We confirmed 11 Christmas events for kids in Newcastle for 2026, from 30 October to 31 January. 7 of them are free. Every listing links straight to the host. This page is part of our guide to Christmas events for kids in Australia.
The short version
- 11 kids’ Christmas events confirmed for 2026 in Newcastle, Mount Hutton, Cooranbong, Croudace Bay, Lambton and more
- First: Christmas Lights Spectacular, Pokolbin, 30 October
- Free events: Christmas in Newcastle, Santa's Welcome Parade, Christmas on John Street, Carols by the Lake, Lake Mac Carols, Lake Mac Church Christmas Carols and more
Below is every event we could confirm, grouped by suburb, with the date, time, cost and the small things parents ask about (booking, ages, what is included).
Newcastle Christmas events for kids at a glance
- Kids’ Christmas events
- 11 confirmed for 2026
- Suburbs
- Newcastle, Mount Hutton, Cooranbong, Croudace Bay, Lambton, Marmong Point, Pokolbin, Singleton and Speers Point
- Season
- 30 October to 31 January
- Free events
- 7
- Last checked
Christmas events for kids in Newcastle
2 confirmed events in Newcastle, soonest first.
Christmas in Newcastle
Meet SantaFreeCity of Newcastle · Newcastle
- Host
- City of Newcastle (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Wheeler Place, Wheeler Place, Hunter Street, Newcastle 2300
- When
- Fridays 27 November to 18 December; tree lighting Fri 27 November, 5 to 8 pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- The whole family
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
City of Newcastle kicks off the season on Friday 27 November with the official lighting of the 11-metre Christmas tree in Wheeler Place, switched on by the Lord Mayor together with Santa and his elves. From 5 pm there are free photos with Santa, a DJ playing Christmas favourites, bubble-blowing elves on stilts, a jingle bell craft station and a letterbox for posting letters to Santa.
Live carols come from the Novotones Choir and there are festive performances by Ablaze Dance School, plus a gelato van. The celebrations carry on every Friday evening until 18 December, with more free Santa photos, pet portraits, live music and Christmas activities for the whole family. The council says full schedules for the later Fridays will be posted closer to the date.
Parent tip: Get to Wheeler Place early on 27 November if you want a free Santa photo, and check the page for the later Friday schedules.
See dates and details from City of Newcastle (opens in a new tab)The Greatest Christmas Show
Christmas showCivic Theatre Newcastle · Newcastle
- Host
- Civic Theatre Newcastle (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Civic Theatre, 375 Hunter Street, Newcastle 2300
- When
- Tue 22 December, 7 pm; Wed 23 December, 2 pm
- Cost
- From $59.90
- Ages
- All ages
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The Greatest Christmas Show returns to Newcastle's Civic Theatre for two performances just before Christmas. Presented by Base Entertainment, it brings together dancers, aerialists, singers and an illusionist, with well-loved carols and newer favourites, glittering costumes and a big finale appearance from Santa Claus.
The show runs about two hours including an interval and is billed as an all-ages performance. The Wednesday 2 pm matinee is the easier option for younger children. Everyone aged 24 months and over needs a paid ticket; for babies under two, contact the ticket office to arrange a babe-in-arms ticket. The show uses haze, smoke and strobe lighting.
Parent tip: Children under two need a babe-in-arms ticket arranged through the ticket office on 02 4929 1977. Expect haze, smoke and strobe effects.
See dates and details from Civic Theatre Newcastle (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Mount Hutton
2 confirmed events in Mount Hutton, soonest first.
Santa's Welcome Parade (Mount Hutton)
Christmas paradeFreeLake Macquarie Square · Mount Hutton
- Host
- Lake Macquarie Square (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Lake Macquarie Square (outside the Kids Playground), 46 Wilsons Road, Mount Hutton 2290
- When
- Sat 28 November, 11 to 11:30 am (activities 10 am to 12 pm)
- Cost
- Free
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Lake Macquarie Square in Mount Hutton welcomes Santa for the season with a parade that sees him arrive on a fire truck outside the centre's kids playground between 11 and 11:30 am. It is a short, simple outing that suits toddlers and preschoolers.
From 10 am to midday there is free face painting and balloon twisting, so it is worth arriving a little early. The centre has more Christmas activities through December, including breakfasts with Mrs Claus and roaming characters such as a gingerbread man, an elf, Elsa and Olaf on later weekends.
Parent tip: Arrive by 10 am for face painting before Santa's 11 am arrival at the kids playground.
See dates and details from Lake Macquarie Square (opens in a new tab)Breakfast with Mrs Claus (Mount Hutton)
Breakfast with SantaLake Macquarie Square · Mount Hutton
- Host
- Lake Macquarie Square (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Lake Macquarie Square, 46 Wilsons Road, Mount Hutton 2290
- When
- Sat 5 and Sat 12 December, 8 to 9 am
- Cost
- $5 per child (donated to charity)
- Ages
- Little ones
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Lake Macquarie Square is hosting two Mrs Claus Breakfasts, on 5 and 12 December from 8 to 9 am. Little ones sing Christmas carols with Mrs Claus and listen to a festive Christmas story, making it a nice gentle start to the season for younger children.
Tickets are $5 per child, and all of the money goes to charity. Each child receives a breakfast goodie bag. The centre notes that the goodie bags may contain common allergens such as gluten, dairy, nuts and soy, so plan ahead if your child has allergies. After breakfast, Mrs Claus roams the centre from 9 to 10:30 am on both days.
Parent tip: Spaces are limited, so book early. Goodie bags may contain gluten, dairy, nuts and soy.
See dates and details from Lake Macquarie Square (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Cooranbong
1 confirmed event in Cooranbong, soonest first.
Community Christmas Carols 2026 (Cooranbong)
Christmas carolsAvondale School · Cooranbong
- Host
- Avondale School (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Avondale School, 119 Avondale Road, Cooranbong 2265
- When
- Sun 6 December, 4:30 to 9 pm
- Cost
- Check the school website; food and carnival rides at your own cost
- Ages
- Family-friendly event
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Avondale School's Community Christmas Carols has been a local tradition since 2014 and regularly draws more than 5,000 people. For 2026 the line-up includes Play School favourite Justine Clarke, who many little ones will know, and Tarryn Stokes, winner of The Voice 2023.
Gates open at 4:30 pm, with a community pre-show from 5:30 pm and the main carols program from 7 pm, accompanied by live music and the school's own ensembles. The grounds fill with food vendors, carnival rides and stalls, and the evening ends with a fireworks display at about 9 pm that runs for around eight minutes. Pets, alcohol, smoking and vaping are not permitted at this family event.
Parent tip: Street parking near the venue in Watagan Park is limited and traffic controllers will be on duty, so allow extra time. Leave pets at home.
See dates and details from Avondale School (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Croudace Bay
1 confirmed event in Croudace Bay, soonest first.
Carols by the Lake (Croudace Bay)
Christmas carolsFreeNew Vine Lakes Baptist Church · Croudace Bay
- Host
- New Vine Lakes Baptist Church (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Thomas H. Halton Park, Croudace Bay 2280
- When
- Sat 12 December, 6 to 9 pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- Something for everyone
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Carols by the Lake brings a festive evening to Thomas H. Halton Park on the shores of Lake Macquarie. From 6 pm there is live pre-show music and a big line-up of free kids' activities: side-show alley games, face painting, Christmas craft, a mini zoo, kiddie karts, jumping castles and a rock-climbing wall. Roving entertainer The Pretty Amazing Jono pops up throughout the night.
From 7:30 pm the Carols by the Lake band leads a sing-along of Christmas favourites. Free battery-operated candles are handed out at marked candle stalls, and printed songbooks are available too. Food vendors sell barbecue, hot meals, coffee, snow cones and ice cream, or you can bring a picnic.
Parent tip: Main parking is near the playground at the end of the park, with extra parking at the boat ramp; allow extra time as it gets busy.
See dates and details from New Vine Lakes Baptist Church (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Lambton
1 confirmed event in Lambton, soonest first.
Lambton Park Carols
Christmas carolsFreeHunter Bible Church · Lambton
- Host
- Hunter Bible Church (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Lambton Park (Lambton Oval), Elder Street and Morehead Street, Lambton 2299
- When
- Sun 20 December, 5 to 9 pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- Family friendly
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Lambton Park Carols is a free, family-friendly evening run by Hunter Bible Church on Lambton Oval. Things get going at 5 pm with a Christmas family carnival: local food trucks, stalls, activities and amusement rides. At 7 pm the carols kick off on stage with a mix of traditional and contemporary songs, plus songs and entertainment aimed at the kids.
The night wraps up with a fireworks display at 9 pm. It is a relaxed picnic event, so bring a rug and gather a group of friends or neighbours. The website has a park map showing the stage, food trucks, amusements, toilets and fireworks area, which is handy for picking a spot, and a songbook so everyone can sing along.
Parent tip: Check the park map on the website before you go to pick your picnic spot near the toilets or the amusements.
See dates and details from Hunter Bible Church (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Marmong Point
1 confirmed event in Marmong Point, soonest first.
Lake Mac Church Christmas Carols (Marmong Point)
Christmas carolsFreeLake Mac Church · Marmong Point
- Host
- Lake Mac Church (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Lake Mac Church backyard, 16 High Street, Marmong Point 2284
- When
- Sun 13 December, from 5:30 pm (carols at 6 pm)
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- Everyone welcome
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Lake Mac Church turns its backyard at Marmong Point into a festive picnic spot for an easygoing evening of community carols. Families can arrive from 5:30 pm for kids' activities including a nativity photo booth, face painting and balloon animals, along with a barbecue.
At 6 pm everyone gathers on the lawn to sing favourite Christmas carols together. Everything is free, so all you need is a picnic rug and your family and friends. It is a smaller, neighbourly event that suits young children who might find the big carols nights a bit much.
Parent tip: The church asks visitors not to block driveways or access to neighbouring homes when parking.
See dates and details from Lake Mac Church (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Pokolbin
1 confirmed event in Pokolbin, soonest first.
Christmas Lights Spectacular (Pokolbin)
Christmas lightsHunter Valley Gardens · Pokolbin
- Host
- Hunter Valley Gardens (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Hunter Valley Gardens, Broke Road, Pokolbin 2320
- When
- Nightly 30 October to 31 January, 5:30 to 10:30 pm (closed Christmas Day)
- Cost
- Ticketed; rides $6 each or $30 for six
- Ages
- All ages
- Booking
- Booking recommended
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Hunter Valley Gardens bills its Christmas Lights Spectacular as the biggest Christmas lights display in Australia. After dark the gardens turn into a walk-through wonderland of glowing tunnels and giant trees, with new areas this year including the Celestial Snowfields, Gingerbread Way and an expanded Planes, Trains and Automobiles precinct with a skiing reindeer and an illuminated ute.
On many nights there is a Nutcracker Story Time Experience at 6, 7 and 8 pm, plus roving entertainment between 6 and 9 pm. Rides such as a Ferris wheel and carousel run from 6 to 10 pm at extra cost, with height and age limits. Food stalls are open from 5:30 pm. It is about an hour from Newcastle.
Parent tip: Buy tickets online before you arrive; every guest needs a ticket, including free under-3 passes. Check the event program for Nutcracker story time nights.
See dates and details from Hunter Valley Gardens (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Singleton
1 confirmed event in Singleton, soonest first.
Christmas on John Street (Singleton)
Meet SantaFreeSingleton Council · Singleton
- Host
- Singleton Council (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- John Street, Singleton Town Centre, Singleton 2330
- When
- Fri 4 December, 6 to 9:30 pm
- Cost
- Free
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Singleton Council closes John Street for a free evening of Christmas fun in the town centre. Kids can meet Santa for free photos in Singleton Rotary's North Pole grotto, and there are jumping castles, face painting, a silent disco, neon putt putt golf and a circus workshop to keep them busy.
Street performers, live music, the Singleton Town Band and local dance groups provide the entertainment, with food trucks, market stalls and late-night shopping at participating retailers. The night finishes with a fireworks display. Singleton is roughly an hour's drive from Newcastle, so it suits families happy to make an evening of it.
Parent tip: For questions contact Singleton Council on 02 6578 7290 or council@singleton.nsw.gov.au.
See dates and details from Singleton Council (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Speers Point
1 confirmed event in Speers Point, soonest first.
Lake Mac Carols (Speers Point)
Christmas carolsFreeLake Macquarie City Council · Speers Point
- Host
- Lake Macquarie City Council (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Speers Point Park, Park Road, Speers Point 2284
- When
- Sun 13 December, 3 to 8:45 pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- Family friendly
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Lake Mac Carols is Lake Macquarie City Council's big free Christmas celebration at Speers Point Park, billed as an evening of carols, cheer and community fun. Families can spread out a picnic rug, sing along to the live entertainment and enjoy a program of family-friendly activities through the afternoon and evening.
Food trucks are on site, and Santa makes a special visit during the event. The park has a car park and public toilets, and the event welcomes people with access needs. Pets may be allowed, but the listing asks you to check with the organisers first. Details are subject to change, so it is worth confirming closer to the day.
Parent tip: Bring a picnic rug and check with the council before bringing a dog. Contact council@lakemac.nsw.gov.au or 02 4921 0333 with questions.
See dates and details from Lake Macquarie City Council (opens in a new tab)More Christmas events for kids in Australia
- Christmas events for kids in Sydney
- Christmas events for kids in Melbourne
- Christmas events for kids in Brisbane
- Christmas events for kids in Perth
- Christmas events for kids in Adelaide
- Christmas events for kids in Gold Coast
- Christmas events for kids in Canberra
- Christmas events for kids in Hobart
- Christmas events for kids in Sunshine Coast
- Christmas events for kids in Australia
A story for the trip home
Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents, and every page is hand-painted in watercolour. It is a cosy five-minute read after a big day out.
A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolour. Ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon.com.au (opens in a new tab)Newcastle Christmas events for kids: questions parents ask
What Christmas events for kids are in Newcastle in 2026?
We confirmed 11 Christmas events for kids in Newcastle for 2026, each on its host’s own page, including Christmas Lights Spectacular (Pokolbin), Christmas in Newcastle, Santa's Welcome Parade (Mount Hutton), Christmas on John Street (Singleton), Breakfast with Mrs Claus (Mount Hutton), Community Christmas Carols 2026 (Cooranbong), Carols by the Lake (Croudace Bay), Lake Mac Carols (Speers Point), Lake Mac Church Christmas Carols (Marmong Point), Lambton Park Carols (Lambton) and The Greatest Christmas Show. Each one is listed above with times, cost and a link to the host.
Are there free Christmas events for kids in Newcastle?
Yes. 7 of the 11 events here are free, including Christmas in Newcastle, Santa's Welcome Parade (Mount Hutton), Christmas on John Street (Singleton), Carols by the Lake (Croudace Bay), Lake Mac Carols (Speers Point), Lake Mac Church Christmas Carols (Marmong Point) and Lambton Park Carols (Lambton). Some free events still ask you to register, so check each listing.
Where can kids see Santa in Newcastle this year?
Santa appears at Christmas in Newcastle, Santa's Welcome Parade (Mount Hutton), Christmas on John Street (Singleton), Breakfast with Mrs Claus (Mount Hutton) and Lake Mac Carols (Speers Point). Times and booking rules are in each listing above.
Where are there Christmas story times for kids in Newcastle?
Christmas storytimes on this page: Breakfast with Mrs Claus (Mount Hutton).
How do you confirm these events?
We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city, library or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on 2 November 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.
Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.
