Good morning, Newcastle,

It was a huge weekend for Newcastle, although not quite the ending we were hoping for.

The Knights came within one point of an NRL premiership, thousands of fans turned out to welcome the team home, and the city has rallied around the people injured in the Wallsend crash, with more than $108,000 now raised for those affected.

There’s plenty more below.

Let’s get into it.

This week, we headed to Carrington, where the Young Street Hotel has been a corner local on Young Street for years and has been on my list to visit. From the front it looks like an ordinary neighbourhood pub, and in plenty of ways it is one. What sets it apart is the kitchen, which is turning out some of the best pizza in Newcastle.

The pizza is woodfired, the base stays crisp right through to the middle, and there's no droop when you pick up a slice. The Pepperoni ($25) is simple and done well. Add the feta and hot honey crust dipper, because it's worth the extra. The Beef Short Rib ($27) is the heavier option, with pulled short rib, whipped feta and jalapeño on a white base. Get the Shark Bay Crab Dip ($26) for the table. It comes with the pub's own potato scallops instead of bread or chips, which works better than it sounds.

Beer drinkers have 20 rotating taps to work through, mostly craft. If you'd rather not gamble, the Young Street Lager is a safe bet.

There's a front bar with big screens for the footy, a dining room, footpath tables and a large beer garden with a fenced play area for the kids. It's a good local with food worth crossing town for, and we'll be back.

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Disney's Frozen The Broadway Musical – Civic Theatre, Newcastle | Sat 10 Oct 7pm, Sun 11 Oct 1pm & 6pm The stage version of the Disney film opens a run at the Civic Theatre, recommended for ages 5 and over. Tickets $54–$139. More info

The Rainbow Fish Musical – Young People's Theatre, Hamilton | Runs Thu 8–Sun 25 Oct Young People's Theatre stages the picture book about a fish learning to share, with a large cast of sea creatures. Tickets through the YPT booking site, check the page for session times and prices. More info

Maitland Riverlights multicultural festival – The Levee, High St, Maitland | Sat 10 Oct, 2pm–9pm Main day of Riverlights, with more than 40 cultures represented through food, music, language and performance, then a lantern flotilla in the evening. Free. More info

Riverlights Lantern Workshop – Maitland Regional Art Gallery, Maitland | Fri 9 Oct, 10am–1pm Drop-in session for making paper lanterns for the Riverlights flotilla. Free. More info

Cinema Under the Stars: Lake Macquarie – Speers Point Park, Speers Point | Sat 10 Oct, from 5:30pm Free outdoor screening of How to Train Your Dragon at sundown, with kids' activities, live music, food vendors and free popcorn from 5:30pm. Free. More info

Festival of Sweets & Treats – The Station, Newcastle | Sun 11 Oct, 9am–3pm Dessert stalls plus kids' rides, jumping castles, carnival games and face painting. Adults from $5 online, $10 at the gate, under 18s free. Get tickets

Spring School Holidays – Hunter Valley Gardens, Pokolbin | Fri 9–Sun 11 Oct, gardens 9am–5pm, rides 10am–2pm Final weekend of the spring holiday program with a butterfly house, baby animals, craft, cultural demonstrations, garden tours and family rides. Garden entry $42 adults, $31 children 4–15; rides $6 or six for $30. More info

School Holidays at Entwine – Calais Estate, Pokolbin | Fri 9–Sun 11 Oct Food trucks, local wines and live music, with colouring, bubbles, lawn games and chalk for kids. Free. More info

Aussie Ark Open Days – Tomalla, Barrington Tops | Fri 9–Sun 11 Oct, gates 10:30am, experience 11am–1pm Guided one-hour tour to see Tasmanian devils, eastern quolls and wallabies, with a BBQ lunch available. Pre-booking required, prices on the booking page. More info

Spring School Holidays: Birds – Hunter Wetlands Centre, Shortland | Fri 9–Sun 11 Oct, 9am–4pm Bird-themed holiday program with bird bingo and a quiz, plus Reptile Encounters at 11am on Saturday and Sunday. Bingo and quiz free with entry, Reptile Encounters $5 on top of entry. More info

Mr Squiggle and Friends – Newcastle Museum, Newcastle | Fri 9–Sun 11 Oct, 10am–5pm Puppets, props and a squiggle drawing station from Norman Hetherington's work, with Murray Raine's Marvellous Marionettes in the same building. Free. More info

Free Art Sunday – Maitland Regional Art Gallery, Maitland | Sun 11 Oct, 10am–12pm Drop-in art activities for kids of all ages, with families welcome to join in. Free. More info

GymKidz Open Days – Uniting Church Hall, Merewether | Fri 9 & Sat 10 Oct Free try-out sessions of small-group gymnastics for toddlers through to primary-age kids before Term 4 starts. Free, bookings essential. More info

Junior Ranger: Shorebirds and Mangroves – Stockton Sandspit, Stockton | Sat 10 Oct, 1:30pm–3:30pm National Parks guided session on the shorebirds and mangroves at Hunter Wetlands National Park. $18 per child, adults free, bookings required. More info

Ocean Rockpool Nature Tour: Tomaree – Fishermans Bay foreshore, Fishermans Bay | Fri 9 Oct, 1pm–3pm Guided rockpool walk with National Parks rangers, a 1km return walk over rough headland for ages 5 and over. $20 adult, $17 concession, $14 child. More info

Circus Aurelia – Anna Bay | Fri 9 Oct, 6:30pm Family circus show with aerial and acrobatic acts, set up at Anna Bay for the school holidays. $33.08–$48.96. Get tickets

Crafty Kids: Owl Mobiles – Wangi Wangi Library, Wangi Wangi | Fri 9 Oct, 10am–11am School holiday craft session making owl mobiles. $11.73. Get tickets

Upside Down Ice Cream Art Workshop – Rathmines | Fri 9 Oct, 9:15am–11:15am Kids' art workshop with an ice-cream theme. $48.96. Get tickets

Shipwrecked! – Main Hall, Tomaree Lodge, Shoal Bay | Daily to Fri 23 Oct, 9am–3pm Tomaree Museum Association exhibition on three local shipwrecks along the Port Stephens coast, best suited to older kids. Free. More info

Newcastle Pro Wrestling 15th Anniversary – Civic Theatre, Newcastle | Fri 9 Oct, 8pm Heavyweight title match and a tag team bout at City Hall, with a pre-show meet and greet available. $25–$55, or $55–$80 with meet and greet. More info

Hunter Valley Rodeo – Maitland Showground, South Maitland | Fri 9 Oct, from 4pm Opening round of the Ringers Western Stampede Series, with bull riding, bronc and barrel racing, food trucks and bars. From $24.50. More info

Friday Night Comedy – Newcastle Comedy Club, Islington | Fri 9 Oct, 8:30pm (doors 8pm) Rolling line-up of local and touring stand-ups at the club on Maitland Road, with a dinner-and-show deal at the Barracks Hotel next door. From $34.29. Get tickets

Next Stop Comedy – Earp Distilling Co., Carrington | Fri 9 Oct, 7:30pm Touring stand-up line-up at the Carrington distillery. $28.91. Get tickets

Newcastle's True Crime Tour – Cnr Scott St & Watt St, Newcastle | Fri 9 Oct, 7:30pm Guided walk through the sites of Newcastle's historic crimes. $27.78–$37.31. Get tickets

After Hours with Peterson House – Local Connections, Callaghan | Fri 9 Oct, 6pm–9pm Seafood matched with Peterson House sparkling wines in the venue's After Hours series. $80–$110. Get tickets

Mead & Honey Experience – Honey Wines Australia, Broke | Fri 9 Oct, 11:30am–12:30pm Tasting of six meads at the Hunter's only commercial meadery. $28. Get tickets

Make Your Own Earrings with Holmeswares – Museum of Art and Culture yapang, Speers Point | Fri 9 Oct, 10:30am–11:15am Short workshop making a pair of earrings with Sarah from Holmeswares. $23.95–$26.47. Get tickets

Riverlights Adult Lantern Making Workshop – Maitland Regional Art Gallery, Maitland | Fri 9 Oct, 2pm–4pm Hands-on workshop making a floating lotus lantern for the Riverlights flotilla, for ages 16 and over. Free, bookings required. More info

Jazz at MAP mima: Benny Rowdy Quartet – MAP mima, Speers Point | Fri 9 Oct, 6pm Newcastle jazz group Benny Rowdy Quartet play swing, bossa nova and funk inside MAP mima's 360-degree projection Cube, with visuals that respond to the music. $22.26–$27.53. Get tickets

Candlelight Concerts – Adamstown Uniting Church, Adamstown | Fri 9 Oct, 6:30pm and 8:30pm A string quartet plays a Michael Jackson tribute by candlelight at 6:30pm and Queen vs. The Beatles at 8:30pm. Ages 8 and over. From $39. More info

Bar Gangland – NEX Wests City, Newcastle West | Fri 9 Oct, 7:30pm Crime reporter Mark "Moz" Morri tells stories from Sydney's gangland years while Kings Cross piano man Geoff B Good plays singalong hits. 18+. Check ticket page for prices. Get tickets

Baggy Trousers: Madness & UK Party Classics – Hamilton Station Hotel, Islington | Fri 9 Oct, 7:30pm Madness tribute band Baggy Trousers open with British ska and UK party songs, then play a full Madness set including One Step Beyond and Our House. 18+. $48.45. Get tickets

Pseudo Echo: Funky Town Tour – Belmont 16s, Belmont | Fri 9 Oct, 7:30pm The Melbourne synth-pop band behind Funky Town and Love an Adventure play the Belmont 16s. $54.10. Get tickets

Tobias Celebrates the Music of The Cure – King Street Warehouse, Newcastle | Fri 9 Oct, 8pm Sunshine Coast singer TOBiAS and his band play four decades of The Cure, from Lullaby to Friday I'm in Love. 18+. $35.70. Get tickets

Luke O'Shea – Flamingos Live, Lambton | Fri 9 Oct, 8:30pm Country singer-songwriter and 17-time Golden Guitar winner Luke O'Shea plays a dinner show, with doors and dining from 6pm. Show only from $43, dinner and show from $98. More info

Ibiza on the Coast – The Exchange Hotel, Hamilton | Sat 10 Oct, 2pm Early-2000s Ibiza house anthems with live trumpet and percussion, running until 8pm. 18+. $35. Get tickets

Bad Behaviour ft. iNFEKT & Modal Nodes – Lass O'Gowrie, Wickham | Sat 10 Oct, 6pm Riddim and bass night in the Lass courtyard with iNFEKT, Modal Nodes and local DJs, running until 3am. 18+. Check ticket page for prices. More info

Angela Tiatia: Muse guided tours – Newcastle Art Gallery, Newcastle | Fri 12pm, Sat & Sun 1:30pm 45-minute guided tour of the largest presentation of Tiatia's video, photography and installation work. Free with your exhibition ticket. More info

Framed in Sound: Selected Works of Tony Mott – Newcastle Museum, Newcastle | Fri 9–Sun 11 Oct, 10am–5pm Photographs from more than four decades of Mott documenting musicians and live performance, on until 18 October. Free. More info

Denise Scott: Tickety Boo – Civic Theatre, Newcastle | Sat 10 Oct, 5pm Scott's solo comedy show on resilience and finding laughter in unexpected places. From $54.90. More info

Saturday Night Showcase – Newcastle Comedy Club, Islington | Sat 10 Oct, 8:30pm Weekly mix of local and touring stand-ups at the club on Maitland Road. From $34.29. Get tickets

R&B Saturdays Boat Party: Spring Edition – MV Calmer, Queens Wharf | Sat 10 Oct, 6pm Three-hour harbour cruise with DJs playing 90s, 2000s and current R&B, with check-in from 5:30pm. 18+. $19.98–$28.20. Get tickets

Media Puzzle – King Street Band Room, Newcastle | Sat 10 Oct, 7pm The egg-punk project of Lismore musician Tom Peter, on tour after fourth album New Racehorse. 18+. $30.10. Get tickets

Ups & Downs: Sleepless 40 Years On – Hamilton Station Hotel, Islington | Sat 10 Oct, 8pm The Australian jangle-pop band play their 1986 mini-album Sleepless in full for the first time, plus a second set, with Newcastle's The Autumn Hearts supporting. Check ticket page for prices. Get tickets

Ray Beadle – Stag & Hunter, Mayfield | Sat 10 Oct, 8pm Blues guitarist and singer Ray Beadle, with more than 30 years of gigs in Australia and the US. 18+. Check ticket page for prices. Get tickets

Rick Price: Call On Me Tour – Flamingos Live, Lambton | Sat 10 Oct, 8:30pm The singer behind Heaven Knows plays a dinner show of older hits and songs from his album Hometown, with doors from 6pm. Show only from $55, dinner and show from $110. More info

Dashville On The Road – Carrington Bowling Club, Carrington | Sun 11 Oct, 12pm The Hunter Valley festival crew run about seven hours of live music with Magpie Diaries, Johnston City, Max Marvell, Jessie May and more. $25, 12 and under free. Get tickets

Daniel Muggleton: White Here, White Now – Newcastle Comedy Club, Islington | Sat 10 & Sun 11 Oct, 6pm Encore run of Muggleton's stand-up show. $32.27–$37.11. Get tickets

Grainfed Brewery Sausagefest – Grainfed Brewing, Lambton | Sat 10 Oct, 12pm–9pm Annual Oktoberfest-style day with German-style beers, sausages from The Craft Butcher, games and a best-dressed prize. $55 including a stein and first fill. Get tickets

Sukimama x ACACIA Dining: Riverlights Street Food Party – ACACIA Dining, Maitland | Sat 10 Oct, 6pm–9pm Six-course Korean street food dinner overlooking the Riverlights lantern flotilla, limited to 60 guests. $89 per person. More info

Composition for Beginners with Kimberly Swan – Maitland Regional Art Gallery, Maitland | Sat 10 Oct, 10am–12pm Painting workshop with artist Kimberly Swan for ages 16 and over. $40 plus booking fee. More info

The Curiosities and Creators Expo – Newcastle Showground Exhibition Centre, Broadmeadow | Sun 11 Oct, 11am–4pm Expo of oddities, handmade art, vintage finds and ethically sourced treasures. $0–$24.61. Get tickets

Video Music Bingo on the Harbour – MV Calmer, Queens Wharf, Newcastle | Sun 11 Oct, 12pm–3pm Music bingo played on a harbour cruise aboard the MV Calmer. $39.51–$51.84. Get tickets

Bartholomew's Hendrick's Gin High Tea – Bartholomew's, Newcastle | Sun 11 Oct, 1pm High tea paired with Hendrick's Gin and signature cocktails. $110. More info

Isaac Butterfield: Armageddon – NEX, Newcastle West | Sun 11 Oct, 8pm Stand-up show from Isaac Butterfield, general admission and unallocated seating. From $54.95 plus fee. More info

Fingal Fridays – Fingal Bay Foreshore, Fingal Bay | Fri 9 Oct, 4pm–8pm Homegrown's Friday evening market on the Fingal Bay foreshore. Free entry. More info

Homegrown Markets – The Station, Scott St, Newcastle | Sat 10 Oct, 9am–1pm Homegrown's Newcastle market of local makers and food stalls. Free entry. More info

Glendale Farmers Market – Stockland Glendale, Glendale | Sat 10 Oct, 8am–2pm Weekly undercover market of Lake Macquarie farmers, producers and artisans. Free entry. More info

Warners Bay Markets – Warners Bay Foreshore, Warners Bay | Sat 10 Oct, 9am–2pm Second-Saturday market on the lake foreshore with homewares, fashion, plants and street food. Free entry. More info

Medowie Markets – The Medowie Social, Medowie | Sat 10 Oct, 9am–1pm Second-Saturday Lions Club market at The Medowie Social, 36A Ferodale Rd. Free entry. More info

Handmade in the Hunter Markets – Sobels Wines, Pokolbin | Sat 10 Oct, 9am–2pm Weekly market where every stallholder lives in the region and sells handmade goods. Free entry. More info

Hunter Wine Country Markets – De Bortoli Wines, Pokolbin | Sat 10 Oct, 9am–2pm Weekly handmade market with local artisans at De Bortoli's Hunter estate, weather permitting. Free entry. More info

Perfectly Peculiar Market – Hart & Hunter, Amanda's on the Edge Vineyard, Pokolbin | Sat 10 Oct, 10am–2pm Weekly Saturday market with makers, vintage goods, organic produce and food stalls. Free entry. More info

Homegrown Markets – Harold Gregson Park, Maitland | Sun 11 Oct, 9am–1pm Homegrown's Maitland market with local makers and food stalls. Free entry. More info

Newcastle City Farmers Market – Newcastle Showground, Broadmeadow | Sun 11 Oct, 7am–1pm Weekly paddock-to-plate market run by NSW Farmers Market. Free entry. More info

Lions Club of Adamstown Sunday Markets – Cnr Brunker & Glebe Rds, Adamstown | Sun 11 Oct, 7am–1pm Volunteer-run Lions market held every Sunday since 1987. Free entry. More info

Pokolbin Organic Food Market – 691 Hermitage Rd, Pokolbin | Sun 11 Oct, 8am–1pm Weekly Sunday market of certified organic produce and artisan goods. Free entry. More info

Tomaree Markets – Neil Carroll Park, Nelson Bay | Sun 11 Oct, 9am–1pm Second-and-fourth-Sunday market at Fly Point. Free entry. More info

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The Knights lost the NRL grand final 19-18 to the Roosters at Accor Stadium on Sunday night, in front of 80,814. Francis Manuleleua and Kalyn Ponga scored to put Newcastle ahead 12-0, before two tries to Mark Nawaqanitawase, one to Billy Smith, three Sam Walker goals and a 70th-minute Daly Cherry-Evans field goal put the Roosters up 19-12. Greg Marzhew scored late to cut the margin to one, with Sandon Smith kicking three goals. Roosters captain James Tedesco won the Clive Churchill Medal.

About 1000 fans met the team at Newcastle NEX at 2am on Monday, and an estimated 8000 to 10,000 attended the fan day at McDonald Jones Stadium that afternoon. The club confirmed at the fan day that Tyson Frizell has played his last game for Newcastle. He has been tipped to join Wests Tigers. Dane Gagai is also leaving the club.

Ten Knights had been named in squads for the Rugby League World Cup by Tuesday, with the tournament starting next week in Australia and Papua New Guinea. Bradman Best is in the Australian squad, Kalyn Ponga and Dane Gagai are with New Zealand, Dom Young with England, Tyson Frizell with Tonga and Jacob Saifiti with Fiji. Samoa picked Francis Manuleleua, Jermaine McEwen, Greg Marzhew and Pasami Saulo, and play France at CommBank Stadium on Friday 16 October.

The Newcastle Yowies won the women's Koori Knockout for the second year running, beating the Redfern All Blacks 14-6 in Monday's final at Kings Park, Raymond Terrace. Former Knights NRLW premiership forward Caitlan Johnston-Green led the side. The Yowies also won the under-13 boys and under-15 girls titles. Wiradjuri Aboriginal Rivers, from Dubbo, won the men's title, beating the Bourke Warriors 26-6.

Hunter jockey Dylan Gibbons won the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday on Global Goal, trained by John Sargent. The filly came from second last on the home turn to beat De Armas by a neck. It was Gibbons' first Group 1 win as a senior jockey, after six months out with a shoulder reconstruction last year.

Northern NSW Football's men's and women's All-Stars play Capital Football in the first NNSWF All-Stars Challenge at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility, Speers Point, on Saturday 10 October. The women play at 2pm and the men at 4pm, after a Northern League One curtain-raiser at 12pm. Entry is $15 for adults, $5 concession and free for 16 and under, at the gate only.