Newcastle’s biggest annual celebration is set to roll back into town, with the Coates Newcastle Show taking over the showground between 27 February and 1 March 2026.
With tickets now on sale, organisers are promising three days of classic show traditions mixed with fresh attractions designed to pull in new audiences alongside long-time showgoers.
Long regarded as one of the city’s most loved community events, the Newcastle Show continues to blend its agricultural roots with big-city spectacle. From live music and fireworks to animal exhibitions, carnival rides and the inevitable showbags, the 2026 edition is shaping up as a full-scale destination event for families, friend groups and visitors to the region.
Friday night Bull Riding Rodeo
A major centrepiece for 2026 is the return of the Friday night Bull Riding Rodeo, produced by Bucking Bulls Australia and sponsored by Macka’s. Running as a standalone spectacle in the Centre Ring, the rodeo will bring together elite bucking bulls and some of the country’s top riders for what’s expected to be one of the most adrenaline-charged sessions of the weekend.
Newy-Con brings pop culture to the showground
One of the biggest new additions for 2026 is the launch of Newy-Con, a pop culture and fandom experience designed to broaden the show’s appeal. With interactive experiences aimed at teens, young adults and pop-culture fans, Newy-Con signals a deliberate move to bring modern entertainment into the traditional show format, creating new reasons for younger audiences to make the trip to the showground.
Live music and fireworks headline the nights
Live entertainment will play a major role across the three days, with a strong country flavour on the program. The Katie Jayne Band will bring high-energy Australian country music to the stage on Friday evening, while The Australian Luke Combs Experience, presented by Jarred Taylor, will deliver a tribute set of modern country favourites on Saturday night. Fireworks are locked in for both Friday and Saturday evenings, promising the kind of spectacle that has become a signature moment of the Newcastle Show experience.
A showcase of community, culture and colour
Beyond the headline acts and major attractions, the 2026 show will again roll out the elements that have made it a staple of the Newcastle calendar for generations. Animal exhibitions, community showcases, carnival rides, food stalls and classic sideshow fun will fill the showground across the three days, reinforcing the event’s role as a meeting point for the city and the wider Hunter region.
Newcastle show 2026 dates & tickets
27 February – 1 March
Tickets for the Coates Newcastle Show 2026 are priced at $30 for adults (17+), $20 for children and students aged 5–17 (with valid student ID or school travel pass), and free for children under 4, with concession tickets also available for $20 for eligible pensioners, disability and veterans card holders, while families can save with a $75 Family Pass covering two adults and two children or students for single-day entry.
