CPAC's curator of performing and creative arts, Dr Vicki Sienczuk, said staff are eagerly looking forward to welcoming performers and the public alike back to the venue, albeit with some changes.

"The health and safety of our patrons, performers, volunteers and staff continues to be our greatest priority," Dr Sienczuk said.

"We have implemented comprehensive safety procedures at CPAC to ensure the highest of health standards are maintained both now and when our theatre reopens.

"The majority of shows that we'd been looking forward to at CPAC in 2020 have been rescheduled, and will now be joining us in 2021.

"So get ready, it means we're in for an absolute bumper year of entertainment next year."

While subject to amendment if circumstances change, CPAC currently has three shows booked in towards the end of 2020: the school holiday show Loose Ends (October 6), comedian Ross Noble (October 8), and The Rock Show: Oz Edition (October 17).

Children's favourite The Gruffalo's Child will appear during the summer holidays on January 21; Johnny Cash The Concert is set down for March 5 and psychic medium Mitchell Coombes is scheduled to appear on March 19.

Other postponed shows that have announced their new dates for 2021 include The Gospel According to Paul (May 4), The Australian Bee Gees Show (May 13), Animal Farm (May 24), the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow (June 10), The World of Musicals (June 18) and FoRT (September 28).

The box office is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 4.30pm for the foreseeable future. Find the full program at cessnockperformingartscentre.com.au.

Across town at Cessnock Leagues Club, a provisional date of September 5, 2020 has been announced for country star Travis Collins's upcoming show.

Out in the valley, Jazz in the Vineyards is still scheduled to run at Hope Estate on October 31, but a statement on the event's website says "we are monitoring the situation with COVID-19 and will make an informed decision about going forward with the event when it draws closer". (Update, August 3: Jazz in the Vineyards has been postponed to April 10, 2021. Read more here.)

James Blunt's November 21 show at Bimbadgen Estate has been cancelled, while Simple Minds' show at the same venue has been postponed until December 11, 2021.