Sometimes, you come across a perfect storm: where location, timing and talented people come together to form something spectacular. In Newcastle’s case, combine an accomplished festival director (Tory Loudon, responsible for the wildly successful Vivid Ideas), a handful of fresh coastal locations, some hot international acts and a series of street parties, time them for the first week of the sunny spring school holidays, and voila. Hop aboard the New Annual train for a trip through 10 days of colourful inspiration this September.
The first night of the festival (Friday, September 26) tells you all you need to know about what’s to come. Watch Laman Street come alive at First Night Art Party with roving performers, revel in explosive art projections and feel the high energy of live music sets by Haiku Hands, Kira Puru and Devaura. The artsy shindigs continue on with the quirky Dancefloor Conversion Therapy performance and afterparty at Bernie’s Bar (September 27-28) and the high-voltage arts party Surge at Newcastle Museum (October 3).
There’s live theatre at Newcastle Ocean Baths, a bonkers one-woman show that was the talk of the Edinburgh theatre scene and some of Australia’s best theatre shows at Newcastle Museum. Families can cash in on their culture fix at Global Gathering on Beaumont St hosted by author Benjamin Law and comedian Jenny Wong. Feel the rhythm with a female drumming collective, chow down at eat street and get fresh inspo at cooking demos.
We’re cheering that more than half of the festival’s events are free to attend and particularly welcoming of all creatives; big and little. You can check out the full program here to plan your ultimate creative, coastal-cool weekend away.
Catch New Annual taking place around Newcastle from Friday, September 26 until Sunday, October 5 2025.
