The Cessnock theatre: a visitor's guide

The theatre in brief

On at the theatre this season

These are the performing-arts dates on the venue's own program. Tap a show to open the venue's listing, where you can book.

6Oct

Tue 6 to Sat 10 Oct

Abermain Eisteddfod: dance solos

Vincent Street theatre · CessnockFive days of solo dance sections, open to watch.DanceBook with the venue · listing checked 3 Oct

10Oct

Sat 10 Oct

Abermain Eisteddfod: Spirit of the Coalfields Cup showcase

Vincent Street theatre · CessnockThe eisteddfod's showcase evening.DanceBook with the venue · listing checked 3 Oct

11Oct

Sun 11 Oct

Hits of the '60s and '70s by The 60 Four

Vincent Street theatre · CessnockFrankie Valli, The Beatles, Johnny O'Keefe, Tina Turner, Neil Diamond and more, as the venue lists it.TributeBook with the venue · listing checked 3 Oct

24Oct

Sat 24 Oct

Rhinestone Cowboy: a salute to John Denver and Glen Campbell

Vincent Street theatre · CessnockA tribute to two country-pop songwriters.TributeBook with the venue · listing checked 3 Oct

30Oct

Fri 30 Oct

Frenchy: Never Been Before

Vincent Street theatre · CessnockA touring stand-up show in towns the comedian has not played before.ComedyBook with the venue · listing checked 3 Oct

31Oct

Sat 31 Oct

California Legends by Wild Things Run

Vincent Street theatre · CessnockA new show of 1970s West Coast songs.TributeBook with the venue · listing checked 3 Oct

6Nov

Fri 6 Nov

Taylah's Dance Studio annual showcase

Vincent Street theatre · CessnockA local dance school's end-of-year showcase.DanceBook with the venue · listing checked 3 Oct

13Nov

Fri 13 Nov

The Bee Gees Show: One Night Only

Vincent Street theatre · CessnockA concert of the Bee Gees' songs. The show played this theatre in 2018 and 2023.TributeBook with the venue · listing checked 3 Oct

17Nov

Tue 17 Nov

First Draft: ASPIRE Young Scriptwriters

Vincent Street theatre · CessnockA staged reading of new short scripts by young Hunter writers.TheatreBook with the venue · listing checked 3 Oct

13Dec

Sun 13 Dec

Forever Diamond: The Greatest Hits

Vincent Street theatre · CessnockA Neil Diamond tribute show.TributeBook with the venue · listing checked 3 Oct

19Dec

Sat 19 Dec

Unity Dance Studio: Lights, Colours, Action!

Vincent Street theatre · CessnockA local dance school's 2026 showcase.DanceBook with the venue · listing checked 3 Oct

12Mar

Fri 12 Mar 2027

Fleetwood Macs

Vincent Street theatre · CessnockA Fleetwood Mac tribute.TributeBook with the venue · listing checked 3 Oct

22May

Sat 22 May 2027

Abbalanche: the Australian ABBA tribute show

Vincent Street theatre · CessnockAn ABBA tribute the venue says has toured for more than 30 years.TributeBook with the venue · listing checked 3 Oct

18Jun

Fri 18 Jun 2027

The Beatles Anthology

Vincent Street theatre · CessnockA Beatles tribute concert.TributeBook with the venue · listing checked 3 Oct

21Aug

Sat 21 Aug 2027

Choirboys: Great Australian Rock N Roll Stories

Vincent Street theatre · CessnockPart concert, part storytelling from the pub-rock band.MusicBook with the venue · listing checked 3 Oct

9Sep

Thu 9 Sep 2027

The Traveling Wilburys Collection

Vincent Street theatre · CessnockA tribute to the supergroup's two albums.TributeBook with the venue · listing checked 3 Oct

The theatre also runs a film club, art exhibitions and school holiday workshops; see the venue's full program for those.

Getting there

The theatre is in the middle of Cessnock, on the main street. Cessnock is about 50 kilometres by road west of Newcastle and about 25 kilometres south-west of Maitland, at the southern edge of the Hunter Valley wine country. Most people drive. The car park is free, with 70 spaces including 4 accessible spaces, entered from Cumberland Street, and the venue says it is well lit at night.

The box office entrance is on the corner of Vincent Street and Aberdare Road. The venue describes its home as two heritage-listed buildings adapted for the arts.

Access

The venue lists:

• Ramps to its entrances (the step-free box office entrance is on Aberdare Road; the foyer can be reached by the ramp along Castlemaine Street, opposite Peden's Hotel) and lifts inside.
• Accessible toilets on both floors and a wheelchair lift to the stage.
• An induction hearing loop in the auditorium for hearing aids with a T-switch.
• Companion Card: the carer enters free; the card must be shown when booking or collecting tickets.
• Accessible seating must be booked through the box office, not online. People with mobility concerns are encouraged to book the stalls, because the tiered seats are up stairs.
• Guide, hearing and assistance dogs are welcome, and the venue publishes social stories for first-time visitors.

More on Hunter theatres in our accessible shows guide.

A little history

The theatre opened in 2008 in buildings on the corner of Vincent Street and Aberdare Road, and for most of its life was called the Cessnock Performing Arts Centre. It was renamed Performance Arts Culture Cessnock and, with its gallery, now presents shows, exhibitions, films and workshops through the year. Cessnock's habit of going to the theatre is much older: in the 1920s and 30s the town's halls and picture theatres, including the Lyceum Hall and the Strand Theatre, hosted eisteddfods, choirs and touring plays. We tell one of those stories in the coalfields choir that won in Sydney by half a mark.

About this web address

This address once carried the theatre's own website. It no longer does: the theatre's website is now paccessnock.com.au. Cessnock Stage is a separate publication about performing arts across the Hunter, so tickets, refunds and bookings go to the theatre.

Common questions