If you don't have any options for a holiday at the moment, a long weekend is surely the next best thing? If you aren't heading out of town, there is plenty happening locally to keep you entertained all weekend.
So, what's ON this weekend in Newcastle and surrounds?
Support a local community event.
There are some great events in Newcastle that are run by the community to raise awareness for a particular cause or charity.
This Saturday, Family Support Newcastle invite dads and men who are carers to share knowledge and experiences about mental health and parenting. This year the Men's Health Week theme is 'Building Healthy Environments for Men and Boys' so come and connect with other men, learn skills to have a more fulfilling life and have a BBQ lunch.
2016 saw the loss of two giants of music, Prince and David Bowie. It also inspired the creation of Golden Years, which to date has raised over $30,000 for charities whilst bringing people together to party like it's 1999. Head along to Prince and Bowie's Tribute Party and Charity Fundraiser at The Cambridge on Saturday evening where DJs Urby and Amos will recreate Golden Years' first event over five years ago, timed just four days after Prince's birthday plus $5 from each ticket will be donated to Nova for women and children and OzHarvest.
Pack your running shoes on Sunday because the whole family can get involved in the LGBTQ+ Sports Event. Head to Lambton Park where your little one will learn new sports skills in a safe and inclusive environment. There will also be a special appearance by every one's favourite Drag Queen Timberlina.
Catch a live comedy show or musical.
What better way to be entertained this long weekend than to book tickets to a live show! Catch some stand-up comedy at the Newcastle Comedy Club on Friday. Featuring some of the best local comics, with special guest headliners from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and abroad. The comedy continues at City Hall on Saturday evening when Robyn Reynolds returns with her show Mermaid for one night only.
The ultimate comedy road trip returns to Newcastle this weekend for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow at Civic Theatre. Buckle up for a night of stand-up, sketch, satire, silliness and song in this rip-roaring road trip designed to satisfy all your comedy cravings!
Razzle Dazzle your way to the Civic Playhouse Friday, Saturday and Sunday to see Roxie Hart murder a faithless lover and convince her hapless husband Amos to take the rap in Chicago the Musical.
Wander through a local market for something unique.
This weekend you can head to Hamilton for not one, but two local markets. The Hamilton Markets at Gregson Park offers a large variety of stalls selling beautifully handmade and locally designed and sourced products including unique fashion and accessories, continental food, condiments, sweet treats, dog treats, fresh produce, eco-friendly and recycled goods.
Head around the corner to James Street Hamilton for the Providore Markets where you can find accessories for your fur babies, candles, melts, handmade earring, gourmet spices, elegant easy to wear jewellery for men, hand made carvings and nick knacks or something a bit unique.
Cheer on the Newcastle Knights at a home game.
Dress up in your blue and red and head to McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday for a clash between the Newcastle Knights and the Penrith Panthers. There's nothing better than supporting your local team with the other Knights supporters cheering in the crowd!
Image Source: Newcastle Knights
Head out of town for a two day celebration of steam driven machinery!
Coalfields Steam returns to Richmond Vale Railway this Queen's Birthday weekend which includes a run by the demonstration coal train with the historic wooden coal wagons. The large trains will be running on the weekend as well as the miniature railway. There will also be several model railways on display, and as many model steam driven machines. It's a railway enthusiasts dream weekend!
Expand your mind at a fabulous exhibition.
If you want something a bit more low key, there is nothing better than visiting an exhibition to expand the mind. Newcastle Libraries have two fabulous exhibitions on at the moment. The Soft Library is an immersive felt installation by Melbourne-based textile artist & author Cat Rabbit. Newcastle Libraries is turned into a fantastical library run by bears, or ‘libearians’.
The other exhibition; 'Never Be Late for a Parade by Shaun Tan' features a collection of illustrations from Tan’s best-known picture books including 'The Arrival', 'The Red Tree', 'The Lost Thing', 'Rules of Summer', 'The Singing Bones', 'Cicada' and 'Tales from the Inner City'. Through this selection of brilliant images, as varied and fascinating as their narratives, it celebrates Tan’s unique approach to storytelling.
Kate Teal-Spicer is a dyslexic artist and designer from Newcastle. Many themes that ripple across her work are explorations of environmentalism, activism, feminism and identity and she commonly incorporates quirky motifs including monkeys and tractors. You can catch her latest exhibition at Playstate Curate until the June 18.
Don’t miss the chance to visit Alice's Wonderland at the Newcastle Museum this long weekend before it finishes in July. This intriguing, family friendly, hands-on science exhibition from Museums Victoria is based on Lewis Carroll’s well-known Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
Be a tourist in your own town.
With the weather looking A-OK all long weekend, have you ever played tourist in our beautiful city? There are some fabulous itineraries over on the Visit Newcastle website. Whether you want something the whole family can enjoy together or would like to seek solus for the day, there are plenty of options. Some of our top picks include Family Fun in Newcastle , Get Outdoors in Newcastle and Foodies Delights.
Looking for more? Search all events to see What's On in Newcastle and get planning.