Another week, another chance to get out and actually do something. Whether you're keen to try a new restaurant, catch a comedy show, hit up a workshop, check out an exhibition, or just shake up the usual routine, there's always something happening around Newcastle and the Hunter.

We've rounded up the week's best events and activities so you don't have to trawl through endless socials to find them.

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Young Architects – Maitland Regional Art Gallery | 22 January 2pm – 4pm
Hands-on architecture and design workshop for ages 12–16 with artist Jen Denzin and an architecture student from the University of Newcastle. Free, bookings required. More info.

Acquist – Civic Park, Newcastle | 22 January – 24 January 6.30pm – 7.45pm
Free outdoor contemporary dance performances by Catapult Dance Choreographic Hub, blending movement with water, weather and site-specific design. More info.

Create Your Own Lake Creature Workshop – MAC yapang, Booragul | 22 January
Clay workshop for ages 12–16 with artist Kate Dorrough, creating a stuffed lake creature inspired by local legends. More info.

Friday Chill – Pacific Park, Newcastle | 23 January 6.30pm – 8.30pm
Free live music evening hosted by Soul Hub with BBQ and ice cream. More info.

Lake Mac Festival – Lake Macquarie | 23 January – 26 January
Australia Day long weekend festival featuring live music, markets and community events across Lake Mac. More info.

Newy Summer Chillout – Lambton Park, Newcastle | 23 January 3pm – 9pm & 24 January 12pm – 9pm
Free family festival with rides, shows, markets, food stalls and live entertainment across two days. More info.

Twilight Fridays – MAP mima, Booragul | 23 January & 30 January 5pm – 8pm
Friday night events celebrating local talent with music, food and family-friendly activities. More info.

Newcastle Jets vs Wellington Phoenix – McDonald Jones Stadium, Broadmeadow | 23 January 7.35pm
Newcastle Jets take on Wellington Phoenix in Round 14 of the ISUZU Ute A-League Men’s season. More info.

Newcastle Beach 5s Festival – Nobbys Beach | 24 January – 26 January
Free three-day festival blending sport, live music and community celebrations by the beach. More info.

Valentine Bowling Club Family Fun Day – Valentine Bowling Club | 25 January 3pm – 6pm
Free family event with live music, jumping castles, face painting and a visit from Fire & Rescue NSW. More info.

Family Fun Day Sundays – Kahibah Sports Club | 25 January from 12pm
Weekly family-friendly afternoons with kids activities, mini golf and drink specials for parents. More info.

Australia Day Newcastle Harbour Swim – Stockton Ferry Wharf | 26 January
30th anniversary harbour swim with 700m and 1400m courses starting from Stockton. Enter or cheer from the foreshore. More info.

Sip Into Summer: Wine Fairy’s 4th Birthday – The Press Bookhouse, Newcastle | 23 January
Summer wine tasting celebrating Wine Fairy’s fourth birthday. More info.

O-Week Party – The Exchange, Hamilton | 23 January from 8pm
Newcastle’s biggest O-Week party with free entry, drink specials, prizes and two levels of DJs. More info.

Akmal – Warners Bay Theatre, baramayiba | 23 January
Akmal returns with his hit stand-up tour following a spiritual journey to India. Cost: $56.90, group discounts available. More info.

Coffee and Claytime Workshop – Grounded By Designs, Carrington | 24 January, 29 January & 31 January 10am – 12.30pm
Relaxed pottery workshop combining coffee and hand-built ceramics. More info.

Nobbys 2 Newcastle Ocean Swim – Newcastle Beach | 24 January 7:00am
2km point-to-point ocean swim from Nobbys Lighthouse to Newcastle Beach. More info.

Australia Day Long Weekend Legends Race Day – Newcastle Racecourse, Broadmeadow | 24 January
Trackside racing, DJs and summer food with free entry for the only Saturday race day of the year. More info.

UB40 – Civic Theatre Newcastle | 24 January
The voice behind UB40’s biggest hits performs as part of the Big Love World Tour.

Red Hot Summer Tour – Speers Point Park, Lake Macquarie | 24 January
Paul Kelly headlines alongside Missy Higgins, The Cruel Sea, The Cat Empire, Kasey Chambers and Jess Hitchcock. More info.

Pride on the Harbour: Summer Party Edition – Newcastle Harbour | 24 January 7:00pm
Inclusive Pride cruise with DJs, performers and harbour views. More info.

Aus Day Eve – The Exchange, Hamilton | 25 January from 7pm
Two levels of DJs, Tre Soul live from 8pm, free entry and open until 2am. More info.

Carrodise Music Festival – Earp Distilling Co., Carrington | 25 January
Boutique coastal music festival featuring The Preatures, Crooked Colours and local acts. More info.

Ngarrama – King Edward Park, Newcastle | 25 January
Free cultural gathering honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, stories and performances. More info.

The Beach Party – Dixon Park | 24 January 4.30pm
Community beach and park gathering with a swim option and $5 pizza dinner. More info.

Divorced Dad Rock Party – Hamilton Station Hotel | 25 January from 8pm
2000s dad rock party with DJs, prizes for best Dadcore outfit and ticketed entry. More info.

See Made in Australia – Miss Porter’s House Museum, Newcastle West | 25 January – 26 January 1pm – 4pm
Celebrate Australia Day weekend inside a heritage Edwardian home with special displays of Australiana and Australian-made household items from the early twentieth century. Cost: Adults $12, Concession $10, Family $34, NT members and children under 5 free.

Newcastle Hunter Jazz Club January Concert – Wallsend Diggers Club, Wallsend | 25 January 2pm – 4.30pm
Traditional jazz afternoon featuring classic standards and improvisation by the New Orleans Ramblers.