2018 WSM Australian Watercross Championships Saturday, 9am to 4.30pm, and Sunday, 9am to 4pm, Lions Park, Eleebana. Jet-ski racing featuring five-time world champion Peter Reiterer.

2018 Hunter Valley Wine & Food Festival A two-month celebration of the best the Hunter Valley has to offer. Go to winecountry.com.au for the program of events.

Feast of the Beast 11am onwards, Glandore Estate Wines, 1595 Broke Road, Pokolbin. Mulga Bill’s wood- fired cooking on site. No need to book. 

Merriwa Festival of the Fleeces Saturday and Sunday, Vennacher Street, Merriwa. Market stalls; shearing and wool-spinning demonstrations; working sheep dogs; damper and billy tea; vintage cars, pipes and drums; quilt display; dog high jump; rides; fireworks; sideshow alley. At noon on the Saturday a flock of 200 sheep wearing red socks will walk down the main street. 

Smoke In Broke Saturday and Sunday, McNamara Park, Broke. Barbecue teams from around Australia competing for $10,000 worth of prizes.

Blue Water Country Music Weekend Saturday to Monday, venues across the Tomaree Peninsula. Go online to bluewatercountrymusic.com for the program of events. 

Clean-up the Mangroves for World Oceans Day 10am to 3pm, Marsh Road, Bobs Farm. Rewards for all registered helpers. 

Newcastle Knights vs Sydney Roosters Gates open 1.15pm; main game kick-off 5.30pm, McDonald Jones Stadium, Broadmeadow. 

Soul Food – Infinite Worlds 10.30am to noon, Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery. A unique monthly event intended to enlighten and enrich lives. 

2018 East Coast of Australia Band Championship and Festival of the Bands 8am to 7pm, Newcastle Conservatorium of Music. Twelve concert and brass bands compete in the morning and play to entertain in the afternoon. Both sessions open to the public. Tickets at the door (cash only): adults $10, concession $8, children under 15 free.

International Back to Back Wool challenge 9am to 4pm, Tocal College Function Centre. Teams hand shear sheep, spin the wool into yarn and knit a jumper against the clock. A fund-raiser for Mater Hospital cancer research.

Threads and Fibres at Miss Porter’s House 1pm to 4pm, 434 King Street, Newcastle West. 

Frozen Theme Family Fun Day 11am onwards, Sydney Junction Hotel, Hamilton. Jumping castle; pony rides; a petting zoo and face painting.

2018 Hunter AFL Masters Carnival 10am onwards, No.1 Sportsground, Newcastle. Teams from Sydney and the south coast take on the Hunter Hornets.

Ice Hockey Newcastle Northstars vs Perth Thunder. Doors open 3.30pm, puck drops 4pm, Hunter Ice Skating Stadium, 230 Macquarie Road, Warners Bay. Book tickets to avoid disappointment. 

All are invited to Connect To Country and Aboriginal Market Day at Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery on Sunday, June 24, 10.30am to 3pm. Cultural dance; craft; BBQ and more. 

** Subject to cancellation at late notice due to weather conditions

Sacred Tree Markets Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 4pm, d’Albora Marina and Nelson Bay foreshore.

Market2Markets Saturday, 9am to 3pm, Rowlands Park, Newcastle.

Lake Macquarie City Farmers Market Saturday, 7.30am to 1pm, Speers Point Park. 

Handmade in the Hunter Markets Saturday, 9am to 2pm, Kevin Sobels Wines, 5 Halls Road, Pokolbin. 

Hamilton Clocktower Markets Saturday, 9am to 2pm, James Street Plaza, Beaumont Street, Hamilton.

Hunter Wine Country Markets Saturday, 9am to 3pm, De Bortoli Wines, 532 Wine Country Drive, Pokolbin.

Newcastle Flower Markets Saturday, 9.30am to noon, 1 Rural Drive, Sandgate.

Hunter Street Markets Saturday, 9am to 3pm, Hunter Street Mall, Newcastle.

Dalwood Markets Sunday, 10am to 3pm, Dalwood Estate, 700 Dalwood Road, Dalwood.

Adamstown Lions Markets Sunday, 7am to 12.30pm, corner Brunker and Glebe roads, Adamstown.

Newcastle City Farmers Market Sunday, 7am to 1pm, Newcastle Showground, Broadmeadow.

Wollombi Village Market Sunday, 9am to 2pm, Great North Road, Wollombi.

Wollombi Markets Monday, 8am to 1pm, Wollombi Saleyards. 

The Lock-Up Hunter Red: Seeing Red, by Dale Collier, Dean Cross, David Griggs, Tina Havelock Stevens, Maggie Hensel-Brown, Doug Heslop, Raquel Ormella, Baden Pailthorpe, Mike Parr and Mumu Mike Williams. Until July 1. 

Art Systems Wickham On Sacred Grouind, by Rose McAllister. Until June 17.

Old Fireshed Gallery, Wollombi Entwines Exhibition and Sales 10am to 4pm, Saturday and Sunday until June 11. Featuring the work of The Five Weavers & Fibreworkers.

Cessnock Regional Art Gallery The Two of Us, by Frances & Chris Fussell. Until July 1.

Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery Hunter Red: Re(A)d Earth. Until July 22.

Gloucester Gallery Children’s art from the group of schools along the Bucketts Way, these include Stroud, Stroud Road, Stratford, Gloucester Public, St Joseph’s, Barrington, Booral and Krambach schools. Until June 17.

The University Gallery Memoranda. Until June 15.

Watt Space Gallery Hidden Remains, Human Stains, by Donna Jorna. Patterns of Nature, by Natalee Katarina and Phoebe Teal-Spicer. Celebration, by Interrelate.

Maitland Regional Art Gallery Luminous Maitland; Stuart Scott. Until August 12. Hunter Red: Razzamatazz. Until July 22. All That Glitters, by Mandy Robinson and Jen Denzin. Until September 2. Secrets, by Wendy Sharpe. Until June 30.

Cooks Hill Galleries Black & White, by Ben Kenning. Until June 25.

Port Stephens Community Arts Centre A Musical Kaleidoscope of Colour; Spinners & Weavers. Until July 3.

Newcastle Art Gallery Archibald Prize 2017; Young Archie: Newcastle. Until June 24.

Timeless Textiles Incubating Fibre. Ends Saturday. 

CStudios Art Gallery The Industry of Us, by Karen Bloomfield and Leasha Craig. Ends Saturday.

Gallery 139 Embedded, by Caelli Jo Brooker, Alison Smith, Ahn Wells. Ends Sunday.

Hinterland A troubled young salesman is forced by a politician he has offended to go through a hidden portal in his home to a weird place; satirical comedy by Matt Cameron. Lindsay Street Players and Young People’s Theatre, at YPT’s Hamilton theatre. Saturday at 2pm and 7pm (final shows).

Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow 2018 Five acclaimed comedians in a bright mix of stand-up, sketch, satire, silliness and song. Civic Theatre, Newcastle, Saturday and Sunday at 8pm.

Playhouse Creatures Actresses struggle to win roles in an era when men dominated stages; comedy by April de Angelis based on real women and events. Newcastle Theatre Company, at the NTC Theatre, Lambton. Saturday at 2pm and 8pm.

Tramp Steamer Tramp Lively musical, with an amusing mix of passengers and crew members on a dilapidated passenger ship in the 1930s delivering jazz and swing songs from that time. The Smokin’ Chops, at the Royal Exchange, Newcastle. Saturday at 8pm, and Sunday at 2pm.

Wanted – One Body! Comical mystery by Charles Dyer, with the body of an unliked man disappearing when people gather to hear his will and a murder occurring. Newcastle G and S Players Comedy Club, at St Matthew’s Anglican Church Hall, Georgetown. Dinner show, Saturday at 7pm.

5 Sawyers Saturday, DJ Perry Carter. Sunday, Jerome.

Anna Bay Tavern Saturday, Rock Factor.

Australia Hotel Cessnock Saturday, Jacinta.

Avon Valley Inn Saturday, Full Throttle.

Bar Petite Saturday, Truman Smith.

Battlesticks Bar Saturday, Tim Rossington. Sunday, Adrienne.

Beach Hotel Saturday, Guerrilla Radio.

Belmont 16s Saturday, The Angels, Cruzers, Marissa. Sunday, Rich & Famous.

Belmore Hotel Saturday, Anyerin Trio.

Beresfield Bowling Club Saturday, Mardmax.

Blackbutt Hotel Saturday, Overload.

The Bradford Saturday, Witchery.

Cambridge Hotel Saturday, West Thebarton, Pist Idiots, Blue Velvet (warehouse). Sunday, Northeast Party House, Waax, Antonia & The Lazy Susans, dave (main room), Jackie Brown Jr, Paper Thin, Rachel Maria Cox (warehouse).

Cardiff RSL Club Saturday, Big Night Out.

Catho Pub Saturday, Justin Banks. Sunday, The Beach Boys tribute.

Central Charlestown Leagues Club Saturday, Daniel Arvidson.

Central Hotel Stroud Saturday, Chris Unicomb.

Cessnock Leagues Club Saturday, City Beats.

Civic Theatre Monday, Celtic Illusion.

Club Lemon Tree Saturday, Gasolene.

Commercial Hotel Morpeth Saturday, Replay.

Criterion Hotel Carrington Saturday, Brendan Murphy.

Criterion Hotel Weston Saturday, Ash Mountain. Sunday, Zane Penn.

Croatian Wickham Sports Club Sunday, Tomahawk, Rosie and Jack.

Crown & Anchor Hotel Saturday, Adrienne & Dave, DJ Alessandro.

Customs House Saturday, Jethro Thorpe. Sunday, Glen Harrison.

Cypress Lakes Saturday, Ryan Daley. Sunday, Just Jade.

D’Albora Marina Saturday, Glen Harrison. Sunday, Kim. Monday, Chad Shuttleworth.

Denman Hotel Sunday, Layth Gunn.

Duke Of Wellington Saturday, Phonic Duo.

East Cessnock Bowling Club Saturday, DJ Cotton.

East Maitland Bowling Club Saturday, ThunderStruck AC/DC show. Sunday, Cotton, Sax & Strings.

Edgeworth Tavern Saturday, Pat Vs Cat.

Family Hotel Newcastle Saturday, Tom Christie.

Finnegans Saturday, MC Kidd Kaos. Sunday, Lionette, Oh Webber, Tig, Sonic, Extraordinate.

Gateshead Tavern Sunday, Junior and Luana.

George Tavern Saturday, Deuce.

Grain Store Saturday, Beth Gleeson. Sunday, J.J King.

Gunyah Hotel Saturday, Alias.

​Hamilton Station Hotel Saturday, Stacy Gacy, The Pits, Trashed Again, Dissclaimer. Sunday, Suz Dorahy, Georgina Grimshaw, Dearly Departed.

Harrigan’s Pokolbin Saturday, Michael Bryers, Beau Hatch Band. Sunday, City Beats. 

Hexham Bowling Club Saturday, The Snape Trilogy. Sunday, Anyerin.

Honeysuckle Hotel Saturday, Mark Wells Trio. Sunday, Whispering Jack Show. Monday, Gerda +1.

Hotel Delany Saturday, Gen-X.

Hunter River Hotel Saturday, Redline.

The Junction Hotel Saturday, Jason Bone.

Kent Hotel Saturday, GenR8. Sunday, Voodoo Express.

King Street Hotel Saturday, Arona Mane. Sunday, Odd Mob.

Lake Macquarie Yacht Club Sunday, Bob Allan.

Lass O’Gowrie Saturday, The Miss-made, Cooks & Bakers, Cash.

Lizotte’s Saturday, The Martini Lounge Live Blues & Burlesque Show. Sunday, Eric Bogle, Ami Williamson (lunch), Killer Queen (dinner).

Lucky Hotel Saturday, Nicolas. Sunday, Prestige Inc.

Mary Ellen Saturday, Mojo Bandits. Sunday, The Cassettes.

Maryland Tavern Saturday, Counterpart.

Mavericks On The Bay Saturday, Karen O’Shea. Sunday, Mick Jones. 

Mavericks On Darby Saturday, Dos Eager.

Mayfield Ex-Services Saturday, The Years.

Metropolitan Hotel Maitland Saturday, Mokobanj. Sunday, Metro Muso’s Muster Jame Session.

Mezz Bar at Wallsend Diggers Saturday, All Access 80s, Zachary Israel. Sunday, Matty G.

Morisset Country Club Sunday, Murray Byfield.

Murray’s Brewery Saturday, Tom Blake, Adrienne. Sunday, Grant Walmsley Freebird & Friends.

Nag’s Head Hotel Saturday, Mick Jones.

Neath Hotel Saturday, Frick N Orson.

Nelson Bay Diggers Saturday, Graeme Johnson – The Rhymer from Ryde, Jade Holland Band, Hurricane Fall. Sunday, The Footloose Country Band.

Nelson Bay Golf Club Saturday, Pete Gelzinnis.

Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club Sunday, Uptown.

Northern Star Hotel Saturday, Greg McKew. Saturday, Nano.

Oaks Pacific Blue Resort Saturday, Bobby C.

Oriental Hotel Sunday, Vanishing Shapes.

Paxton Bowling Club Saturday, Emily Smith.

Pelican RSL Club Saturday, Loose Bazooka.

Pippis At The Point Saturday, Jackon Broadway. Sunday, Matt McLaren.

Potters Brewery Saturday, Jake Davey.

Premier Hotel Saturday, Sundays Record, DJ Sean Michael. Sunday, Loko.

Prince of Wales Hotel Saturday, Sounds Of Sunday.

Queens Wharf Hotel Saturday, Josh & Liv, Marissa +1. Sunday, The Years, Wharf Life.

Railway Hotel Cessnock Sunday, The V Dubs.

Raymond Terrace Bowling Club Sunday, Max Jackson.

Royal Federal Hotel Branxton Saturday, Sun Hill Drive.

Royal Hotel Singleton Sunday, Zac and Ben.

Royal Motor Yacht Club Toronto Sunday, The Bad and The Ugly.

Rutherford Hotel Saturday, Matt Scullion.

Seabreeze Hotel Sunday, Chelsea Berman.

Shenanigans at the Imperial Saturday, Zane Penn Duo.

Shoal Bay Country Club Saturday, Aqwa, James Blundell. Sunday, Dynamite.

Shortland Hotel Saturday, Reg Sinclair.

Small Ballroom Saturday, Snillum, No Frills DJs, Hayden Shepherd, Harry Thurlby. Sunday, Glamstars.

Soldiers Point Bowling Club Sunday, Melinda Schneider.

South Newcastle Leagues Club Saturday, Pistol Pete.

Stag and Hunter Hotel Saturday, The Darren Jack Band.

Station Hotel Kurri Kurri Saturday, Extreme Mobile Entertainment.

Stockton RSL Club Saturday, Be Bop a Lula Band.

Swansea RSL Club Saturday, Gedupndans Trio.

Swansea Workers Club Saturday, The Twangsters.

Tilligerry RSL Saturday, Andrew G.

Toronto Diggers Saturday, 40 Up Club.

Toronto Hotel Friday, The Dreamcatchers. Sunday, Kellie Cain.

Toronto Workers Saturday, Chad Shuttleworth.

Town Hall Hotel Saturday, Kellie Cain.

Victoria Hotel Hinton Saturday, Boney Rivers. Sunday, Karen O’Shea.

Wangi Hotel Saturday, Lee Rolfe.

Wangi Wangi RSL Club Sunday, Anthony Lee.

Warners At The Bay Saturday, The Ultimate Pink Show.

Warners Bay Hotel Saturday, The Briens Band.

Wests Cardiff Saturday, Anthology.

Wests New Lambton Saturday, 2GoodReasons. 

Wests NEX Saturday, Echo.

Wickham Park Hotel Saturday, Pat Eyre Trio, Kisstory. Sunday, Chikarma, Fishfry, Pow Wow.

Windsor Castle Hotel Saturday, Jessica Cain.

A Quiet Place (M) A family of four must navigate their lives in silence after mysterious creatures that hunt by sound threaten their survival. (Event, Glendale)

Aurore (M) Aurore, separated from her husband, has just lost her job and been told that she is going to be a grandmother. She is slowly being pushed to the outskirts of society, but when she accidentally runs into the great love of her youth, she puts her foot down and refuses to be relegated to the scrap yard. (Tower)

Avengers: Infinity War (M) The Avengers and their allies must be willing to sacrifice all in an attempt to defeat the powerful Thanos before his blitz of devastation and ruin puts an end to the universe.

Breath (M) Two teenage boys, hungry for discovery, form an unlikely friendship with a mysterious older adventurer who pushes them to take risks that will have a lasting and profound impact on their lives.

Cargo (MA) A post apocalyptic thriller and an emotional story of a father trying to save his child at all costs. (Tower)

Chappaquiddick (M) Ted Kennedy’s life and political career become derailed in the aftermath of a fatal car accident in 1969 that claims the life of a young campaign strategist, Mary Jo Kopechne. (Lake Cinema)

Deadpool 2 (MA15+) Sequel to the Golden Globe-nominated comic book action romantic comedy starring Ryan Reynolds as the foul-mouthed murdering anti-hero. 

Duck Duck Goose (PG) Animated comedy-adventure following a bachelor goose who makes pals with two lost ducklings as they journey south.

Gaugin (CTC) Focused on French painter Paul Gauguin’s affair with a younger lady in Tahiti. (Tower) 

Gringo (MA) An American businessman with a stake in a pharmaceutical company that's about to go public finds his life is thrown into turmoil by an incident in Mexico.

Gurrumul (PG) Celebrated by audiences at home and abroad, indigenous artist Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu was one of the most important and acclaimed voices to ever come out of Australia. (Tower)

Hereditary (MA) When Ellen, the matriarch of the Graham family, passes away, her daughter's family begins to unravel cryptic and increasingly terrifying secrets about their ancestry.

Kodachrome (M) Set during the final days of the admired photo development system known as Kodachrome, a father and son hit the road in order to reach the Kansas photo lab before it closes its doors for good. (Tower)

Life Of The Party (M) Melissa McCarthy enrolls as an adult student at her daughter’s university in this comedy by McCarthy and Ben Falcone.

Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms (MA) An immortal girl and a normal boy meet and become friends, sharing a bond that lasts throughout the years. (Glendale).

Ocean’s 8 (M) Debbie Ocean gathers a crew to attempt an impossible heist at New York City’s yearly Met Gala.

Solo: A Star Wars Story (M) Han Solo leads Lucasfilm’s second standalone Star Wars film, passing Harrison Ford’s role down to Alden Ehrenreich. The film follows Han and Chewbacca before they joined the Rebellion.

Tea With The Dames (M) Dames Eileen Atkins, Judi Dench, Joan Plowright and Maggie Smith have let the cameras in on a friendship that goes back more than half a century. The four acting greats discuss their careers and reminisce about their humble beginnings in the theatre. (Tower)

The Bookshop (PG) Set in a small town in 1959 England, it is the story of a woman who decides, against polite but ruthless local opposition, to open a bookshop, a decision which becomes a political minefield.

The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society (M) A writer forms an unexpected bond with the residents of Guernsey Island in the aftermath of World War II when she decides to write a book about their experiences during the war. (Lake)

Vince Giordano: There's A Future In The Past (E) Bandleader Vince Giordano keeps the jazz age alive with his 11-member band The Nighthawks, vintage musical instruments, and a collection of more than 60,000 original arrangements from the 1920s and ’30s. (Tower)