Newcastle Food Month returns bigger than ever

The very popular Newcastle Food Month returns in 2026 with over 70 feature events and a boast that it is now the largest and longest regional food festival in Australia.

Newcastle Food Month 2026 runs from March 28 with signature events and feature happenings across April.

SoundBites at Newcastle Racecourse

The opening weekend sees the debut of SoundBites on March 28 - Newcastle’s first large-scale, open-air celebration of food, wine and music of this size. This all-day festival brings together premium Hunter Valley wines, standout local chefs and producers, pop-up kitchens, live music and festival energy.

The Great Newcastle Waiters' Racer

The inaugural Waiters’ Race will be held on April 1 i partnership with First Creek Wines and the Hunter Culinary Association. This relay event will see teams of four navigate a purpose-built obstacle course while carrying trays laden with wine, beer and cocktails, aiming to transfer their precious cargo to teammates without a spill.

Customs House Autumnal Garden Party

On Saturdays 11 and 18 April, one of the city’s most iconic venues will be transformed for an elegant afternoon celebration. Expect seasonal produce, matched wines, roaming canapés and live 

entertainment in a lovely harbourside setting.

Throughout April, the Newy Tour co is hosting Walk & Talk and Eat & Art; a new walking tour which combines food, art and local stories. Guided by Newcastle’s most knowledgeable voices in the food and arts scene, the experience weaves through key precincts, stopping to taste along the way.

Newcastle’s newest wine bar, Cara, is bringing serious flavour to Food Month with an intimate Winemaker’s Table on April 9. Expect a curated multi-course menu paired with exceptional wines and the stories behind them. Seats are limited.

Food Month partner BMW, meanwhile, has paired the latest luxury models with a multi-course stand up EXP dining experience with head chef Josh Hannan at the wheel. Each course will be matched with First Creek wines.

 
Food Month Plate Dates return with a $30 meal-and-drink deal while for a festival that draws visitors from around the country.

Program and bookings at newcastlefoodmonth.com.au 

Images: Supplied, NFM

Hunter winemakers to show off their wares

Some of the finest winemakers in the Hunter Valley will be conducting Sunday tastings at new Newcastle venue Vecina throughout April.

Vecina, Flotilla’s new neighbour in Newcastle’ trendy Wickham quarter, will transform into a pop-up cellar door during the fourth Newcastle Food Month.

The dates are Sunday 7, 14, 21 and 28.

So think wines, bites and cool tunes.

Sunday April 7 - Hungerford Hill + Sweetwater Estate

Winemaker Bryan Currie of Sweetwater Estate and Hungerford Hill, will showcase a selection of his best wines from both estates, perfectly paired with snacks from Vecina.

Sunday April 14 – Vinden + Sabi Wabi

The second session of the series is with winemakers Angus Vinden of Vinden Wine and Peta Kotz of Sabi Wabi, who will showcase a selection of their contemporary wines paired with snacks from Vecina.

Sunday April 21 – Thomas + De Iuliis

The third session of the series of four is with winemaking mates Andrew Thomas of Thomas Wines and Mike De Iuliis of De Iuliis Wines.

Sunday April 28 – Charteris + Mercer

The final session of the series of four is with lical stars Aaron Mercer of Mercer Wines and PJ Charteris of Charteris Wines, who will showcase a selection of their multi-regional wines.

Tickets at flotilla.com.au. $95 per person including wine tasting and snacks. Session times: noon & 2.30pm.

Newcastle Food Month returns bigger than ever

Over three difficult years, Newcastle Food Month has become a major success story. And with travel now back to normal, the event will return in April, 2024, for its fourth edition.

The food festival will again feature the posh pop-up picnic Le Diner En Blanc Newcastle (above) with more than 1,000 guests again expected to frock up for the 2024 event to be held in a secret location on April 6.

The month-long program will kick off on the weekend of Easter 2024 and takes in the New South Wales school holidays as well as the Anzac Day break at the end of the month.

Among the highlights will be those that feature wine, beer, gin, whisky, cocktails, music and cheese.

Festival goers will be able to dine in hatted restaurants and enjoy degustations with French, Italian, Thai, seafood and cocktail themes.

Roundhouse at Crystalbrook Kingsley, The Flotilla and its new offshoot Vecina, Humbug, Harrisons, Jana, The Elementa, Foghorn Brewery and Modus will all be hosting events.

Plate Date also returns, with an anticipated 50 dining establishments offering a brunch, lunch or dinner, including a beverage for only $30.

“It’s exciting to see so many early entries into the program, and we are well ahead of where we have been in previous years in planning," says organiser Louise Maher. "There is already something for everyone who likes eating out, and on any budget.”

“Over the past three years we have enticed thousands of Novocastrians to dine out in our fabulous restaurants, and this will continue.

"Last year more than 80 businesses were involved in Newcastle Food Month and that’s a stat we are really proud of, keeping our economy focused on the great hospitality the region is known for.

"We are also committed to expanding our marketing and promotion into the Central Coast and Sydney to draw an increasing number of overnight visitors. In years to come we will turn our attention to the likes of Melbourne and Brisbane, to take advantage of our connections through Newcastle Airport.”

The program launch will take place on February 7. Keep an eye on www.newcastlefoodmonth.com.au

Newcastle Food Month set to expand its footprint

Newcastle Food Month will return in April 2023 with plans unveiled to expand the event even further.

The third edition of the festival has been confirmed by organisers Newcastle Events and will again feature posh pop-up picnic Le Diner En Blanc.

“It has been our long-time dream to make Newcastle Food Month the leading regional food event in the country, and it’s with much excitement that we announce this, our third Food Month, putting us well on our way to realising that dream.” says organiser Louise Maher.

The program will include events for food lovers paired with wine, beer or gin, and music.

Venue options will range from hatted restaurants to cafes and pubs and French, Italian, Thai and seafood degustations.


The Roundhouse at Crystalbrook Kingsley, The Flotilla, Harrisons and The Signal Box will all host events during the festival.

Plate Date returns, with over 40 dining establishments offering a brunch, lunch or dinner, including a beverage for only $25.

Maher says: “It’s exciting to see so many early entries into the program, and we are well ahead of where we have been in previous years in planning. There is already something for everyone who likes eating out, and on any budget.

“Over the past two years we have enticed thousands of Novocastrians to dine out in our fabulous restaurants, and this will continue.

"We are committed to expanding our marketing and promotion into the Central Coast and Sydney to draw an increasing number of overnight visitors. In years to come we will turn our attention to the likes of Melbourne and Brisbane, to take advantage of our connections through Newcastle Airport.”

The program launch will take place on February 15. 2023 at which time the full month-long program will be available at www.newcastlefoodmonth.com.au