New Annual on a Budget: 8 Free Events You Don't Want to Miss

Feeling stuck creatively? Need some inspiration but don't want to break the bank?

We have the perfect solution - a day filled with free and fun events that feature some incredible local art and performance that will inspire you to shake things up and think outside the box.

To start off, if you love Newcastle's beautiful coastline, especially at sunrise, then New Annual is the place to be as the weather warms up. You might want to start your day with a walk along the beach and hot beverage in hand. While you're there, why not check out these inspiring events happening at Dixon Park Beach, Canoe Pool and the Lock-up?

Don't miss these other exciting exhibitions and social gatherings so that you can engage with as many artworks, artists, ideas, and performances as your heart desires.

First Night Art Party
🗓️ Fri 25 Sep, 5pm - 9pm
📍 Laman Street
Kickstart New Annual with style on Laman Street, in partnership with the Newcastle Art Gallery, which will be popping with food trucks, a pop-up bar, and live performances by artists Aleksiah, Djanaba, and Ngaiire, delivering a night of fresh tunes from electronic pop to gospel. In collaboration with the launch of internationally acclaimed artist Angela Tiatia's MUSE, whose portfolio spans from photography to installation. Expect a night of striking artistic expression and fun! Learn more.

At Sea: Catapult Dance Choreographic Hub
🗓️ Sat 26th Sep - Tues 29th Sept, Thu 1st Oct - Sun 4th Oct; 8:00am - 8:30am
📍 Canoe Pool
Connect with your community through dance at Canoe Pool, where you will be guided by the slow and mindful movements of the sea. Brought to you by Catapult Dance Choreographic Hub, performing a free 30-minute dance work to an original score by Zackari Watt. Stick around afterwards for a dance workshop to get those creative juices flowing. Learn more. 

Cavitation: Izabela Pluta
🗓️ Fri 25 Sep - Wed 30 Sep, Fri 1Oct - Sun 4 Oct; from 10:00am
📍 The Lock-Up
If you're interested in photography, tapestry, sculpture and sound art, you'll love this large-scale exhibition at the Lock-Up, interrogating ideas of migration, memory, and sense of place. If you're really inspired, get up close and personal at Cavitation Breathing Ocean, an interactive floating installation hosted by Izabela Pluta. Let your stress wash away and appreciate beautiful Newcastle like never before. Learn more. 

Ocean Rituals: Penelope Green
🗓️ Sat 25th Sep - Sun 4th Oct; all hours
📍 Dixon Park Beach
Wind down and take a walk along Dixon Park Beach and catch award winning photographer Penelope Green's series of photographs against a beautiful backdrop of the sunrise (or sunset). Feel inspired and dream up some new ideas. Learn more. 

Framed In Sound: Selected Works of Tony Mott
🗓️ Sat 26 Sep - Sun 4 Oct, 10am - 5pm
📍Newcastle Museum
Whether you're an aspiring photographer or a rock'n'roll fanatic (or both!), indulge in the opportunity to see renowned Australian photographer Tony Mott's series of iconic music artists, from backstage moments to exhilarating live performances. Get to see Mott's impressive influence up close in this exhibition at Newcastle Museum. Learn more. 

Global Table
🗓️ Fri 2 Oct & Sat 3 Oct
📍Wheeler Place
Recharge your social battery and get a taste of this exciting gathering at Wheeler Place where you can electrify your taste buds with delicious food and meet new people. Join hosts Jennifer Wong, Benjamin Law and Reece Hignell over two nights where you'll experience the vividness of culture and connection. On night one, expect Asian cuisine, live chef demonstrations, and traditional and contemporary dance, then South American food and live performance on night two. Prepare to be stuffed. Learn more. 

Lenny's Country: Curious Legends
🗓️ Wed 30 Sep
📍 Carrington Foreshore
Join Worimi Elder and artist Auntie Debbie Dates for an evening of connection and storytelling about Lenny's Country, enlivened by Curious Legends' powerful puppetry made collaboratively with the local community. Under the stars, connect with local indigenous culture and First Nations knowledge enriched by the deep history and stories imbedded in the land of Throsby Creek Foreshore. A perfect evening for a picnic under the stars with the family. Learn more. 

Curtain Call: Strut Your Stuff
🗓️ Sat 26th Sept & Sun 27th Sept, Sat 3rd Oct & Sun 4th Oct; 10am - 2pm
📍 Newcastle Museum Park
Be designer and model in this interactive event that celebrates the intersection of creativity and sustainability. Each Saturday, you'll have the opportunity to transform scrap material into the outfit of your dreams and even wear it on the runaway. For a quieter exhibition environment, come by on Sundays where you'll get to explore the installation and engage with the Melbourne-based art collective Fast Fashun. Take your creativity to new heights and take thrifting to the next level. Learn more. 

Be sure to check out our social media at @newannual for more information.

Tickets on sale now, catch you at New Annual at opening on 25th Sept.

By New Annual's University of Newcastle (UoN) career-ready placement student, Nevena.