Your guide to what's on in Newcastle and the Hunter Valley this weekend

50+ Lifestyle Expo 10am to 2pm, Warners Bay Uniting Church. A chance to chat with a whole range of service representatives under the one roof.

Coates Hire Newcastle 500 There is a lot on all weekend in addition to the racing itself: Disney Pixar Cars Truck Tour (8am to 4pm, Civic Park); LEGO Play Zone at Pacific Park (10am to 3pm); autograph sessions (Saturday, 9.30am to 10am; Sunday 9.20am to 9.50am) at Main Oval, adjacent to the Super2 Garages; drivers’ parade at 1.35pm on Saturday; Simple Minds, Delta Riggs and Birds of Tokyo in concert Saturday night at No.1 Sportsground’ Newcastle Innovation Showcase in Hunter Street Mall. 

Jazz In The Vineyards Hope Estate. Gates open 3pm. 

Circus Rio Saturday (11am, 4pm, 7pm) and Sunday (11am, 4pm), Newcastle Basketball Stadium. Samba dancers, aerialists, FMX bikes tightrope walkers and more. 

School Reunion 6pm to 11pm, The Exchange Hotel, Hamilton. Warners Bay High School class of ’98 (year 10 or 12) is holding a 20-year reunion. 

Christmas With Charles Dickens 2pm to 4.30pm, Adamstown Uniting Church. Readings from A Christmas Carol plus music. Tickets available at the door with proceeds going to Lifeline.

Market and Open Day 8am to 3pm, 2a Platt Street, Waratah. Market stalls and blacksmith displays, as well as men’s health information. Hosted by Hunter Multicultural Communities and Waratah and Mayfield Multicultural Men’s Shed.

Bimbadgen Duck Degustation 6.30pm to 10.30pm, Esca Bimbadgen. A four-course degustation with matching Bimbadgen wines. Tickets $95/$85 Club Bimbadgen members.

Raid My Wardrobe – Preloved Fashion Event 10am to 1pm, Newcastle Basketball Stadium. Stalls full of hundreds of high quality women’s clothing, shoes, handbags, jewellery and accessories sizes. Entry fee $5; cash sales only; ATM onsite. 

Orchestra Nova 2pm, St Augustine’s Anglican Church, Merewether. A Tribute to the Waltz takes you on a journey though some of the most beloved waltzes written by Strauss jnr, Tchaikovsky and more. Led by artistic director Robin Fischle and associate conductor Andrew Hermon 

The Bikers for Kids Newcastle Toy Run stops at Wickham Park from 10am to 1.30pm on Sunday, December 2. With a new Superheroes theme and emphasis on family-friendly activities, the event helps local families and the Salvos’ local Christmas Appeal. Along with prizes for best-dressed families and bikes, Santa photos, food and market stalls, a giant tug’o’war, rides, colouring competitions and live music, the day concludes with a motorbike raffle.

Subject to cancellation at late notice due to weather conditions

Maitland CWA Christmas Crafts, Gifts and Treasure Fair Saturday, 8am to 2pm, 26 Church Street, Maitland.

Handmade In The Hunter Markets Saturday, 9am to 3pm, Kevin Sobels Wines, Halls Road, Pokolbin.

Newcastle Flower Markets Saturday, 8am to 1pm, 1 Rural Drive, Sandgate.

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

Clarence Town Markets Saturday, 8am to noon, Clarence Town Bowling Sport and Recreation Club. 

Newcastle City Farmers Markets Sunday, 7am to 1pm, Speers Point Park.

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

surGICure 2018 Open Air Market Sunday, 4pm to 8pm, Chapman Oval, Swansea. Support research into gastrointestinal cancers by the surgeons at the John Hunter Hospital. 

Tomaree Markets Sunday, 8am to 2pm, Tomaree Sports Complex, Nelson Bay.

Newcastle & Hunter Vietnam Veterans Inc. Market Sunday, 7am to 1pm, Wickham Park, Islington.

Succulent & Cactus Market Sunday, 8.30am to 1pm, The Barracks, East Maitland.

Watt Space Gallery Fine Art Honours Grad Show. This exhibition showcases the work of three Honours students Gael Connop, Claire Kemp and John Price. until December 2.Learning From Alice Springs, by University of Newcastle architecture students and staff and Tangentyere Design. The Mid Century Project Newcastle, by Tim Ross and Kit Warhurst. Until November 30.

The Levee Art Gallery Efflorescence, by Wolfe and Browne (Deborah Rogers), until December 2.

Shorethyme Restaurant Norah Head Exhibition of Art by Eleanor Anson, ends Sunday.

The Lock Up The Sea, by Luke Cornish, until December 2.

Cooks Hill Galleries CHG artists and guest Mandy Bell, until November 26.

Brough House Maitland Waiting For Rain, by Karen Carrejo, Sue Cone, Sinead Darby, Helen Fenner, Sharron Reid, Billie Mosman, Alexandra Renni, until December 16.

Cessnock Regional Art Gallery Wood, Metal Modern Materials – Local Contemporary Sculptures, until December 2.

Maitland Regional Art Gallery Concerning Peace, ends Sunday. Finding Country; American Visionary: John F. Kennedy’s Life & Times, until February 17. Tim Maguire: A Survey of Prints and Video 2003-2018, until January 27. 

Newcastle Art Gallery The Erskine Pledge: a gift to Newcastle, until January 28.

Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery STEEL: art design architecture; Your Collection: Hunter Steel, until December 2. 

Art Systems Wickham Spectrum, by Melisah May, until December 2.

Timeless Textiles Fabric of Spacetime, by Jo Hamilton, ends Sunday. 

Lovett Gallery Up Next, The Design Grad Show, ends Sunday.

Newcastle Art Gallery Olsen Ormandy: A Creative Force, until February 17.

The Creator Incubator Projector: An industrial Design Exhibition Weekend. Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 4pm.

9 to 5 The Musical Three women co-workers concoct a plan to get even with their sexist and hypocritical boss; musical with jubilant songs by Dolly Parton. Theatre on Brunker, at St Stephen’s Hall, Adamstown. Saturday at 7pm, dinner and show at 7pm (final show).

Aftermath Hunter Drama Actors Company members take audience members on a journey through moments that connect all of us: love and loss, achievement and hardship, family and friendship. The Young Actors Development Centre, Broadmeadow. Saturday at 7pm (final show).

Disney’s Sleeping Beauty KIDS Three fairies use their magic to save a princess from the spell of an evil sorceress; classic fairy tale musical for young performers. Young People’s Theatre, at its Hamilton theatre. Saturday and Sunday, at 2pm and 5pm.

Harvey A heavily drinking man’s best friend, a six-foot tall invisible rabbit (the title character), helps to resolve people’s problems; lively comedy by Mary Chase. Newcastle Theatre Company, at the NTC Theatre, Lambton. Saturday at 8pm (final show).

It’s a Wonderful Life! An angel helps a depressed man considering ending his life on Christmas Eve to recall how much he has helped other people. Maitland Repertory Theatre, at its theatre. Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2pm.

Little Shop of Horrors A florist’s assistant saves the business from closure and attracts his female co-worker when he finds a blood-drinking plant; a bright and lively musical. WEA Academy of Creative Arts, at the Creative Arts Space Theatre, Hamilton. Saturday at 1.30pm and 7.30pm (final shows).

5 Sawyers Saturday, DJ Alessandro. Sunday, Howard Shearman Duo.

Adamstown Uniting Church Sunday, Newcastle Strings Christmas Concert.

Anna Bay Tavern Sunday, James Osborn.

Argenton Hotel Saturday, Katie & Feff. Sunday, The New Cool Duo.

Bar Petite Saturday, Ty Penshorn. Sunday, Nano.

Battlesticks Bar Saturday, Madelyn. Sunday, Dean Kyrwood.

Beach Hotel Saturday, Misbehave.

Belmont 16s Saturday, Loko, Bobby C. Sunday, John Noble.

Belmore Hotel Saturday, Anyerin Trio.

Beresfield Bowling Club Saturday, 24 Hours. Sunday, Jumpin Jukebox.

The Bradford Saturday, KISStory – The Aussie Kiss Show.

Cambridge Hotel Saturday, Harts (glass house), Press Club, White Blanks, Sports Bra (warehouse). Sunday, Bleeding Knees Club, Crocodylus, Fritz, Scabz, Mini Skirt, Wharves, Tuppaware Party, Spit Chewy, The Buoys, SOY, Viral Eyes, Milky Thred, Surf Trash.

Catho Pub Saturday, John Larder, Justin Banks. Sunday, Phonic.

Central Charlestown Leagues Club Saturday, Lisa Hunt.

Cessnock Leagues Club Saturday, Solid Gold Party.

Charlestown Bowling Club Saturday, Two Fires – Chisel/Jimmy Barnes show.

Club Kotara Saturday, Brien McVernon & The Rockets From Oz.

Club Lemon Tree Saturday, Barracuda.

Club Macquarie Sunday, Crawfish Stew Band.

Colliery Inn Saturday, Dean Kyrwood. Sunday, Anyerin.

Commercial Hotel Morpeth Saturday, The Way.

Crown & Anchor Hotel Saturday, DJ Timmy Coffey, Ryan Daley. Sunday, Ryan Daley.

Customs House Sunday, Matty G.

Cypress Lakes Saturday, Jake Folbigg.

D’Albora Marina Sunday, Matt McLaren.

Duke Of Wellington Saturday, Greg Bryce.

East Cessnock Bowling Club Saturday, Kwozzi.

East Maitland Bowling Club Saturday, Code Red. Sunday, ROX.

Eatons Hotel Saturday, Joel Oakhill Duo.

Edgeworth Bowling Club Sunday, Boney Rivers.

Edgeworth Tavern Saturday, Chowder Keg.

Exchange Hotel Saturday, Prestige Inc. Sunday, Trancemission.

Finnegans Saturday, Luke La Beat, Ctrl Alt Del.

Gallipoli Legion Club Sunday, Leadbellies.

Gateshead Tavern Sunday, The Bad and The Ugly.

George Tavern Saturday, Spank'n The Monkey.

Grain Store Sunday, J.J King.

Grand Junction Hotel Saturday, Cal & Van, Sean McMahon. Sunday, Gleny Rae Virus.

Gunyah Hotel Saturday, Alias.

Hamilton Station Hotel Saturday, Temtris, PurEnvY, Cerebral Contortion, Billabong Of Blood.

Harrigan’s Pokolbin Saturday, Gen-R-8, Pistol Pete. Sunday, City Beats.

Hexham Bowling Club Saturday, The Levymen.

Honeysuckle Hotel Saturday, Big Night Out. Sunday, Hurricane Fall.

Hope Estate Saturday, Jazz In The Vines ft. James Morrison, Grace Knight, Tom Burlinson, Emma Pask, Safire Rose (UK/FRA), The Rehab Brass Band.

Hotel Delany Saturday, Adrianna Mac Duo.

Jewells Tavern Saturday, Pocket Aces.

Kent Hotel Saturday, Overload. Sunday, Christina Croft Blues Band.

King Street Hotel Saturday, Tigerlily.

Kurri Bowling Club Saturday, Mark Lee.

Lake Macquarie Yacht Club Sunday, Chelsea Berman.

Lambton Park Hotel Saturday, Nano. Sunday, Josh Callaway.

Lass O’Gowrie Saturday, Glitoris, Flight Hawk, The Med Heads. Sunday, Byren, The Steele Syndicate.

Lizotte’s Saturday, Diesel, Piper Butcher. Sunday, The Italian Tenors. 

Lucky Hotel Saturday, Gerda + 1. Sunday, Sunday Republic.

Mary Ellen Hotel Saturday, Felix Quinn Music Band.

Maryland Tavern Saturday, Full Throttle.

Mattara Hotel Saturday, Sami Cooke.

Mavericks On The Bay Saturday, Mike Vee. Sunday, Mick Jones.

Mavericks On Darby Saturday, Glen Harrison.

Mezz Bar at Wallsend Diggers Saturday, Rebecca Johnson. Sunday, Joel Procter.

Morisset Country Club Sunday, James Naldo.

Murray’s Brewery Saturday, Amy Fredes. Sunday, Pete Gelzinnis.

Nag’s Head Hotel Saturday, Pap & That.

Neath Hotel Saturday, James Naldo.

Nelson Bay Diggers Saturday, Vogue. Sunday, Megan Core. 

Nelson Bay Golf Club Saturday, Jessica Cain.

Newcastle Airport Sunday, Max Jackson.

Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club Sunday, Love That Hat.

No.1 Sportsground Saturday, Simple Minds (UK), Birds Of Tokyo, The Delta Riggs.

Northern Star Hotel Saturday, Lee Sullivan, John Larder.

Paxton Bowling Club Saturday, Daniel Arvidson.

Pelican RSL Club Saturday, Catfish Soup. Sunday, Troy Kemp.

Pippis At The Point Sunday, Tyler John. 

Prince of Wales Hotel Saturday, Howie & Alex.

Queens Wharf Hotel Saturday, DV8. Sunday, Fish Fry.

Quill & Compass Sunday, Jazz Jam.

Royal Federal Hotel Branxton Saturday, Mojo Bandits.

Royal Motor Yacht Club Toronto Sunday, Swing Katz.

Rutherford Hotel Saturday, Tim Broadway.

Seabreeze Hotel Sunday, Big Pete.

Shenanigans at the Imperial Saturday, 2GoodReasons.

Shoal Bay Country Club Saturday, Matt McLaren. Sunday, Madelyn.

Shortland Hotel Saturday, Pete Gelzinnis.

Small Ballroom Saturday, Drunk Mums, Dirty Fences (US).

Soldiers Point Bowling Club Saturday, The Lamplighters.

Stag and Hunter Hotel Saturday, Hey Lady, The Illustrators, The Havelocks, The Autumn Hearts, Kingsley James, The Tall Stories, Matt Dodd. Sunday, Hussy Hicks.

Stockton RSL Club Saturday, Georgia Project.

Swansea Hotel Saturday, Shaka. Sunday, The Newcastle Flyers.

Swansea RSL Club Saturday, Kristo and King.

Swansea-Belmont Surf Life Saving Club Sunday, CrocQ.

Swansea Workers Club Saturday, David McCredie. Sunday, Gareth Jay.

Tea Gardens Hotel Saturday, Phil McKnight.

Toronto Diggers Saturday, First Impressions.

Toronto Workers Saturday, Mardmax.

Victoria Hotel Hinton Saturday, Jordan Fleming. Sunday, Karen O’Shea.

Wangi Hotel Sunday, Shawn Lidster.

Wangi Wangi RSL Club Sunday, La Bomba.

Warners At The Bay Saturday, Dream Catchers.

Warners Bay Hotel Saturday, All Access 80s.

Wests Cardiff Saturday, Cruzers.

Wests New Lambton Saturday, Dami Im, The Rumour Trio. 

Wests NEX Saturday, The Church, The Snape Trilogy.

Wickham Park Hotel Saturday, Knight Moves, Mason Rack Band. Sunday, John Larder, Tony’s Day.

Windsor Castle Hotel Saturday, Emily Smith.

A Star Is Born (M) A musician helps a young singer and actress find fame, even as age and alcoholism send his own career into a spiral.

Bohemian Rhapsody (M) A celebration of Queen, their music and their lead singer Freddie Mercury, who defied stereotypes to become one of the world’s best entertainers.

Boy Erased (MA) The son of a Baptist preacher is forced to participate in a church-supported gay conversion program.

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (M) Making good on his threat, Grindelwald escapes custody and has set about gathering followers, most unsuspecting of his true agenda.

Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween (PG) Halloween comes to life in a brand-new, family adventure comedy based on R.L. Stine’s series of books.

Halloween (MA) Laurie Strode comes to her final confrontation with Michael Myers, the masked figure who has haunted her since she narrowly escaped his killing spree on Halloween night four decades ago.

Johnny English Strikes Again (PG) After a cyber-attack reveals the identity of all of the active undercover agents in Britain, Johnny English is forced to come out of retirement to find the mastermind hacker.

Ladies In Black (PG) Set in the summer of 1959, when the impact of European migration and the rise of women’s liberation is about to change Australia forever. (Lake Cinema)

Patrick (PG) Sarah is a young woman whose life is in a bit of a mess. The last thing she needs is someone else to look after.

Robin Hood (M) A war-hardened Crusader and his Moorish commander mount an audacious revolt against the corrupt English crown.

The Children Act (M) As her marriage crumbles, a judge must decide a case involving a teenage boy who is refusing a blood transfusion on religious principle.

The Girl in the Spider’s Web (MA) Computer hacker Lisbeth Salander and journalist Mikael Blomkvist are caught in a web of spies, cybercriminals and corrupt officials.

The Grinch (G) A grumpy Grinch plots to ruin Christmas for the village of Whoville.

The Merger (M) A country football coach who has a plan to rebuild the local football team by recruiting recently settled asylum seekers. (Lake Cinema)

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (PG) A young girl is transported into a magical world of gingerbread soldiers and an army of mice.

The Old Man & The Gun (M) At the age of 70, career robber Forrest Tucker embarks on a string of bank robberies that confound the authorities and enchant the public.

Widows (MA15+) Set in Chicago, four women with nothing in common except a debt left behind by their dead husbands’ criminal activities, take fate into their own hands.