Live music, food, pop-up bars, activities, and local businesses came together for one big community celebration
Darby Street Festival returned to Cooks Hill in November 2026 bringing plenty of local flavour to one of Newcastle’s best-known dining and lifestyle strips.
On Saturday, 7 November 2026, Darby Street closed to traffic and transformed into one long street party, with more than 40 local businesses taking part from 12pm to 6pm.
Following a huge first year that attracted around 12,000 people, the festival returned bigger in 2026. The all-ages, fully licensed event kicked off at 12pm, with the Mayor officially opening the festival at the Band Stage at Lola’s.
Live Music
Running across three stages – the Hey Tilly Stage, DJ Stage and Band Stage – performers included Brendan Watson, Nana Klump, DJ Lily, Rose White and more.
Food and Pop-Up Bars
Stretching along the street, cuisines covered included; Spanish, Indian, Mexican, Vietnamese and Thai, while local businesses spilled onto the road with festival-only offers, makers markets, clay making and bag charm workshops.
Competions, Prizes and Giveaways
There were a few key moments, including a $9,172 giveaway drawn live at 2pm, Newy Fried Chicken’s Wing Eating Challenge at 3pm, and Fash Mob fashion moments at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm.
For families....
The marching koalas, stilt walkers, bubbles, face painting and a petting zoo entertained the crowd, while a pop-up yoga class kicked things off on the Hey Tilly Stage at 12:15pm.
A free park-and-ride shuttle ran from Bar Beach car park throughout the day, with accessible parking available at Civic Park. Darby Street closed to traffic between Bull Street and Queen Street.
Darby Street Festival
When: Saturday, 7 November 2026
Where: Darby Street, Cooks Hill
Time: 12:00pm – 6:00pm
Cost: Free entry
