Maitland residents are in for a summer of fun thanks to a number of free and affordable activities and events this month.
Fans of folk, blues and rock music are set to flood the Levee as Australian singer songwriters Ash Grunwald, Kim Churchill and Nick Saxon headline Changing Tides, a free concert held on a special floating stage on the Hunter River.
Nick Saxon will take to a Maitland stage on 22 January. 
Kim Chruchill is coming to Maitland.
Supported by the Festival of Place – Summer Night Fund, the alcohol free event is suitable for all ages and will be held across two nights from 6.30pm on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 January.
Local musos, such as The Hedonists and Lu Quade and the Happy Accidents will take to the stage on Friday while Ash Grunwald, Kim Churchill and Nick Saxon will play the next day.
Maitland City Council events coordinator Adam Franks says it’s just one incredible event of many throughout the month.
“This January is an exciting time for Maitland, as Council puts on a diverse and exciting program of events for local families to enjoy,” he said.
“As these events demonstrate, we are always looking outside the box for new and interesting ways to activate the area and the Hunter River.”
Another activity to return to the region today was Aqua Hire. From Lorn Beach, patrons can hire a kayak or stand up paddleboard and venture out onto the river or kick off their shoes and relax in a comfy beach chair.
It runs from 9 am to 2 pm every Wednesday to Sunday until 23 January.
It isn’t the only past time making the most of the cool waters of the Hunter River though.
The stream is also playing host to the inaugural Maitland River Regatta on Australia Day (Wednesday 26 January).
Starting at Lorn’s RH Taylor Reserve, patrons can purchase a boat hire ticket and float on down the Hunter River to Lorn Beach.
The event will run from 3 pm to 7 pm. With free activities, plus food and drink options, there is something for the whole family to enjoy at either end of the regatta route.
But that’s not all – entry to Maitland and East Maitland Aquatic Centres will also be free from 10 am to 4 pm the same day.
Numbers at each site are capped at 500 people at any one time due to COVID restrictions.
In addition to Changing Tides, Aqua Hire and the Maitland River Regatta, this year’s Make It Maitland This Summer
events program offers outdoor cinemas, disc golf activations, Street Eats, free art activities and more.
For more information, go to mymaitland.com.au/summer
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