A Visitor's Guide to Newcastle for New Annual 2025

Planning a trip to Newcastle for this year's New Annual festival? We've got the ultimate visitor guide for you, guaranteed to ensure you see the best of what the city and festival have to offer.

Dive into the action at Newcastle Ocean Baths 

The heart of the festival this year is the Newcastle Ocean Baths - an iconic, historic Newcastle landmark and a must-see for any visitor to Newcastle. Spend an evening (or five) soaking in the atmosphere at SOAK: Live at the Baths. Five nights of live music, sunsets, ocean views and good vibes - whether you're into R&B, jazz, indie rock or pop violin, there's something for every musical taste.

Event details
SOAK: Live at the baths
Dates: Sat 27 Sep, Sun 28 Sep, Thu 02 Oct, Fri 03 Oct, Sat 04 Oct
Time: 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Venue: Newcastle Ocean Baths
Admission: FREE

That's not where the fun at the Baths ends - become one with the locals at Meet Me At the Baths, an immersive open air theatre experience inspired by stories of real Novocastrians. Find a place on the iconic blue bleachers, pop on a pair of headphones and get swept away by the sound, setting and stories of Newcastle. Bring your swimmers to take a dip in the Baths at the end - you're one of us now.

Event details
Meet Me at the Baths
Dates: Sat 27 Sep - Sat 04 Oct (no show on Wed 1 Oct)
Time: 11:00am + 2:00pm
Venue: Newcastle Ocean Baths
Admission: Standard $25, Concession $23, Children $18

While you're in the area:
• Grab some fish and chips from nearby institution Scotty's.
• Top it off with a sweet treat from East End Ice Creamery.
• Fancy a sit-down dinner & drinks? Try Rustica.
• Looking to stay nearby? Noah's on the Beach or Terminus Apartments have you covered.
• Must-do activity: Bathers Way walk

Uncover Newcastle's East End

There's plenty more to explore in Newcastle's East End for New Annual this year. Put on your walking shoes and take yourself on a tour through the historic streets of Newcastle's East… colourful terraces, heritage buildings and harbour views await. Start at The Station - the city's former historic railway site turned event precinct. Just for New Annual, you can play a fantastical round of Mini Putt Putt like you've never seen before - perfect family fun, or fun for the young at heart. When you've had your fun, continue on the Public Art Trail and immerse yourself in brand-new experiential art along the foreshore.

Event details
Mini Putt Putt: Rosie Deacon x Jen Denzin
Dates: Sat 27 Sep - Sun 5 Oct
Time: 10:00am - 5:00pm
Venue: The Station
Admission: FREE

Next swing by the Lock Up - the heritage-listed former Newcastle Police Station turned iconic art gallery. Peruse Karla Dickens' exhibition Locked On, an exploration of the climate crisis, ecofeminism and protest. It's both an art exhibition, and a call to action.

Event details
Karla Dickens: Locked On
Dates: Fri 26 Sep - Sun 5 Oct
Time: 10:00am - 4:00pm (10:00am - 2:00pm Sundays)
Venue: The Lock-Up
Admission: FREE

While you're in the area:
• Grab a coffee from One Penny Black or 23Hundred Espresso Bar
• Grab a drink at the iconic Customs House.
• Grab a meal at colourful Humbug restaurant.
• Stay in amongst all the action at QT Newcastle for an elevated city escape.

Explore the iconic Civic Precinct

You'll definitely want to head into Newcastle's Civic Precinct over the course of your stay. Home to the Civic Theatre, City Hall, Newcastle Museum and Art Gallery, this is a hub of activity for all things New Annual. Kicking the festival off is the First Night Art Party, right in front of the Newcastle Art Gallery and Newcastle City Library. Think colour, music, art and a little bit of controlled chaos for this high-energy street party, sure to set the tone for what the rest of New Annual has to offer.

Event details
First Night Art Party
Date: Fri 26 Sep
Time: 5:00pm - 9:00pm
Venue: Laman Street
Admission: FREE

Take a wander through Civic Park and you'll spot the Spiegeltent, a venue like no other, this year showcasing La Ronde by Strut & Fret. Think circus, spectacle and seduction tied together with a comedic twist.

Event details
La Ronde: Strut & Fret
Dates: Thu 25 Sep - Fri 5 Oct (no show Mon 29 Sep)
Time: Various times - check event page for more details
Venue: Spiegeltent Civic Park
Admission: $70.15 - $119.19

Stroll along Wheeler Place, situated between the iconic Civic Theatre, Newcastle City Hall and Kingsley Crystalbrook hotel - worth checking out just for the architecture alone! In Wheeler Place, Darkfield's Flight and Séance await - two spooky, immersive, edge-of-your-seat experiences, both taking place inside shipping containers (although you may convince yourself otherwise!). Experience the parallel realities of a flight gone wrong, or the superstitious paranoia around a séance table, all brought to life by darkness and sound. We'll see you there… if you dare.

Event details
Darkfield: Flight + Séance
Dates: Thu 25 Sep - Sun 5 Oct (no show Mon 29 Sep)
Time: Various times - check event pages for more details
Venue: Wheeler Place
Admission: $20-$25

Continue exploring the Civic Precinct at Newcastle Museum with SURGE by Tantrum Youth Arts.
With a mix of scheduled performances and walk-in experiences, it's a 'choose your own adventure' kind of vibe, encompassing music, visual art, interactive performances and more. Expect the unexpected, and drop-in for as little, or as long, as you like!

Event details
SURGE: Tantrum Youth Arts
Date: Fri 03 Oct
Time: 5:00pm - 9:30pm
Venue: Newcastle Museum
Admission: FREE, registrations required

While you're in the area:
• Grab brunch at one of the colourful cafes along Darby Street, a local 'Eat Street'.
• Grab a drink at Rombergs, the bar on the top floor of the Crystalbrook Kingsley hotel, and enjoy unparalleled views of the city.
• Stay amongst the action at the Crystalbrook Kingsley, right in the heart of Civic Precinct, or if you’re bringing the kids and fancy a hotel with a pool, go for the Rydges - just a short walk away.
• Stop by the Visitor Information Centre, for even more recs!

Discover bustling Beaumont Street

One of the many great things about Newcastle - nothing is too far away! Beaumont Street is located in Hamilton, one of the city's most lively suburbs - definitely a must for any visitor to Newy to explore.
Jump in the car for a short drive over, or jump on the train to Hamilton Station - you won't want to miss Global Gathering. A celebration of the music, colour and culture of the city, Global Gathering has it all. Enjoy dancing, creative workshops, live music, live cooking demonstrations and more at this family friendly street party, sure to ignite all your senses.

Event details
Global Gathering
Dates: Sat 04 Oct
Time: 2:00pm - 9:00pm
Venue: Beaumont Street, Hamilton
Admission: FREE

While you're in the area:
• Grab a coffee (and a cake!) at Cakeboi, from MasterChef contestant Reece Hignell.
• Grab a drink at The Blind Monk or Meantime.
• Grab dinner at Sapori at Tailors or Harrisons Food and Wine.

There's so much on offer in Newy for this New Annual festival - this is just scratching the surface! We can't wait to welcome you this September.

Photo courtesy of Destination NSW.