City of Newcastle has revealed a sneak peek of New Annual's 2026 program, including the return of live music at Newcastle Ocean Baths and a TWISTED art party celebrating self-expression.
The events offer the first taste of what's to come from the sixth edition of City of Newcastle's flagship arts festival, which will run from 25 September to 4 October.
Newcastle band Dust performed in front of thousands of people at the Newcastle Ocean Baths in 2025 for New Annual's SOAK Live at the Baths sessions. Photo by Ange Maloney
Festival Director Tory Loudon said after record-breaking attendances in 2025, people were eagerly awaiting this year's program.
"Last year's festival was a testament to the strength of Newcastle's creative community and the city's growing reputation as a cultural destination," Ms Loudon said.
"Anticipation is running high for this year's festival, which will once again see Newcastle's coastline and civic spaces reimagined as vibrant stages for art, performance and community connection."
One of the stand-out hits of 2025 was the introduction of SOAK, a series of free sunset sessions that transformed the Newcastle Ocean Baths into the city's hottest new live music venue.
It will return this year with a four-night program featuring local and globally renowned artists.
"We were blown away by the response to SOAK last year," Ms Loudon said.
"People came out in droves to soak up the atmosphere, soak up the setting and soak up the incredible talent on show during those live music sessions and I'm thrilled to be bringing it back."
Lolo Brow at Torture Garden - Electrowerkz, London, 2023. Photo by Damien Frost.
The transformations will continue across the city, with Newcastle nightspot Bartholomew's blooming for one night only into an immersive art party venue inspired by the darkly evocative work of former Newcastle artist Damien Frost.
The photographer has spent the past 14 years documenting London's alternative queer nightlife through his acclaimed photographic series Night Flowers.
He will return to his "spiritual home" of Newcastle to present a collection of those images at Watt Space Gallery. The exhibition will also premiere new portraits captured for New Annual of Newcastle's queer and alternative communities.
The exhibition will be complemented by the TWISTED: Night Flowers Party at Bartholomew's, with guests invited to explore and celebrate their identities through costume, music and performance.
As one of the original founders of Newcastle arts organisation Octopod in the late 1990s, Frost said his work was influenced by his time in the city.
"Although the work centres on personal expression, it is just as much about community and chosen family - ideas I became deeply engaged with during the years I lived in Newcastle," Frost said.
"There, I was actively involved in community arts projects and was struck by the strong sense of belonging and solidarity within both the broader city and its subcultures."
Entry to the SOAK sessions and Night Flowers exhibition at Watt Space Gallery will be free, with tickets for TWISTED on sale from tomorrow, Thursday 4 June.
New Annual's full 2026 program will be announced in coming months, showcasing local people, places and performances alongside some of the best theatre, art and music from Australia and overseas.
Councillor Jenny Barrie, Chair of City of Newcastle's Community and Culture Strategic Advisory Committee, said New Annual is a festival for the entire community.
"New Annual offers a fantastic platform for new works and unique collaborations that takes art to audiences, presenting many of Newcastle's most loved locations in an entirely unexpected light," Cr Barrie said.
"The program is deliberately low-cost or free, providing local audiences with opportunities to engage with a range of arts while attracting cultural tourism to the city."
New Annual is delivered by City of Newcastle with funding from the NSW Government in association with a Multicultural NSW Stronger Together grant, Transport for NSW Permit/Plug/Play pilot program and Create NSW. The University of Newcastle is a presenting partner for the 2026 event.
Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said events such as New Annual help celebrate the vibrant cultural diversity of local communities while also driving economic growth.
"The NSW Government is proud to support New Annual in its sixth year, cementing the event as a mainstay in Newcastle's cultural calendar and enriching the local arts scene," Mr Crakanthorp said.
"New Annual gets better and better every year. Through our investment across Create NSW, Transport for NSW, and Multicultural NSW, the State Government is ensuring that locals and visitors alike can experience vibrant public spaces, world-class art and unforgettable live performances for free or low cost."
To keep up to date with the latest festival news visit www.newannual.com
Tickets for TWISTED will be on sale from 9am on Thursday 4 June via https://newannual.com/twisted-party
