The latest news from the city.
Newcastle Pride returns for its seventh year from 9 to 24 October, with the parade from Nobby's Beach to Honeysuckle, Drag Music Bingo at Carrington Bowling Club, and a range of parties and community events. Fair Day is listed for 24 October at Gregson Park, though one source flags it may be paused.
SOAK: Live at the Baths, part of the New Annual festival, is running sunset gigs at the heritage-listed Newcastle Ocean Baths. Hermitude opened on 26 September, Sunday was rained out, and Kobie Dee and Karen Lee Andrews close it out on 2 and 3 October.
The 2026 Koori Knockout runs from 2 to 5 October at King Park in Raymond Terrace, hosted by the defending champion Newcastle Yowies with 180 teams and 10,000 people a day. Covers the history, the NITV broadcast and the community running it.
West Best Bloc Fest returns to Newcastle West on Sunday 4 October, 10 am to 10 pm, with 300+ local musicians across 10 stages. A new all-ages program, a NIMA jazz program at Maru Hi-Fi and an electronic dayclub are part of the bill, with tickets A$40 to A$70.
Loca Vida runs at the Spiegeltent in Newcastle's Civic Park until 4 October, an 18+ show produced by Strut & Fret with an international cast. Covers session times, ticket prices from A$64, sensory warnings and the venue's history.
Newcastle Brickfest 2026 takes over the Newcastle Jockey Club on 26 and 27 September with close to 300 tables of LEGO, kids' build areas, competitions and a Sunday sensory session. Pre-purchase is A$10 a person or A$35 a family, and all profits go to the John Hunter Children's Hospital Kids Club.
Autumn Rooms is a well-regarded neighbourhood cafe on Darby Street in Cooks Hill, known for its table service, seasonal brunch menu and Single O coffee. It runs a Saturday bottomless brunch that needs booking and is welcoming to people with access needs.
From Darby Street cafés to Grainger Market dumplings and Honeysuckle pub meals, Newcastle has plenty of ways to eat well for less. Here are practical budget options, including current meal deals and casual waterfront stops.
Newcastle Permanent Cinema Under the Stars returns for 2026 with free family screenings of How to Train Your Dragon at Maitland Park on 3 October and Speers Point Park on 10 October, plus a look at other regional cinemas.
Newcastle Museum hosts NM:PM : PUNK! on Thursday 1 October, a free, all-ages night with Boudicca, No Reason, Bitchcraft and The Porkers. Includes DIY Alley, a human-sized claw machine, food trucks and a bar, with full accessibility and sensory warnings.
