Newcastle: Let me entertain you

A Supercars drivers' signing session with a cruise down Beaumont Street, an early Christmas on Darby Street and Disney the Pixar Cars Truck Tour in Civic Park will spread the excitement of this year's Newcastle 500.

Residents are invited to enjoy four days of festivities across the inner city as Newcastle again proudly hosts its biggest event of the year, the Supercars Newcastle 500 series finale.

Seven exciting activities have been planned across six locations as part of the "Entertain Newcastle" festival.

The festival aims to stretch the high-octane atmosphere beyond the race precinct, activating Cooks Hill, Hamilton, Hunter Street Mall and Civic Park.

Entertain Newcastle is for all residents and visitors to the city, not just race-goers, and will appeal to foodies, families, and funsters.

The festival starts Thursday 22 November with all 26 Supercars drivers visiting Hamilton and continues to Sunday 25 November with a family fun zone featuring Disney Pixar Cars Mack The Transporter in Civic Park.

"I want everyone to come into the city to be part of these great events and enjoy the atmosphere as we proudly host tens of thousands of visitors to our region," the Lord Mayor said.

"We want everyone to share in the fun of the event through these activations and for businesses across the city to benefit from the Newcastle 500.

"Last year's event served as an unprecedented advertisement for the city and this year's will showcase a newly revitalised city centre."

^{The Lord Mayor with Alexander Biddulph (L) and Taylor Young from UON's School of Electrical Engineering and Computing.}

Executive Manager Newcastle Now Richard Christian said the business association was excited to be partnering with the City to make the most of the world-class event.

"We are pleased that this year we'll have a number of exciting events that will encourage Novocastrians and visitors to eat, shop, and explore their city," he said.

Hamilton Chamber President Nathan Errington said the business community was thrilled to host the Hamilton Supercars Start-Up.

“Last year, many visitors to the city enjoyed the convenience and diversity on offer at Hamilton," he said. "We are now thrilled to offer our suburb as a place to get the event started."

The line-up for the Entertain Newcastle festival includes:

Thursday 22 November 2018

Hamilton Super Start-Up

From 4.30pm: Head to Gregson Park, Hamilton to take part in a signing session with your favourite Newcastle 500 Supercars drivers, then watch them cruise down Beaumont Street and enjoy everything this eat street has to offer.

Friday 23 November 2018 - Darby Street Turns It On

From 5pm: Embrace the festive season when the Christmas lights come on early and enjoy a night of live music, great food and late night trading.

Saturday 24 November 2018 - Newcastle 500 Concert

International megastars Simple Minds headline alongside Australian rock legends Birds of Tokyo at No 1 Sportsground. Make the easy 2km walk through the City to eat, drink, and enjoy everything Newcastle has to offer before finishing off your night with some amazing live entertainment.

Sunday 25 November 2018 - Super Sunday Session

Finish off a big the weekend in Newcastle’s City East pubs and restaurants with a range of Sunday Session Super deals.

Additional events Friday, Saturday, and Sunday

Newy Super Breakfast

From 7.00am: fuel up each day with a delicious breakfast prepared by local cafes in Market and Hunter Streets.

Newcastle Innovation Showcase

From 8am: check out the latest electric vehicles, prototype race cars, a race simulator, and a dynamic game of robotic soccer. See an Augmented Reality art exhibition and don’t miss the chance to learn more about what City of Newcastle's Smart City team are doing to help create a smarter and more innovative Newcastle. On Saturday, there will be Sprung Stilt walking and juggling from 10.00am to 1.00pm.

Newcastle Now Family Fun Zone

From 8am - 4pm: Fun is centre stage at Civic Park as the Disney Pixar Cars Truck Tour rolls in. Strike a victory pose on the Champions podium.


www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au