The countdown is well and truly on to Newcastle’s flagship arts and cultural festival, New Annual, as it announces its full program of events taking over our city from Friday, September 27 to Sunday, October 6.

Now in its fourth year, the lineup of events features a diverse range of talent and cultures, including an oyster shucking competition, 10-minute dance parties, a global gathering, and of course, the almighty street party kicking things off on Friday, September 27.

To ramp up your excitement for the upcoming festival, we’ve pulled together some of the new events added that can’t-be-missed, and the out of this world performances that should be on your radar for New Annual 2024.

SWING | 4-6 Oct

Every great adventure playground has a swing. This one is nine metres tall.

Chase that giddy rush of wind in your hair as you hop aboard this playful interruption of the everyday. Regain your childhood as you are buckled in and sent soaring – and from way up there, you’ll see the city from a whole new perspective.

Head along for a swing or play spectator at this seriously playful public art event that will make you feel like a third grader again. Please note: SWING is suitable for children over 10 years of age, with a minimum height requirement of 130cm.

Where: Museum Park | 430 Hunter St, Newcastle
When: 12pm-8pm
Cost: FREE
More Info: click here

Global Gathering | 5 Oct

Experience the colour, sound, taste, and diversity of our city as we celebrate the many diaspora that call Newcastle home. Connect with community as New Annual takes over Museum Park with a vibrant celebration of diverse traditions, food, art forms, and cultural expressions. Join the MC across two stages for food demonstrations, live world music, dance, and performances by world music favourites the Ghana Road Show and Worlds Collide.

Where: Museum Park | 430 Hunter St, Newcastle
When: 2pm-9pm
Cost: FREE
More Info: click here

Ten Minute Dance Parties: JOF | 27-29 Sep

JOF welcomes you to 10-Minute Dance Parties – a celebration of art and colour, costume and community, and the universal nature of dance!

Collaborating with local young people, this is an ALL-AGES event that asks you to have as much fun as you can – with one catch: you only have 10 minutes to dance. And dance you will! There will be world record attempts, dance move competitions, dedications, interpretations, and ventures into the unknown.

Where: Wheeler Place
When: 27 Sep, 5pm-9pm | 28-29 Sep, 11am-1pm + 2pm-4pm
Cost: FREE
More Info: click here

MEGAN COPE: Ngumi Kinyingarra Oyster House | 26 Sep – 6 Oct

Join Newcastle Art Gallery and Quandamooka artist, Megan Cope, for a 10-day participatory project celebrating local oysters, community collaboration, and environmental stewardship at Honeysuckle Marina. Across the festival, Ngumpi Kinyingarra Oyster House will be activated by a dynamic program of talks, workshops, performances, and ceremonies.  Engage with the artist and discover their dynamic program of behind-the-scenes tours, conversation, celebrations, and demonstrations. Ngumpi Kinyingarra Oyster House will host Megan Cope’s daily 'Scrub Club'  from 10am-5pm where you're invited to roll up your sleeves, grab a brush, and contribute oyster shells for Cope's future oyster reef art projects.

Where: Honeysuckle Marina | Cnr Workshop Way and Merewether St
When: 27 Sep, 6pm-8pm | 28 Sep – 3 Oct, 10am-5pm | 4 Oct, 10am-8pm | 5-6 Oct, 10am-5pm
COST: FREE Walk-ups welcome, no registration required.
More Info: click here

Friday Night Sounds | 27 Sep + 4 Oct

Presented by Newcastle Art Gallery

Be the first to experience Ngumpi Kinyingarra Oyster House with the free Friday Night Sounds concert series. Starting on Friday, September 27, join one of Australia’s leading voices in rap and hip hop, Gomeroi artist, Kobie Dee as he makes his only Newcastle stop on his national tour. Opening for Kobie Dee is singer, songwriter, and storyteller, Maanyung, a proud Aboriginal man with strong connections to the Gumbaynggir and Yaegl nations.

Friday, October 4 will be an evening of sonic refreshment with Jun Wan, bringing two decades of dedication to the world of electronic dance music. Arrive early for free oyster tastings, courtesy of Thermidor. 

Where: Honeysuckle Marina | Cnr Workshop Way and Merewether St
When: 6pm-8pm
Cost: FREE (registration required)
More Info: click here

The Shuck Off | 28 Sep

Presented by Newcastle Art Gallery, supported by Dawsons Oysters

Who will take the throne at the Ngumpi Kinyingarra Oyster House Shuck Off Champion? Hosted by local entertainer, Fox Pflueger, share in the thrill as professional oyster shuckers compete at breathtaking speeds!

A nail-biting contest of speed, plating, and expertise, professional shuckers from the region will showcase the best of their skills right here on the Newcastle foreshore.

Where: Honeysuckle Marina | Cnr Workshop Way and Merewether St
When: 3.30pm-4.30pm
Cost: FREE (registration required)
More Info: click here

Newcastle Art Gallery: Talks and Ideas | 28-29 Sep + 5 Oct

Presented by Newcastle Art Gallery

Celebrate the humble oyster through the lens of contemporary art, community collaboration, and environmental stewardship. Learn about the cultural significance of oysters and local histories of Newcastle in a program lineup to feature local and national artists, oyster experts, knowledge holders, and more that explore the themes of Ngumpi Kinyingarra Oyster House.

Where: Honeysuckle Marina | Cnr Workshop Way and Merewether St
Cost: FREE (registration required)
More Info: click here

Waterfront Poetry Salon | 5 Oct

Presented by Newcastle Art Gallery

Indulge in an afternoon of poetry readings by the water presented in partnership with Newcastle Writers Festival. Hear from a salon of nationally recognised poets performing their works exploring ecopoetics, ecological resistance, and relationships with the environment and country.

Where: Honeysuckle Marina | Cnr Workshop Way and Merewether StWhen: 3.30pm-4.30pm
Cost: FREE (registration required)
More Info: click here

First Night Street Party | 27 Sep

Join the party as New Annual takes over King Street to celebrate the first night of the 2024 festival! Headlined by proud Gamilaraay man and triple threat, Mitch Tambo, whose didgeridoo, traditional indigenous dance, and song blends traditional Aboriginal sounds and language with contemporary beats and production.

The night features two mesmerising and soul-stirring performances of Tower Divas by Corrina Bonshek and collaborators, combining Yolngu songstress Gambirra Illume, Maori sonic weaver Whaia, and Korean-born vocalist Sunny Kim. PLUS, expect DJ sets, local bands, food trucks, roving performances, and more.

Where: King Street – between Auckland and Darby Streets
When: 5pm-9pm
Cost: FREE
More Info: click here

Whale Song: Curious Legends

Join Curious Legends for their new show, Whale Song, as they unite video projections, giant illuminated LED puppets, community art, and choir in large-scale immersive theatre.

Participants are invited to join in a parade led by a moving soundscape and whale pod and celebrate the humpback whale migration season. During the event, Curious Legends will hold workshops and facilitate community-led theatre that invites everyone to find a way – big or small – to participate in the show.

Where: Newcastle Beach
When: 28 Sep | 6.30pm
Cost: FREE
More Info: click here

For the full New Annual program, click here.