What's On Around the Hunter This Weekend: 30 October – 1 November 2026

Halloween is giving the Hunter a good excuse to get out and about this weekend — but costumes and cobwebs are only part of the story. Between Friday 30 October and Sunday 1 November 2026, you can take the kids trick-or-treating at a community food-truck night, dance the evening away in Soldiers Point, catch live music in Cessnock, browse local makers or see Christmas lights return to Pokolbin. Yes, Christmas lights. In October.

Here are six events worth putting on your radar, with the practical details to help you choose your weekend plans.

1. Street Eats – Chisholm Halloween: a family-friendly Friday night

When: Friday 30 October, 5–8pm
Where: Whitewater Adventure Park, Heritage Drive, Chisholm
Cost: Free entry; food and drinks available to purchase

If the kids are already planning their Halloween outfits, this is a good place to start. Street Eats – Chisholm Halloween brings Maitland City Council's popular food-truck evenings to Whitewater Adventure Park, with a spooky twist. Expect dinner options from food vendors, a DJ, free Halloween face painting and trick-or-treating with lollies for the children.

It has the makings of an easy, relaxed family outing: bring a picnic rug, find something tasty for dinner and let the kids enjoy the dress-up fun. It's also one of the weekend's most approachable options if you want to join in without committing to ticketed entertainment.

Good to know: Street Eats venues and food trucks can change, so check My Maitland's official event page before leaving home.

2. Halloween Disco at The Cheeky Dog: costumes and dancing at Soldiers Point

When: Friday 30 October, DJ from 7:30pm
Where: The Cheeky Dog, 147 Soldiers Point Road, Soldiers Point
Cost: Free entry; food and drinks extra

Looking for a Halloween night out rather than an early family outing? The Cheeky Dog's Halloween Disco Party in Port Stephens is leaning into the fun with a DJ, cocktail specials and a best-dressed competition. The venue is encouraging everything from spooky to downright silly costumes, so you can take the theme as seriously — or not — as you like.

It's a more social, evening-focused option for groups of friends or couples who'd rather celebrate Halloween on a dance floor. If you have a larger group, consider booking ahead rather than turning up and hoping for space.

Good to know: See The Cheeky Dog's What's On page for the latest event details and booking options.

3. Lake Nights – Redhead: food, live tunes and local makers

When: Friday 30 October, 4–8pm
Where: Webb Park, Redhead
Cost: Free entry; purchases extra

Not everyone feels like dressing up for Halloween, and that's perfectly fine. Lake Nights in Redhead offers a different sort of Friday evening: wander between food stalls, listen to live music and browse the Made & Found pop-up market.

Hosted by Homegrown Markets, this edition also includes a chance to speak with Lake Macquarie City Council's Creative Futures team about local ideas. It's an easy option for anyone who loves a relaxed community atmosphere and wants to support small local makers while grabbing dinner.

Good to know: Markets can be affected by wet weather and wind. Homegrown Markets specifically asks visitors to check its social channels for last-minute changes.

4. California Legends: a Saturday night of West Coast classics

When: Saturday 31 October, 8–10:20pm
Where: PACC – Performance Arts Culture Cessnock, 198–202 Vincent Street, Cessnock
Cost: Ticketed event

For a Saturday night that swaps skeletons for harmonies, California Legends brings Wild Things Run to Cessnock. The trio performs acoustic interpretations of songs associated with 1970s West Coast favourites, including the Eagles, America, James Taylor, Carole King, Jackson Browne and Joni Mitchell.

This one suits anyone who prefers a seated theatre performance to a crowded party. The show runs for two hours and 20 minutes, including an interval, so there's enough time to make an evening of it without being out until the early hours.

Good to know: Tickets are available in several price categories; confirm the latest availability and accessible-booking arrangements with PACC directly.

5. Christmas Lights Spectacular: the Hunter Valley starts glowing

When: Friday 30 October – Sunday 1 November, 5:30–10:30pm nightly (last entry 9:30pm)
Where: Hunter Valley Gardens, 2090 Broke Road, Pokolbin
Cost: Paid admission; rides are separately ticketed

Halloween weekend might not be the first date you'd associate with Christmas, but Hunter Valley Gardens' Christmas Lights Spectacular begins on Friday 30 October. The Gardens transform after dark with illuminated walk-through areas, festive displays and family attractions. This season introduces Celestial Snowfields and Gingerbread Way, plus an expanded Planes, Trains & Automobiles precinct.

For families, it's a big evening outing rather than a quick stop. Allow time to explore the light displays on foot, and remember that amusement rides require separate tickets. The daytime Gardens close at 4:30pm and the Christmas Lights event reopens at 5:30pm, so a daytime ticket doesn't mean you can simply stay inside during the changeover.

A look at a previous season: Hunter Valley Gardens' official video below shows the 2025–26 Christmas Lights Spectacular. It's a useful taste of the atmosphere, but the decorations and experiences may differ for the newly opening 2026–27 season.

Good to know: See the official Christmas Lights information and ticketing page for current admission prices, ride details and any operational updates. The season continues until 31 January 2027, excluding Christmas Day.

6. Maitland Community Markets: a Sunday morning browse

When: Sunday 1 November, 9am–1pm
Where: Maitland Showground, 50 Blomfield Street, South Maitland
Cost: Check with the organiser for admission arrangements; stall purchases extra

By Sunday morning, you might be ready to trade costumes and late nights for coffee and a wander. Maitland Community Markets is a good excuse to get out into the sunshine and see what local growers, creators and small businesses have brought along.

There are more than 100 stalls across the market, with handmade, homegrown and locally produced goods, food trucks and entertainment. It's the kind of outing where you might arrive looking for one thing and leave with something you didn't know you needed.

Good to know: Dogs are welcome on leads, but there is no ATM on site; take some cash even though many stallholders offer EFTPOS. Check the official market page for updates.

Which Hunter weekend outing should you choose?

• Halloween fun with children: Street Eats in Chisholm on Friday.
• A Friday night with friends: The Cheeky Dog disco at Soldiers Point.
• Food, local stalls and live music: Lake Nights in Redhead.
• A ticketed night at the theatre: California Legends at PACC on Saturday.
• A big after-dark family experience: Christmas Lights Spectacular in Pokolbin.
• A relaxed Sunday outing: Maitland Community Markets.

Whatever you choose, double-check the organiser's latest information before heading out — especially for outdoor events and ticketed experiences. The Hunter's spring weather can change a plan quickly.

There's always more happening around the Hunter

These six are just a starting point. This weekend spans everything from Halloween cobwebs to Christmas lights, and that's a pretty good snapshot of how varied a few days around Newcastle and the Hunter can be.

Looking for more ideas? Browse events across Newy & the Hunter, and make room in the calendar for somewhere local.

Discover local. Be discovered.