Hollywood with champagne towers, smooth jazz and red-carpet style. Packages from $30 + BF. More info.

Creatures of the Night – Bartholomew’s, Newcastle | 31 October 6:30 – 11:50 pm
A Halloween spooktacular with DJ Modul8, roving performers, cocktails and a best-dressed competition. More info.

Bay of Frights Halloween Party – Shoal Bay Country Club | 31 October
Transforming the club into “Bay of Frights” with DJs from 8:30 pm and creepy vibes all night. Free entry. More info.

Heroes & Villains Halloween Party – The Exchange, Hamilton | 31 October
A spooky playground for heroes and villains with costumes encouraged and music all night long. More info.

Murder Mystery Dinner – Thermidor Brasserie, Newcastle | 31 October
Step into 1920s Chicago for a Halloween-themed murder mystery experience with dinner and drinks. Cost: $220 pp.

The Haunted Boat Party – All Event Cruises, Newcastle | 31 October
Board the Cruiser Nightclub for a spooky night of DJs, drinks and dancing on Newcastle Harbour. From $16.85 inc.

Halloween Extravaganza – Newcastle Exhibition Centre, Broadmeadow | 1 November
A full day of spooky markets and family fun from Newcastle Alternative. Family passes from $25 + BF. More info.

Kids Cube Disco – MAP mima, Speers Point | 31 October from 5 pm
A vibrant kids’ disco with music, immersive projections, and colourful lights. Free entry.

Sunday Drumday – Bennett Park, Valentine | 2 November 11:30 am
Join the community drum circle at the Sustainability Festival for a joyful, rhythmic experience. Bring your drum or borrow one, and enjoy interactive stalls, workshops, and a sausage sizzle from 10 am. Free event.

Street Eats: Spooky Eats Halloween Special – Chisholm | 2 November 5 pm
Put on your spookiest costume for a Halloween edition of Street Eats. Enjoy food trucks, live music, and family fun in the park. Follow My Maitland for updates on locations and times. More info.

Lake Mac Open Studios 2025 – Various Locations, Lake Macquarie | 1 – 2 November
Meet local artists and makers, explore their creative spaces, and purchase original works during this annual weekend of open studios hosted by Lake Mac Arts. More info.

Sounds of Sustainability Festival – Bennett Park, Valentine | 2 November 10 am – 1 pm
A family-friendly festival showcasing local sustainability initiatives with workshops and activities. Free entry.

Newcastle Toy Run Bike Show – The Station, Newcastle East | 2 November from 9 am
Kick off the Toy Run with bike displays, food trucks and family fun. $10 show entry; public free. More info.

NSW State Piping & Drumming Championships – Maitland Regional Athletics Centre | 2 November 9 am – 4 pm
Enjoy a full day of traditional music, food, and performances featuring some of NSW and Australia’s top piping and drumming talent. Entry from $5.

Orange Picking at Cedar Farm – Dooralong | Weekends in November 10 am – 4 pm
Pick fresh Valencia oranges for $1.75/kg and enjoy a family day on the farm. Free entry.

Filmharmonic: Cinema Classics – Warners Bay Theatre | 2 November 3 & 7 pm
Lake Mac Philharmonic Orchestra performs film scores from Star Wars, Top Gun, and more. GA $50, Child $35. More info.

Mega Diwali Event – University of Newcastle | 1 November 2 – 10 pm
A huge Diwali celebration featuring music, dance, food stalls, henna, and a 500-drone show. Free entry.

Strummingbird Festival – Newcastle Foreshore | 1 November
Grammy-nominated Jelly Roll, global hit makers Shaboozey, and a host of local country music favourites will light up Newcastle for a day and night of boot scooting fun. Enjoy live music, food trucks and honky tonk vibes late into the night. Get tickets.

Bob Marley Tribute Cruise – Newcastle Harbour | 1 November 12 – 4 pm & 7 – 11 pm
Celebrate the music of Bob Marley with live reggae by Roaring Lion Band aboard All Event Cruises. From $35 inc. BF. More info.

Stars of Newcastle – NEX, Newcastle West | 1 November
Local personalities hit the dancefloor to raise funds for the Cancer Council. Tickets $140.

Mike McClellan: The Last Song and Dance? – Flamingos Live, Lambton | 1 November
A career-spanning concert by the beloved Australian singer-songwriter. Tickets $58. More info.

Crumb Run Club – The Autumn Rooms, Darby St | 2 November Sunrise
A free community run with coffee, music, and post-run matcha or iced lattes by Crumb. More info.

Daniel Muggleton: You May Be White, I May Be Crazy – Newcastle Comedy Club, 1a Darby St | 2 November 7 pm
Australian comedian Daniel Muggleton brings his sharp, foul-mouthed humour back to Newcastle after sell-out shows around the world. Strictly 18+. Tickets from $34.

Tough Mudder – Rydges Resort, Hunter Valley | 1 – 2 November 7 am – 5 pm
The iconic obstacle challenge returns with up to 20 mud-soaked obstacles for all fitness levels. Expect a festival atmosphere with food stalls, music, and a post-race bar. Registration required. More info.

Olive Tree Market – Civic Park, Newcastle | 1 November 9 am – 2 pm
Shop local art, design, and handmade goods from Newcastle’s best creators. Free entry.

Markets on the Green – Club Kotara, 2 Howell St, Kotara | 1 November 1–5 pm
Browse handmade goods from local makers and creators at this monthly market on the green, with live music by Cassey Corrdor from 2 pm. Free entry. More info.

Speers Point Christmas Market – Speers Point Park | 2 November 9 am – 1 pm
Lake Mac’s biggest Christmas market returns with handmade gifts, design stalls, food trucks, coffee, and kids’ entertainment — perfect for local Christmas shopping. More info.

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