Wheeler Place will be transformed into a Christmas playground when Jingle in the City launches this weekend.
The whole thing will kick off with a massive Christmas Party on Friday, 28 November. The celebration marks the arrival of Santa in the city centre with a full evening of performances, family activities and the official lighting of the towering 11-metre Christmas tree.
OPENING NIGHT CELEBRATION
📅 FRIDAY 28 NOVEMBER
From 5 pm, Wheeler Place will come alive with free Santa selfies and pet pawtraits, sweet treats, crafts, roving performers and a soundtrack of seasonal favourites. The night builds towards the tree lighting just before 8 pm, led by Deputy Lord Mayor Cr Charlotte McCabe and accompanied by Santa, his elves and a rousing community finale of Jingle Bells.
The festive crowd will be entertained by Ablaze Dance Academy’s Christmas performance, a local choir, a Jazz Performance Band playing carols, and Newcastle’s beloved Elves with Bells roving through the crowd. And the young ones can get stuck into the Jingle Bell craft station, write a Letter to Santa, and enjoy festive DJ sets while families take advantage of free photo opportunities.
THREE WEEKENDS OF FESTIVE FUN
📅 28 NOV – 14 DEC
Beyond opening night, the celebrations continue with a full live entertainment series running across three weekends, turning Wheeler Place into a festive hub right through December. Each session brings its own flavour, with choirs, school bands, vocal groups and emerging local artists taking turns on the stage to keep the Christmas spirit flowing.
Sunday 30 November (4pm–6pm)
Inner Voice Vocal brings choral warmth to the square.
Friday 5 December (5pm–7pm)
The Belair Public School Band & Choir perform yuletide favourites.
Sunday 7 December (4pm–6pm)
Local harmony group Novatones take the stage.
Friday 12 December (5pm–7pm)
Evan Worgan from the National Music Academy delivers an early-evening set.
Sunday 14 December (4pm–6pm)
The season’s final activation features the Hunter Singers, closing out the community performance series.
Jingle in the City also stretches beyond Wheeler Place, with the Civic Theatre precinct hosting a trio of major festive events.
On 14 December, the Newcastle University Choir presents Handel’s Messiah at City Hall, a centrepiece of the season for lovers of classical choral work.
Then on 22 December, Wheeler Place fills again for One Song Sing, returning with a Last Christmas Mashup blending Wham’s iconic hit with Billie Eilish’s Birds of a Feather. If you’re keen to head along, you’ll be taught the song in three-part harmony over one hour before the group performs it together.
A FREE CELEBRATION FOR EVERYONE
Jingle in the City will be serving up lashings of festive cheer with music, creativity and community in the heart of Newcastle every weekend from Friday 28 November until Sunday 14 December.
Every activation is free, family-friendly and open to all… pets included! Visit visitnewcastle.com.au to find out more.
JINGLE IN THE CITY
WHEELER PLACE, NEWCASTLE
28 NOV 2025 – 14 DEC 2025
