Blackbutt Reserve Adventure Playground Opening 10am to noon, Richley Reserve, Freyberg Street, New Lambton. Circus workshops; inflatable slides; jumping castles; face painting and more.

NRL Old Boys Day Newcastle Knights vs St George Illawarra Dragons at McDonald Jones Stadium, Broadmeadow. Knights “Hall of Fame” players march; kick-off at 3pm. 

Festival of Flowers at Hunter Valley Gardens See thousands of annuals in bloom and experience cherry blossom season in full force. There will be daily talks, flowering topiary sculptures and wheelbarrow displays. Until September 30.

Webers Circus Saturday, 3pm and 7pm; Sunday, 11am, Croudace Bay.

Newcastle Harness Racing Celebrate the Standardbred Horse’s birthday at Newcastle Harness Racing Club with a fundraising night to assist Rural Aid’s Buy a Bale campaign. Fifty per cent of gate takings will go to the cause plus $1 from every “Parma” sold. Gates open 5pm.  

St Philip’s Christian College Spring Fair 10am to 3pm, 10 Lomas Lane, Nulkaba. Amusement rides; show bags; helicopter flights; petting zoo; market and food stalls; live entertainment.

Regis Elermore Vale Aged Care Facility Open Day 10am to 2pm, 156 Cardiff Road, Elermore Vale. Market and food stalls; Oakvale Wildlife Park nursery animals; a jumping castle; children’s activities; auctions; guided tours of the facility and more. 

Newcastle Softball Come and Try Day 10am to noon, Stevenson Park, Mayfield West. Juniors and seniors, male and female, ages 4 and up. 

NICU Babies Ball 6.30pm, Newcastle Exhibition & Convention Centre (NEX). A fundraiser for John Hunter Children’s Hospital.

2018 Newcastle Roller Derby Grand Final Fort Smashleys vs Harbour Hellcats, 6pm at Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Broadmeadow.

The Bottle O Lambton Beer Festival 1pm onwards, 6/41 Griffiths Road, Lambton. Tastings and live entertainment.

Dad Joke Battle at The Cabin Collective Noon to 4pm, 511 High Street, Maitland. Portion of proceeds go to Black Dog Institute.

Farmers Relief Port Stephens Fundraiser 5.30pm, Nelson Bay Bowling & Recreation Club. 

Wollombi Wild Ride Saturday, Wollombi Tavern.

Cinema in the Park 3pm to 8pm, Speers Point Park. Free children’s rides; entertainment; food trucks; screening of The Greatest Showman. Hosted by Allambi Care.

A Bite Behind Bars Noon to 2pm, Maitland Gaol. Picnic lunch followed by a guided tour of the gaol. Bookings essential at maitlandgaol.com.au or by phoning 4936 6482.

Father’s Day Picnic 11am to 4pm, Stanley Park, 77 Fullerton Cove Road, Fullerton Cove. Entry $5 per vehicle. 

Charlestown Skate Park Grand Opening Noon to 4pm, the Chip Bowl. Skate demos with pro skaters, Best Trick contest, all-age workshops, competitions and giveaways. The skate park features bowls from 1.2 metres to three metres.

Spitfire Pilot Boats Open Day 10am to 1pm, 150 Wharf Road, Newcastle. Explore a working commercial vessel. All welcome.

Father's Day Alive at The Levee Noon to 4pm, The Levee, Maitland. An afternoon of burgers and live jazz music. 

The Real Film Festival 2018 returns on the weekend of October 26 to 28, a three-day community and film industry event aimed at showcasing and fostering the art of storytelling through film. There will be short and feature film screenings, five short film competitions, nine workshops for school students and emerging filmmakers, four workshops for industry professionals, three masterclasses for professionals and a free outdoor community cinema event. Go to realfilmfestival.com.au

Pelican Foreshore Markets Saturday, 9am to 1pm, Lakeview Parade, Pelican. 

The Olive Tree Spring Market Saturday, 9am to 3pm, Civic Park, Newcastle. 

Spring Twilight Markets Saturday, 3pm to 7pm, Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley.

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 and Sunday, 9am to 3pm, Hunter Street Mall, Newcastle.

Markets @ Jesmond Bowlo Saturday, 10am to 1pm, Heaton-Birmingham Gardens Bowling Club. 

Anna Bay Community Market Sunday, 8.30am to 2pm, 4236 Nelson Bay Road, Anna Bay.

Adamstown Lions Markets Sunday, 7am to 1pm, corner Brunker and Glebe roads, Adamstown.

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

Maitland Markets Sunday, 8am to 2pm, Maitland Showground. 

Genuine Farmers Market Charlestown Sunday, 9am to noon, Hillsborough Public School, Waratah Avenue, Charlestown.

Port Stephens Community Art Centre Spring Affair, Saturday, 9.30am to 3pm. Demonstrations; painting activities; gifts; plant and food stalls; music.

Cooks Hill Galleries Art Buyers Group Exhibition, by Marc Chagall, Charles Blackman, Richard Bell, William Dobell, Tim Storrier, Nigel Milsom, Norman Lindsay, Adam Cullen, Marian Ellis Rowan, Sidney Nolan and Albert Henry Fullwood, until September 24.

Art Systems Wickham Easy Living – Group Art Exhibition, until September 16.

Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery Yes Yes Yes Yes: graphics from the 1960s and 1970s; Moving Histories // Future Directions, until September 23. 

Maitland Regional Art Gallery All That Glitters, until September 2. Open House: 3rd Tamworth Textile Triennial; Nicola Bolton’s The Garden Palette, until October 21. Concerning Peace, various artists, until November 25. Finding Country, until February 17. Paul Partos, until October 14.  

The Lock-Up Behave, by Penny Thwaite and Matthew Tome. Official opening Saturday at 5.30pm, all welcome.

Newcastle Studio Potters & Back to Back Gallery Natural belonging, by Trish Luck, ends September 17.

Lovett Gallery The Children’s Library, until September 15.

Watt Space Gallery ReFrame: 2018 Student Art Prize, ends Sunday.

Newcastle Art Gallery Critics’ Choice: From The Collection; Kilgour Prize 2018, until October 21. 

Cessnock Regional Art Gallery Look Twice Photographic Exhibition, until September 24.

Gallery 139 Sprung, by Rieteka Geursen, Em Warren, Lydia Miller, Ros Elkin, Sharon Taylor, Barbara Nanshe, Olivia Parsonage, Jane Collins, Kayo Yokoyama, until September 16.

Newcastle Museum Voyage to the Deep, about undersea exploration and adventure, until October 21. Shadows of Sacrifice, Newcastle’s Great War 1914 to 1918, until December 16.

Timeless Textiles SeedArtLab: Seed Language, by Sophie Munns, ends Sunday. 

Port Stephens Community Art Centre Our Sunburnt Land; Dancing on the Red Wind, until September 25.

Newcastle Conservatorium of Music Sunday at 2pm, UoN Arts Orchestra presents Angelic Festival, with Richard Saucedo, John Williams and more.

All’s Well That Ends Well The romance between a young count and an attractive woman goes through many trials and tribulations in Shakespeare’s comedy. Reamus Youth Theatre, at Maitland Repertory Theatre. Saturday at 8pm.

The Best of the Best Sing along to songs from 16 Tony Award-winning musicals. Theatre on Brunker, at St Stephen’s Hall, Adamstown. Saturday, dinner and show at 7pm, show only at 8pm; Sunday at 2pm.

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) Three actors deliver scenes from all 37 Shakespeare plays. Newcastle Theatre Company, at the NTC Theatre, Lambton. Saturday at 2pm and 8pm.

Sleep, Perchance to Dream Hamlet’s girlfriend Ophelia takes centre stage; by Newcastle’s Alex Travers. Tantrum Youth Arts, at the Civic Playhouse. Newcastle. Saturday at 8am.

We Will Rock You Lively musical comedy using the songs of British rock band Queen. Metropolitan Players, at the Civic Theatre, Newcastle. Saturday at 2pm and 8pm (final shows).

Adamstown United Sports Club Saturday, Deborah Sinclair.

Anchorage Port Stephens Sunday, James Naldo.

Anna Bay Tavern Saturday, Loose Bazooka.

Argenton Hotel Saturday, Katie N Feff. Sunday, Prestige Inc.

Australia Hotel Cessnock Saturday, 2 To The Floor.

Avon Valley Inn Saturday, Steel City.

Bar Petite Saturday, Nano. Sunday, Ty Penshorn.

Battlesticks Bar Saturday, John Larder. Sunday, Dean Kyrwood.

Belmore Hotel Saturday, Sundays Record.

Beresfield Bowling Club Saturday, Gen-R-8.

The Bradford Saturday, Ash Mountain.

Cambridge Hotel Saturday, 360, Pez (glass house), Phil Jamieson, Grace Turner (warehouse). Sunday, Discovery – Daft Punk tribute.

Cardiff RSL Club Saturday, The V Dubs.

Catho Pub Saturday, Steve Geary. Sunday, The V Dubs.

Central Charlestown Leagues Club Saturday, Chad Shuttleworth.  

Cessnock Leagues Club Saturday, The Faves.

Club Kotara Saturday, Loose Change.

Club Lemon Tree Saturday, Gasolene.

Colliery Inn Sunday, Zane Penn.

Commercial Hotel Morpeth Saturday, The Way.

Customs House Saturday, Zachary Israel. Sunday, Lauren Arms.

D'Albora Marina Sunday, Pete McCredie.

Duke Of Wellington Saturday, Redline.

East Cessnock Bowling Club Saturday, Norm Bakker.

East Maitland Bowling Club Saturday, The Smarts. Sunday, Andrew G.

Edgeworth Tavern Saturday, Spank N The Monkey.

Finnegans Saturday, Royal, Oh Webber, Extraordinate, Sonic, Gillecks, Josh Blair. 

Gallipoli Legion Club Sunday, 2GoodReasons.

Gateshead Tavern Sunday, Outerphase.

George Tavern Saturday, The New Cool.

Grain Store Sunday, J.J King.

Grand Junction Hotel Saturday, Lennie Tranter & The Bagism Revelation, The Autumn Hearts, Lachlan X. Morris. Sunday, Steel City Sue & The Smoke Stacks, Bodie, Doc & The Delegates.

Gunyah Hotel Saturday, Triple Zero. Sunday, Paperboy.

Hamilton Station Hotel Saturday, Brainfreeze, Endless, Burdened, Trenchknife. Sunday, JRR, Dog Dirt, Spencer Scott, Jim Dusty, Hazel, Sai Viejo. 

Harrigan’s Pokolbin Sunday, Troy Kemp.

Imperial Hotel Singleton Saturday, Glamstars.

King Street Hotel Saturday, Mashd N Kutcher.

Lake Macquarie Yacht Club Sunday, Sami Cooke.

Lass O’Gowrie Saturday, Diplazar, The Velvet Addiction, Justin Bobby. Sunday, The Chesterfield Band, The Tall Stories.

Lizotte’s Saturday, Catherine Britt and the Cold Cold Hearts. Sunday, Elvis in New Orleans Show. 

Lochinvar Hotel Sunday, Reg Sinclair.

Mary Ellen Hotel Saturday, Felix Quinn.

Mavericks On The Bay Saturday, Max Jackson. Sunday, Matt McLaren.

Mavericks On Darby Saturday, Dean Kyrwood Duo.

Metropolitan Hotel Maitland Saturday, Leroy & The Rats. Sunday, Southpaw Blues.

Mezz Bar at Wallsend Diggers Saturday, Paperboy. Sunday, Matty G, Steve Edmonds Band.

Morisset Country Club Sunday, Stu Morrison.

Murray’s Brewery Saturday, Amy Fredes. Sunday, Tom Blake.

Nag’s Head Hotel Saturday, Zane Penn.

Neath Hotel Saturday, Reg Sinclair.

Nelson Bay Diggers Saturday, The Rumour Trio. Sunday, Just Jade.

Northern Star Hotel Saturday, Allon, Rooney West.

Pelican RSL Club Saturday, DV8.

Pippis At The Point Saturday, Kristy James. Sunday, Max Jackson.

Premier Hotel Sunday, Melbourne Street.

Prince of Wales Hotel Saturday, Ngariki.

Queens Wharf Hotel Saturday, The Remedy.

Raymond Terrace Bowling Club Sunday, Chad Shuttleworth.

Royal Hotel Singleton Sunday, Chelsea Berman.

Royal Motor Yacht Club Toronto Sunday, Jamie Martens.

Rutherford Hotel Saturday, Pistol Pete.

Seabreeze Hotel Saturday, The 3. Sunday, Matt Bowles.

Shenanigans at the Imperial Saturday, Arcane.

Shoal Bay Country Club Saturday, Daryl Braithwaite. Sunday, Little Cents.

Shortland Hotel Saturday, James Naldo.

Small Ballroom Saturday, Made In Paris, Harry Michel, Rinse & Wax. 

Soldiers Point Bowling Club Saturday, Two Left Feet.

Stag and Hunter Hotel Saturday, Marz. Sunday, Passport To Airlie heat 4.

Stockton RSL Club Saturday, Midnight Drifters.

Swansea RSL Club Saturday, Cover Girls.

Swansea Workers Club Saturday, Romney Watts.

Tea Gardens Country Club Saturday, Junior and Luana.

Tea Gardens Hotel Saturday, Phil McKnight.

Tilligerry RSL Saturday, Sami Cooke.

Toronto Hotel Sunday, ROX Pianoman.

Toronto Workers Saturday, 24 Hours. Sunday, Kaylah Anne.

Victoria Hotel Hinton Saturday, Anthony Lee. Sunday, Karen O’Shea.

Warners At The Bay Saturday, Shaka.

Warners Bay Hotel Saturday, Big Night Out.

Wests New Lambton Saturday, The Big Bang. Tuesday, Angamus.

Wickham Park Hotel Saturday, Sunhill Drive, The Radiators, Them Wild Oats. Sunday, Buzzard Mix, Roy Payne’s Hillbilly Bop Safari.

Ant-Man and The Wasp (PG) As Scott Lang balances being a super hero and a father, Hope van Dyne and Dr Hank Pym present a new mission.

BlacKkKlansman (MA) Ron Stallworth, an African-American policeman successfully manages to infiltrate the local Ku Klux Klan and became the head of the local chapter.

Book Club (M) Four lifelong friends’ lives are turned upside down to hilarious ends when their book club tackles Fifty Shades of Grey. 

Christopher Robin (G) A working-class family man, Christopher Robin, encounters his childhood friend Winnie-the-Pooh, who helps him to rediscover the joys of life.

Crazy Rich Asians (PG) Three wealthy Chinese families prepare for the wedding of the year. 

Edie (M) Leaving her life behind and embarking on an adventure she never got to have, Edie, 83, climbs the imposing Mount Suilven in Scotland. (Regal)

Hotel For Dogs (PG) Nickelodeon presents this live action family dog tale about a foster home for stray pooches. (Event, Glendale)

Kin (M) An ex-convict and his brother are forced on the run by a vengeful criminal.

Luis and the Aliens (PG) An 11-year-old boy makes friends with three lovable little aliens, who crash their UFO into his house. In return for Luis’ help in finding the home-shopping channel stuff they came for, they save Luis from boarding school.

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (PG) Sophie learns about her mother’s past while pregnant.

Mile 22 (MA) An elite American intelligence officer, aided by a top-secret tactical command unit, tries to smuggle a mysterious police officer with sensitive information out of the country.

Mission: Impossible – Fallout (M) Ethan Hunt and his IMF team are in a race against time after a mission gone wrong.

RBG (PG) The exceptional life and career of US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who has developed a breathtaking legal legacy while becoming an unexpected pop culture icon. (Regal)

Slender Man (MA) A tall, thin, horrifying figure with unnaturally long arms and a featureless face, is reputed to be responsible for the disappearance of countless children.

The Happytime Murders (MA) When the puppet cast of an ’80s children's TV show begins to get murdered one by one, a disgraced LAPD detective-turned-private eye puppet takes on the case.

The Incredibles 2 (PG) Bob Parr is left to care for Jack-Jack while Helen is out saving the world.

The Meg (M) After escaping an attack by what he claims was by a 70-foot shark, Jonas Taylor must confront his fears to save those trapped in a sunken submersible.

The Merger (M) A former professional football player returns to his country town after an abrupt end to his sporting career and is persuaded to coach the hapless local team, the Roosters. (Regal)

The Spy Who Dumped Me (MA) A pair of friends embark on an espionage adventure after one of them finds out her ex is a spy.

The Wife (M) A woman questions her life choices as she travels to Stockholm with her husband, where he is slated to receive the Nobel Prize for literature.

Please note: markets and outdoor events are subject to cancellation at late notice due to weather conditions.