We sought feedback from people who live, work, and run businesses in Newcastle on whether they support holding a Local Public Holiday for the Newcastle Show on Friday, 27 February 2026, and Friday, 26 February 2027.

Every year, City of Newcastle (CN) makes an application to the NSW Government for Newcastle Regional Show Day to be declared a Local Public Holiday or Local Event Day, given its significance to the local community.

Over the past few years, the Newcastle Regional Show Day has been declared either a Local Public Holiday or Local Event Day for the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Local Government Areas.

The Newcastle Show is an important historical, social and cultural event to the community within the Newcastle Region that dates to 1901 when the first Show was held.

If approved, the Local Public Holiday will fall on a Friday, providing locals with a long weekend and an additional day outside of work to enjoy and celebrate the Show and unite as a community.

A Local Public Holiday is considered a public holiday for all employees whose place of work is within the Newcastle Local Government Area.

Next year, the Newcastle Show will be held from Friday, 27 February until Sunday, 1 March 2026 at the Newcastle Regional Showground at Broadmeadow. 

For more information visit www.newcastleshow.com.au.

Thanks for having your say

Thanks for having your say! Read the engagement summary to find out what we heard.

Community feedback was considered and reported to Council at the Ordinary Council meeting of Tuesday, 23 September 2025. The elected Council voted to apply for a Local Public Holiday for Newcastle Show Day in 2026 and 2027. If not approved, Council will seek to have the day recognised as either a half-day Local Public Holiday or a Local Event Day.

We will keep the community updated as the application progresses.