PLEASE NOTE: All events are subject to change due to the developing COVID-19 situation in the Hunter region. If you are unwell, are awaiting COVID test results, or have been advised to self-isolate, please stay at home.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
Abermain Bowling Club: Raffles and entertainment postponed until the new year.
Bellbird Workers Club: New Year's Eve, Jumpin' Jukebox.
Brokenwood Wines: Saturday, December 18: Cascadence.
Cessnock Leagues Club: Friday, December 17, Luke Ligtenberg. Saturday, December 18, Counterpart. Christmas Eve, Nick Rage. New Year's Eve, Bobby C.
Criterion Hotel: Friday, December 17, Michael Hawke. Christmas Eve, Daniel Arvidson. New Year's Eve, Paul Watters.
Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley: Friday, December 17, Mike Horbacz (3pm), Rox the Pianoman (6pm). Saturday, December 18, Sam Nowland (3pm), Big Pete (6pm). New Year's Day, TK Vibes.
Cypress Lakes: Saturday, December 18, Ned Verwey. Christmas Eve, Dan Mani. Christmas Day, Emily Smith. New Year's Eve, Nick Rage.
East Cessnock Bowling Club: New Year's Eve, Pistol Pete. Sunday, January 2, Finnian Johnson.
Harrigan's Irish Pub, Pokolbin: Friday, December 17, Gen-X. Saturday, December 18, Pistol Pete (1pm), Overload (9pm). Sunday, December 19, Bernie. New Year's Eve, Mike Horbacz (6pm-9pm); Gen-R-8 (10am-1am). Sunday, January 2, Zane Penn.
Hotel Cessnock: Saturday, December 18, Pat vs Cat. Christmas Eve, The Core.
Huntlee Tavern: Friday, December 17, RNB night. Saturday, December 18, The Years. Sunday, December 19, Brian McVernon. Christmas Eve, RNB night. New Year's Eve, The Core. Sunday, January 2, Matt McLaren.
Kitchener Hotel: Saturday, December 18, Travis Collins (2pm-5pm). Tickets at trybooking.com.
Kurri Bowling Club: Saturday, December 18, Karen O'Shea. New Year's Eve, Anthony Lee. New Year's Day, Big Pete.
Paxton Bowling Club: Saturday, December 18, Daniel Arvidson. New Year's Eve, Hayden Johns.
Peden's Hotel: Sunday, December 19, The Argus Duo (4pm). New Year's Eve, Bob Allan (5pm), Kidd Kaos.
Pepper Tree Wines: Wednesday, December 29, Dan Mani (12.30pm-3.30pm).
Railway Hotel: Entertainment cancelled until further notice (as of December 19).
Royal Federal Hotel: Friday, December 17, Loko. Saturday, December 18, Dead Line. New Year's Eve entertainment cancelled.
The Mighty Hunter Valley: Closed until further notice.
Vincent Street Kitchen and Bar: Friday, December 17, Darren. Saturday, December 18, Outerphase. Christmas Eve, Karen O'Shea. New Year's Eve, Zane Penn. New Year's Day, The Larks.
Wollombi Tavern: Closed until January 3.
CESSNOCK CITY LIBRARY
Cessnock and Kurri Kurri Libraries have a great range of fun events on offer throughout the summer holidays, with something for kids of all ages and abilities.
There's the chance to learn some circus skills, create upcycled treasures, play giant games, learn all about crystals, and test your Hogwarts knowledge with Harry Potter Trivial Pursuit.
The library is also offering sensory storytime for the first time. Designed for children with disability and kids who feel overwhelmed by noises and crowds, these sessions combine storytelling with sensory aids to help kids feel calm and comfortable.
And while you are at Cessnock Library, be sure to check out the exhibition by students from Casscar Creative Arts Studio, which runs throughout December and January.
The libraries will be closed from noon on Christmas Eve until 9am on Tuesday, January 4.
For more information about the school holiday program, visit cessnock.nsw.gov.au/libraries.
CESSNOCK PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE
Film screenings and magic shows are on the agenda at Cessnock Performing Arts Centre this festive season.
The program includes:
- The Nutcracker at the Four Realms (Wednesday, December 15 at 6.30pm)
- The Santa Clause (Friday, December 17 at 6.30pm)
- JD's World of Magic (Tuesday, December 21 at 10.30am and 1pm)
- A Christmas Carol (Wednesday, December 22, 2pm)
All of CPAC's Christmas events are free, but bookings are essential at cessnockperformingartscentre.com.au.
POP-UP CAROLS
In lieu of Cessnock's traditional Carols at the Park event, a number of pop-up Christmas carol performances will be held across the LGA this year.
Local entertainers including Anna Weatherup, Trinity Woodhouse, and more will be performing all classic and contemporary Christmas favourites.
Shows will be held at Bridges Hill Park, East Cessnock (Friday, December 17 from 10am), Maybury Peace Park, Weston (Saturday, December 18 from 10am), outside council's administration building in Vincent Street (Monday, December 20 from 1pm) and outside Cessnock Library (Wednesday, December 22 from 11am).
Meanwhile, Cessnock-Bellbird Uniting Church's carols night at Pokolbin has been cancelled.
PCYC CESSNOCK
A variety of safe, fun, creative and inclusive activities are on offer for kids aged 5-12 at PCYC Cessnock during the school holidays.
Skate park, gymnastics, trampolining, bouldering, soccer, hockey and creative arts are among the activities on the program.
The holiday program runs from December 20 to 23, and then on weekdays from January 4 to 31, at a cost of $40 per child per day. Call the PCYC on 4991 1407 to book.
HUNTER VALLEY GARDENS
The Christmas Lights Spectacular runs nightly at Hunter Valley Gardens until January 26 (closed Christmas Day). Tickets at huntervalleygardens.com.au.
HUNTER VALLEY WILDLIFE PARK
Open daily from 9am to 4pm (Christmas Day 9am to 1pm) on Lomas Lane, Nulkaba. Read more here.
RICHMOND VALE RAILWAY MUSEUM
Open every Sunday during the summer holidays except for Boxing Day. Gates open each day at 9.30am. Last train 3pm, site closes at 4pm. Entry is $16.50 adults, $11 concessions, $7.50 children 5-15, under 5 free. Located at 262 Leggetts Drive, Richmond Vale. More info here.
KURRI SPEEDWAY
Sunday, December 26: Boxing Day Bonanza, featuring senior solos, sidecars, outlaw karts and dirt track bikes.
Wednesday, December 29: NSW Under 21 500 Speedway Solo Title and NSW Under 16 250 Speedway Solo Titles.
Sunday, January 2: NSW 500 Speedway Solo Title.
COUNCIL SERVICES
Administration Building: Closed from 12pm Christmas Eve until 9am Tuesday, January 4.
Cessnock and Kurri Kurri Libraries: Closed from 12pm Christmas Eve until 9am Tuesday, January 4.
Cessnock and Branxton Pools: Closed from 12pm Christmas Eve, reopening at 7am on Boxing Day. Closed at midday on New Year's Eve, reopening at 7am on New Year's Day.
Kurri Kurri Aquatic Centre: Christmas Eve open 7am to 12pm. Closed on Christmas Day. Boxing Day open 10am to 4pm. New Year's Eve open 7am to 12pm. New Year's Day open 10am to 4pm.
Cessnock Waste Management Centre: Closed Christmas Day.
Household Waste, Recycling and Green Waste collections: Operating as normal during the Christmas/New Year period.
Ranger Services: Rangers will be unavailable during all public holidays during the Christmas/New Year Period. In an emergency please call the police.
Cessnock Performing Arts Centre: Closed from 12pm Christmas Eve until 9am Monday, January 10. Bookings still available online.
Hunter Valley Visitor Centre: Closed Christmas Day.
