Port Stephens Events
January 2019:
Tuesday 1st: New Year's Day
Saturday 26th: Australia Day
• Nelson Bay: Celebrations begin at 9am with Parade to Fly Point where celebrations continue until 4pm.
You can Download the full day's program here
• Lemon Tree Passage: Celebrations begin at 8am with the Lions Club breakfast, followed by Welcome to Country at 8.30am, then music and entertainment until 12 noon.
• Hawks Nest: At the park near the Singing Bridge, commencing at 8am with the Lioness Club breakfast, followed at 9am with the Flag Raising and National Anthem, and at the Fly-past by Hawk Squadron RAAF Williamtown at 11am. Music and entertainment throughout the morning.
Monday 28th: Australia Day Extra Day Public Holiday
Tuesday 29th January: NSW School Resumes - Term 1
February 2019:
Friday 15th, Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th (To Be Confirmed): Port Stephens Game Fishing Club Billfish Tournament Weighing Station, Public Wharf, Nelson Bay.
Contact Details: Website ph: 4981 0021
Thursday 21st, Friday 22nd, Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th (To Be Confirmed): Port Stephens Game Fishing Club Interclub Game Fishing Tournament (Weekend 1) Weighing Station, Public Wharf, Nelson Bay.
(Thursday: Ladies Day Tournament Day) (Friday: Sailpast commences 7.15am at Dutchmans Bay). All days: Weigh station opens 4pm
Contact Details: Website ph: 4981 0021
March 2019:
Sunday 3rd: Clean Up Australia Day. Various sites.
Be part of Clean Up Australia Day. It's easy to get involved, simply go online and nominate your site, or volunteer at an existing one.
Contact details: Website ph: 1800 282 329
Friday 22nd, Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th (To Be Confirmed):Trailerboat Sportsfishing Tournament. Nelson Bay harbour.
Held each year with up to 1500 competitors and 500 boats competing for around $100,000 in species and lucky draw prizes.
Contact Details: Website ph: 0416 282 022 or 9029 6554
Friday 22nd, Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th (To Be Confirmed): Karuah Bluegrass Music Festival around the town of Karuah, with two all-weather venues: a Big Top Tent and the popular Picker's Paradise at the Karuah Community Hall.
Contact details: Website Ph: 0411 618 245
April 2019
Sunday 7th: Daylight Saving ends Sunday 7th April at 3:00 am.
Put your clocks & watches back one hour. Remember, Spring forward, Fall back!
Friday 12th: School Hoildays commence.
Friday 19th: Good Friday PUBLIC HOLIDAY.
Saturday 20th: Easter Saturday PUBLIC HOLIDAY.
Sunday 21st: Easter Sunday PUBLIC HOLIDAY.
Monday 22nd: Easter Monday PUBLIC HOLIDAY.
Thursday 25th: ANZAC Day. Apex Park, Nelson Bay.
Dawn Service: 5.25am: Assemble at Apex Park. Commemoration at 5.30am
Main service: 10.30am: March assembles at Nelson Bay Bowling Club. 10.40am: March moves off down Stockton Street. 10.50am: Main Commemoration Service begins at Apex Park.
Contact details: Nelson Bay RSL Sub-branch c/- Nelson Bay Diggers Club ph: 4984 1344
You can download the full list of local Port Stephens ANZAC Day commemorations here
Monday 29th: Bay FM - 21st Birthday. Port Stephens' oldest permanently licenced radio station, Bay FM, turns 21.
Monday 29th: NSW School Resumes - Term 2
May 2019
Sunday 13th: Mother's Day
June 2019:
Satuday 1st: Whale Watching Season Launch: Official Launch of the Whale Watching Season and Naturefest Port Stephens at 9am on the Nelson Bay Waterfront, followed by boarding of vessels for the first whale watching cruise of the day. To book for a Whale Watch Cruise you can contact either Moonshadow-TQC Cruises or Imagine Cruises.
Contact details: Destination Port Stephens
Saturday 1st June until Sunday 14th July: Naturefest Port Stephens an exciting program of events that promotes and celebrates the beauty and all things Mother Nature in Port Stephens!
Contact details: Destination Port Stephens
Sunday 2nd: Port Stephens Dolphin Census: Nature lovers are invited from 11am - 12 midday, to count how many of Port Stephens’ famous dolphins live in the bay’s blue waters.
Contact details: Marine Parks Association
Saturday 8th: World Oceans Day: People all over our blue planet are celebrating under the theme of Healthy Oceans, Healthy Planet. Local events will be organised under the Naturefest Port Stephens banner.
Contact details: World Oceans Day
Friday 7th to Monday 10th: Blue Water Country & Blues Music Festival:
Port Stephens' renowned country music festival returns this year to various clubs and venues. No acivities this year in the streets or park.
Contact details: Website ph: 4984 4751
Monday 10th: Queen's Birthday PUBLIC HOLIDAY
July 2019:
Saturday 6th: NSW School Holidays commence.
Sunday 14th July: The Human Whale Fingal Beach, Marine Drive, Fingal Bay
To celebrate the whale watch season in Port Stephens, holiday visitors and locals alike are invited to help form the shape of a giant human whale on Fingal Beach.
Contact details: Destination Port Stephens
Tuesday 23rd July: NSW School Term 3 commences.
August 2019:
Thursday 1st to Saturday 31st: Love Seafood Festival
This month-long celebration will feature celebrity chefs and TV cooks, seafood cruises, a foodie’s weekend at d’Albora Marinas, a family festival at the marina, cooking classes and demonstrations for adults and kids, markets, rides, live entertainment and discounted seafood lunches at more than 15 eateries across Port Stephens.
Contact details: Destination Port Stephens Website ph: 1800 808 900
Monday 12th to Sunday 18th: Place Property Management Port Stephens Golf Classic Classic
Played at various golf courses around Port Stephens. The Port Stephens Golf Classic offers golfers a unique experience with the tournament being played on three premier golf courses, Nelson Bay, Horizons and Pacific Dunes.
Contact Details: Website ph: 4981 1132
Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th: Love Seafood WeekendFestival at d'Albora Marinas.
Love Sea Food 2018 weekend festival includes seafood tastings with local providores for passionate foodies; seafood cooking demonstrations, hands-on seafood preparation experiences and the farmers of the sea (oysters); family friendly activities & more.
Contact details: Destination Port Stephens Website ph: 1800 808 900
September 2019:
Sunday 1st September: Father's Day
Saturday 14th (To Be Confirmed): Clans on the Coast 9am-4.30pm at Dick Burwell AFL Oval, Nelson Bay.
Pipe Bands, Scottish & Celtic Dancing, Singing groups, Stalls, Ancient battle re-enactments, Food & Beverages, and more...
Contact Details: Website ph: 0418 495 336
Saturday 28th: NSW School Holidays commence.
October 2019:
Sunday 6th: Daylight Saving begins Sunday 5th October at 2:00 am.
Put your clocks & watches forward one hour. Remember, Spring forward, Fall back!
Monday 7th: Labour Day NSW PUBLIC HOLIDAY
Saturday 12th: Myall River Festival on the Tea Gardens Waterfront. 10am to 8.30pm.
The Festival is a family-friendly day, with a large variety of market stalls,stage entertainment, river activities, games and competitions for the kids, all taking place on the magical waterfront of Tea Gardens, beside the Myall River.
Contact Details: Facebook page ph: Craig Foot 0428 685 232; Gerard Wilson 0412 2010 852
Monday 14th: NSW School Term 4
Saturday 19th: Karuah Oyster & Timber Festival at Longworth Park, Karuah.
Something for everyone, woodchopping events, market stalls, local oysters & entertainment.
Contact details: Event Website ph: Dawn Lyall 4997 3088
November 2019:
Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd: Tastes At The Bay Food & Jazz Festival on the Nelson Bay foreshore.
Local fine food restaurants, wineries from the Hunter Valley and Port Stephens along with music to make your day.
Contact details: Website ph: 4984 4751
Monday 11th: Remembrance Day
• Nelson Bay: at the War Memorial in Apex Park, Nelson Bay. Service commences at 10.50am with Bugler provided by Australian Army, Newcastle and Catafalque and Flag Party supplied by RAAF, Williamtown. Luncheon and Drinks at Nelson Bay Diggers Club for RSL sub-Branch members.
• Tanilba Bay: at the Tilligerry RSL Sports Club, Tanilab Bay. Form up at 10.45am for 11am service.
• Medowie: at Medowie Memorial Park, cnr Medowie and Ferodale Rds, Medowie. Assemble by 10.45am for 11am service.
Saturday 16th: Tilligerry Fun Festival on the waterfront at Henderson Park, Lemon Tree Passage
Sail Past and Blessing of the Fleet, markets, rides and entertainment all day. There's something for everyone.
Contact details: Facebook page Tilligerry Community Association. Phone: Sue Hamilton 4982 4374
December 2019:
Friday 6th (To Be Confirmed): Medowie Christmas Carnival
From 4pm at Ferodale Oval, Medowie
Presented by the Rotary Club of Williamtown. The carnival will feature a range of children’s rides and amusements, artisan market stalls, gourmet food vendors, live music, giveaways, entertainment and activities involving schools, sport, dance, community groups and businesses. Carols headliner is The Voice finalist and Port Stephens resident Anyerin Drury. Free entry.
Contact details: 4982 9388
Saturday 7th (To Be Confirmed): Carols on the Green
From 5.3opm on the grounds of the Tilligerry RSL Sports Club, Tanilba Bay.
Musical performances by Gina Jeffreys, Lyn Bowtell, Karen O’Shea and Kate Ballantyne, Tanilba Bay Public School children, a Tilligerry dance troop, Daniel Thompson, Tommy Contor, Max Jackson and TJ Hamilton, visit by Santa, 9pm fireworks. Entry is $2. BYO food but no drinks.
Contact details: Website ph: 4982 3889
Sunday 8th (To Be Confirmed): Carols By The Bay
From 5.30pm at Fly Point, Nelson Bay.
Performances from schools, Port dance and talent groups including the SeaSide Singers community choir, Santa, main carols headlined by The Voice finalist and Port Stephens resident Anyerin Drury. Free entry. Market and food stalls. BYO blanket or chair. Community performances from 5:30pm, Main act from 7:30pm, Santa around 8:30pm, Fireworks at 9pm
Tuesday 17th (To Be Confirmed): Carols Under The Stars
From 5.30pm at Gateway Family Church, Gan Gan Road, at Anna Bay.
This year's event will feature the very popular camel rides, face painting, two free jumping castles and other kids activities. The Carols and Nativity Play include real camels, donkeys and sheep.
Festivities at 5.30pm with live performances from local musicians, as well as lots of activities and great food for all the family. The highlight of the evening, the Carols and Nativity Play, will begin at 7.30pm.
Contact details: Website ph: 4982 5022
saturday 21st December: NSW Summer School Holidays Commence.
Wednesday 25th: Christmas Day
Wednesday 26th: Boxing Day
Tuesday 31st: New Year's Eve
• At Nelson Bay. Fireworks at 9pm (only) at d'Albora Marinas. Live bands, entertainment.
• At Tea Gardens. Fireworks at 9.30pm at Tea Gardens Country Club. Family friendly with giant slide, jumping castle.
• At Tanilba Bay. Fireworks at 9pm at Tilligerry RSL Sports Club.