FRIDAYS 

From 2 December to 24 February, every Friday night will be Friday Chill in the city when Soul Café hosts its regular picnic in the park from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at Pacific Park. The weekly event features local artists performing music, food trucks, and children’s activities in a free family-friendly environment in the heart of the city’s east end. 

Lake Macquarie is home to its own end-of-the-week music session hosting Music in the Podium every Friday night from 6pm to 9pm. This event has been running continually for the past 25 years and has become a favourite with community members wanting to unwind as the sun sets over the lake, catching up with friends and family to the backdrop of a mix of popular covers, rock, jazz, and blues. The free event runs through to Friday 31 March, with a two-week break over Christmas and New Year. 

FOOTBALL 

The Newcastle Jets A-League Men play Brisbane Roar at McDonald Jones Stadium this Friday 16 December. From 7.30pm to 9.30pm the Turton Street venue will be awash with red and blue, and feature giveaways, free entertainment, a visit from Santa, and the Teddy Bear Toss before what is expected to be a fierce battle with the ladder’s tenth placed Queenslanders.  

DRAG-MAS 

If you’re chasing a bit of free fun this weekend then head along to Marketown Shopping Centre for a Christmas photo with Newcastle’s most popular drag queens Timberlina, Abork and Foxxe Faux. On Friday and Saturday between 10.30am and 2.30pm the trio will be on hand and dressed to sparkle. Grab your family, workmates or school friends for a team photo with a difference. 

CAROLS 

Find your Christmas cheer at Lambton Park Carols on Sunday 18 December. The annual event, hosted by Hunter Bible Church volunteers will feature an array of Newcastle food trucks, activities, and amusements, including rides and jumping castles. Sing along to your favourite carols, grab a picnic spot and finish off the evening with a fireworks display. This all-ages event is free and kicks off at 5pm with activities, followed by 7pm carols and 9pm fireworks. 

HUNTER VALLEY 

Catch some music at Harrigans Hunter Valley this weekend. Every weekend the Irish Pub in Pokolbin features the sounds of musicians Fridays 8pm to 11pm, Saturdays 1pm to 4pm and 8pm to 11pm and Sundays 1pm to 4pm. This weekend’s tunes include Brother Hollow, Bonnie Rivers, Run for Cover, and CROCQ. 

Brush up on your bar skills with a Cocktails and Canapes Masterclass at Saddler’s Creek Wines on Sunday 18 December from 11am to 1pm. The hands-on interactive two-hour masterclass includes the blending and shaking of three holiday season-inspired wine cocktails, accompanied by a selection of chef prepared festive canapes. 

Handmade in the Hunter is on at Sobels Wines from 9am to 2pm. This market offers an opportunity to meet local artisans skilled in a variety of specialisations such as beekeeping, candle making, soap making, spinning, sewing, felting, photography, and painting, while stocking up on Hunter Valley produce such as fresh food, hot coffee, preserves and condiments, honey, sauces and salsas, olives and olive oil. 

DANCE 

Catapult Dance is celebrating its craft in film on Saturday 17 December, hosting a trio of short productions at its Choreographic hub on Hunter Street from 6pm. 

Meeting Place – Eight Australian youth dance companies sharing common practices and four meeting places to connect, create, collaborate. ‘Meeting Place’ by renowned choreographer Sue Healey, features young dancers from QL2, alongside Catapult’s Flipside youth ensemble. Filmed on the Nobbys Break Wall.  

Alumni – A film about 16 renowned Australian dancers who began their creative journeys in youth dance companies. 

Dance Terrain – a production by Catapult Director Cadi McCarthy and videographer Ashley de Prazer, features choreographies danced by the Catapult Company, the Flipside Ensemble Junior and Senior, and the Catapult Adults Community, this film presents an array of stories through dance against beautiful local landscapes. 

ART 

The Museum of Art and Culture yapang (MAC yapang) is launching its latest exhibition this Saturday 17 December from 9am. 

Affection: Papunya Tula Women’s Art, is a unique private collection of works celebrating the Aboriginal people from the Western Desert. It features 50 artworks – all highly regarded and featuring in most public galleries, major museums, institutions and many large private collections within Australia as well as overseas.. The exhibition will run until Sunday 29 January. 

For more entertainment inspiration:

• Red & Yellow flags to stay up longer this summer
• Your guide to markets in the region
• School holiday ideas
• Christmas Lights trail

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