Christmas in the Hunter Valley 2026: carols, lights and shows
Christmas concerts, comedy and musicals, the dance schools' end-of-year showcases, carols in the park and the Hunter Valley Gardens lights. The festive season on Hunter stages, with dates.
On stage for Christmas
18NovAgatha Christie's A Murder Is Announced
Maitland Repertory Theatre · MaitlandA Miss Marple mystery from Maitland's community theatre company. Tickets $32, concession $27.TheatreBook with the venue · listing checked 3 Oct
4DecBjörn Again: ABBA Forever Tour
Civic Theatre · NewcastleAn ABBA tribute.TributeBook with the venue · listing checked 3 Oct5DecBoyz II Men, Salt-N-Pepa and Bell Biv DeVoe: A Day on the Green
Bimbadgen · PokolbinOutdoor concert from 4pm; parking must be pre-booked.MusicBook with the venue · listing checked 3 Oct12DecThe TEN Tenors: A Not So Silent Night
Civic Theatre · NewcastleA Christmas concert, two sessions.MusicBook with the venue · listing checked 3 Oct13DecForever Diamond: The Greatest Hits
Vincent Street theatre · CessnockA Neil Diamond tribute show.TributeBook with the venue · listing checked 3 Oct
14DecAdam Kay: 'Twas the Nightshift Before Christmas
Civic Theatre · NewcastleComedy from the former doctor and author.ComedyBook with the venue · listing checked 3 Oct17DecPriscilla Queen of the Desert: The Musical
Civic Theatre · NewcastleThe jukebox musical.TheatreBook with the venue · listing checked 3 Oct
19DecUnity Dance Studio: Lights, Colours, Action!
Vincent Street theatre · CessnockA local dance school's 2026 showcase.DanceBook with the venue · listing checked 3 Oct
22DecThe Greatest Christmas Show
Civic Theatre · NewcastleA Christmas show for families.KidsBook with the venue · listing checked 3 OctCarols in the park
Cessnock City Council runs Carols in the Park at Cessnock Sportsground in early December, with live music, food and fireworks; in past years it has been a free family evening. The 2026 date had not been announced when we checked; we will add it here when the council lists it.
The Christmas lights
The Christmas Lights Spectacular at Hunter Valley Gardens, Pokolbin, runs from Friday 30 October 2026 to Sunday 31 January 2027. The gardens list the lights as open from 5:30pm to 10:30pm (last entry 9:30pm), with rides from 6pm. It is a light show rather than a performance, but it is the Hunter's biggest Christmas outing and pairs well with an evening show.
Common questions
When are the Hunter Valley Christmas lights in 2026?
Hunter Valley Gardens lists the Christmas Lights Spectacular from 30 October 2026 to 31 January 2027, from 5:30pm each night.
When are Cessnock's Christmas carols?
Cessnock City Council's Carols in the Park is held at Cessnock Sportsground in early December. The 2026 date had not been announced on 3 October.
What Christmas shows are on in Newcastle?
The TEN Tenors (12 December), Adam Kay's 'Twas the Nightshift Before Christmas (14 December), Priscilla (17 to 20 December) and The Greatest Christmas Show (22 and 23 December), all at the Civic Theatre.
Sources
- Civic Theatre Newcastle, The TEN Tenors: A Not So Silent Night
- Civic Theatre Newcastle, The Greatest Christmas Show
- Performance Arts Culture Cessnock, Forever Diamond: The Greatest Hits
- Hunter Valley Gardens, Christmas Lights Spectacular
- Cessnock City Council, Christmas magic returns to Cessnock (Carols in the Park)