What's on in December and January

WE MAKE EVERY EFFORT POSSIBLE TO BE CORRECT, HOWEVER EVENTS DO CHANGE. PLEASE CHECK INDIVIDUAL EVENTS ONLINE BEFORE PLANNING.

Kitty Flannagan Live

FRIDAY 2 DECEMBER

■ Women’s Comedy Showcase at Newcastle Comedy Club. Enjoy a night of the funniest women in comedy right in the heart of Newcastle. Grab the girls and swing by Newcastle Comedy Club for some after-work laughs. In collaboration with Rat Klub Comedy, Newcastle Comedy Club presents a monthly showcase of the best and brightest female acts from Sydney, Newcastle and all over! For more information or to book, visit www. eventbrite.com.au and search for Women's Showcase.

■ Carols in the Park at Cessnock Showground from 5pm. Country music star and local resident Tara Naysmith returns to the Carols stage in 2022 as host. Santa’s Little Helpers – a 14-piece big band, comprised of talented musicians from across the Hunter – are also back for another year of musical magic under the guidance of Musical Director Greg Paterson. Of course, the night would not be complete without a visit from the man himself, and, as in years past, the night will culminate in a spectacular fireworks display that is sure to delight and amaze. For more information, visit www.cessnock.nsw.gov.au

■ Meet Me in St. Louis, playing at Rathmines Theatre Enjoy the 1944 musical romance Meet Me in St Louis to celebrate the silly season. A classic romantic musical comedy that focuses on four sisters on the cusp of the 1904 St. Louis World Fair. The film commences at 6:30pm; for more information or to book, visit www.lakemac.com.au

■ WWYW Fundraiser Ball at Newcastle City Hall. What Were You Wearing Australia is a community-based organisation that provides education, advocacy and awareness of sexual violence. Get set for a night full of live music, special guest speakers, presentations, food and an open bar! For more information or to book, visit www.eventbrite.com.au

Dean Lewis

SATURDAY 3 DECEMBER

■ Kitty Flanagan LIVE at Civic Theatre Newcastle. You’ve seen her on Fisk, Utopia and Have You Been Paying Attention? She wrote a best-selling book called 488 Rules for life. But now, after a year at home drinking hand sanitiser and tonic, Kitty Flanagan is finally back on stage doing what (she thinks) she does best - solving the world’s problems. All of them. For more information or to book, visit www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au

2022 Newcastle Toy Run

SUNDAY 4 DECEMBER

▲ 2022 Newcastle Toy Run and Family Day at Stockton/Wickham Park. Help bring joy and hope to families in need this Christmas by being a part of this fantastic community event. Get along to Wickham Park to welcome the riders and enjoy an exciting Family Day. There’s so much to do, see and get involved with, from face painting and kids’ rides to market stalls, food trucks and live music. Every toy donated ends up under the Christmas tree of a child or teenager in need who would otherwise go without on Christmas morning. Entry to the event is FREE and un-ticketed. Just bring your Christmas spirit! For more information, visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au

TUESDAY 6 DECEMBER

■ Dean Lewis - Sad Boi Winter Tour at Civic Theatre Newcastle. Dean will electrify the audience with his ‘Sad Boi Winter Summer’ tour. After losing his voice and having to take a break. His show has been rescheduled to 6 December. For more information, visit www. civictheatrenewcastle.com.au

FRIDAY 9 DECEMBER

■ Deck the City Halls at Newcastle City Hall. Newcastle Pro Wrestling brings its worldclass, explosive action back to Newcastle City Hall for “Deck the City Halls 2022". Featuring championship matches, tag team action, women’s wrestling and much more, tickets from $30. For more information or to book, visit www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au

SATURDAY 10 DECEMBER

▼ Lago di Mac – Lap of the Lake at Thomas H Halton Park at Croudace Bay. Get along to this inaugural festival and celebrate all things Italian around the gorgeous shores of Lago di Mac. A day to enjoy three of our favourite loves – family, food, and fine Italian automobiles and motorcycles. Thomas H Halton Park at Croudace Bay will showcase local produce - coffee, Italian food, artisan stalls, amazing gelato, an Antipasto and Aperol Spritzer zone, live music and games for kids and families to enjoy! For more information, visit www.lakemac.com.au

■ Medowie Christmas Carnival at Ferodale Park. Hosted by 2NURFM presenter Todd Sergeant, with a special performance from Megan Spiller and the Studio band, Medowie Christmas Carnival will feature a range of children’s rides, amusements and showbags, carefully-curated artisan market stalls, gourmet food vendors, live music and entertainment as well as activities involving local schools, dance and community groups, local businesses, Christmas carols, Santa and much more! For more info, visit the Medowie Christmas Carnival Facebook page.

■ James Morrison and the James Morrison Quartet at the Newcastle Conservatorium of Music. Toronto Brass proudly presents world renowned jazz musician, James Morrison, performing with the James Morrison Quartet. Don’t miss this unforgettable night filled with fantastic music. For more information or to book, visit www.trybooking.com.au and search for James Morrison.

A Merry Little Christmas at The Levee

SUNDAY 11 DECEMBER

■ Lake Mac Carols at Speers Point Park. This free event will feature kids’ activities along with food trucks, roving entertainment and a jam-packed main stage program from 5pm8.30pm. For more information, visit www.lakemac.com.au

■ Carols at the Bay 2022 at Fly Point, Nelsons Bay. Carols at the Bay is a community carols event that includes performances from local primary schools, performing arts students, community groups, and entertainment. For more information, visit the First National Carols at the Bay Facebook page.

■ A Merry Little Christmas at The Levee Maitland. Once a season, The Levee Shared Zone hosts a small fair with select market stalls from the local region. Santa will be joined by his elves to enjoy kid's activities, food, beverages and gift stalls. Bring the whole family along to get all your Christmas shopping done, or visit one of your favourite cafés or bars. For more information, visit www. thelevee.com.au

WEDNESDAY 14 DECEMBER

■ Much Ado About Nothing playing at Civic Theatre Newcastle. Artists, celebrities, and royalty have visited the legendary family-run Hotel Messina on the Italian Riveria. But when the owner’s daughter weds a dashing young soldier, not all guests are in the mood for love. Screening from 7pm-9pm. For more information or to book, visit www. civictheatrenewcastle.com.au

The Vallies

FRIDAY 16 DECEMBER

■ Long Lunch with Johnathan Thurston at The Crown & Anchor. Join us at The Crown & Anchor Hotel for an intimate long lunch with non-other than NRL superstar Johnathan Thurston. Tickets include a two-course meal and a three-hour beverage package (beer, wine and soft drink). There will be auctions on the day and the chance to purchase VIP Meet and Greet packages. For more information or to book, visit www.eventbrite.com.au and search for Johnathon Thurston.

■ Christmas Show with The Vallies at Broughtons at the Bay. Bringing to life all your favourite Christmas classics, including songs by Bing Crosby, The Drifters, Michael Bublé and Frankie Valli, The Vallies present a vibrant, all-singing, all-dancing show to get you into the Christmas spirit. Tickets include a three-course Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, a drink on arrival, and The Vallies Christmas show. Cost is $125pp. For more information or to book, visit www. broughtonsatthebay.com.au

SATURDAY, 17 DECEMBER

■ Interface | Presented by National College of Dance at Civic Theatre Newcastle. For the past ten years, National College of Dance has brought incredible collaborations of all styles and genres to our stages. This year is no exception, this time collaborating with their dancers to create an incredible dance spectacular, bringing together the dancers’ ideas, choreography, music, costumes and subject matters. This show is not to be missed, as it puts all the dancers' amazing inspirations on the stage. For more information or to book, visit www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au

■ The Killers at Hope Estate. The Killers will perform an outdoor performance at Hunter Valley's Hope Estate. Live music is back, be sure to secure your tickets as this show is not to be missed! Come and soak up the atmosphere of live music in the heart of Hunter Valley wine country at the home of Australia's largest purpose-built outdoor winery concert amphitheatre. For more information, visit www.hopeestate.com.au

WEDNESDAY 21 DECEMBER

■ JD’s World of Christmas Magic at Cessnock Performing Arts. JD's World of Magic is back with a brand-new show to remind us of the 'magic' of Christmas. International awardwinning magician Joel Howlett will delight audiences in this interactive spectacular, which includes magic, puppets, audience participation, and lots of festive fun - a treat for the young and the young at heart! This is a FREE family event, but bookings are essential. For more information or to book, visit www. cessnockperformingartscentre.com.au

THURSDAY 22 DECEMBER

■ Good King Wenceslas, A Christmas Musical at Civic Theatre Newcastle. By popular demand, the Grainery Church presents the return of ‘Good King Wenceslas’, an original musical based on the story of the much-loved Christmas carol. The story tells of the sainted king who trekked into the snow with his fool by his side to find and rescue a starving peasant from the bitter cold. Tickets from $10, with shows on 22 and 23 December. For more information or to book, visit www. civictheatrenewcastle.com.au

SUNDAY 26 DECEMBER

■ Boxing Day Bash at Shoal Bay Country Club. Santa has been and gone, and the presents are all open. Now it’s time to party! Shoal Bay Country Club is throwing the Bay’s biggest Boxing Day bash with a massive line-up of live music from 2:30pm and DJs till late. The drinks will be cold, the vibes will be high, and entry will be free all day and night. For more info, visit www.shoalbaycountryclub.com.au

Australian Jazz Convention

SUNDAY 26 DECEMBER

▲ Australian Jazz Convention at Newcastle City Hall. The AJC is an annual gathering for musicians and jazz lovers to celebrate their music. While the focus is on traditional or “Dixieland” jazz, the convention is open to groups playing swing, mainstream, bebop, modern, funk, and other jazz genres. Since 1946 the convention has been hosted by different cities and towns across Australia. It is held from 26 to 31 December, culminating in a New Year’s Eve jazz event. For more information, visit www. australianjazzconvention.org.au

Australia Day Newcastle Harbour Swim

SATURDAY 31 DECEMBER

■ New Year’s Eve Eats ‘n’ Beats Cruise 2022 at Moonshadow – TQC Cruises, Nelson Bay The perfect New Year's Eve night out on the water. Board Moonshadow-TQC Cruises for a relaxed 3hr cruise around the harbour as they cruise the bay and explore the inlets along the way. Enjoy a beautiful night on the water as you dine on a three-course meal, live entertainment with Karen Soper, and a cocktail available for purchase from the bar. For more information or to book, visit www. moonshadow-tqc.com.au

SATURDAY 31 DECEMBER

■ Underground Disco New Year’s Eve at The Grand Hotel Newcastle. Throw on something spectacular and join us for an evening of disco with DJ’s Tone, Disco Dan Phelan, Old Spice, plus special guests. For more information or to book, visit www. thegrandnewcastle.com.au

■ NYE Party – All Access Punk’d at Cardiff RSL Club. Let’s rock in the New Year with a bunch of Pop Punk and Emo hits from the 90s/00s! Come and rock out with the All Access Punk tribute! For more information www.cardiffrsl. com.au

SUNDAY 8 JANUARY

■ Elton John | Farewell Yellow Brick Road at McDonald Jones Stadium. Elton John – the most successful performing male solo artist of all time will be performing in Newcastle for his final tour, with shows on 8 and 10 January. For more information or to book, visit www. ticketmaster.com.au

THURSDAY 19 JANUARY

■ Cosentino | Decennium at Civic Theatre Newcastle. Australia’s world-renowned entertainer and International Magician of the Year, Cosentino, celebrates ten years as Australia’s most successful magician, illusionist, and escape artist with his brand new, 90-minute live show Decennium, the greatest hits tour. For more information, visit www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au

SATURDAY 21 JANUARY

▼ Paint & Pot Workshop with Wayde Thomas at Playstate Curate. Jump in for a Paint and Pot Workshop, run by local artist Wayde Thomas, as you paint funky, fun, and cool designs onto terracotta pots. Choose a cute succulent from The Prick Store's selection to finish off your pot nicely. BYO optional. All materials supplied. Cost $55. For more information or to book, visit www.humantix. com and search for Paint & Pot Workshop.

Paint and Pot

SUNDAY 22 JANUARY

■ Operation Ouch | Not for the Squeamish at Civic Theatre Newcastle. TV’s favourite doctors return to Australia this January with a brand-new show! Following three sell-out Australian tours and two smash-hit seasons in London’s West End, Dr Chris and Dr Xand are back! This brilliant show will be packed with all-new crazy experiments, mind-blowing illusions, and amazing facts as the doctors explore the fascinating world of biology and show you the incredible things your body can do. It’ll make you laugh and gross you out! For more information or to book, visit www. civictheatrenewcastle.com.au

THURSDAY 26 JANUARY

■ Australia Day Newcastle Harbour Swim Jump in for either the Single Crossing (700 m) from Stockton to Queens Wharf Quay or the Double Crossing (1400 m) from Queens Wharf to Stockton and back. All ages welcome, cash prizes and plenty of FUN! If it hasn't been on your Local Challenges or Bucket List, put it there now. Jump in for the only legal swim across our amazing working harbour. For more information or to book, visit www.oceanswims.com/event/newcastleharbour-swim-classic