There are lots of events happening in and around Newcastle and the Hunter region this December. We have you covered with this quick guide to what’s on and how to get involved in your local area over this festive season.
Christmas Carols
One of the easiest ways to get in amongst the fun, meet people, and support your local community, is by immersing yourself in the festive spirit at your local Christmas Carols. Here are a few that are happening around Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, and the Hunter in 2019.
Sunday 1st December│5.30pm-9pm │ Toronto Foreshore │Free
Join the local community as they celebrate Christmas in Toronto, this event is put on by generous volunteers, with a Christmas fair 11-4pm on the foreshore, and carols will begin at 5.30pm.
Friday 6th December 4pm-9pm │ Ferodale Sports Complex │ Gold Coin Donation.
Bring along a picnic blanket, relax and enjoy the live entertainment and Christmas Carols. The Medowie Christmas Carnival will also feature children’s rides, amusements, great foods, and stalls.
Carols in Webb Park
Saturday 7th December │ From 5pm – Main show 7pm │ Webb Park in Mayfield │ Free
This will be an amazing fun filled evening. The festivities start at 5pm with free camel rides, face painting, kids’ entertainment, and a sausage sizzle, then at 7pm settle down on your rug or chair and enjoy the main carols.
Lake Mac Carols
Sunday 8th December │ 12pm – 9pm │ Speers Point Park │ Free
This is a massive family event that attracted over 25,000 people last year and is hosted by Lake Macquarie City Council. This specular event is sure to be a crowd pleaser with fun and entertainment for all the family. Singalong to the carols with the free WIFI and an online song book.
Check out the full event program below:
Noon – Movie on big screen – Christmas All Over Again
1.30pm – Chance to Dance
2pm – Overload
3pm – Australian Dance and Talent School
3.30pm – Don’t Ask Why
4.20pm – Little Scallywags
5pm – Rod Stewart Show
6.30pm – Carols concert commences featuring Thirsty Merc and Damien Leith, supported by local performers Prestige, The Dream Catchers, Newcastle Signing Choir, Jamie Razon, Arley Black Duo and Pacific Harmony Choir.
9pm – Fireworks display
Carols by The Beach
Sunday 22nd December │ 7pm- 9pm │ Empire Ark, Bar Beach │ Free
Join the Newcastle and Merewether community, for a fun, family, music-filled event. Fill up with food from the local stalls and enjoy the fun activities for the children. There are carols to sing along to, a visit from Santa Claus himself, and a jaw dropping Fireworks display to end the night.
Be sure to check individual events, in case details may have changed.
Christmas Lunch
For the past 17 years the Samaritans have hosted Newcastle’s largest Christmas celebration. This huge event provides all guests with a free Christmas lunch, entertainment, a chance to meet new people, and, of course, a visit from Santa. In 2019, there will be 3 Christmas Lunch locations, Newcastle, Central Coast, and Singleton. If you would like to get involved and volunteer to help support your local community please get in contact via our website: https://www.samaritans.org.au/participate/
The Variety Santa Fun Run
Sunday 8th December 2019
Get active and join in with this fun, family event on either the 5km or 10km route. Each participant receives a Santa suit to wear along the way. This is a great cause to fundraise for children who are sick, disadvantaged, or have special needs. With over 10,000 children missing out on NDIS support in NSW alone, this charity is well worth getting involved in. Find out more here.
Variety Christmas Party
Newcastle Variety Kids Xmas Party │ McDonald Jones Stadium │Thursday 28th November 4pm-8pm │ Free
Come and join in the party with fun for children of all ages. On-stage entertainment, rides, animals, face painting, and Santa! With a special quiet hour available for children with sensory issues from 3pm – 4pm, numbers are limited, so be sure to RSVP to avoid missing out. https://www.variety.org.au/nsw/event/variety-kids-xmas-party-newcastle/
Christmas Markets
Markets are a great community event, drawing in the locals and visitors alike. Shop for unique gifts for your family and friends and enjoy great food and live entertainment.
Sunday 1st December │ 11am – 4pm │ Toronto Foreshore
Local businesses and vendors gather along the foreshore to showcase their creations and bring Christmas to Toronto.
Sunday 1st December │ 3pm – 8pm │ Lambton Park
Join in the fun as the twilight markets light up Lambton, with delicious food, craft beers, live music, and an array of stalls to kick start your Christmas shopping.
Newcastle Food and Flower Market
Sunday 22nd December │ 8am – 12pm │ Sandgate
Shop local and support your community. With 100’s of stalls expected this will be a great community event, and you will be able to pick up everything you need to feed your family over Christmas.
Events
Hunter Valley Gardens Christmas Lights Spectacular
Explore the biggest and most interactive Christmas light display at Hunter Valley Gardens, with more lights and sparkly trees than ever before, as well as all the favourite displays from previous years. With rides for the children and food stalls for everyone, this is sure to be a memorable family event. Tickets can be purchased through their website, https://www.huntervalleygardens.com.au/event/christmas-lights-spectacular/
How to get involved in your Community
Join in with the Bikers Toy Run
The Bikers for Kids Newcastle Toy Run is a crowd pleaser for both the riders and spectators. This year has a superheroes theme, so be sure to dress up and join in with the action. This event brings together the community and brings joy to those who need it most. With amusement rides, food trucks and stalls, market stalls, prizes, and lots of entertainment, including live music being played on the main stage. This is a worthy cause and a great event to get involved with.
WHEN: Sunday 1 December 2019
RIDERS: Assemble from 8am – 9:30am at Stockton Ballast Grounds (register here for great prizes)
COMMUNITY & SPECTATORS: Come along to Wickham Park, Newcastle NSW Australia from 10am until 1:30pm. First bikes will arrive from approx. 10:20am
Donate a gift
The Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal, with the generosity of the communities, has been able to distribute over 8 million gifts to those in need, and in 2017 alone more 300,000 gifts were collected. The Appeal runs from 11th November to 24th December 2019, so visit your local Kmart if you would like to donate a gift.
Become a Community Buddy
Volunteer to assist older members of our community, whether that be to shop, attend appointments, or join friendship groups at Jesmond Neighbourhood Centre. ConnectAbility needs volunteers to help to deliver support into our community. If you are interested in volunteering and would like more information on different volunteer roles and opportunities with ConnectAbility, please call (02) 4962 1000 or volunteer@connectabilityaus.org.au
