Good Morning Newcastle. It’s another different day for you to receive this, but I wanted to get something out before New Year’s.

This edition will feature a list of all things happening in the area for NYE for you guys who, like me, have not planned anything and have waited until the last minute.

This will officially be the last time you hear from me in 2024. I look forward to keeping this going into the New Year. Talk next year.

Table of Contents

• Eats

• Events

• Activities

• Newcastle New Years

Quick hits

Eats

Local Gem (must try)

Last Saturday, I tried BBQ Town, located in Charlestown Square. My expectations coming into it were that it would be just a standard KBBQ restaurant. Boy, was I wrong.

Yes, you can indulge in the standard KBBQ practices of cooking your array of thinly sliced meats on the built-in table grill, but BBQ Town also offers an endless buffet option with multiple Korean and other Asian classics.

$59 per person for dinner, including 90 minutes of endless food. That is worth it in my opinion.

I was so busy eating I forgot to take a photo, so here is a stock image.

Newcastle trivia

Events

Tuesday 31 December (special feature)

Friday 3 January

Saturday 4 January

Sunday 5 January

Activities

Families

Monster Jump - Griffith Park in Stockton | Saturday 4 January to Sunday 19 January, 9:30am – 3:30pm

This mobile inflatable obstacle course offers a whopping 280 meters of continuous fun with more than 30 different obstacle adventures. Don’t let the kids have all the fun. Monster Jump is suitable for everyone from children to adults!

Kids Graffiti Workshops: School Holidays - Playstate on Fern | From 7 Januaray

Playstate is extremely excited to introduce aerosol workshops. We welcome all skills levels to come along and learn about street art practices and the practical application of aerosol to boards to create artwork. Aimed at kids 6-17 our 2 hour workshops show kids how to draw letters, play their piece and complete an artwork in a safe and supportive environment.

Each ticket includes:

• Gloves

• Masks

• Waterbased aerosol paint to use on site

• Aprons

More info here

Pelican Foreshore Markets - Lakeview Parade, Pelican | Saturday 4 January

Kick off the New Year with a vibrant day at the Pelican Foreshore Markets! Explore a bustling variety of stalls featuring new faces and beloved local favorites, offering unique goods, handmade treasures, and tasty treats. More info

Summer Days at Caves Beach - Swansea Horse and Riders Club | 31 December - 1 January

Join us for a New Years to remember! We are on both New Years Eve and New Years Day for a fun day out with the family!

Gourmet Food & Dessert Trucks, Kids Rides and Jumping Castles! More info

Adults

Wet N Wild New Years Day Party - Club Kotara | 1 January, 12:00 - 4:00pm

Kick off your 2025 with a relaxed arvo at The KBC. FREE ENTRY! Water Slides. Jumping Castle. Live Music with Nathan Cole Duo. More info

Cocktail Masterclass - with The Farmers Wife Distillery - Kahibah Sports Club | Saturday 4 January, 5:00pm

Gather your crew and dive into our Cocktail Class – the ultimate way to celebrate hens nights, Christmas parties, or just a fun night out with friends!

Here’s what’s waiting for you:

• Sparkling on arrival

• Three gin-focused cocktails crafted with The Farmer’s Wife Distillery

• A delicious grazing charcuterie board to snack on

Pricing: $70 per person. Book here

New Years

City of Newcastle

As per usual, the Queens Wharf Precinct will be transformed into a welcoming and vibrant community party featuring family-friendly activities, bike parades, live music, local food providers, and the must-see 9pm fireworks.

What’s on:

• Massive fireworks display at 9pm

• Giant NEWY NYE inflatable

• Bike Path and hourly Big Bike Parade  

• Creation Station – decorate your bike, pram or wheelchair

• Family-friendly activities in the Kids Zone

• Interactive Wish Walk  

• Live Local Music & DJ’s

• Accessible Quiet Zone near The Station

• Accessibility Options

• Gourmet Food Vendors

Info on City of Newcastle’s NYE plans

Lake Macquarie

NYE fireworks at Wangi Wangi RSL Club are scheduled to run at the family-friendly time of 9pm. This display will run from a barge in the lake in front of Wangi Wangi RSL Club from 9-9.15pm Tuesday 31 December 2024. For more information and updates, visit Wangi RSL Facebook page.

There will be 9pm fireworks at 8 at Trinity in Morisset Park. This display will run for 12 minutes from 9pm om New Year’s Eve.

Info on Lake Macquarie’s NYE plans

Ticketed / Venue events

The Years New Year’s Eve, Newcastle Racecourse, Broadmeadow, 7pm.

Join THE YEARS for NEW YEAR'S EVE under the stars at Newcastle Racecourse. More info

Bartholomew’s New Year’s Eve Spectacular, Bartholomew’s, Newcastle, from 7pm.

What to expect:

• 4 hours of entertainment from the talented Three Rings Aerial crew of performers

• Canapés throughout the evening (till 10pm)

• 5 hour quality drinks package with craft beers, wines, spirits and soft drinks. More info

Bernie’s New Years Eve 2024, Bernie’s Bar, Newcastle, from 7pm.

The night will kick off with a spectacular drag and burlesque performances from 7pm to 10pm, and featuring the talents of Leah Tart, Pole Dance Dave, Gucci, and Karma Gettem.

Our DJs will keep you moving all night long, with a triple line up of DJ Ruby Red, DJ Moore and DJ Queerio spinning the decks from 8pm through to 2am- YES! thats right! We'll be partying til 2am this time round. More info

NYE 2024: Newcastle’s Ultimate NYE Celebration, Ms Mary, Crystalbrook Kingsley, Newcastle, from 8.30pm.

Join Crystalbrook Kingsley as you bid farewell to 2024 and welcome 2025 in style. Experience an unforgettable New Year’s Eve with breathtaking views, free-flowing champagne, delicious food, and DJs to keep the celebration going all night long. Celebrate by dancing under the stars at Ms Mary or dining high at Roundhouse. More info

Night of White NYE, Honeysuckle Hotel, Newcastle, from 6pm.

Say goodbye to 2024 and hello 2025 at Honeysuckle Hotel’s BIGGEST New Year’s Eve Night of White Party! Enjoy a 3-hour premium canape and beverage package inclusive of cocktails, beers, premium spirits, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages. More info.

New Year’s Eve at The Northern, The Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle, 5pm to 11pm.

This inner-city pub will be encouraging you to tear up the dance floor with live music from 5pm to 11pm including live bands and DJs. Local legends SODA will be headlining the evening’s festivities. More info.

Glitter Pass – The Kent’s Disco Fever NYE, The Kent Hotel, Hamilton, from 10pm.

Dance into the new year with The Kent Hotel. Starting at 10pm, there will be a DJ upstairs, and your Glitter Pass will get you express entry and a disco drink on arrival (served in a souvenir cup to take home). More info.

NYE Party at Modus - Modus, Merewether

Modus Merewether is being transformed into the perfect family fun day for kids (and kids at heart) with a Pop-Up Kids Rave! There'll be kid-friendly dance music, a bubble party, and face painting. Time: 12-2pm. Big kids can then have their turn from 4pm. More info

NYE FT. Bag Raiders - The Beach Hotel, Merewether

Headlined by all-round Aussie legends BAG RAIDERS, who have been stars in the Aussie music industry for over a decade. The dynamic duo are set to bring maximum thrills to the TBH dance floor. More info

Peregrin NYE - The Beach Hotel, Merewether

Get to Peregrin for the ultimate VIP party package! Includes Moët on arrival, a 3-hour unlimited beverage package, paired with a 7-piece canapé menu, featuring crispy prawn tacos, Port Stephens rock oysters, and mini steak sambos. More info

NYE at The Underground - The Grand Hotel, Newcastle

Underground Disco returns for New Year’s Eve at The Grand with DJs: Tone, Disco Dan Phelan & friends! Dress up, get down, and dance through the night! 100% vinyl DJs dishing up disco delights from around the globe! Time: 8pm - 2am. Cost: $40 pp including a cocktail on arrival. More info

New Year's Eve at Harrigan's Cameron Park - Harrigan's Cameron Park, Cameron Park

Get your friends and family together to dance into 2025 at Harrigan’s Cameron Park. With live music from 8pm and decadent dinners, it will be a spectacular night. More info

NYE Midnight Masquerade - The Exchange Hotel, Hamilton

Welcome to The Exchange Hotel’s Midnight Masquerade; don your finest mask and step into the mystery. Whether you want The Royal Experience or something a little more casual, we have you covered: bit.ly/EX-NYE-2024

A Night of Gatsby - 8 at Trinity, from 5:30pm

Indulge in an Unforgettable NYE Dinner Experience with Live Entertainment and spectacular fireworks at 9pm. Ring in 2025 in style and celebrate the new year with a little bit of jazz and a whole lot of Gatsby. Come dressed to impress with your friends and family and be prepared to be enchanted by an extraordinary experience along with an a-la-carte lunch or 4 course dinner. More info

New Years Eve - The Rogue Scholar, from 5:00pm

Dress up as your favourite Rock Star!! Here's what's on the agenda:

• 5pm: Doors open

• 7pm-9.30pm: The Daxton experience

• 10pm-1.00am: Guerrilla Radio

  More info

New Year’s Day in Newcastle

Coffee cravings still exist on New Year's Day; here is a list of the cafes that are open. The list has been put together by the team at HunterHunter. See the list.