Cinema Under the Stars: free spring movie nights

Spring is the season for outdoor movies in the Hunter, and the biggest free one is back. Newcastle Permanent Cinema Under the Stars is returning for its 2026 edition, and the film this year is the live-action How to Train Your Dragon (PG, 2025). The program has run for 12 years now and is billed as the largest free outdoor cinema program in Australia, which is a fair claim given it costs nothing for the whole family to attend.

There are two dates to work around. The first is in Maitland on Saturday 3 October at Maitland Park, with live entertainment from 4:30pm. The second is the Lake Macquarie stop on Saturday 10 October at Speers Point Park on Park Road, with live entertainment from 5:30pm. At both sites, the film itself doesn't start until sundown, so the earlier start times are really there to give you time to settle in before the main event.

It is not just a movie, which is the good news for families. There is live music, plenty of free activities for the kids — including some themed around little Vikings and aspiring dragon riders — and food from local vendors, plus free popcorn for the movie night feast. It is also an alcohol-free event, which keeps the vibe family-friendly from start to finish. If the weather turns, the organisers post cancellations on their website and Facebook page, so it is worth a quick check before you pack the car.

If you are in the mood for a cinema night but cannot make those dates, there are other options in the region. Heddon Greta Drive-In, out on the edge of the Hunter Valley Vineyards, screens the latest films every Friday and Saturday night, with night screenings during school holidays. It opened in 1967 and is one of only two drive-ins still running in New South Wales, the other being the Skyline Drive-In in Blacktown, so it is worth catching before it closes in November 2026 to make way for a residential development. Admission is A$32 per vehicle for up to eight people, tickets are online only, and you will need an FM car radio or a portable one with good batteries to hear the sound. Pack a portable radio, warm clothes, blankets, cushions and an esky with snacks and drinks, and if you leave the car, an air mattress or camping chairs are a good idea. There is an on-site restaurant for burgers, hot dogs, chips, choc-tops, soft drinks, sweets, popcorn and hot donuts, with orders made online after you scan your ticket at the gate. Gates open at least 30 minutes before the first movie, and dogs on a lead are welcome.

Closer to home, Lake Cinema in Boolaroo is an independent picture house that has been going since 1974, when it opened with a double feature of Show Boat and Singin' in the Rain. It is cash only, with tickets A$12, and bookings are only available for the 7:30pm sessions, so give them a call during opening hours to secure a spot. For a bigger night out, Reading Cinemas Charlestown and Reading Cinemas Maitland both run full programmes with stadium seating and a range of premium auditoriums, so there is plenty to choose from across the region this spring.