Hello Newcastle!

It’s great to have you back for another edition of Newcastle Digest — your weekly guide to what’s happening around town.

This week, we're diving into everything from cosy date night spots and local music gigs to family events, market days, and a slice of Newcastle history you might not know about. Whether you’re planning a weekend adventure or just looking to catch up on local news, we’ve packed it all in for you.

Let’s get into it!

Table of Contents

• Eats

• Live Music

• Events

• Miscellaneous

• Sport

Date Nights: Nagisa

For a special birthday dinner on Monday, we headed to Nagisa - a Newcastle staple for fine dining, tucked along the Honeysuckle waterfront. It was our first time visiting, and it definitely didn’t disappoint.

The atmosphere was intimate and refined, setting the perfect tone for a memorable night out. We ordered the sashimi with assorted fish, wagyu tataki, chicken karaage, and wagyu rump cap - every dish was beautifully prepared, packed with flavour, and clearly made with care.

Nagisa leans toward the pricier side, but the quality of the food and the overall experience make it feel well worth it. If you’re after a date night that feels a little more special without being overly formal, Nagisa is one to add to your list.

Newcastle trivia

Thursday 1 May

Friday 2 May

Saturday 3 May

Sunday 4 May

Families

Press Play! – Multi-Arts Pavilion (MAP Mima), Speers Point | 2 – 4 May Various times

Enjoy a weekend of family-friendly fun at Press Play! Unleash your creativity in engaging art-making workshops, performances and plenty of family fun. The program includes Kids’ Disco and Exhibition on Friday, workshop, art-making and exhibition on Saturday and art-making and exhibition on Sunday. More info.

Tocal Field Days – Tocal Agricultural College | 2 – 4 May 9 am – 5 pm (Fri & Sat), 9 am – 4 pm (Sun)

Head out to Tocal Field Days during the first weekend of May. Established in 1984, Tocal Field Days is the premier agricultural event in the Hunter, Newcastle and Central Coast Regions and has lots of fun things to do for the family, whether you’re from the city or the bush. Read more about Tocal Field Days. More info.

Art Studio – Workshops for high schoolers – Museum of Art and Culture, Yapang, 2A First Street, Booragul | 3 May & 7 June 12–2 pm

Get creative at these art workshops designed just for high schoolers! If you're 13 or older, come hang out with friendly art educators and other teens in a relaxed atmosphere. All materials supplied! 12-2pm. Cost: $18 (plus booking fee) per session. More info.

Collage and Photogrammetry Workshop for Kids – Multi-Arts Pavilion, mima,

Lake Macquarie, 96 Creek Reserve Road, Speers Point | 4 May 11 am–1 pm
In this workshop we’ll be creating our own virtual digital avatars using paper collage templates. Transform your two-dimensional design into a 3D avatar. 11am-1pm | Tickets: $15. More info.

Whale Chorus Kids’ Workshop: Dreaming Alice – Multi-Arts Pavilion, mima, Lake Macquarie, 96 Creek Reserve Road, Speers Point | 3 May 11:00 am–11:45 am & 1:00 pm–1:45 pm

In this workshop children work together to solve mysteries, uncover hidden secrets, and journey through a fantastical Wonderland. More info.

Adults

Luke Combs Experience – Live at the X – The Exchange Hotel, 125 Denison Street, Hamilton | 2 May

Join Jarred Taylor as he delivers an electrifying tribute to legendary country superstar Luke Combs. Prepare yourselves for an unforgettable evening as Taylor pays homage to one of country music’s brightest stars. More info.

Urban Wine Walk – Multiple venues in Newcastle’s CBD | 3 May

Get ready Vino Lovers! The Urban Wine Walk is headed to Newcastle this Autumn! Taste, Walk, Explore!The streets and laneways of Newcastle will come alive this Autumn as a line-up of incredible venues each transform into an Urban Cellar Door and host a winemaker for you to visit on a self-guided wine trail! More info.

Hoedown Throwdown – The Exchange Hotel, 125 Denison Street, Hamilton | 3 May

Dust off your cowboy boots and get ready to tear up the dancefloor at the Hoedown Throwdown Country Music Night on Saturday 3rd May! More info.

Professional Bull Riders – Origin I – Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Showground, Brown Road, Broadmeadow | 3 May

Get ready for the ultimate showdown. The Professional Bull Riders Monster Energy Tour brings the most fierce rivalry in Australian sport to the dirt, as mates go head-to-head in an adrenaline-fueled battle. More info.

Sculpting Avatars – Multi-Arts Pavilion, mima, Lake Macquarie, 96 Creek Reserve Road, Speers Point | 3 May 2–4 pm

Learn the tangible artistry of sculpting plasticine figures and programming your avatar using virtual reality. 2-4pm | $15. More info.

Hungry Ghost Pop UP – Talulah, 52 Glebe Road, The Junction | 3 May 6 pm

Welcome to the very first instalment of Hungry Ghost Pop-up, a share style 5 course tasting menu of sumptuous snacks along with a fun little list of wines (including a full pairing option), beers and non-alc beverages for purchase on the night. Kick off at 6pm. More info.

AHA Newcastle and Pitcher Partners Race Day - Newcastle Racecourse | 3 May

Buckle up for the AHA Newcastle Pitcher Partners Race Day – where the horses aren't the only ones racing to have a blast! Grab your pals, place your bets, and dive into a day of epic thrills, laughter, and good vibes. More info.

Bed By 10 pm – King Street, 5 Steel Street, Newcastle | 3 May 4–9 pm

Fancy going out for a dance but not keen on sacrificing the next day? We've got you covered! Bed By 10 is a chance for ravers over 30 to relive the peak of the 80s, 90s & early 2000s clubbing scene! Expect crazy visuals, confetti showers, Co2 cannons and more as our resident DJ spins all the club classics. Good vibes only! Our event is designed for those who love to dance, socialise, and enjoy great music—all while being home and in bed by 10pm. More info.

Understanding Hypnotherapy Science – Hamilton Community Hive, 152 Beaumont Street, Hamilton | 4 May

Learn how hypnotherapy can support recovery, confidence, and personal development. Expert Speaker: John Henry Queripel. Cost: $68.00 + $4.08 fee. More info.

Newcastle, NSW: Nobby's Beach: Sea Shepherd Day for the Ocean - Nobbys Beach | 4 May

Join the Sea Shepherd Newcastle crew for a day of national action, education and celebration for the ocean! More info. 

Markets

Saturday 3 May

• Pelican Foreshore Markets, Pelican, 9am to 1pm.

• Olive Tree Market, Civic Park, Newcastle, 9am to 2pm.

• Mothers Day Market, Tillys Play and Development Centre, Waratah, 9am to noon.

Sunday 4 May

• Bernies Markets, Bernies Bar, 410 King Street, Newcastle West, 3pm – 5pm.

• Homegrown Markets, Speers Point Park, 10am to 2pm.

• Maitland Community Markets, Blomfield Street Maitland, 9am – 1pm.

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

Newcastle History: Before It Was One City – The Many Councils of Newcastle

Before Newcastle became one unified city, it was made up of twelve separate local councils, each running their own suburb like a small town. These councils were responsible for everything from roads and rubbish to public buildings and local decisions - and each suburb had its own mayor, councillors, and town hall.

The earliest to form was Newcastle in 1859, followed by councils like Waratah, Wickham, Lambton, and Hamilton in the 1870s. Others came later, including Merewether, Adamstown, Carrington, New Lambton, Stockton, Wallsend, and Plattsburg.

For decades, each of these areas operated independently. Some councils built grand chambers - like Stockton’s impressive fortress-like building in 1891 — while others, like Merewether, kept it simple with a modest weatherboard hall. Each suburb had its own personality, priorities, and budget.

But by the 1930s, it became clear that the region needed a more unified approach. The solution? A full-scale merger.

On 2 March 1938, all twelve councils officially joined together to create the City of Greater Newcastle. It was a major shift in local government — suddenly, the region had one council to represent the whole area. While some residents were hesitant about giving up local control, the merger paved the way for a more connected, better-resourced city.

Warriors Extend Knights' Losing Streak to Five in Anzac Day Defeat

Newcastle's NRL season took another turn for the worse as the Warriors defeated them 26-12 in Christchurch on Anzac Day, marking the Knights' fifth consecutive loss. Their attack continues to struggle, averaging just 7.2 points in their last five games.

Wanderers Upset Jets, Seal ALM Finals Berth

Western Sydney Wanderers secured their place in the A-League Men's finals with a 1-0 victory over the Newcastle Jets at McDonald Jones Stadium. Substitute Zac Sapsford scored the decisive goal, while the loss means Newcastle will finish their season outside the playoffs.