Getting to New Annual Festival

Newcastle is alive with colour, creativity, and connection as New Annual returns! With free, family-friendly events happening across the city, it’s the perfect time to get out and explore. Even better—public transport makes it easy to get there.

Here are just a few highlights, and how to get there with Newcastle Transport:

🎨 First Night Art Party

📍 Laman St, Fri 26 Sep, 5pm – 9pm
Event details

Kick off the festival with music, movement and art in the heart of Newcastle. Dance along to Haiku Hands, Kira Puru and Devaura, enjoy roving performances, and be wowed by art projections on the Newcastle Art Gallery façade.

Getting there:

• Light rail to Civic stop (short walk to Laman Street)
• Bus routes stopping nearby include 11, 13, 14
  

🖼️ Public Art Trail

📍 Newcastle Foreshore (starting at The Station)
27 Sep – 5 Oct, daily 10am – 5pm. Free.
Event details

Take an art adventure with family and friends along the waterfront. This self-guided trail is open daily and makes the foreshore your open-air gallery.

Getting there:

• Light rail to Queens Wharf or Newcastle Beach stops for easy foreshore access
• Buses stopping near The Station include 11, 13, 14, 21, 23

🎶 SOAK: Live at the Baths

📍 Newcastle Ocean Baths, various dates
Event details

An intimate live music series at sunset, featuring artists such as Dust, Joel Sunny, Tom Thum, Boy Soda, A.Girl, Dean Brady, and more. Expect an unforgettable atmosphere right by the sea.

Getting there:

• Light rail to Newcastle Beach stop (5 minutes’ walk to the Baths).
• Bus routes running close include 11, 13, 14 along Hunter and King Street. Or catch the route 23 to Parnell Place, a short walk to the Ocean Baths.

🌏 Global Gathering

📍 Beaumont St, Hamilton
Sat 4 Oct, 2pm – 9pm. Free.
Event details

Celebrate Newcastle’s vibrant community with food, workshops, live music and cultural performances right in the heart of Hamilton.

Getting there:

• Bus routes stopping nearby include 11, 13, 21, 23, 26, 28

🚍 Make public transport part of the experience

Leave the car at home and make your festival trip stress-free. Plan your journey with Trip Planner.