Newcastle’s free festival of fire and fun

Newcastle’s favourite winter tradition is back, with Winterheat Festival returning to Pacific Park for its 22nd year of fire, music, food, roving performers, family fun, and glowing winter magic.

On Saturday, 1 August, Winterheat Festival 2026 will take over Pacific Park with fire sculptures, live music, silent disco, neon food alley, puppets, workshops, roving performers, and a free kids zone.

Presented by City of Newcastle, Newcastle BIA, Wiltech PA, and Fingers Crossed Creative, Winterheat is a free, family-friendly festival celebrating fire, creativity, community, and the joy of getting out in the middle of winter.

Now in its 22nd year, the festival has welcomed up to 12,000 attendees in recent years and continues to grow as one of Newcastle’s much-loved winter events.

This year’s program will feature: 

→ Fire sculptures, 
→ Cannons, barrels and performances,
→ Two live music stages,
→ A hilltop silent disco,
→ H’Eat Street neon food alley filled with local vendors,
→ Giant puppets, roving characters, dance lessons, acrobatics, choir performances, bell ringing, sideshow performances, and plenty more.

Families can make the most of: 

→ Free kids workshops,
→ An all-in parade, 
→ Free 100-drum African drumming workshop,
→ Bicycle karaoke,
→ Free valet bike parking, bike check-ups, and
→ A free kids zone with sideshow booths, face painting, bouncy attractions, fairy floss, lollipops, and s’mores.

This year’s festival also falls on a full moon and the date of Imbolc, an ancient Gaelic fire festival marking the midpoint between winter and spring, so expect a few subtle nods to light, fire, renewal, and the first spark of spring.

Winterheat Festival 2026

When: Saturday, 1 August 2026
Where: Pacific Park, Newcastle
Time: 5:00pm – 9:00pm
Cost: Free entry
No booking required

To find out more, visit Winterheat Festival.

Proudly presented by City of Newcastle SBR Program, Newcastle BIA & Fingers Crossed Creative Ltd.