Newcastle’s Newkulele Festival is back this month, returning bigger than ever with a three-day celebration of music, creativity and community that stretches beyond the ukulele for the first time.
A fixture on Newcastle’s music calendar since 2012, the biennial festival is expanding its program for 2026 to include a broader range of instruments, workshops and performances while staying true to its ukulele roots.
Alongside the familiar strumming, audiences can expect everything from African drumming and marimba to brass and percussion, creating a vibrant weekend of music-making across the city.
The festival opens at the Harold Lobb Concert Hall at the University of Newcastle Conservatorium of Music in Cooks Hill.
Hosted by Cathy Crowley, the opening night concert features Newcastle favourites Ukastle Ukestra alongside AJ Leonard and Jenny Rowlands, The Tuck Shop Ladies, and Bob Corbett and the Roo Grass Band, showcasing an eclectic mix of contemporary arrangements, folk, bluegrass, Americana and plenty of humour.
The action then moves to Carrington for the weekend, with the Carrington Bowling Club serving as the festival hub and performances taking place across nearby venues including Carrington Community Centre, The Hemporium, Cafe Inu, Cafe Tapestry and Pavilion Kitchen.
More than 34 acts from across New South Wales and beyond will perform throughout Saturday and Sunday, while Saturday night’s concert at the Bowlo will feature Mirabooka, SophisticateandBetty, Jac Jel Mac & Wal, Green Fieldz and Audrey.
For those keen to join in rather than simply watch, the festival also offers a packed workshop program across both mornings.
Festival-goers can try giant three-person marimbas, African drumming, songwriting, ukulele techniques, choir singing, strings, brass, wind and percussion sessions, as well as a dedicated children’s music workshop.
The weekend concludes with a Sunday afternoon finale concert featuring LambLake Ukestra, Wild Women of Anywhere Beach, Emerald Ruby, Leshen and the Ukastle Ukestra.
The Newkulele Festival runs from Friday, 21 August to Sunday, 23 August, with events taking place at the Harold Lobb Concert Hall, Carrington Bowling Club and venues throughout Carrington. The full program and tickets are available at newkulelefestival.com.au.
