The Newcastle Fringe Festival is back for 2026, and if you thought last year's milestone tenth anniversary was a feast of mischief, creativity, and magic, this year's edition is serving it up in triple helpings. As Australia's Biggest Little Fringe, the event showcases an eclectic mix of returning crowd favourites and award-winning newcomers, all ready to dazzle, surprise, and make their mark on the vibrant local arts scene.
An Open-Access Celebration of Artistic Freedom
True to its roots, Newcastle Fringe remains an open-access, independent, and unfiltered festival. With no curators or gatekeepers, anyone with a show can take part, creating a space where the weird, the wonderful, and the wildly original thrive. It's a platform where stars are born, and artistic expression knows no bounds. This is what art looks like when no one says no.
Launching with Fringe Feast: A Free Community Street Party
The festival kicks off on Saturday, March 14, with Fringe Feast, a free community street party in Hamilton. Supported by the City of Newcastle Special Business Rate funding and Hello Hamilton, this family-friendly celebration will fill the streets with music, colour, and performance. Attendees can enjoy taster performances by Fringe artists, marking the opening of the festival with a vibrant showcase of Hamilton's food and entertainment scene.
Three Weekends of Ticketed Performances Across Multiple Hubs
Following Fringe Feast, audiences can immerse themselves in three weekends of ticketed Fringe shows, featuring more than 250 performances across three distinct hubs: Hamilton CBD, Newcastle Precinct, and the Beach 'Burbs, including Merewether and Lambton. This diverse lineup ensures something for everyone, from comedy and theatre to music and digital arts.
Highlighting Local and International Talent
The opening weekend alone boasts an incredible array of talent, blending YouTube sensations, TV celebrities, and homegrown stars. Key performances include:
- Saksham Magic: The 23-year-old YouTube sensation and Ice Road Vengeance star brings his hit show Magical Madness to Fringe.
- Let's Unpack That: Produced by Grammy nominee Montaigne, this show features Kate Wilkins and Nick Harriott.
- Opera's Bad Girl: Before Melba... There Was Anna Bishop: Soprano Sarahlouise Owens brings to life the untold story of opera's original rebel.
- Jean Kittson Live and Newymation Extravaganza: A celebration of Newcastle's thriving digital arts scene with animation, VFX, and game art from creators of all levels.
Returning Favourites and New Debuts
International artists making a comeback include UK comedy powerhouse Kate Smurthwaite with three shows, and The Giant Balloon Man, delighting kids and adults alike. On the domestic front, award-winning theatre star Rob Carlton, comedienne Vanessa Larry Mitchell, and kids' hero Mr Snotbottom are among the returning Australian favourites.
Newcastle's own local gems, such as The Pretty Amazing Show, Nerds Music, Les Devine Folles Newy, and Creative Creatures, are set to wow audiences once again. For 2026, international debuts feature Canada's The Routine, award-winning US legend Melvin Brown, and Germany's cabaret sensation Stefanie Rummel. Homegrown highlights include Sydney Fringe Best Comedy winner Nun Slut and Adelaide Fringe favourite Becoming Benno.
Expanding the Festival Experience
Beyond traditional performances, the festival introduces new elements like the first True Crime Comedy Walking Tour with veteran comedian Shayne Hunter. With stacks of kids' shows, more comedy than ever before, musical madness, poetry, cabaret, theatre, steamy burlesque, controversy, politics, and surprises around every corner, Newcastle Fringe 2026 offers a three-week passport to the extraordinary.
Essential Festival Details
Newcastle Fringe Festival 2026 runs from March 14 to 29. Tickets go on sale on Sunday, February 1, with an average price of $25 to $30. A pro-tip for attendees: buy tickets early, as most shows are 10 per cent off from February 1 to 14. The festival's success is made possible by the generous support of partners including City of Newcastle, Destination NSW, Port Waratah Coal Services, AGL, and University of Newcastle, among others.
