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.

December 8 - 10

Friday Night Feast | 8 Dec
Enjoy some seriously delicious eats as Friday Night Feast returns. Expect stacks of food trucks, a bar and beer garden, live music, market stalls, and kids entertainment. The event is dog friendly too!
Where: The Station, Cnr Scott St & Watt St, Newcastle

Nettwerk Tour | 8 Dec
This December, Sofar Sounds in conjunction with label giant Nettwerk presents Portair, Georgia Mooney and Laura Lucas – three rising artists on a national Sofar Sounds discovery tour.
Where: Secret location (revealed 36 hours before the show)

Friday Night Foodies | 8 Dec
For a Friday night treat, grab dinner by the lake at the Multi-Arts Pavilion, mima. Friday Night Foodies delivers a series of events, eats from a selection of gourmet food trucks on site, a bar stocking local beer and wine, and cheeseboards from Harry and Lola’s.
Where: Multi-Arts Pavilion (MAP mima), 96 Creek Reserve Road, Speers Point

Santa Selfies and Pawtraits at Wheeler Place | Until 9 Dec
Santa Claus is coming to town, and he’s making his way to Wheeler Place for free Santa photos! The best part? Your furry friends can get in on the action too.
Where: Wheeler Place, Newcastle

Sell All Salon | 9 Dec
Sell All Salon is a market-style event promoting local artistic talent. There will be a wide range of work available to purchase on the day from artists like Clare Walker, Xander Holliday, Jon Potter, and Nicole Pellow.
Where: Carrington Community Centre, 1 Hargrave Street, Carrington

Hey Tilly Grand Opening | 9 & 10 Dec
Local jewellery label Hey Tilly is officially opening its first store on Darby Street this weekend. There'll be exclusive grand opening weekend offers, giveaways, lucky door prizes, and more!
Where: Hey Tilly, 106 Darby St, Cooks Hill

Homegrown Markets | 9 Dec
Head to Homegrown Markets to shop locally-made goodies from stacks of stalls, plus eat delicious food and listen to live music.
Where: The Station, Cnr Scott St & Watt St, Newcastle

Conscious Christmas in Wallsend | 9 Dec
Looking to make your Christmas more eco-conscious this year? Make your way to Conscious Christmas in Wallsend from 10am-1pm for sustainable stalls and DIY ornament workshops.
Where: Wallsend Rotunda, 120 Tyrrell St, Wallsend

Lake Mac Carols by Candlelight | 10 Dec
Enjoy a spectacular evening of entertainment at Lake Mac Carols by Candlelight. There'll be kids activities, food trucks, roving entertainment and a jam-packed main stage program including a special visit from Santa!
Where: Speers Point Park, Park Rd, Speers Point

Good Folk is Turning 1 | 10 Dec
Come and celebrate the first birthday of award-winning local brewery Good Folk Brewing. There'll be live music and drink specials to bring the birthday vibes to the Beaumont Street brewery.
Where: Good Folk Brewing, 80 Beaumont St, Hamilton

A Christmas Concert at Christ Church Cathedral | 10 Dec
Immerse yourself in the enchanting melodies of the season as the award-winning Newcastle Chamber Choir proudly presents A Christmas Concert at the iconic Christ Church Cathedral.
Where: Christ Church Cathedral, 52 Church St, Newcastle

Made and Found Markets | 10 Dec
Made and Found Markets are all about locally-made goods and secondhand treasures. Get down to Webb Park in Redhead for a day of shopping, eating, and live music.
Where: Webb Park, Beach Rd, Redhead

Sago Sun Flea Market | 10 Dec
Local brand Sago Sun has teamed up with Arlo's to bring you a Sunday flea market with coffee and eats. Find pre-loved and vintage clothing from over 25 stalls, including Sago Sun, Papercrane Vintage, The Conscious Exchange, and Detached Vintage.
Where: Lowlands Bowling Club, 98A Dawson St, Cooks Hill

Artists for Ceasefire | 10 Dec
Get down to The Lass O'Gowrie Hotel for this event featuring local artists, where all proceeds go to Palestinian families arriving from Gaza this December.
Where: The Lass O'Gowrie Hotel, 14 Railway St, Wickham

Beats on the Green | 10 Dec
From 4pm-7pm every Sunday at Club Kotara, Beats on the Green is bringing you vinyl DJs spinning tunes all afternoon, activities on the bowling green, plus happy hour from 3pm-5pm.
Where: Club Kotara, 2 Howell St, Kotara

Mayfield Carols | 10 Dec
Mayfield Carols is back after a four-year hiatus! This free event will start at 4pm, with amusement rides, a petting zoo, and more fun and games, with carols kicking off at 6pm.
Where: Webb Park, 84 Waratah St, Mayfield

Sunday Speakeasy | 10 Dec
Enjoy live music at Bartholomew's at Sunday Speakeasy. It's also Sippin' Sunday, which means $10 drink specials like Whisky Apple, G&Ts, and spritzes.
Where: Bartholomew's, 145 King St, Newcastle

MOA & Co Christmas Market | 10 Dec
After holding successful markets in October, Carrington-based MOA & Co is holding a Christmas market. Expect stalls by local businesses, coffee, and food.
Where: 16 Gipps St, Carrington

Exhibitions

Rauschenberg and Johns: Significant Others | 9 Dec - 4 Feb
Rauschenberg and Johns: Significant Others will introduce the work of two of the 20th century’s most pivotal artists to Australian communities. The exhibition examines the legacy of Rauschenberg and Johns’ early creative exchanges and their printmaking practices.
Where: Museum of Art and Culture, yapang, 1A First St, Booragul

House of Stories Exhibition | 9 Dec - 4 Feb
House of Stories is Lighthouse Arts’ first exhibition that celebrates and showcases writers, photographers, painters, sculptors, ceramicists, mixed media artists and more, who have undertaken a residency at this remarkable space.
Where: Nobbys Lighthouse, Nobbys-Whibayganba Headland

More Than Sport – History, Culture and Connection in Deaf and Hard of Hearing Communities Exhibition | Until Mar
Curated by Deaf Sports Australia, this accessible exhibition will showcase stories of deaf and hard of hearing athletes and sports from across Australia and around the world through a series of videos, photographs and memorabilia.
Where: Lovett Gallery, Laman St, Newcastle

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