Have you made plans for this weekend yet? From markets and comedy gigs to live music and long lunches, there's always plenty happening in Newcastle. Keep reading for our guide to what's on this weekend in Newcastle, and start filling up your calendar.

July 25 - 28

Newy Fried Folk Beer + Chicken Dinner | 25 Jul
What do you get when Newy Fried Chicken and Good Folk Brewing team up? A Newy Fried Folk dinner, AKA a match made in heaven. Expect a masterclass in fried chicken, paired with five of Good Folk's excellent beers.
Where: Good Folk Brewing, 80 Beaumont St, Hamilton

Vintage Record Night | 25 Jul
Head to Hunter Street’s Calamari Kitchen and Bar from 5pm onwards each Thursday in July to immerse yourself in contemporary and classic Indian tunes spun by the team at Rudderless Records, plus specials on its modern Indian cuisine.
Where: Calamari Kitchen and Bar, 551D Hunter St, Newcastle West

Thursday Night Lights | 25 Jul
Throughout the month of July, Newcastle West comes to life on Thursday nights with a range of vibrant evening experiences. Venues like Jam's Karaoke & Bar, The Koutetsu, The Rogue Scholar, Bernie's Bar, and Bella Italia are putting on food specials, events, and collaborations.

Screamin’ Gay presents: Monster Ball | 26 Aug
Newcastle Pride’s Screamin’ Gay presents Monster Ball, starring the incredible Gucci! Hosted by Rhea Listik with dancers Mark & Ty and DJ Lisa Anita, get ready for two fierce production shows filled with choreography, stunning fashion, and high-energy performances bringing the essence of Lady Gaga’s Monster Ball & Chromatica Ball to Newcastle.
Where: The Lass O'Gowrie Hotel, 14 Railway St, Wickham

Live & Intimate at mad poet | 26 Jul
Presented by Lisa McGuigan Wines, Live & Intimate at mad poet is exactly what it sounds like – live music in an intimate bar, accompanied by wine and snacks. With free entry for this event happening every Friday in July, this is a lineup of shows not to be missed.
Where: mad poet, 537 Hunter St, Newcastle West

Studio Melt Contemporary Jewellery Exhibition | 26 Jul
Studio Melt presents a new annual contemporary jewellery exhibition curated in their Newcastle store, showcasing the practice of contemporary jewellers responding to this year's theme – 'What are you trying to say?' Don't miss the opening night on July 26.
Where: Studio Melt, Shop 6, 18 Wolfe St, Newcastle

Christmas in July at Earp Distilling Co. | 26 Jul
Missing the sounds of Mariah Carey's Christmas songs? Yearning for the smell of gingerbread? You're in luck! Join Earp Distilling Co. for a community-style dinner, wear your favourite Christmas sweater, and enjoy some Christmas feast favourites at this Christmas in July celebration.
Where: Earp Distilling Co., 41 Darling St, Carrington

USA Weekender | 26 - 28 Jul
Expect USA-inspired churrasco (featuring dishes like Memphis BBQ pork ribs, mac 'n cheese croquettes, and cornbread), cocktail specials, and stacks more for MEET's USA Weekender, coming to the Darby Street restaurant this July.
Where: MEET, 9 Darby St, Newcastle

Margs + Margs Bottomless Brunch | 27 Jul
Dreaming of summer? Head to the Nags Head Hotel for this two-hour bottomless brunch featuring unlimited margaritas accompanied by margherita pizza, arancini, and house-made bruschetta.
Where: Nags Head Hotel, 272 Brunker Rd, Adamstown

Lake Mac POP BAM: Pop Culture Festival | 27 Jul
Wham, bam, POP BAM! Lake Macquarie's newest pop culture festival, Lake Mac POP BAM, returns this July. Dive into a world where your favourite movies, TV shows, comics, and music come alive in a vibrant celebration of creativity and fandom.
Where: Rathmines Theatre, nawayiba, 25 Stilling St, Rathmines

Italo Disco | 28 Jul
Method Brewing is putting an Italian spin on its monthly Nuanced 80s party to bring you Italo Disco. The event will see Sapori at Tailors doing a pop-up kitchen, DJ Tone spinning vinyl, and Method pouring a one-off collaboration keg with Sapori – an Italian pilsner.
Where: Method Brewing, 18 Maitland Rd, Islington

CLIPPED Music Video Premieres | 28 Jul
CLIPPED is a special night of exclusive Australian music video premieres on the big screen at Newcastle Comedy Club. Talented local Australian artists from Newcastle and surrounds will be showcasing their work alongside an exclusive music video premiere from Sarah Blasko.
Where: Newcastle Comedy Club, 1A Darby St, Newcastle

Pre-Loved Pop-Up Market | 28 Jul
Head to Side Pocket Espresso to shop secondhand clothes at this pre-loved market, happening during Osteria Papazzo's brunch pop-up at the Mayfield cafe.
Where: Side Pocket Espresso, 292/296 Maitland Rd, Mayfield

Amalfi Long Lunch | Fridays & Saturdays
This summer, you’ll be transported to the sun-drenched shores of Italy with the launch of Romberg’s Amalfi Long Lunch – a four-course antipasti feast paired with refreshing spritz cocktails.
Where: Level 9, 282 King St, Newcastle

Exhibitions

Musings | Until 31 Jul
Musings is artist Holly Terry’s latest body of large-scale works exploring my all of the things that contribute to daily life, the gentle observations that occur from day-to-day. Experience the opening night on July 20 from 6pm-8pm.
Where: LEDA Gallery, 2&3/850 Hunter St, Newcastle West

Useful Objects | Until 31 Aug
Useful Objects reviews ancestral connections using a rare collection of artefacts from the Laut Collection held by the Wollotuka Institute alongside contemporary First Nations artists who have reinterpreted methods, mediums and uses to ascribe new meanings.
Where: Watt Space Gallery, 20 Auckland St, Newcastle

COLLECT at The Lock-Up | 12 Jul - 8 Sep
Featuring nearly 100 artists from Newcastle and the Hunter, COLLECT is one of The Lock-Up’s most anticipated exhibitions of the year. Showcasing the works of a diverse roster of local artists, COLLECT also raises funds for not-for-profit, independent art space The Lock-Up.
Where: The Lock-Up, 90 Hunter St, Newcastle

50 Years Fifty Stories | Until 28 Sep
Celebrate fifty years of Open Foundation with 50 photographs and stories of both current and former students who represent the profound impact of Open Foundation which has seen tens of thousands of students set out on their educational journeys.
Where: University Gallery, University Dr, Callaghan

Want more Newcastle events? Check out our What's On Guide.